Fabio Capello's decision not to call up Michael Owen to a depleted English squad is further evidence of the pragmatic rational approach he has brought to the circus which usually surrounds the England team. Maybe there was too much of it made in the English media. It is pretty obvious that Michael Owen isn't fit. He never really has been all since Capello took charge and indeed he has only played 45 minutes under the Italian.
A fit Michael Owen would be in the squad but why take a chance on a player who will more than likely be unavailable for key matches when you can give a younger player a chance. Capello has managed England properly. Unlike Steve Maclaren, he was confident enough not to have to make any rash decisions to stamp his authority.
Capello understands the usefulness of David Beckham as a dead ball specialist and someone with the experience to deal with the pressures which come with being in the England squad. He is a good man to have around. There was never any pressure to play him but injuries to Walcott and the failure of either David Bentley and Aaron Lennon to make any impact have given Beckham the opportunity. At least Beckham did something in football before it went to his head.
Capello's approach is in contrast to his compatriot on this side of the water. Trapatonni has taken an practical approach to tactics but not to personnel. He, like Capello has set up his team to play to their strengths (which let's face it, was never ball retention) but where Capello has embraced the players who were needed and showed no sentiment in leaving out the players who weren't, Trap's stubborness has not been as beneficial to the team.
Our squad is small and pool of players shallow yet we go Bari without the Andy O'Brien, Stephen Ireland and Andy Reid. When you add the names of Duff and McGeady to this list, it makes for very grim reading. Even if McGeady does play, he won't be fully fit. Trap's priority on taking charge should have been to ensure a full squad was available to him. Whatever system is in place, the better players you have the more effectively it can be implemented.
Had we beaten the Bulgarians 2-0 which was very possible considering McGeady missed a gilt edged chance to double our lead just before Kilbane was exposed for the equaliser, we would be going to Italy thinking we could keep a clean sheet and that we might even sneak a goal. The temerity of the 1-1 draw has us thinking that not only will the Italians score but it is almost certain that we will not.
It's amazing how the whole campaign can turn on those few minutes between McGeady's miss and Kilbane's own goal. The confidence of the team is sure to have been rocked which will make us even more cautious tomorrow night. We were so desperate to get a point against Montenegro that we barely attacked at all. I would think tomorrow night will be worse.
No doubt it will be hailed as an improved performance and Andy Keogh will be trumpeted for his efforts but that will be no good if we come away with a moral victory and an actual defeat. The players sitting at home mean that we are not giving ourselves every chance to qualify for South Africa and this is what is most disappointing. Capello has the luxury of being able to call up an £18 million striker (albeit Darren Bent), we have Anthony Stokes.
I hope and pray that we can get at least a point against Italy but going there with a weakened team and low on confidence isn't going to do our chances any good.
A fit Michael Owen would be in the squad but why take a chance on a player who will more than likely be unavailable for key matches when you can give a younger player a chance. Capello has managed England properly. Unlike Steve Maclaren, he was confident enough not to have to make any rash decisions to stamp his authority.
Capello understands the usefulness of David Beckham as a dead ball specialist and someone with the experience to deal with the pressures which come with being in the England squad. He is a good man to have around. There was never any pressure to play him but injuries to Walcott and the failure of either David Bentley and Aaron Lennon to make any impact have given Beckham the opportunity. At least Beckham did something in football before it went to his head.
Capello's approach is in contrast to his compatriot on this side of the water. Trapatonni has taken an practical approach to tactics but not to personnel. He, like Capello has set up his team to play to their strengths (which let's face it, was never ball retention) but where Capello has embraced the players who were needed and showed no sentiment in leaving out the players who weren't, Trap's stubborness has not been as beneficial to the team.
Our squad is small and pool of players shallow yet we go Bari without the Andy O'Brien, Stephen Ireland and Andy Reid. When you add the names of Duff and McGeady to this list, it makes for very grim reading. Even if McGeady does play, he won't be fully fit. Trap's priority on taking charge should have been to ensure a full squad was available to him. Whatever system is in place, the better players you have the more effectively it can be implemented.
Had we beaten the Bulgarians 2-0 which was very possible considering McGeady missed a gilt edged chance to double our lead just before Kilbane was exposed for the equaliser, we would be going to Italy thinking we could keep a clean sheet and that we might even sneak a goal. The temerity of the 1-1 draw has us thinking that not only will the Italians score but it is almost certain that we will not.
It's amazing how the whole campaign can turn on those few minutes between McGeady's miss and Kilbane's own goal. The confidence of the team is sure to have been rocked which will make us even more cautious tomorrow night. We were so desperate to get a point against Montenegro that we barely attacked at all. I would think tomorrow night will be worse.
No doubt it will be hailed as an improved performance and Andy Keogh will be trumpeted for his efforts but that will be no good if we come away with a moral victory and an actual defeat. The players sitting at home mean that we are not giving ourselves every chance to qualify for South Africa and this is what is most disappointing. Capello has the luxury of being able to call up an £18 million striker (albeit Darren Bent), we have Anthony Stokes.
I hope and pray that we can get at least a point against Italy but going there with a weakened team and low on confidence isn't going to do our chances any good.
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