2010 FIFA World Cup: Fabio Capello, English Football Seeks Greener Grass

England's National team began their World Cup campaign in what can only be called a shambolic display against the USA.

The performance may not necessarily merit the title of shambolic with the team still able to dominate and dictate the game, but this title could be earned from the various other incidents and choices made on the run up to and during the game.

English manager Fabio Capello opted for a familiar 4-2-2-2 formation in the opener against USA starting with Rob Green, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Ledley King, Steven Gerard(C), Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Wayne Rooney, and Emile Heskey.

On paper this seemed to be a logical side with very few weaknesses exposed to the US.

The game started well with the captain, Gerard, showing his true attacking flare by scoring a goal. However, The rest of the game was a different matter.

Towards the end of the first half, horror struck for the English—and Capello—when Green spilt a seemingly tame shot from Fulham's own Clint Dempsey. The ball trickled in a nonthreatening way over the goal line allowing Dempsey to score.

Another matter, which had to be seen as very questionable, was the initial selection of Milner, a man who had suffered from illness and consequently missed out on several training sessions.

Milner was booked early in the first half for a tackle, and was subsequently substituted not soon after. Many put the substitution down to the fact that England was still winning the game at this point, and Fabio would not want to risk going down to 10 men. However, others put the substitution down to Milner being unable to cope with pace of the game combined with the yellow card dealt by the referee. 

Another decision which has been questioned by the media and England fans alike is the choice of Heskey upfront to partner Rooney. People seem to put more emphasis on Heskey's goal-scoring record instead of the fact that he just doesn't seem able to perform well at any level of football.

Take for example Aston Villa having its best season for many years under Martin O'Neill. Coming off of a big Boxing Day victory over Arsenal, during the subsequent January transfer window saw the introduction of Heskey and—to many—the subsequent turn in results which followed.

Villa did not win many games that he started in, with Heskey contributing a less than impressive 5 goals since joining from Wigan Athletic. Heskeyhas now found himself as a substitute, with John Carew being preferred. 

With the poor result against USA, England must win or draw against Algeria this evening. Many see the solution to England's problems at the feet of Rooney and Gerard. But it is up to Capello to use this pairing to its full potential, with numerous pundits under the impression that Capello should:

1. Change his formation to accommodate the preferred positions of both Gerard and Rooney. Basically take away the second striker (i.e Heskey), and put Gerard in an advanced role behind Rooney with two wingers on either side of Gerard.

With Barry and Lampard tucked in behind to be the play-makers. Barry coming back from injury is massive for England because the critics of the Lampard—Gerard partnership in the centre can now be quiet. Now Barry can sit there and protect the back four whilst still being able to dictate play with his passing ability.

2. Stick with Green. Not playing Green could signify an end to his international career and have detrimental affects to Green's mentality. If Green is played then he can make up for his error and play the best game of his life. But is still widely rumoured that it will be Portsmouth's David James in goal. 

3. Leave Emile Heskey off the team for the rest of the World Cup. It might not be enough for him to accidentally break England's best defender's leg but rather break the hopes of the nation by missing continuous chances in big games. 

The game against Algeria is monumentally important to England, with a loss signifying the end to the World Cup campaign. Capello may have to do an Italian Job to win this game, keeping the hopes of the nation alive and not sinking to despair.

This is a probable team selection from Capello providing there are no dramatic changes. The selection is based on what the media has said and what Capello himself has said. 

GK - D.James 

RB - G.Johnson CB - J.Carragher CB - J.Terry LB - A.Cole

CM - G.Barry CM - F.Lampard

LM - S. Gerard RM - A.Lennon 

ST - E.Heskey  ST - W. Rooney