A meeting between all England playing, coaching and administrative staff seems to have yielded a number of productive results.
The meeting was held after a combination of frustration from England’s performance against Algeria and frustrations that not enough was being done to let the player’s have their say.
All sections of the England set-up were allowed to voice their opinions at the meeting and the team will now be named much earlier. It seems to have frustrated the players that they were not allowed to prepare and talk to each other about possible team tactics until only two hours before the game kicked off.
The meeting also gave players and staff the chance to suggest possible new tactics or ways that the team approached games. It has also emerged that there are now strong indications, unrelated to the meeting, that Fabio Capello will resign as England boss if the side do not make it through to the last sixteen.
Frustrations
One of the main frustrations that seemed to be surfacing in the England camp was the fact that no one knew the team until a short time before kick off. Players have previously said that they feel this gives them less time to prepare and talk to each other about the game.
Some praised Capello’s decision to only name the team before kick off because they believed that it meant it would keep players on their toes and prevent them from getting complacent before a game.
Naming a side much earlier can also help to account for unforeseen circumstances. The coaches and Capello himself will be able to draw a much better idea of who will come in and fill a place in the side if someone in the stating eleven gets injured.
Voiced Opinions
The meeting between all players and staff has been praised as a productive meeting by fans and the media. John Terry said himself during a press conference that if the players were not allowed to have their say on what they think should happen, then similar incidents, like those happening within the French team, would appear.
Capello must also be praised for slightly dropping his stubborn attitude, which many said would hold back the side. It proves that as a manager he is willing to listen to other areas of his team and set-up. This does not mean that he has to listen to them but it gives a better chance of morale staying high.
England can now move forward and focus on beating Slovenia on Wednesday. There is no incentive for Capello to do anything but get his side to win. This is because there are strong indications that it could be his last game in charge if England don’t manage to break down the Slovenian defence.
Betting Advice
Many expected England to romp away to victory over Algeria but the side just did not perform. There is too much riding on this game for the side to do anything but win. Capello is not naïve enough to say that he will quit as the manager if he does not think his side have any chance of winning.
He may well change the system, which could see Emile Heskey dropped for the likes of Joe Cole who will play in an extra role in the midfield. This means the pressure will be placed on Wayne Rooney who has to fire and score. He is likely to do so and if you can get good odds then this will be a nice little bet.
You can also place a little cover bet in the eventuality that England play as badly again. Some bookmakers will give you odds on Capello’s resignation actually happening and that may be your silver lining.
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