Internationals / Feizal Rahman / 29 August 2010 /

The national team is back in focus next week when the World Cup qualifiers get under way and Capello has a chance to introduce new blood into the England side, a good thing says Feizal Rahman

In throwing his players, and himself, in front of a baying Wembley crowd last month, Fabio Capello may have wished for some closure following the World Cup debacle. But a friendly win over Hungary has done little to mask the continuing irritation of some with the England head coach and the two European Championship qualifiers that await him this week may determine his own future as much as that of his team.

Accepting the right of England fans to publicly scold him and the players before the Hungary game, Capello also indicated a willingness to accept change for the future by calling up a handful of untried youngsters. In the end, however, a match-winning performance from captain Steven Gerrard merely underlined the perpetual frustration felt with England, as he showed more passion and confidence in his own ability during a meaningless friendly than he did at the World Cup.

Following that win, Capello claimed in a post-game interview that David Beckham would no longer figure as a playing member of his squad. But just a few weeks later, following criticism of his public exiling of Beckham, the Italian appears to have re-opened the door for the former national captain, pending a return to fitness. While such a u-turn is not greatly important in the grand scheme of things given Beckham's peripheral playing role, it nonetheless indicates that Capello possibly has no real idea of how he wants his squad for the European Championship finals to be composed - England [10.5] to win Euro 2012.

This, along with reports of how he has an icy relationship with his players - requiring assistant, Franco Baldini, to act as his messenger - leaves Capello wide open for certain quarters of the media to take aim and fire upon him. His man-management skills have come under scrutiny and were held up as reasons for England's failure in South Africa. But it should not be overlooked that this is a man who has won the most prestigious titles in club football with even bigger names than those of the England national side.

Capello was moronically depicted as a 'jackass' in one tabloid this week, for daring to 'demote' Jack Wilshere back to the Under-21 squad. Yet, the boy - and that is what he remains in football terms - has featured in just 19 league games; five for Arsenal and 14 whilst on loan at Bolton Wanderers last season. To be catapulted into the fiery cauldron of the England set-up before he has even gained sufficient experience at club level would surely do the precocious talent more harm than good.

Called up for the Hungary friendly, Wilshere was given fewer than 10 minutes play - which was probably just enough to give him a taste of what will likely be the first of many future appearances. But he is now required for crucial Under-21 qualifiers alongside players it is hoped will be the next generation of full internationals to follow on from the present incumbents and the right decision has unquestionably been made by Capello.

An encouraging few months from the 18-year-old may be enough to earn a call-up for further full internationals but the next tournament is still two years away and England need to focus on qualifying first. And it is qualifying where Capello has proved himself, so he can be forgiven for wanting to resort to those players who did the job for him previously.

The signs, however, still show reason for optimism. Wayne Rooney will have received a rejuvenating confidence boost after ending his goal drought while the impressive Adam Johnson and net-busting Theo Walcott - [7.4] to be Top English Premier League Goalscorer - look revitalized having missed out on the squad for South Africa. The absence of Frank Lampard through injury may allow Tom Huddlestone a chance in midfield, while the resurgence of Gareth Barry alongside James Milner at Manchester City offers Capello further options.

The choice then is clear. Unless England followers are prepared to sacrifice major tournament qualification - England [1.4] to win Euro 2012 Group G - in favour of building a cohesive team for the future from scratch, then we should rightly expect evolution and not revolution from Fabio Capello.

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