A step forward?

England somehow managed, in the course of a comprehensive victory in the friendly match against Slovakia on Saturday, to suffer injuries to 3 different target men.  This could be seen as a real problem; to lose one is unlucky two is sloppy, but a third seems careless.

In fact there is an argument to say that this week we've found out something important about Capello's England.  There have been headlines all week touting a potential recall for Michael Owen, but this is really a red herring.  Capello knows his own mind, and has shown the confidence in his own plans (and perhaps the pigheadedness) not to fold at the noisy opposition from the press. 

The same pressure that would lead Sven Goran Eriksson to bizarrely take Theo Walcott to sit on the bench for the world cup is not entertained by  Capello.  He picks the team.  He decides the formation, and best of all, he has the ability to adapt his system, something Eriksson always lacked.  Plan B, C a and D were employed on Saturday.  Plan E is bringing Agbonlahor into the squad.  

It's refreshing to see an England manager stick to his guns.  He found room for Gerrard and Lampard, got the best out of a rampaging Rooney (despite suggesting he was slightly crazy), and used Beckham intelligently.  Admittedly Slovakia offered very little, but it's important to note how England retained their shape, didn't panic and continued to play their way, and waited for the goals to come.  It may be that Ukraine have learned from Slovakia's approach, but if they sit back and defend then England should win comfortably.  They certainly won't be concerned about Shevchenko's pace on the counter-attack.

If we are confident, then there is a big opportunity for Capello to get Ben Foster in the team again.  David James, as I've suggested before, is definitely not the future for England, and as far as this blogger is concerned, is way past being the present too.  A game which England "should win" was Scott Carson's downfall (Croatia) but Foster has already won the Carling Cup at Wembley for United so obviously has the big match temperament.  

But I wouldn't presume to tell Capello his job, so we'll have to cross our fingers.  He appears like a man who knows not to take unnecessary risks.  The defence and midfield are settled,  Rooney picks himself but needs a regular partner.  That's both ends of the pitch where there is an opportunity.  And who's to say a fit Michael Owen won't burst back onto the scene (when he finally manages to leave Newcastle).

Anyway, it does appear that Capello is living up to his billing.  We can only hope that his players continue to live up to theirs.  If they do, and Gerrard and Rooney remain fit, then there is a chance we can match some of the best.