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Capello – One Year on

‘Surprised’ – that was the descriptive Fabio Capello used in a post match interview in Berlin, when asked about his first year in charge of the national team.

However, the fact remains that only Glenn Hoddle has a better record in the England hot seat during the first ten games of tenure. Capello has won eight, drawn one and lost one. Where as the ex-Tottenham man won nine out of ten – with just one defeat.

When the experienced Italian took control, English football was in no uncertain terms, in disarray. The comical media circus that surrounded Sven Goran Eriksson was preceded by the failure to qualify for the European Championships under Steve McClaren.

It was therefore imperative that our national game was dragged back out of the gutter. It may be an old cliché, but failure was not an option.

Literally speaking, hiring Capello was a very expensive move by the FA. A move that had to work, especially taking into account, the way Eriksson’s demise was so well documented in the press.

The biggest stir was caused by the payout he continued to receive long after leaving the England post.

Capello can be likened to an army general. The WAG’s have been officially banned and he has silently commanded respect from the tabloids – rarely have his private affairs been a source for slur in the media.

Above all it seems Capello has installed a fresh work ethic and belief into the squad – fundamentals that had lacking for the best part of a decade within our national game.

The point that has to be underlined is that he continues to fine-tune tactics from game to game, dependent only upon the opposition. Previous England managers were more single-minded and perhaps even naive.

Under previous coaches any change of formation, was generally paired with a disjointed performance. Being an international coach requires more tactical nouse – there must always be a plan ‘b’.

If the Croatia game at Wembley was McClaren’s ultimate undoing, the reverse fixture in Zagreb, in this World Cup qualifying campaign, was an indication of the new direction England had taken.

The England team were on a revenge mission. Their passing and interplay gave the Croatians so many problems and unleashing Theo Walcott proved a masterstroke – as he bagged a more than impressive hat trick.

It is no understatement to say, that for most parts Croatia were chasing shadows.

The other major factor in England’s transformation has been the form of Wayne Rooney. Finally we have an England manager who knows how to get the best out of the tireless Manchester Utd striker.

Rooney does most damage when he is allowed to express himself. Playing him as part of a striking duo, but allowing him to drop deep, has always been his best role.

Of course, no one would argue his willingness to do his bit for the team, he would play left back if asked, but such a natural and exciting talent should be the pillar of the England set-up.

Capello made sure the latest friendly in Berlin, against old foes Germany, served a purpose. Many senior players tossed in their withdrawal cards, ultimately this proved to be a blessing in disguise.

It gave Capello chance to see many of the second string in action against top opposition. These fringe players flexed their muscles – and they have consequently given Capello some real food for thought.

The performances of Michael Carrick, Gabby Agbonlahor, Matthew Upson and such, has proved that competition for places will be of gain for the squad. There is now a very fine line between the first eleven and the rest.

It may be costing the FA a grand sum of money, but this squad of talented individuals, needed a coach who could give them direction – both on and off the pitch.

We mustn’t get carried away, he still has problem areas. The ongoing debate of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard accommodating each other still remains entirely in the balance.

The goalkeeper position is by no means cut and dry, and in truth, when all personnel are fit, he still doesn’t know his best eleven.

These are problems that will get ironed out over time. The primary objective is qualifying for the 2012 World Cup. If the statistics of his next ten games, mirror those of his last, the master plan will be at an intermediate stage.

It will only be complete though when the success of 1966, can itself, be replicated.

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