Source: Daily_Mail
WORLD CUP 2010: Fabio Capello proves he's the man in charge for England
Fabio Capello organised a quiz night for his troubled England players on Monday night, but one question that didn't need asking was 'who is in charge?' [LNB]The answer had already been made very clear to them earlier in the day. [LNB]Capello's tenure as England manager could be entering its final phase but following the chaos and recriminations of the last few days, it amounted to an impressive demonstration of leadership by the Italian. [LNB] Ring of confidence: the England squad stand in silence as Capello issues instructions on Monday[LNB]From the way he responded to the press conference John Terry gave on Sunday to the interview the Italian then delivered to the host broadcasters on Monday afternoon. From the steps he took to crush a potential uprising to the meeting he held a few hours later with his players. [LNB]After hearing what Terry had said, Capello acted swiftly and ruthlessly. He gave an order to his lieutenants to intercept the defender before the situation escalated out of control. [LNB]Terry was told that there would be no Italia '90-style coup, no platform on which the players could voice their concerns and frustrations. Capello would not tolerate any kind of challenge to his authority. End of story. [LNB]Realising how badly he had misjudged the situation, that he was mistaken in thinking that he had the support of the players in announcing a desire for change, Terry backed off immediately. [LNB]So much so that when the meeting was held after dinner and they reviewed a bird's-eye view recording of their 0-0 draw with Algeria, the disgraced former England captain did not say a word. [LNB]Capello almost acted like nothing had happened on Monday. [LNB]'I always tell the people they can speak but yesterday nobody spoke,' he said, even if he did sound like the fiercest of dictators. [LNB] Forget it: John Terry was told there would be no Italia 90-style players' coup[LNB]'Probably one or two of the players are not happy but the majority are happy,' he said. [LNB]'For this reason it is no problem. One player is not so important compared to all the other players. The group is more important than one player.' [LNB]After Sunday night's meeting Capello allowed a few players to stick around, relax and enjoy a beer. But he had no intention of changing his methods and yesterday he took an opportunity to have a quiet word with Terry. [LNB]Capello told him he was wrong to express such views in public, in particular regarding the selection of Joe Cole. For the England manager it was a question of respect, and Terry had not shown any to the players who could potentially lose their place should Cole be picked for Wednesday's game against Slovenia. [LNB]In fairness to Terry, he was contrite in his response, expressing his regret and stressing unequivocal support for his manager. He was also sorry if he had offended any of his team-mates. [LNB]Once Capello had dealt with Terry, he then dealt with the inevitable questions. Did he object to Terry's campaigning for Cole? [LNB]'Joe Cole is one of the 23 players who are here,' he said. 'All the players are on the bench but I think also when we speak about one single player, you have to respect the other players that played before. That's the most important thing, the respect of the other players.' [LNB]I'm in charge: Capello confronts Terry at training[LNB]There were moments when it sounded like Soviet propaganda. [LNB]'The spirit in the hotel and in training is fantastic, it's incredible,' he said. [LNB]'The players are training really well, they are smiling and they are playing together and everything is like the best moment of their life. But I want to see this in the game and not just only in training. Everything is more or less perfect. But we are here to play at the World Cup and not for a holiday.' [LNB]The last two results would suggest everything is far from perfect but it is now up to Capello to draw on all his expertise and experience, revive a stuttering side and secure victory in Port Elizabeth. [LNB]It was a wise move sending in Frank Lampard on Monday.[LNB] He probably felt like he was cleaning up Terry's mess but the eloquent Chelsea midfielder skilfully navigated his way through the minefield of his colleague's comments.[LNB]There were other incidents that revealed a degree of disharmony. A journalist close to Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher declared on Twitter how unhappy they were to be presented as co-conspirators in one particular newspaper.[LNB] One slightly bizarre twist was a tweet from injured captain Rio Ferdinand encouraging his followers to check out the YouTube video of Terry's press conference - with no further explanation. [LNB]But by the time Lampard and Capello had done the talking, there was a sense that some order and unity had been restored and that the focus was finally returning to the football. [LNB] Under the spotlight: Frank Lampard was called upon to greet the press and ease any fears of discontent on Monday[LNB]On Monday night Capello sat down with two more DVDs, Slovenia v USA and Slovenia v Algeria, before continuing to consider his options. [LNB]All he would say was that Matthew Upson would replace the suspended Carragher and that other changes would be made. [LNB] Emile Heskey is almost certain to lose out as Capello looks at a formation that could involve Jermain Defoe as a partner to Wayne Rooney or even pushing Gerrard into such a role, which was tried in training on Monday. [LNB]While they never dared mention it on Sunday night, the players would certainly favour a switch to a 4-5-1 formation that sees Joe Cole on the left and Gerrard in behind Rooney. [LNB]But Capello might have other ideas. As well as Cole, he is considering Shaun Wright-Phillips as an alternative to Aaron Lennon, who has so far been disappointing. And those who disappoint Capello soon know about it [LNB] Capello's warning for moaning England stars: You're not on holiday!It's mutiny! John Terry fails in plot to undermine Fabio CapelloUpson drafted in to partner Terry in England defence against SloveniaMARTIN SAMUEL: England - nobody smiling, nobody happy to be here...CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE LATEST ENGLAND NEWS [LNB]
