Capello’s Real Work Starts Now

So we’ve made it. In record time, with minimum fuss and goals galore.

Cue mass hysteria and widespread delirium across the land.

That’s the problem you see. Just like four years ago, this England team is in serious danger of getting over-hyped to the extent that they arrive in South Africa seriously believing they are world-beaters.

This is a dangerous mindset and could easily lead to the kind of complacent, sleep-walking football that England played in Germany.

England were excellent last night and there are lots of very encouraging signs. The movement was fantastic, especially the way Gerrard, Lampard and Lennon found space in the areas behind, beyond and outside Rooney and Heskey. At times, England were playing with a genuine front five, and that’s something that will be hard for any team to deal with.

But there is a long, long way to go, and this team is still some distance form being the finished article.

Capello deserves the plaudits for masterminding such a trouble-free qualification campaign but his record in matches against the top-ranked sides is decidedly poor.

During the Italian’s short tenure, England have lost friendlies against France, Germany and Spain and fought back from 2-0 down to scrape a draw with Holland.

That’s pretty compelling evidence that England are still some way from being considered favourites for this World Cup.

Capello’s biggest challenge over the coming months will be to develop a way for England to impose their will against teams with superior technical ability.

England are unlikely to enjoy more than 40% of possession against sides like Spain or Brazil, which makes it crucially important for them to use the ball effectively when they do have it.

I think Slaven Bilic was onto something. What England do have in abundance is players of athleticism, speed and power – truly English virtues that can produce a style of play every bit as exhilarating for the spectator as watching Spain produce 30 passes en route to a goal.
The first 20 minutes last night were as good as any spell of football I’ve seen this decade. They reminded me of the way Liverpool bombard and overwhelm opponents in Champions League games at Anfield. This style may just to hold the key to how England need to play against opponents who will guard the ball with their lives.

I feel a bit sorry for Glen Johnson. Finally England have an attacking fullback of genuine quality (I include Ashley Cole here, unless you can name me three occasions in which he’s set up a goal). Yes, he has defensive lapses, but Brazil didn’t worry about that when Roberto Carlos and Cafu were haring up and down the touchline, pressing opponents, demanding attention from opposing fullbacks and creating space for teammates.

To win a World Cup you need lots of ways of scoring goals and Johnson provides another option going forward. His defending must improve but he knows that and just needs to improve his reaction speed when opponents are shaping to cross or shoot. He is rarely beaten for pace and is good in the air so the adjustments he needs to make are minor and well within his reach.

One final thought. Heskey. I just don’t get it any more. Yes he occupies defenders and has presence. But you don’t win major tournaments with non-scoring centre-forwards. Last night, he had two gilt-edged chances and failed miserably on both occasions. Martin O’Neill has lost patience and so will Capello.

If the Italian wants a big man, Carlton Cole and Peter Crouch are better options. If he wants a goal-threat Jermain Defoe has shown himself to be a Grade A finisher, although Capello understandably seems to view the Spurs man as an impact player from the bench.

The good news is that England’s early qualification gives Capello time to experiment and try out some of these alternatives. My feeling is that Cole will have a big season for West Ham and show himself to be a kind of Heskey Plus.

We’re nearly there but the hard work starts now.

My team for South Africa: Green, Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, Cole, Lennon, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Cole.
Subs: Foster, Upson, Bridge, Carrick, Walcott, Crouch.