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.