Fabio Capello is preparing to come up with a special plan to combat Wales danger-man Gareth Bale at Wembley on Tuesday night.
England are hoping to end a four-match sequence without a home win in their penultimate Euro 2012 qualifier. Although the result will have little bearing on whether the Three Lions make it to Poland and the Ukraine or not, Capello wants to restore confidence on home soil ahead of more searching tests that lie ahead.
"Bale is a really important player for Wales," said Capello. "I was at Tottenham's game against Manchester City and he was so-so. But for Wales against Montenegro on Friday he improved a lot. He ran a lot and was really fast. When he receives the ball and attacks the space he is really fantastic. It's difficult to stop him."
The plan appears to revolve around Manchester City midfielder James Milner being recalled in place of Theo Walcott and a change of formation to the one responsible for England's outstanding victory in Bulgaria on Friday.
Although some may argue whether such tinkering is entirely necessary against a team buoyed by their win over Montenegro but lacking Craig Bellamy and David Vaughan through suspension, it is a welcome sign of Capello's new-found flexibility, which also extends to the England team hotel.
The scene of such disgruntlement at other parts of Capello's near four-year reign, now in his final season, it seems the Italian is becoming a more human figure.
"They understand me better. Now they understand I am not an ogre," said Capello. "I am always focused during training. We work for an hour, or 90 minutes. Afterwards I am relaxed and they can do anything."
The manifestation of this new approach comes on the golf course, although the extent of Capello's own involvement is a matter of debate. Skipper John Terry reports none of the players will pair up with Capello, who describes his own game as "a disaster".
"He's off 16," said Terry. "Him and (goalkeeping coach) Ray Clemence are always having a little ding dong and moaning to each other.
"There is a relaxed atmosphere around the camp. It takes time to learn. He's had to come in and adapt."
Source: PA
