Posts Tagged ‘Decisiveness’
Capello should stick with Green to avoid uncertainty
Fabio Capello had a number of issues to ponder after England’s 1-1 draw with the USA last weekend - none more so than who to pick in goal.
It can’t be denied that we currently have the weakest set of goalkeepers for a generation. With no obvious candidate for the number one jersey, fans and pundits alike are divided as to who should start for the Three Lions in South Africa.
However, that lack of faith should not be displayed by the man who matters - Fabio Capello. It seems obvious that he wasn’t sure who should start England’s first game, playing all three ‘keepers in the warm up matches. Even as the squad touched down in South Africa any of them could have started in Rustenberg.
When the Italian did decide to pick Rob Green as number one for the America game it may have been helpful to let his choice be known earlier than just two hours before kickoff. That way Green could have mentally prepared for the match and taken confidence from his manager’s faith. Anyone who has placed an England World Cup bet will want to see a confident performance, after all.
A similar show of decisiveness could prove advantageous in the run up to England’s second match against Algeria. Green will no doubt be dwelling on his horrendous error and will be anxiously waiting whether he has kept his place. All those worries, which have festered over the past week will not dissipate in the two hours prior to kickoff. Similarly those waiting in the wings - David James and Joe Hart - could do with longer to prepare to take the gloves.
Once the players take to the field I agree there is relatively little Capello can do to influence the game - he was certainly powerless to prevent Green’s blunder on Saturday. But he can do everything in his power to send the players out as mentally and physically ready as possible. The World Cup betting makes the Three Lions strong favourites for the match, and Capello must ensure they take their chances.
In short, the manager must back his man between the sticks, even if in private he, like the rest of the country, remains uncertain as to who that should be.
Tags: America Game, Blunder, Confident Performance, Decisiveness, Dwelling, England World Cup, Fabio Capello, First Game, Gloves, Goalkeepers, Joe Hart, Kickoff, Match, No Doubt, Pundits, Rustenberg, Three Lions, Waiting In The Wings, World Cup Bet, Worries