World Cup Diary

June 21, 2010

I am not convinced that what time Fabio Capello names his England squad makes any difference to a result. However if mentally this makes a group of players happier then it is probably worth it, lets be honest we are at a stage where after the first two games it is worth trying anything.

What it might represent is that Capello, who the FA were happy to pay 6 million a year because they felt they had the services of one of the best managers in the world is looking increasingly average. When the Italian first moved into Soho Square strictness and discipline was key on his agenda. Players were ordered to wear suits, mobile phones were banned and there certainly was no repeat of Steve Mclaren’s era of giving players nick names. If you had said then that Fabio would even consider listening to his players about changing a routine which he has followed through out his career you would be accused of not knowing the man.

This however should not be compared to the 2002/2006 campaigns when it was rumoured that the likes of Beckham, Ferdinand, Gerrard and others had major influence in Sven’s tactics. This was a meeting, approved by Capello, for everyone to have their say on the anti climax which has been our World Cup bid.

Naming the team a couple of hours before kick off is actually something all players experience in the Premiership, most have done this in European competitions, a handful have won the Premiership by this formula. My point is I do not think it is a case of Gerrard or Lampard needing reassurance when they go to bed at night that they will be in the team tomorrow. It is more of a case of say if Capello decides to give Jermain Defoe the biggest game of his career (and Capello has promised changes) that he is given more time to prepare and settle his nerves then a couple of hours. This is of course is prompted by what happend to Rob Green, his mistake a catalyst to our downfall which we have never recovered from.

It is a sign that Capello has admitted he made a mistake, that after two years of preparation waiting two hours before the opening game to tell the squad who is the number one keeper was a mistake.

I remain confident yesterdays heart to heart was a positive step and not any kind of player power which some have suggested. Lets be honest it could of done France some good to have sat down at some point and have a healthy debate/ forum of how to change things.

Capello would of listened to each of his men, nodded along to their opinions but make no mistake Wednesday night he will pick the team and the formation. Lets hope for the sake of a nation he gets it right. Then we can all breath a huge sigh of relief and look forward.

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