Blame game begins for lambs dressed as Lions

WHEN Fabio Capello accepted the England job and transformed the team’s fortunes with nine victories in 10 qualifying games, the overall view of informed critics was that if England didn’t win the World Cup under this coach, they probably never would.

But, having been unceremoniously dumped out of the tournament by Germany in the last 16, instead of starting a long-overdue debate about the root cause of English football’s age-old problems Capello, was subjected to an hour-long press conference answering questions about his future.

The FA muddied the waters by saying no decision would be made for at least two weeks while England’s performance at the World Cup is analysed; but although the underlying truth seems to be that the Italian will stay following talks with FA chairman Dave Richards in London next month, it was also obvious his position is, at the very least, under debate.

Quite who could be appointed to do a better job is difficult to fathom, given Capello’s hugely impressive CV, so surely it would be much healthier all round for England to begin a serous review, led by Capello, into why their players underperform in major tournaments, no matter how high the quality of the man who leads them there.

The Italian has already identified several key areas for discussion including the possibility of a winter break, the ability of his players to follow instruction and the size of the talent pool he has to choose from in the first place – and all of these debates would be of far more use to English football than another compensation package.

In fairness, FA spokesman Adrian Bevington hinted strongly that Capello would stay; but it would have sent out a far stronger message if the FA had backed their manager immediately and used the two-week ‘cooling off’ period to get to the bottom of what has really gone wrong with a group of players who have been given four major tournaments to produce the goods and failed on each occasion to deliver.

“I know a lot of things about the players and what happened,” insisted Capello as he made a case for two more years in charge going into the Euro 2012 championships. “I know more now than before because I realised what happened when we arrived at the World Cup. I understand more things.

“And I understand one thing really important, I understand why England didn’t win before. The England players arrive at the end of the season tired. Every game we played in this period, seven games in all, I never saw the players that I can see in the autumn or two months after Christmas. They were training well, were focused but they are not the same players, not as fast or quick.

“I want to change something but it’s impossible, there are too many games in the season. They play, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday.”

Tiredness cannot explain everything, however, and that is why the real attention now must turn to the players who have let England down and how many of them should continue to be selected.

Perhaps the most revealing moment of Capello’s press conference, when he showed real emotion, was when he was asked about the way England lost discipline at 2-1 down against Germany and conceded two goals on the counter-attack after committing too many men to attack.

“Look, I’m angry. I’m really angry,” said the Italian. “I spoke always about what should happen in different areas of the pitch. They scored four goals and three were avoidable. I prepared the team well, I chose the best players in the moment. What can you do?”

What indeed, because the options for renewal look bleak. If 30-somethings such as Frank Lampard, David Beckham, David James and Steven Gerrard are to be replaced, then who is available to fill their shoes?

“We talked about this with my staff. I also spoke with Dave Richards,” said Capello. “I think we will find two or three new players, probably, for the Euros.

“Adam Johnson, the Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs. Also Michael Dawson, although he is not young. Also Agbonlahor and Zamora, who was injured this time. Another player we hope will be fit is Hargreaves.

“The best young players are in the under 21s and are not ready to play here at the World Cup. But I hope in the next year or six months people will come through. I hope Theo Walcott will be back. And Jack Wilshere is an interesting player. I hope some good players will be ready in six months, it’s possible.”

Possible? Yes. Convincing? No.

But don’t blame the manager.