Pedagogue wrote:Although Swiftyboy's original post was a bit OTT and unfortunately timed, it does not alter the fact that Capello's management has been less than perfect over the last couple of months.
Squad selection:- after publicly stating, on more than one occasion, that he would not take any injured players to South Africa, he picks one of the most injury-prone players in England, Ledley King! There were already fitness doubts, albeit much less, about Ferdinand, Rooney and Defoe. I have some sympathy for Capello in this area. Injury robbed him of the chance to select Kirkland (the best English 'keeper, imo), Woodgate (the 2nd best centre-back), Hargreaves and Owen (the best striker), compounded by the late loss of Ferdinand (actually, that's not a bad 5-a-side team :D ).
Obviously, if the players of the requisite quality aren't there, then he can't select them. "Calamity" James and "Butterfingers" Green are not international-class goalkeepers but there is hope for the future with Hart. There are no really good English right-backs, only one decent left-back and it is a savage indictment of the dearth of top-quality English strikers that he felt the need to include a lumbering donkey who can't even get in a low-scoring Villa team and a semi-mobile hat-stand who can score goals - but only against weak opposition. Oh, Michael Owen - why can't you stay fit?!?
Selection & Tactics:- all of us armchair managers can, of course, pick better teams than Capello but, let's be honest, some of his selections have been puzzling and his apparent rigidity of thought and "tunnel vision" have created avoidable problems. There is a fine difference between having the courage of your convictions and just being downright stubborn. The players were right to be concerned and the manager should be prepared to listen to them. Whether he chooses to act on those concerns is, of course, a different matter. Chris Marsh, in his Excuse & Dingle column, this week, spoke of his relationship with Ray Graydon. He, along with a number of other players, did not like Graydon but he had great respect for him because he was a good coach and he always listened to the opinions of his senior players. Capello needs to understand that to to listen to, and consider, the opinions of others is not a sign of weakness.
Management Style:- Capello's record as a club manager is outstanding (as was that of Eriksson) but this is the first team that he has managed at international level. It is also the first time that he has had his squad under his control, away from distractions, for a long period of time. It is clear that there are tensions within the camp. Terry was bang out of order going public with his comments but that doesn't automatically mean that what he said was untrue. He merely chose to publicly air what I suspect many players were thinking and saying privately. Sadly, thinking and social skills are not JT's strong points.
If we can see off the Krauts on Sunday, then, as Blazing says, above, confidence will be high and we MIGHT, just might surprise a few people.
Good summary. I would only differ on the bit about Owen. I do not think Capello would have considered him even if fit.