Tuesday, February 5, 2008
England v Switzerland International Friendly 4am (SGT), Thursday 7 February 2008 Wembley Stadium
As he prepares for his first game in charge the new England Manager Fabio Capello has explained that he feels he can pass his 'winning mentality' on to the Three Lions - but that change should not be expected overnight. Having spent his first two days with the England squad, taking two training sessions on Monday and a further session on Tuesday morning, Capello has identified the most important areas to look at both on and off the training field.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Capello said: "What I will try to pass on to the team is a winning mentality and being confident in their own abilities, playing bravely especially when we are at home and being more confident in our strength when we are away. "I cannot perform miracles in three days. The important thing is to create a good group and make sure the team moves in the right way on the pitch. "We need to forget what happened in the past, whether you win or lose you should leave that behind you.'' Looking forward to Wednesday evening when he will lead his players out at Wembley for the first time, Capello said that once the game begins he will be too focused on the game to get nervous.
"When we get to Wembley I will be a bit nervous but when the game starts I will be 100% focused and concentrating on the game," Capello revealed. "I believe Switzerland are a good team. They have good players and they are very dangerous on the counter.'' When asked by journalists on how he wishes to be addressed by his players, Capello replied quickly: "Boss!'" He then went on to further answer the questions on rules: "If people are amazed by these rules then they are probably not used to having them. "I believe we have some obligations towards the fans and so I feel we need rules to work by, in an orderly fashion. "We have not many days together compared to when the players are with their clubs so we need some strict rules to create a group and a winning mentality that I want. "The players can call each other by first name or surname but eating together and getting up from the table together is just respecting other people.'' When looking at the differences between English football and the leagues in which he has managed in the past, Capello believes there is essentially little difference in terms of the football played - but that the numbers of home-grown players were fewer here."There are very similar aspects to Spain for example, but what is really interesting is that in England we have 38% of players who are English," Capello explained. "In Spain, a much higher percentage are Spanish players, so the manager of Spain has a much greater choice and this is something that needs to be reminded.''
Fabio Capello has revealed his reason for naming Steven Gerrard as captain for England's friendly against Switzerland at Wembley on Wednesday.
The Liverpool midfielder, who is due to skipper the side in the absence of John Terry, has not been given the job on a permanent basis, and Capello will make that decision ahead of England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra in September."Gerrard will be captain for this match," said the Italian coach."I have done it 
because I think he is an important player for England, according to my plans."He is a player who can pass on and transmit things to other players and inspire them."The Liverpool midfielder will lead the side out against Switzerland, becoming the first skipper under Capello's reign. It will be Gerrard's seventh match as captain.Gerrard, recently voted England Player of the Year for 2007 by the fans, has captained England for the previous four games in John Terry's absence.The 61-year-old has given no further indication as to the personnel likely to form the rest of the team and refused to comment on the likelihood of David Beckham winning his 100th cap in the future."It is my custom to tell the players the team before we leave the hotel for the match."I respect David Beckham for all of the things we did together at Real Madrid, but at the moment the most important people are those who will play on Wednesday, not the ones who are at home."
If you are betting on England v Switzerland, I (tipster) suggest you to take England at fixed odds. Good Luck to all gamblers betting on this match.
Till then, I look forward to the match tomorrow morning.
Jingmian
@ 6:36 PM
because I think he is an important player for England, according to my plans."He is a player who can pass on and transmit things to other players and inspire them."The Liverpool midfielder will lead the side out against Switzerland, becoming the first skipper under Capello's reign. It will be Gerrard's seventh match as captain.Gerrard, recently voted England Player of the Year for 2007 by the fans, has captained England for the previous four games in John Terry's absence.The 61-year-old has given no further indication as to the personnel likely to form the rest of the team and refused to comment on the likelihood of David Beckham winning his 100th cap in the future."It is my custom to tell the players the team before we leave the hotel for the match."I respect David Beckham for all of the things we did together at Real Madrid, but at the moment the most important people are those who will play on Wednesday, not the ones who are at home."