England vs. Ghana: 10 Things Fabio Capello Learned over the Last 7 Days
It has been an important week in the career of Fabio Capello as England manager, one in which he will have learned some valuable lessons.
This time last week a media frenzy erupted over the captaincy in a clumsy change of captain back to the previously ousted John Terry. There was a growing belief that Capello's squad would be distracted by the tabloid hysteria and slip up against a passionate Welsh team on home turf.
After Wales an exciting and athletic World Cup quarterfinalist Ghana awaited, making a tough old week at the office for England.
What transpired though was not quite the doomsday scenario expected by many. A disciplined England flew out of the gates in Wales and had a 2-0 lead within 15 minutes that they would never relinquish.
Capello then made seven changes ahead of the Ghana friendly, and achieved a 1-1 draw against the World Cup Quarter-Finalists with a largely back-up team.
Here, we look at the 10 biggest lessons Fabio Capello has learned over the last seven days.
1. Captaincy Will Not Make or Break the Team
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Capello was undoubtedly clumsy in the way he handled the change of captain within the squad, and he should communicate more face to face in future. However, the resulting coverage of the situation was way over the top.
There were many reasons England were favorites to beat Wales;
- Wales had lost all of their Euro 2012 Qualifying games scoring only one goal. A goal scored by Gareth Bale, who missed the game.
- England had better players than Wales in all areas of the field.
- Wales had a high number of lower league players against an England team of mostly Premier League veterans.
However, all of this was washed away and many predictions were cast foretelling a Welsh win just because of "distraction" in the England camp.
The fact is teams are never made or broken by who wears the armband, leadership is an ongoing process on and off the field. Good teams also have four or five leaders on the field simultaneously communicating rather than 10 men looking round to the appointed captain in times of trouble.
John Terry has many flaws, but the fact that he is captain will never mean a game is destined to end in defeat for the Three Lions.
2. 4-4-2 Formation Is Dead
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A major problem for England in the World Cup was how easily they were exposed on the counterattack. In the opening game Clint Dempsey found space often between the English defense and midfield, and when England were eliminated in the Second Round Germany ruthlessly tore them apart on the break.
German playmaker Mesut Ozil consistently dragged central defenders out of position in the now common floating forward position that is the arch nemesis of the 4-4-2 system.
Teams often revert to four band formations nowadays and Capello used a version of the 4-3-3 that incorporated two holding midfielders this weekend with success. Effectively, when England went forward the formation became a 4-2-1-3.
Jack Wilshere and Scott Parker effectively picked up opposing midfield runners, and the front three were able to cause problems supported by the attacking midfielder. The movement of Parker and Wilshere also allowed England to keep the ball for long spells and silence the hostile crowd in Cardiff.
Whether it be this style of 4-3-3, a 4-2-3-1 or a more defensive 4-5-1 it is likely England will not compete at Euro 2012 without a system incorporating three central midfielders.
3. Jack Is Ready
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The sad sight of Gareth Barry being roasted alive by Mesut Ozil as Germany broke for their third goal is one of the prevailing images of England's World Cup failure.
"We need fresh legs," "the midfield needs freshening up" and also "England is producing no ball playing midfielders" were all common criticisms.
All three of those problems could be covered with the arrival of one man. Young Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been one of the success stories of the season, and produced back to back strong displays against Wales and Ghana.
Wilshere has a more defensive mindset that helps the shape of the England team, and his ability to calmly string passes together can help England keep possession against quality teams.
4. England Have Depth
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Terry, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, we all know the star name of the England set up. One thing that Fabio Capello will be pleased about this week is a number of players from outside of the usual suspects stepped up and showed their ability to contribute on the international scene.
Jack Wilshere and Scott Parker of West Ham United both produced excellent displays in central midfield, while Aston Villa wingers Ashley Young and Stewart Downing produced Man of the Match displays against Wales and Ghana respectively.
In addition to that, strikers Darren Bent and Andy Carroll both will have had their confidence boosting by scoring for England this week.
Another indication of England's depth is the fact that they beat Wales without Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard, and then drew 1-1 with World Cup Quarterfinalists Ghana after making seven changes to the starting lineup.
5. The Goalkeeping Situation Has Improved
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Going into last summer's World Cup the England goalkeeping situation was a big weakness. David James was the Premier League's all-time leader in clean sheets but was considered past his best by many, Joe Hart was one of England's brightest young talents but was considered too young by many. The middle man was Robert Green of West Ham United who was neither spectacular nor disastrous in the eyes of most fans (how that would change).
England rotated goalkeeper's during warm-up games, and Capello left it right until the last minute to decide on the starter. Many fans were surprised to see Green start, and the decision backfired on Capello in the most spectacular fashion.
After England took an early lead against the USA, Green made a career defining howler that pegged England back to a 1-1 draw and Green was swiftly replaced. James played OK without being spectacular in Green's place and was on the receiving end of criticism after the 4-1 demolition job at the hands of Germany.
Joe Hart has been England's regular keeper since the World Cup after beating out Republic of Ireland stalwart Shay Given at club level. The Wales game in Cardiff was arguably the most hostile atmosphere hart has played in for England and he came through the game unblemished.
In all the media coverage of the Wales and Ghana games, very little of it has been focused on the England goalkeeping situation, and that may be the biggest compliment of all paid to young Joe Hart.
6. Ashley Young Should Start
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"I will play the players who are in form" is a cliche that has been used by Capello and many coaches throughout the world. When it comes to performances for England, Ashley Young is the man in form.
Young came off the bench in February to score the winning goal in a 2-1 comeback win at Denmark. Young then was instrumental in England putting Wales away early in Cardiff, the Aston Villa winger was fouled by Danny Collins for the penalty that opened the scoring. Young then raced down the right flank before sending over a dangerous cross that Darren Bent turned home for the decisive 2-0 lead.
Young also produced an excellent first half against Ghana, with the only blemish coming as he fired against the crossbar when he should have scored.
With one central forward being used, Young's ability to beat people off the dribble and produce the quality final product that some other players have so often failed to do in an England shirt could be a vital boost for the Three Lions.
7. Width Is Not a Problem
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Using a holding midfielder can allow wide players to push high and contribute to the attack. The ability to penetrate opposition defenses and produce a dangerous final ball is crucial to attacking with a lone central forward, and England have no shortage of players with the capacity to do so.
Ashley Young has been outstanding, while Steward Downing impressed against Ghana. In addition young winger Adam Johnson has scored two goals in three Euro 2012 qualifying games, and Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon and James Milner all remain in the fold for the wide positions.
Fabio Capello has no shortage of options in the wide attackers department, and using this 4-3-3 system he should get the best out of those players.
8. Central Defense Remains an Issue
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Rio Ferdinand and John Terry are an excellent defensive partnership, but it is rare that England get to field them both at the same time recently. With one or the other out, England's defense is not quite the same and no player has stepped up to lay claim to a starting spot.
Jonathan Woodgate and 'Deadly' Ledley King are both superbly talented yet almost permanently injured center backs, while Michael Dawson and Phil Jagielka have been solid but not spectacular at international level.
Matthew Upson has not cemented a place despite outscoring Wayne Rooney, Kaka and Lionel Messi combined at the World Cup last summer.
Joleon Lescott was disappointing against Ghana and has rarely impressed in an England shirt.
It is likely that Capello is hoping for one of this group to string some performances together and lay a claim to ousting Ferdinand or Terry. It may not be long before we see Manchester United's Chris Smalling given a run for England.
9. Picking His Next Team Will Not Be Easy
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England's next competitive fixture is against Switzerland on June 4th at Wembley Stadium. While it is a headache all coaches want to have, it may be difficult for Capello to settle on a starting 11 for the game.
Hart in goal seems fairly settled, but who will start at central defender?
How many central midfielders will he play? If Wilshere and Parker deservedly continue, is Steven Gerrard confined to the bench or shifted out right?
Is there room out wide for Gerrard? Ashley Young has been superb, Stewart Downing impressed and Adam Johnson has scored twice in Euro 2012 Qualifying. In addition Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon and James Milner are all in contention.
Wayne Rooney will be favorite to start up front but who is plan B? Darren Bent scored at Switzerland and netted again in Wales, while Andy Carroll scored his first England goal against Ghana. Jermain Defoe could also be on the scene, and is England's leading goal scorer in Euro 2012 Qualifying after his hat-trick against Bulgaria.
As for who will be captain, well that is a separate article altogether.
10. There Is Work to Be Done
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The margins between success and failure in top level sport are at times razor thin. The England v Ghana game was a good example of that, England played well for long periods and with 90 minutes gone looked set to record a solid win. However, Asamoah Gyan waltzed past Joleon Lescott and snatched a result for Ghana.
This is the way it will be at Euro 2012, if England are to succeed it will require consistent performance and the ability to finish off teams with one chance if necessary. It could also come down to *shudder* penalties.
Given these circumstances England must keep working at it, but Capello has learned some positive lessons in the last week that could help England put the disappointment of South Africa behind them.
