Yet another successful qualification campaign out of the way and England’s passage to Euro 2012 secured you’d think fans across the country would be rejoicing. Not since 2004 and that fateful night in Lisbon have the national side contested a European Championship fixture with the image of Steve McLaren and his umbrella have been removed from the minds of the nation after the disastrous Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
Unfortunately for England supporters Fabio Capello has failed to lift the despondency that consistently surrounds our under achieving national team. Despite finishing top of the group fans have been under awed by a series of lacklustre performances that resulted in Capello’s capacity to manage England being ushered into the spotlight once again. Last year’s World Cup nightmare in South Africa brought forward serious interrogations over his position but ultimately the FA felt he deserved a second chance. Regrettably for those who were eager for him to be ousted from the Wembley manager’s office he’s yet again provoked debate over his inadequacies.
Many already written off England’s chances of making a major impact in Poland and Ukraine next year and it’s not hard to see why. Last nights draw in Montenegro was indicative of Capello’s reign with Wayne Rooney’s petulant sending off contributing to the side squandering a comfortable two goal lead. Yet again he is the subject of scathing criticism from the stands but looking deeper just what exactly has the 65-year-old done to attract so much derision?
Players operating out of position
One of the main gripes that fans have about Capello is his penchant ask players to operate out of their comfort zone. Last night’s game was the perfect example with Phil Jones, who plays predominantly as a centre half forManchester United, was asked to slot in at right back. For a manager of his experience the logic in asking a 19-year-old making his international debut to play in a position he is unfamiliar with is completely non-existent. It proved to be a poor decision with Jones looking uneasy for the entire 90 minutes he was on the field. It makes you wonder why he persists with this philosophy of asking players to perform in positions they are unacquainted with.
The fact he replaced Chris Smalling, another central player, at right back is bewildering considering the specialists he called up. Micah Richards and Kyle Walker were both in the squad but failed to even make it off the bench. Regardless of their fine form this season Capello overlooked both of them. Surely it would have been a safer option to give Richards the number two shirt ahead of Jones. The Manchester Cityfullback has performed well for his club and more importantly has experience at international level.
Even Jordan Henderson has suffered at the hands of the Italian after his debut in a holding midfield position against France last November went pear shaped. Despite playing much of his football on the right of midfield he was cast into a role which requires a certain level of defensive steel and know how.
Unfortunately for theLiverpool youngster he was criticised for his performance and hasn’t been near the senior team since. How is it plausible to ask a player to function in an unfamiliar position but still expect success? It’s not and aslong as Capello continues to adopt that way of thinking England will continue to falter. The fact is Capello isn’t doing what is best for the team or the players he is shunting into different positions.
Favouritism
Another major flaw that continues to hang over Capello his is preference for certain individuals. Throughout his tenure he has constantly professed that he would pick players who were in form and performing well at club level. Whilst that’s a legitimate method to base selection on and there are particular players who deserve a chance based on their domestic form it’s quite clear that some are unable to replicate that form at international level.