Source: Daily_Mail
WORLD CUP 2010: Frank Lampard still Fabio Capello's No 1 to be spot on for England
Frank Lampard insists he still wants to be England's penalty taker despite missing his second spotkick in successive games. [LNB]Lampard, who dragged a penalty wide in the FA Cup final, saw his effort saved by Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima as England won 2-1 in Graz on Sunday. [LNB]'It wasn't a great penalty,' admitted Lampard, who missed in a shoot-out against Portugal in the World Cup quarter-final four years ago. 'It's disappointing because I've practised loads this week.[LNB] Spot off: Japan's Eiji Kawashima saved from Frank Lampard in Sunday's friendly, two weeks after the Englishman missed against Portsmouth[LNB]'It's down to the manager but I'll always want to take them. I'm always confident and that will make me go away and work harder. If the manager wants me to take it, I'll always step up.'[LNB]Capello has no intention of removing Lampard from penalty duties. [LNB]'He always shoots well,' said the England boss. 'You can miss one penalty. The FA Cup final wasn't important. Chelsea were winning 1-0.'[LNB]Put it high in to the net: Fabio Capello will not take Frank Lampard off penalty duties... but he want him to change his style![LNB]Capello has more pressing issues. He flew to Italy on Sunday night to visit his mother but will be back in London on Monday when he unveils the 23 who will travel to South Africa.[LNB]But no-one did anything against Japan to alter his thinking about his squad. [LNB]'Nothing has changed,' he said. 'I confirmed the 22 players I had in my mind, that I decided last week. We have to wait on Gareth Barry, to see what the doctor says after his last check and how long we have before he can train with us.[LNB]'We only have one little problem with Steven Gerrard, his knee, but that is okay. [LNB]'I decide the 23 players. It is my responsibility alone. If I lose and I hope I won't it will have been my decision. I hope to win with my ideas, but the final squad is down to me.'[LNB]England were poor in the first half when they went behind against Japan. They improved after the break and won thanks to two own goals. [LNB]'I wanted to see some players and we tried to play a different style,' said Capello. 'Did you see the result of the first half? It was not so good. We played too slow. It was easy for the Japanese to defend.[LNB]'We played better in the second half and I'm happy about that. We found space. I saw a lot of players going to the ball to win it back. That's really important. More aggressive. [LNB]'I know the value of these players. I don't change my idea after this.' [LNB]England played the second period with Lampard and Steven Gerrard in tandem in central midfield, a pairing that has generated great debate because they have rarely recaptured their club form together at international level.[LNB]Yet Barry's injury means it is becoming the most viable option for the first World Cup game against the USA on June 12. [LNB]'They played very well in the second half because the quality of these players is very high,' said Capello. 'When we had the ball, the quality of their passes was good. [LNB]'We have to speak with them andpractise more in these positions. But I was happy with Gerrard'sperformance against Mexico, and today's the same. For Frank Lampard, itwas a normal position for him.'[LNB] Victory through harmony: The performance may not have pleased Capello, but his players showed strength in unity to beat Japan[LNB]England fly to Johannesburg on Wednesday and move into their World Cup camp near Rustenburg and Cappelo said: 'I can't wait for the World Cup to start. I am focused on everything I have to do and prepare, so I hope the result is good.[LNB]'I know the whole nation stands behind the team and me, a whole country with all its fans. And they have confidence in the team, which I understand, because I have it, too. [LNB]'The pressure is higher in England because the last title was achieved a long time ago. [LNB]'The most important thing is that I want to see the England spirit. The players have to play the same style that I see always in Premier League games. This I want to see. If we play with this spirit, I think we are at the final.'[LNB]And asked if England could win it, Capello replied: 'Why not? My target is to play in the final. When everyone is fit I think we can beat all teams. [LNB]'I told the players that for me they are the best in England and that is why I have chosen them. The decision (to trim the squad) will not be easy and I'm not happy about having to do it.'[LNB] Enlarge England 2 Japan 1: Two own goals spare Fabio Capello's blushes as unconvincing England come back to winCOMPETITION: Win the chance for your family to watch England v USA at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa with Coca-ColaENGLAND v JAPAN LIVE: All the news as it happened as Fabio Capello's men play their last match before World Cup finalsFabio's X Factor auditions! Six players fighting for three places[LNB]
