JamesTheYiddo
Well-Known Member
- Oct 25, 2006
- 6,339
- 124
England 1-0 Switzerland
Fabio Capello has been touted as the man to save English football and the rescue mission begins against Switzerland at Wembley on Wednesday.
With England in the doldrums following the failure to qualify for the finals of Euro 2008, the Football Association have opted to implement their very own Italian Job.
And the astute Capello - who has been quick to point out he is no footballing 'Messiah' - will be well aware that his new dawn hangs in the balance in a not totally dissimilar manner to a teetering scene from the Alpine cliff tops high above Turin.
The footballing critics will be quick to pounce upon any misjudgement of balance from Capello and the former Milan, Roma, Juventus and Real Madrid boss will be eager to inform his lads of a 'great idea' to tip the equilibrium in his favour.
Known to be a tough taskmaster and recognised for a refusal to acknowledge sentiment, as David Beckham will testify, Capello is unlikely to pull any punches in his team selection.
Michael Owen is expected to be the most high-profile of Capello cuts as the Newcastle striker pays the price for an injury-stricken season and finds himself warming a seat on the substitutes' bench.
That is likely to leave Wayne Rooney as Capello's point man in attack with Joe Cole floating just behind as England attempt to pick the lock of the Swiss defence.
Steven Gerrard has been named as Capello's captain and the Liverpool skipper is predicted to be given a licence to roam as he is accompanied by the holding Owen Hargreaves in the centre of midfield.
It is understood Aston Villa's Ashley Young will be rewarded for his fine form this season with a second international cap as he slots in to the left wing, while David Bentley - often a target for the England boo-boys - will get the nod on the right.
Manchester United's Wes Brown is ready to drop in behind Bentley on the right of defence with club colleague Rio Ferdinand partnered by West Ham's Matthew Upson in the heart of the back four.
Chelsea's Ashley Cole will be trusted with the left-back slot, while Capello opts for experience in goal as 37-year-old Portsmouth shot-stopper David James is preferred to Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland.
However, Switzerland cannot be dismissed and they will be desperate to sabotage Capello's scheme.
Kobi Kuhn favours a counter-attacking style, but the Switzerland coach is without regular strike pair Alex Frei and Marco Streller through injury which is likely to mean teenage forward Eren Derdiyok plays some part.
C'mon England :beer:
