Source: Eurosport
Capello Hails Captain Terry
Fabio Capello feels John Terry proved exactly why he landed the prestigious job of England captain with his match-winning contribution to the World Cup qualifying win over Ukraine.[LNB]The Chelsea captain was confirmed as Capello's on-pitch leader ahead of the qualifying campaign last August.[LNB]Although Terry had been doing the job for Steve McClaren, there were other candidates for the position such as Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard.[LNB]But after a four-match round of auditions, when Terry admirably bounced back from the misery of a Champions League final penalty shoot-out nightmare in Moscow to lead England to victory against the United States, Capello confirmed the 28-year-old had kept the captain's armband.[LNB]Capello has never had cause to regret the move. And, as Terry stabbed home the goal which maintained England's 100% record in Group Six and allowed their fans, if not the players, to start making plans for South Africa 2010 last night, the Italian knew he had got it right.[LNB]"The captain sets an example," said Capello.[LNB]"At every moment he has to drive the team.[LNB]"He is the one who is really important in the dressing room and also during the game. He must have a big personality and a strong character."[LNB]As Capello feels well capable of handling all the peripheral issues surrounding his team, it turned out he wanted a tub-thumper in the Terry Butcher mould.[LNB]Time has moved on and attitudes have changed since Butcher used to go around headbutting dressing room walls to get himself wound up for battle.[LNB]But Terry's mental strength is Butcher's equal. After all, he demanded to face the press rather than hide himself away last Friday when he woke to embarrassing headlines about the unfortunate supermarket escapade of his mother and mother-in-law.[LNB]And just because Terry continually throws his battered and bruised body into challenges most footballers prefer to avoid, it should not disguise a rare ability in the more finer aspects of his art.[LNB]"I suppose you could say John is a very English defender," said Capello.[LNB]"But, like Rio, for a centre-back he is very good technically as well.[LNB]"He is strong with the head and in the tackle. But he is also very good with the ball at his feet."[LNB]Last night's performance will not go down as one of England's best under Capello.[LNB]It did not come close to Zagreb, Minsk or Berlin. Aside from Wayne Rooney and Terry, no-one got near to their peak.[LNB]But in another way it was more pleasing.[LNB]Faced with the significant setback of Andriy Shevchenko's late equaliser, the England of years past might have dropped their heads, cursed their luck and maybe even conceded another.[LNB]Capello's team is made of sterner stuff. This one just rolled their sleeves up, redoubled their efforts and - thanks to Terry - won the match again.[LNB]"When you can't play well or play to your own style, the character, personality and passion have to come through," said Capello.[LNB]"You cannot always win by playing well. Sometimes you can win with passion - and we showed English passion. That was very important."[LNB]The Three Lions now go back into hibernation for a couple of months.[LNB]By the time they re-emerge for the arduous June 6 trip to Kazakhstan, Terry, Rooney, Gerrard and the rest will hope to have added Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues and FA Cups to their personal medal collection.[LNB]But as his players compete against themselves, Capello's focus will remain on Almaty, followed four days later by a return to Wembley for a meeting with Andorra.[LNB]If those two games yield another six points - and they should - England might be just a draw away from qualification with three matches still to play.[LNB]"We are in a very good position," admitted Capello. "It is the best position because we have five victories from five matches.[LNB]"We still have to play half our games but I understand the situation. That is why, when the referee blew his whistle at the end, I was very happy."[LNB]
