Addressing reporters at a Fifa seminar recently, Fabio Capello said of his squad: “The players have to understand what I want if you want to stay with me. It will be very important because we need to create a group.” Capello is known as being an enforcer- a disciplinarian who leaves his players in no doubt as to his wishes and his intentions.
Deep into World Cup year the national team now needs stability, both for the coach and the players. The sooner Capello has chosen his squad (and especially his starting XI) the better. He can then focus on refining tactical requirements and closer man management of the individuals he wants to take a winning mentality to South Africa. The players, too, need to know they are a confirmed part of Capello’s plans – stability breeds confidence in their ability and the knowledge that their positions are secure. From this platform Capello and England would be set up for success. Capello needs to stop the selection of less experienced players who have been doing well for their clubs, and yet unproven at international level. England’s opponents at the World Cup are the toughest yet- all previous winning nations are in attendance, and the strongest African nations competing on home soil – and all these nations have experienced winners in their number.
The clich
