why can't Capello see it?

[chirpychirpy]

Every expert I've heard or read on England's performances says the same thing: our formation is wrong, Rooney should be a lone striker feeding off Steven Gerrard who is currently out of position, and Joe Cole should be playing. If all these managers and ex-players think the same thing, why doesn't Capello?

[Booldawg]

Because he wants Italy to win? Come on Harry Redknapp, time to step up to the plate and do your country a service.

[lesblue]

Because he is a stubborn old fool. The team should be a fluid 4-3-3, and, despite leaving behind Andy Johnson and Theo Walcott, he has the players at his disposal. Barry should be the deep lying midfielder, giving Lampard licence to bomb forward the way he does at Chelsea. In the current formation, he plays 90% of the match with his back to goal. Gerrard should be given freedom to roam, linking up with Rooney (who, by the way was a disgrace last night). It means the wide men (and I would pick Joe Cole and SWP) would need the discipline to help the defence as well as attack. That shouldn't be a problem because the two Cole's are used to that at Chelsea. For the Slovenia game (and I can't believe that we have to win to qualify from a group which many of us would have happily hand-picked), my line-up would be: James, Johnson, Dawson (oh dear), Terry, Cole, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, SWP, Cole, Rooney.
In simple terms, play the formation the players are comfortable with.

[x-ray]

Hi lesblue,
I whole heartedly agree with what you say. Last nights match was an absolute disgrace - painful to watch. The fault must lie with the manager (who I must confess I have NEVER had any faith in) making the players so confused and unacustomed to the formations made by him.
Agree the players were all pretty useless. Rooney was the worst, but given the role he had to play I can understand his bitterness.
What will happen in the next game only Capello knows - whether he will take any notice of the players, media and critics heaven knows. I too think he wants Italy to win.
Why on earth can't we pick an ENGLISH manager ?