Capello pleads with England fans to lay off his axed captain Terry at Wembley

03 March 2010 07:53
Fabio Capello has pleaded with England fans not to turn their backs on John Terry.[LNB]The Chelsea defender, who was removed as national captain after his affair with team-mate Wayne Bridge's former partner Vanessa Perroncel, is expected to be booed by the home supporters in Wednesday's friendly with Egypt at Wembley.[LNB]But Capello says fans should stay behind under-fire Terry.[LNB]Look out: Fabio Capello (right) keeps an eye on John Terry[LNB] Support for ShawcrossFabio Capello spoke in support of England new boy Ryan Shawcross after the Stoke player's dismissal for the tackle which broke Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey's leg.[LNB]'I selected him before the game, which I watched on television,' said the Italian. 'I think the tackle was really hard, I'm upset for the Arsenal players, it was a really strong tackle but not to (intentionally) break the leg of the other player.[LNB]'I spoke twice to him, he's young and it's his first time with us. It's a little bit different for him and I'm happy he's here. I think to stay with us will help him to forget what happened.' [LNB]He said: 'I think the fans have to support every moment. You have to understand that privately some players were not so good, but on the pitch it is different.[LNB]'We wear the England shirt and it is really important they help us every moment. I hope that tomorrow the crowd help us and do not boo him.'[LNB]Meanwhile,  Capello, who is without new captain Rio Ferdinand, has confirmed Steven Gerrard will take over from Terry as skipper against Egypt.[LNB]Capello has been encouraged by the performance of his players in training in the wake of the negative headlines surrounding the camp in recent weeks.[LNB] Wayne Bridge's decision to make himself unavailable for selectionfor the national team amid reports Terry had an affair with his formerpartner has also cast a cloud over the camp, but Capello has beenpleased with the response this week.[LNB]'I spoke with theplayers and said they have to recreate the spirit of the team and trainwith focus,' Capello explained. 'I'm really happy because I saw thesame thing as in November [in the friendly against Brazil in Doha].;[LNB]Capello was pleased with his players' performance in training today after speaking to them following recent off-field issues.[LNB]Firing line: John Terry (right) heads to training with Wayne Rooney[LNB] [LNB]'I was really happy with the players, they understood exactly what I wanted,' he said. 'The most important thing is the leaders, during training on the pitch, were there in every moment.'[LNB]Capello emphasised his belief that players' actions on the field are of paramount importance.[LNB]Focus: Capello wants unity at Wembley[LNB]'The important thing is how the players perform on the pitch and not what happens outside,' he said, before defending Terry's performances against Inter Milan last week and Manchester City on Saturday.[LNB]'I saw the two games he played in Milan and at home to Manchester City. He played his normal game but always, when the player's team loses, the journalists try to find something about the most important player. I think he played very well in the two games.'[LNB]Capello refused to be drawn on Bridge's decision not to shake hands with Terry prior to City's 4-2 win over Chelsea on Saturday, but reiterated the door to the national team remains open for the left-back.[LNB]'It is a private problem, not my problem,' said Capello. 'The door is always open and if Wayne Bridge wants to come back, the door is always open. Not only for him - for all the players. We are monitoring all the players.'[LNB]The England boss also defended the omission of Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole from his squad, saying: "I saw a lot of the games Joe played after injury. He played so-so.[LNB]'The last game he played very well. He needs to play more games like that and if he does he will be here, probably.'[LNB] Roo: Don't boo! Terry taunts will hurt us all, says Wayne before Wembley clashI'm ready for Roo-mania! Wayne refuses to feel strain as he gears up for hypeEXCLUSIVE: Capello courts Ledley King to shore up England backlineJames Milner blasts: Wembley is even worse than a lower-league pitch![LNB][LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail