Source: SKY_Sports
Lamps lauds Capello impact
Frank Lampard believes Fabio Capello has helped to bring stability and focus back to the England team.
The Italian has been in charge of the national side for just over a year, and has achieved considerable success during his short time at the helm.
Qualification for the 2010 World Cup appears to be a formality, while players who failed to shine under previous regimes are now illuminating the international arena.
Chelsea midfielder Lampard falls into that bracket, after finding himself the target for terrace abuse during the dark days of Steve McClaren's reign.
However, he is now back to his best and has lauded the disciplined approach adopted by Capello for bringing him and his underachieving team-mates back in line.
"A lot of people made a thing of the WAGS, and a lack of a 'caring' England team," said Lampard.
Concentration
"There was an element of truth in what was said.
"We want to win. We just needed someone to put us in line a little bit and make us concentrate on what we were doing.
"Those things can be a slight culture shock. But then you start winning games and you get a really good feeling about things.
"Looking back, Capello was exactly what we needed."
He added: "We needed a very strong leader who had his own mind.
"You can see that with Capello. I used to see it at (Real) Madrid.
Opinion
"He would make strong decisions on players. They weren't always what people might have considered the favourable, glamorous decision, but it was for the benefit of the team.
"Everyone has an opinion on England but we need a strong man who will not listen to anyone else and go his own route."
Lampard has also compared Capello to his former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, believing the pair are able to generate results by exuding confidence.
"Every top manager has it, Mourinho certainly did," said Lampard.
"It's especially important with the England job. There are times when you could be affected by public opinion given the microscope on England. But Capello has that confidence.
"He's got a very strong aura about him. Everyone - the players, the public, the press - have bought into the way he does things and we all follow him. It's there for all to see."
