Fabio Capello and Steve McClaren: What's The Difference?

"Don" Fabio Capello has got off to a winning start in his first competitive game as England manager, but that only tells half the story.

For me, yesterday's match against Andorra was an almost carbon copy of that of Steve McClaren's England 18 months ago.

I'm afraid to say, but not much has changed.

As with 18 months ago, a lacklustre first-half was greeted with a chorus of boos from the die-hard travelling England fans, as they went in 0-0. Theo Walcott was the only player who gave any glimpse of a good performance in the opening 45 minutes.

Despite starting brightly, England soon faded and became their old self.

I must admit, I questioned Capello's choices. I don't know whether he thought this was going to be an easy win, and wanted to rest his best players, or if he just wanted to give some players a run out. Or perhaps he selected what he considered to be the best 11 available.

Obviously, my personal misgivings mean nothing as Capello is the one who has been watching them in training for the past few days, and knows them a lot better than I do, but some of his selections raised a few eyebrows.

Firstly, I was surprised to see Glen Johnson ahead of Wes Brown. However, this was a choice which worked out well for England, as I think Johnson was one of our best players. He even had a goal wrongly disallowed.

Joleon Lescott also caught my eye as a strange choice, but then I thought of the others available to him, and if it is a choice between Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott, I would pick the latter as well.

Midfield was the area that surprised me most, however. If he was putting out a weakened side, I don't know why he wouldn't play Jimmy Bullard, just to see how he copes with international duty. To make your debut away against Croatia against the likes of Luka Modric isn't easy.

Theo Walcott started on the right, and started well, but soon faded out of the game. For me, David Beckham has to start most games. Not only will he create a few chances every game, but if we ever get a free-kick within 30 yards, there is no-one I'd rather have standing over it.

The left side of midfield is what I couldn't get my head round, though. Stewart Downing ahead of Joe Cole? I can't understand why. In terms of quality, Joe Cole is streets ahead of Downing, as are the likes of Ashley Young and Aaron Lennon in my opinion.

Stewart Downing once more showed he hasn't really got what it takes at international level, and Joe Cole showed Capello what he was missing in the first half with two quick goals after coming on at half-time.

While Liverpool's Steven Gerrard was McClaren's saviour 18 months ago, Joe Cole was Capello's yesterday.

Enough doom and gloom though, lets focus on some positive points. At the start of both halves, especially the second, we looked sharp and dangerous. Yesterday's performance was a much better one than last time we met them.

But while the performance was better, the result was worse. That is something Capello needs to look at—goals, and where they are going to come from.