5 Tips For England Coach Fabio Capello

In Motor-racing there is a saying that to catch the car in front is one thing, but to pass it is another. Likewise, this same lexicon can be suitably applied to England national team.

Yes, qualification for Euro 2012 is (virtually) guaranteed, and the nation can genuinely wait to see who they shall face with November’s draw imminent.

Still, ahead of that eagerly awaited tournament, Fabio Capello’s men need to improve and here are 5 pieces of advice on just how they can do so:

• Drop Frank Lampard

It goes without saying that Frank Lampard represents a bit of an enigma for Fabio Capello when he puts on the Three Lion jersey.

The form harboured for Chelsea just cannot be replicated for the national side and the struggle to do so has been relived over-and-over-and-over again. With Lampard at the helm of the England midfield there appears to be an imbalance and a lack of fluidity.

Against Bulgaria, Scott Parker and Gareth Barry dovetailed well in front of the back four. In addition, Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and Theo Walcott all complimented Wayne Rooney well and all this in the absence of a certain Steven Gerrard who is due to make his return soon.

• Keep Faith With Youth & Fresh Talent

Chris Smalling, Danny Welbeck, Gary Cahill, Josh McEachran, Ashley Young, Theo Walcott, Phil Jones and Jack Wilshere are all signs that England are ready to unleash onto the continent a crop of talented and quality youngsters.

Admittedly, none of them have played at a major tournament, however, they generate excitement, bring  a wad of freshness and may serve in keeping the ‘old guard’ on their toes after much complacency had crept in during the early part of Capello’s reign.

• Get Ready to Play (and Beat) Germany, Holland or Spain

The three teams to beat during next summer’s European Championships are Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. The trio represent the biggest obstacles facing Fabio Capello’s men if they are to bag a first European Cup.

Germany sealed their passage into the tournament after a stunning 6-2 win over eternal rivals Austria, Spain came from 2-0 down to topple Chile 3-2 whilst FIFA’s number one ranked side the Netherlands put 11 (yes, 11) past San Marino.

Those three nations, along with France (who beat England 2-1 at Wembley this year), Portugal and Italy are also serious threats to Fabio Capello’s men and if drawn against the Three Lions, will all fancy their chances.

So picture it now; England vs Germany, or England vs Spain, or England vs Holland/France in the semi-finals of Euro 2012. Would you confidently back Fabio Capello’s men to emerge victorious?

Exactly. There still exists a mental barrier there which England have yet to conquer.

• Don’t Shy Away From Tough Decisions

Dropping Rio Ferdinand for an in-form Gary Cahill proved to work wonders as the Bolton ace weighed in with a stellar performance during the 3-0 victory over Bulgaria. On the other Chris Smalling’s adventure at right-back worked effortlessly.

Likewise, a dysfunctional Frank Lampard was consigned to the bench as Scott Parker and Gareth Barry took the mantle piece in the middle of the park. Elsewhere, if an off-form Jermain Defoe cannot net for Spurs, then he should not be leading the England frontline.

• Get The Media Onside

Capello out of all people will know the way in which the peckish and often hypocritical English media operate.

One moment they laud you as the best thing since sliced bread, the next they want your head on a platter! This was axiomatically seen after the barrage of criticism which engulfed the national side after a relatively poor showing against Switzerland in June.

Our advice to Capello; keep those media dogs onside or else create a ‘siege mentally’ as Italy did during World Cup 2006