CAPELLO GIVES POSITIVE END-OF-YEAR REPORT
Fabio Capello believes that England’s team spirit has been the most important improvement in his year in charge. The Italian head coach, who took charge on January 1 this year, gave his end-of-year assessment at the Football Association’s headquarters in Soho Square.
And, after eight victories, one draw and one defeat in his first 10 games in charge, the 62-year-old, can be pleased with his first year. England top their World Cup qualifying pool, Group Six, after impressive away wins over Croatia and Belarus.
But Capello believes that the team improved their attitude and belief after losing 1-0 to France in March, and this in turn has bred confidence – and match-winning performances.
He said: “I am happy for the result and I am happy with what we did to create a group mentality and [improve] the spirit. We have managed to recover the confidence [of the players] – this was the most important work that we did.
“The spirit of the squad has been great, and most important. Without that spirit in the group, the confidence will not be there and it is impossible to win. Sometimes you can win one game because one player has scored a goal. But without the spirit it is impossible.”
Capello views his side’s 1-0 defeat to France in his second game in charge as the turning point in England’s fortunes – simply because he made them believe.
“I think the most thing was when we lost to France,” he continued. “Back in the dressing room I told the players it was another step forward. And the players thought I was crazy!
“I knew before we played France it would be hard, as they have been world champions. And we played in France, and in Paris. For half-an-hour we played very well. And when you can play [well] for half-an-hour, you can play well for the whole game. After this game, because of that reason, we moved forward.
“I understood the problem immediately, when we played the first game against Switzerland [which they won 2-1 in February]. The players were not tested mentally and physically. When we played at Wembley I understood that these were not the same players [as they were for their clubs].
“I realised that the problem was in the mind of the players. Now we are better. We need time and we will continue to work. It is important to be a psychologist but we need good players to win! Good psychologist, bad players – it is impossible to win. We want to be better.”
Michael Owen, the Newcastle striker and captain, could be involved in England’s next squad too, says Capello – despite not featuring in his England teams so far.
The 29-year-old has been in good form for his club after an injury-hit year, and Capello, whose team host Slovakia in March’s friendly, said: “I know he has been playing very well, and scored a good goal [against Portsmouth in Sunday’s 3-0 win].
“The door of the national team is always open. I will check [his form] before the next international game. I will then decide if he is ready, if he is OK. The most important thing will be if he is fit.”
Capello also praised Aston Villa’s young forwards Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, and tipped them to star for England in the near future. He added: “I am very happy for the players who play at Aston Villa. I also like [James] Milner, who is another young player. These players are the future, and it is a bright future [for England].”
Fabio Capello believes that England’s team spirit has been the most important improvement in his year in charge. The Italian head coach, who took charge on January 1 this year, gave his end-of-year assessment at the Football Association’s headquarters in Soho Square.
And, after eight victories, one draw and one defeat in his first 10 games in charge, the 62-year-old, can be pleased with his first year. England top their World Cup qualifying pool, Group Six, after impressive away wins over Croatia and Belarus.
But Capello believes that the team improved their attitude and belief after losing 1-0 to France in March, and this in turn has bred confidence – and match-winning performances.
He said: “I am happy for the result and I am happy with what we did to create a group mentality and [improve] the spirit. We have managed to recover the confidence [of the players] – this was the most important work that we did.
“The spirit of the squad has been great, and most important. Without that spirit in the group, the confidence will not be there and it is impossible to win. Sometimes you can win one game because one player has scored a goal. But without the spirit it is impossible.”
Capello views his side’s 1-0 defeat to France in his second game in charge as the turning point in England’s fortunes – simply because he made them believe.
“I think the most thing was when we lost to France,” he continued. “Back in the dressing room I told the players it was another step forward. And the players thought I was crazy!
“I knew before we played France it would be hard, as they have been world champions. And we played in France, and in Paris. For half-an-hour we played very well. And when you can play [well] for half-an-hour, you can play well for the whole game. After this game, because of that reason, we moved forward.
“I understood the problem immediately, when we played the first game against Switzerland [which they won 2-1 in February]. The players were not tested mentally and physically. When we played at Wembley I understood that these were not the same players [as they were for their clubs].
“I realised that the problem was in the mind of the players. Now we are better. We need time and we will continue to work. It is important to be a psychologist but we need good players to win! Good psychologist, bad players – it is impossible to win. We want to be better.”
Michael Owen, the Newcastle striker and captain, could be involved in England’s next squad too, says Capello – despite not featuring in his England teams so far.
The 29-year-old has been in good form for his club after an injury-hit year, and Capello, whose team host Slovakia in March’s friendly, said: “I know he has been playing very well, and scored a good goal [against Portsmouth in Sunday’s 3-0 win].
“The door of the national team is always open. I will check [his form] before the next international game. I will then decide if he is ready, if he is OK. The most important thing will be if he is fit.”
Capello also praised Aston Villa’s young forwards Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, and tipped them to star for England in the near future. He added: “I am very happy for the players who play at Aston Villa. I also like [James] Milner, who is another young player. These players are the future, and it is a bright future [for England].”
Labels: England, Fabio Capello, Michael Owen, World Cup 2010
