Steve McClaren hardly got out the church before the questioning started. The nation’s faith in Capello still runs deep and he can rekindle the love affair, particularly if he turns Cape Town into Capello Town on Friday.
England’s manager still has a lot of rebuilding to do before the game with Algeria, starting with working on Robert Green’s confidence, on his central defence now that Ledley King has fallen lame and on the team’s tactical structure. He must also restore belief in his own powers.
The joy of sport is that passions can quickly be reignited. Even the narrowest of victories over Algeria will have all parties whispering sweet one-nothings in each other’s ears. History shows that a draw with the US is not the end of the World Cup. On June 17, 2006, Italy were held 1-1 by the US and 22 days later Fabio Cannavaro lifted the cup.
The Italian in charge of England faces an awkward week, though; a period of unprecedented questioning. Even on his players’ day off on Sunday, controversy stalked Capello’s England. A few trained at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus, while others relaxed with families or went shopping in Rustenburg. No problem there.
In the afternoon, players such as Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Green managed to avoid the fenced-off crocodile lake on the Lost City Golf Course at Sun City but not the paparazzi. One camera crew were asked to move by Rooney because they were in his line of shot. Photos were taken of a communal comfort break by players, aka the Relief of Bafokeng. More FA leaks.
England’s players were annoyed at the brief media intrusion over the first four holes and Monday’s open training session at Royal Bafokeng could be interesting. All eyes and lenses will be focused on Capello, scrutinising his body language after his first significant setback. England were not defeated, but the intensity of American celebrations gave the occasion a Belo Horizonte feel.
Now is the time to question some of Capello’s decisions but not his right to manage. He remains England’s guiding light, having led the team out of the darkness of the McClaren era, and he rightly enjoys the unquestioning backing of the most committed group of followers, England fans. When they turn, Capello should worry, but they haven’t. Far from it.
These loyal supporters have been through far worse and know this is not a crisis. The pocket of fans who shouted critical comments about Capello on Saturday night were not seated with the official body and were quickly told to shut up. Yet as any marriage guidance counsellor would advise, it is important to air the doubts. So why did Capello not sort out the goalkeeping issue before arrival, allowing one of Green, Hart or David James to bed in?
Why did he start James Milner when he was still suffering with a virus?
Why did he include in his squad the injury-prone Ledley King, whose adductor problem has all but ended his tournament?
The list continues. When Milner was removed, why did Capello send on Shaun Wright-Phillips, a touchline-hugger who meant more gaps opened in the centre? Joe Cole was itching to get on but appears to have annoyed Capello somehow.
Does he regret not bringing Adam Johnson to give real balance on the left? Why does he persist with 4-4-2 when warm-up games against ball-playing sides such as Mexico highlighted how open it made England? When will he employ Steven Gerrard and Rooney more in their club roles? Will Gareth Barry’s return against Algeria mean Gerrard being given the graveyard shift of left midfield again?
Capello was asked if he had made any errors. “No mistakes,’’ the Italian replied. “Absolutely not.’’
Yet four minutes into the game it was England asking all the questions. Driven on by the outstanding Gerrard, England got off to a flier, delighting their huge throng of support with the captain’s fourth-minute strike. If Glen Johnson’s delivery to launch the move looked close to being a foul throw, Frank Lampard did well in working the ball to Emile Heskey, whose lay-off to Gerrard was his most impressive contribution of the evening.
The timing and strength of Gerrard’s run caught out the US, and particularly Ricardo Clark, and his flicked finish gave Tim Howard no chance. It was a fine move and goal and England should have built on it. Sadly, there is a nervous strain in their DNA and they dropped deep, often wasting possession.
Capello’s 4-4-2 system did not help, forcing Rooney to scavenge back to find the ball. When Gerrard is higher up the field, Rooney pushes on and it is an enduring disappointment that Capello does not play his best two players in tandem, the central attacking force of a 4-2-3-1 formation.
A front six of Lampard and Barry holding, Aaron Lennon on the right, Joe Cole (or a fully-fit Milner) on the left with Gerrard behind Rooney would give England numbers in midfield and a sharper spearhead, although the expectation is that Capello will continue with Heskey. “He played very well,’’ stressed the manager.
Green could survive despite his fateful fumble of Clint Dempsey’s shot, but England’s woes piled higher. King went at the break, but Capello stressed: “We have three central defenders, Carragher, Dawson and Upson.’’ Carragher replaced King and highlighted England’s vulnerability to pace. He was beaten by Jozy Altidore and only a fine save from Green prevented the US taking the lead. Matthew Upson may be the better bet against Algeria.
Beyond Gerrard’s dynamic display, there were positives. Glen Johnson consistently provided width. Lennon is definitely worth persisting with, but needs to have more conviction with his final ball.
Enough questions. Capello insists he has the answers. “I’m not worried about the future. Absolutely not.’’
