Frustrated Fabio: Capello has demanded his side show more spirit Fabio Capello admitted his England team have buckled under the pressure of playing for their country, accusing them of lacking spirit in the dismal draw with Algeria.
The England manager was scathing in his criticism of the performance but insisted the campaign can be rescued with a victory against Slovenia on Wednesday.
Capello said: ‘We played a good team, but we played too slowly. We are not in a good moment. It’s probably the pressure, perhaps, I think so.
'The players play well during the training. I don’t know why.
‘I want to see the spirit of the team and I didn’t see it this evening. We missed a lot of balls when we had to control. We missed a lot of passes, and also when we arrived close to the box, sometimes with a possibility to shoot, we decided to pass instead.
'In these two games it was not the same team that I know.
‘Algeria played with one forward, more in midfield and defence, and it was not easy for us to find the space to go forward.
‘I said to the players it wasn’t a good performance, but we’re really lucky because we can play another game. I’m always confident in my team.
'Also, we are really lucky now because we have another big chance to go forward.’
Safe pair of hands: David James holds on to the ball as Madjid Bougherra gives the England keeper a soft landingCapello vowed to change England’s tactical approach against Slovenia , which could mean switching Wayne Rooney into a lone striking role and picking an additional creative talent — possibly Joe Cole — to play behind him.
He said: ‘I can change the tactics, I will try to do something different. It won’t be difficult to lift them before Slovenia. They know what they have to do.
'On Wednesday, I hope to see the England team. This is not the England that I know.
‘I hope, when we play the next game, we forget this performance and we forget to play with fear and without confidence. It’s incredible, the mistakes of the players.
Out: Capello's central defensive woes continued after Jamie Carragher picked up a second yellow card of the competition and will now be suspended for the Slovenia game'When they can’t control the ball, or miss easy passes. This is incredible given the level of the England players. Normally it is the pressure that is so big, the performance of the players was not so good.’
Capello rejected former England boss Graham Taylor’s claim there is unrest among the squad and even claimed a good result against Slovenia could inspire England to great things.
‘I don’t understand what Mr Taylor says. I don’t understand. The problem is not the training camp. The problem is that the same players who were really good are not good as a team at the moment.
'Sometimes after one big performance, the minds of the players will be free and then we can play like England. Like the England that I know. This is really important.’
Capello, who earns £6million-a-year, refused to answer whether he would step down if England fail to quailfy for the knockout stages.
‘It’s too early to speak about this. You have to wait.’
source: dailymail
