Rio Ferdinand's 52nd minute goal sparked his team and country to an eventful 5-1 wallop against Kazakhstan at Wembley Saturday evening.
After a first 45 minutes full of England possession, England possession give aways, long balls, poor passes from Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard playing below par, all of England was a bit confused of a nil-nil score line heading into halftime. That is, all but the England squad and manager, Fabio Capello.
For the criticism Capello has slightly endured since his arrival, his choice of players have begun to mesh quite well and have an understanding of what they need to do for England Glory.
No longer are the times where players are chosen for their reputation or what they could do in a match for England, but what they will do in an upcoming match for England that will result in three points at Wembley, at least one point away, but seriously threaten for three points away.
His championship winning mentality, ego, and attitude is evident in selecting John Terry as captain, Rio Ferdinand as JT's vice-captain, and recalling boxer-framed target man Emile Heskey. This mentality was also on display as Capello substituted the poor showing Gareth Barry just before the beginning of the second half for Shaun Wright-Phillips, another on form player for club Manchester City.
It was only a matter of time before England would convert their possession in the midfield, but with Gerrard, Lampard, and Barry plotting the same areas around the pitch for most of the first half, they could not provide fluid balls to Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott on the wings.
It also did not help that Wayne Rooney tracked back far too many times, which clogged the midfield even more. But after inserting SWP, England survived some tense moments against an inspired Kazakhstan squad.
Capello has found a current formula of success for England and is not afraid to use the first half as a feeling out period and letting the First XII play themselves out. Capello saw that Joe Cole was unavailable, so he gave Gareth Barry the chance to inherit Cole's position.
But after 45 minutes, Barry gave away possession poorly in the attacking third at least three times and had poor link up play with Ashley Cole and Rooney on the left. But what Fabio Capello has brought to England as far as tactics that was missing from previous England managers was organization and discipline in midfield from Lampard and Gerrard, width on the wings with Rooney as a left forward and Walcott as the right forward, and a ball distributor in the air and on the ground in the attacking third with Heskey.
Gerrard plays as the midfield creator from deep midfield beginning with passes from the back line then sprays balls to wings. Then there is Lamps. He occupies the same midfield, but plays higher than Stevie G at the onset of play. But once Heskey, Rooney, or Walcott holds possession, Gerrard and Lampard are able to occupy area inside and outside of the box making runs for attack or runs in defense when opposing teams counter.
Either player can restart the attack when Walcott or Rooney dribble towards the center of the pitch as they try to pick and probe the defense and switch the ball from right wing to left wing or vice versa.
The introductions of SWP, David Beckham, and Jermain Defoe are indicative of Capello's ways as England manager: width with SWP, organization and useful possession play/service from Beckham, and the spark of play with Defoe.
A long road towards World Cup 2010 South Africa that will have highs and lows, but a solid start for England and Capello at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening.
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