Does Capello Finally Have the Three Lions Ready To Roar?

There will undoubtedly be many England fans still harbouring doubts, lingering or otherwise, with regard to Fabio Capello’s stewardship of the England team with memories of last year's World Cup still in mind. However, there will be many more that would applaud the Italian for the way that he has turned the fortunes around since the debacle in South Africa.

Capello has guided the England team to Euro 2012 in Poland/Ukraine next June, with the little or nothing for fans to worry about, finishing top of group G with an unbeaten record whilst at the same time, changing the playing system and introducing a number of young new players to the team.

In essence, the "old guard" of Terry, Ferdinand, Lampard and Gerrard no longer have the same influence on the team as they have had in the past, instead, it is Capello who is clearly in charge and who now makes all the decisions.

Capello’s methodical introduction of "new blood" into the England squad has added plenty of competition for places and it was noticeable how only very few players made themselves unavailable for these last two games of the year which is very refreshing to see!

What most England fans will want to know next of course is exactly what squad Capello will select for Euro 2012.

He will have to pick 23 players prior to the tournament and given that three of them will be goalkeepers, there will be no doubt that a few players, who have made substantial contributions recently or even over the long term will be disappointed when the final squad is announced next May.

It is not long ago that the calls of the media were for the FA to sack Capello on numerous occasions since the World Cup but those calls have become somewhat muted more recently. The FA relented of course when it dawned on them that the compensation package that Capello would be due by taking such an action was embarrassingly high.

Having no alternative, the FA kept their faith in him and he have been rewarded them with a hugely encouraging last 18 months.

England played nine times in 2011 and became the first England team since 1996 to go through a calendar year unbeaten. The year culminated with 1-0 wins over European and World Champions, Spain last weekend and Sweden in midweek.

Those results will have sent out a message to the other 15 teams heading to Euro 2012 that England could be a major force participating in Poland and the Ukraine, whether that will materialise however remains to be seen.

What is know though is that for the first time in many years, the pool of players from which an England manager has to pick from is as wide and deep as most can remember and despite his critics, Capello may just have his Three Lions ready to roar.

Attention will now be turned to Kiev on 2nd December when the draw for the group stage Euro 2012 will be made. England have been seeded in the second pot of seeds, alongside, Germany, Russia and Italy, which means that they will not face any of those three in the first phase but could face Spain or the Netherlands!

The four groups of four for the group stages will be made up from the following seedings.

Pot 1 - Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Netherlands
Pot 2 - Germany, Italy, England, Russia
Pot 3 - Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden
Pot 4 - Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland

Written by Rod Crowley

Darren Fletcher Hopes To Draw England In Qualifiers

Image Credit Flickr User AtilatheHun

Darren Fletcher has today insisted that he would love to lock horns with the English should the Three Lions be drawn in the same group as Scotland when the World Cup qualifying draw is picked this Saturday in Rio. England could face Craig Levein’s Scotland with Fabio’s men being drawn in pot one and the Scots in pot four where both sides could battle it out for a place in the 2014 finals in Brazil.

"I would love to play them," Fletcher told BBC Scotland

"It is not something I would be fearful of, rather it is time we were playing them again.

"It would mean some banter on the Manchester United training ground with guys like Rooney and Ferdinand - and maybe a couple of solid kicks aimed at team-mates.

"But I think it would be good for the Scottish players and fans. It would be a massive game for us.

"I remember the Euro play-off at Hampden and Wembley in 1999 and it was fantastic to beat them, although we lost on aggregate to two goals from Paul Scholes."

Fletcher is currently battling is way back to fitness after missing the Premier League run-in and Champions League final, but the Scot is full of confidence that Scotland can make the Euro 2012 finals next year.
Scotland face a double-header European Qualifiers against Czech Republic and Lithuania which Scotland’s assistant Peter Houston describes as must-win games if they are to qualify.

He added; "I believe we can get to the play-off.

"Every game is a must win game and sometimes it is good when you know where you stand.

"You dream as a kid of playing for your country in a finals, whether it is World Cup or Euro, and I would hate it if when it is all over I never featured in either.

"But there is no denying the (World Cup) draw could bring us a group of death.

"It is not good being in pot four, but circumstances, including bad results in friendlies, have brought it upon us. All these things add up.

"However, we are a good side. More and more of the lads are coming down to England and playing at the top level.

"When everyone is fit Scotland have a very good core of a team.

"Charlie Adam, for example, was outstanding last season. 

"He is a talisman. Everyone is talking about him. He took the Premiership by storm."

Fabio Capello's Message To David Haye (VIDEO)

England football manager Fabio Capello has wished David Haye the best of luck ahead of his World Heavyweight Championship fight against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany at the Imtech Arena on Saturday, 2nd July 2011.

David is aiming to unify the Heavyweight division before he retires in October.

This will undoubtedly be Haye's biggest fight of his career so far and is hoping to add the WBO and IBF heavyweight titles in Hamburg to his current WBA title, England will be behind Haye as he attempts to take the Ukrainians titles away after Klitschko's domination of the Heavyweight division for years.

Check out Fabio’s good luck message below:

FA want Harry Redknapp after 2012

FA would like Redknapp to succeed Capello

The Football Association have put Spurs manager Harry Redknapp at the top of their wanted list, current England manager Fabio Capello has said that he doesn't want to continue past the European Championship 2012 when his contract runs out.

It has been no secret that Harry Redknapp would be the FA's ideal replacement to succeed Capello and Redknapp’s success over the last two seasons have improved his chances, having seen Spurs claim fourth place in Premier League last season, qualifying for Champions League football and beating current Champions League holders Inter Milan, both home and away advancing to the second phase of the tournament.

"Harry Redknapp is a great manager," said the FA's general secretary, Alex Horne.

"Tottenham are playing great football and to qualify for the Champions League (knockout stage) from a position of being fourth favourites in the group is huge testimony to that. I would expect Harry to make a long-list (for the England job). It may not be a very long long-list."

Horne said nothing has been discussed in regards to appointing the successor to Capello,

"He's there until 2012, which gives me 18, 19 months to prepare for that process. It is not a policy decision that (the contenders) would be English. It is an absolute preference for certain individuals. It is not yet a board policy decision," said Horne.

"We thought about this long and hard when we got Fabio Capello. We got the right man for the job and that is what we will do again."

After England’s World Cup humiliation in South Africa, Club England's managing director, Adrian Bevington, strongly suggested the next manager would be English.

Bevington, who is overseeing a review as to what went wrong at the 2010 World Cup, said: "I think the English team should be managed by an English manager."

However, Horne told the BBC that was not set in stone: "It is not a policy decision that they will definitely be English. I will be finalising the selection-process criteria during the first few months of next year for internal discussion."

Redknapp has already said this year that he would take the job if offered, when Capello steps down.

"People will always take it because, if you're English, it's the pinnacle of your career if you're in management," said Redknapp, whose credentials have been enhanced by Spurs' performances.

Liverpool confirm Gerrard's injury

Gerrard out for four weeks

Liverpool have been dealt with a injury blow that will rule Steven Gerrard out for up to four weeks, the midfielder suffered a hamstring injury last night while playing for England in the 2-1 defeat against France at Wembley. The skipper will have a scan later today, but after an initial assessment by Liverpool's medical team at Melwood training ground. It is thought that their captain will be sidelined for a month.

England and Liverpool had an agreement that Gerrard should only play for an hour, but after Barry was forced to come off and the England manager said he no choice but keep Gerrard on due to lack of senior players on the pitch and with Gerrard playing on longer than expected, he was forced to withdraw when he pulled his hamstring.

Dr Peter Brukner speaking on Liverpool TV said, "Steven injured his hamstring last night. He's just been in for an early assessment here and it certainly looks like a significant hamstring injury.

"He's just heading off for a scan as we speak and we should have the results of that tonight.

"He's going to be out for a little while, I'm afraid. I'd imagine it could be three to four weeks.
"
Fans were disappointed to see Gerrard play 85 minutes of the friendly match after an agreement with the FA was broke, but Dr Brukner remains philosophical about the situation.

"If you put your hand up to play for your country, you've got to accept how long they want you to play for," he said.

"There were obviously circumstances last night which came together to result in Steven playing for a bit longer than we'd hoped, which is disappointing but there's nothing we can do about that now.

"We'll move on and work as hard as we can to get him back playing for Liverpool as soon as possible."

Earlier in the day head of fitness and conditioning Darren Burgess posted a tweet slamming England's behaviour as 'disgraceful'

He also went on to add, "Unbelievable from all associated with England and English FA with regard to Steven Gerrard's injury. Completely ignored agreement and past history.
 
"Completely amateurish and now we pay for their incompetence. Absolutely disgraceful."

When speaking on the agreement with the FA & Liverpool, England manager Fabio Capello added, "We spoke with Steve and he said he would play one hour, but after Barry's injury we had some problems,"

"That was the reason he stayed on the pitch. If it's possible, the players will play the time we agreed with the club. admitted Capello.

"But Barry was really injured so we needed someone senior on the pitch because it was a really young team. He said he was good.

"They [Liverpool] asked that he can play one hour if it's possible. They can't decide how long a player plays with the national team.

"If it's possible, he'd have played an hour. I understand why they're upset and I'm also upset.

"The problem is that, when you play this game on Wednesday after a lot of Premier League, Europa League or Champions League games, it's possible there might be an injury for a player. The Premier League, every time, is a tough league for the players."

Andy Carroll set for England call-up

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is set to receive a call-up to the England squad to face France, Carroll who was left out of U21 squad for the game against Germany on Tuesday has been on form this season, scoring a hat-trick on the opening day and then going on to score eleven times including the winner against Arsenal last week in front of the England manager.

Arsene Wenger has praised the improvement of the Newcastle striker, he said, “Personally, I have been highly impressed by him. He has presence, charisma, confidence,” said the Arsenal manager.

“He is intelligent on the ball. I had doubts about him when I saw him one year ago but in the last year he has improved tremendously.

"He has to show it over a longer distance but I'm convinced Capello will have a look at him. I believe he will be good enough to play for England.”

And what does the Frenchman put this improvement down to?

“Attitude, and by that I mean motivation, and intelligence are the two main things I see personally. When you are not highly motivated and not very intelligent your potential to improve is very limited.”

While former manager Glenn Roeder has said that Fabio needs to think twice before selecting Carroll, the former Magpies manager suggests that Carroll is not playing to his full potential due to his off the field problems with charges of assault brought against the striker from an ex-girlfriend and that he doesn't set a good example to this kids. Roeder insists that the striker needs to change his lifestyle in order to get to the top of his game.

He added on BBC Radio 5 live, I'd select him but I'm not saying he should play. I'm not certain he's sending out great signals to young players,"

"If he is picked the signals for me would be 'I can do what I want it doesn't matter, as long as I play well I've got a chance to play for England'. The standards should be much higher than that.

"He's a great lad around the training ground, coaches love working with him, but by living the way he is he's not fulfilling the potential that he could possibly fulfil by having just a bit of a quieter life."

Newcastle team-mate Joey Barton has suggested that is more than worthy of a place in the England squad, and has has urged Capello to judge Carroll on his form,

He added, "Hopefully they will stop worrying about Goody Two Shoes image which the sponsors want for England.

"They need to start picking players to win matches. The frustrating thing for me is that England pick the good guys for the World Cup because they won't cause any problems, but every other national team picks the players who are simply the best in their position.

"I'm not telling Fabio Capello how to do his job, but for me it is a no-brainer to have Andy Carroll in his squad because he has everything to be the archetypal English centre-forward."

Rio Ferdinand retains England captaincy

Rio Ferdinand has been confirmed as England captain by manager Fabio Capello, Steven Gerrard had been given the job by Capello while Manchester United defender was fighting back to fitness from the injury which ruled him out of England's disastrous World Cup campaign. But now Ferdinand has regained full fitness, Fabio has decided that Rio should take the armband back. Gerrard captained England at the World Cup and the opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers in the absence of the injured Ferdinand.

"I spoke with Steven yesterday evening and explained why Rio will be captain against Montenegro," said Capello.

"He understood everything - he knows the rules. I have also told the players that Rio would be captain.

"I decided when I started as England manager who will be the captain and the vice-captain. The players understand why Rio is the captain, and after him Steve Gerrard, and after Gerrard another one.

"When I spoke with Steven I told him, 'you were a fantastic captain and you have to play like a captain tomorrow."'

Kevin Davies shock England call-up

Bolton forward Kevin Davies in the shock inclusion for Fabio Capello's England squad for the European qualifiers against Montenegro coming up next week, the robust striker has long been linked with an international chance after impressing for the Trotters in recent years and now got his call-up to international football.

West Ham's Robert Green and Liverpool's Joe Cole have also been recalled to the Squad. Manchester United's Wayne Rooney has also been included despite revelations about his private life still hitting the headlines. John Terry returns to the England setup after missing out last time due to injury. With Emile Heskey snubbing a return to England, Davies has now been given the chance to prove himself at this level.

England currently sit top of Group G and have made a 100 per cent start to their qualifying campaign after wins against Bulgaria and Switzerland.


England squad in full:

Ben Foster (Birmingham City), Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City); Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa); Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa); Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin Davies (Bolton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Sol Campbell keen on England return

Sol Campbell has refused to accept his England playing days are over and is keen to fight his way back in to the Three Lions. Newcastle new-boy is currently getting back to full fitness and has expressed his desire to get back playing for England. Campbell was overlooked for the World Cup finals in South Africa and has been over looked for the upcoming Euro Qualifiers.

"I think it all comes down to who is at the helm and the people behind the associations," Campbell said.

"They are going to make all the decisions and it is also the mentality of the nation. You go to Italy and defenders and goalkeepers can go on and on and on really.

"You can roll the names off of the guys who have played well into their late 30s at international level so I think it sometimes goes down to mentality.

"It doesn't matter where you are at with your age, if you are fit and you are strong and you are physically there and you want it, then you have got the experience so I think there should be no problem really."

Fabio Capello Makes Big Mistake

England Manager Fabio Capello has made a massive mistake when announcing in a TV interview that England role model David Beckham will never play a competitive game for England ever again. He did this without even thinking of calling Beckham or speaking man to man to explain his views.

Instead he chose to announce it live on TV instead. Football insiders think that Capello is trying to orchestrate himself in to getting the sack, which in return will give the Italian a big pay off if he is given the old heave ho.

Capello said, "I am changing everything and we are going forward."

"David Beckham is a fantastic man and a fantastic player. My relationship with him is really good. I am 100% sure he will play the next friendly game if he is fit."

"But we need young players and we need talented players and the players we used against Hungary are young and they have talent."

"The players are the important thing. They are the ones I work with. If they believe in me we can win. When we win the fans will be with us."

"My relationship with the players is good. I have never had any problems and I am looking forward. We have to evaluate what happened this summer but then quickly forget."

"It is not easy but this is a new adventure and I have to find new players."

David Beckham's spokesman has confirmed that Becks has no desire to retire from international football and will continue to work to regain fitness. When Beckham is fit and raring to go he will be available if needed.

Check out the interview below with Fabio Capello.