Capello Finally Shows his Metal

DISCLAIMER- MY FIRST EVER BLOG POST. 


He is the Italian maestro who has recieved criticism from every corner of this tiny nation in recent months. When less than a year ago he was being lauded as the next coming of Sir Bobby and Sir Alf.

Following a undoubtedly disastrous World Cup in South Africa, the clambering for the axe to fall was almost viral. He stood steadfast in his highly-paid job whilst all around him reached for the pitchforks and lighter fluid.

Along the way since his and the team's return from South Africa last July, he hasn't helped himself with some odd quotes and decisions springing up from his press appearances, from retiring David Beckham to the latest error coming with the Captaincy.

But it's this latest so-called 'gaffe' that I feel a bit of sympathy for him.

Yes, he could of publically handled it better. But the public support from his talisman and vice-captain Steven Gerrard and the corresponding words from his media savvy midfielder which showed that possibly the Italian played it by book when dealing with his strickened out-going captain, Rio Ferdinand.

Gerrard, said that he had spoke to Capello over the phone, after the Italian at the pre-game press appointments said that he came to the decision and looked to speak to Ferdinand face to face but was left waiting for his then-captain.

Couple that with his public confidence in the promising Jack Wilshere and his relenting of the 'too rigid' 4-4-2 formation he loved but everyone loathed and you see glimpses of the man who has lost just one qualifier and just two competitive games in his time in charge of the national team and was all but given an honorary knighthood just over a year ago.

Which, for me makes the criticism of him a little rich in my view. Something he is facing yet again ahead of tonight's uneccesary friendly at Wembley against the emerging Ghana team.

If this was just a one-off friendly played in mid-season with no qualifier to cushion the blow for the squirming club bosses around the top-echelon's of the game, then you can rest assured the touted XI for tonights game would be somewhat similar. So for the criticism to land at his feet for 'disrespecting' his opponents is, for me anyway, wide of the mark.

Tonight will see Wilshere, Parker and Matt Jarvis press their claims, something which has asked of him and the coaching set up even before Don Fabio strolled up Wembley Way.

All in all, with his team's confident showing this past weekend and also his seeming snub from his former captain on a personal level and the way he has meandered throguh the mine field of limited English up against the said pitchforks gathering at his every turn.

If they lose tonight, it matters little.

We are looking a good bet for the European Championships next summer if we negotiate a tough trip to Montenegro in a few months.

All a loss would do will be to give the gathered refreshed and new angles for criticism in a week where their target has played a blinder on the pitch and a few mis-steps aside off it as well and showed again why his bosses kept on adding the zeros to his pay packet.

Come on England!