Capello stands by England preparation

13 October 2010 17:00

Fabio Capello insists England's dismal performance against Montenegro at Wembley had nothing to do with the lack of a warm-up game.

England lost a player to injury on every day of their build-up after meeting up on Thursday night, and then failed to show any signs of life in the Euro 2012 qualifier as an 11-match winning streak on home soil came to an end.

"I made the right decision not to have a warm-up game," he said. "There are no problems. I always prepare the same for every game. I just hope all the players will be fit for the next one against Wales."

Capello does have a point. Taking into account injuries, suspensions and retirements, England lost an entire team before kick-off, including central defenders and strikers who were earmarked for starting berths.

That Darren Bent got as far as the pre-match training session before pulling out with a calf problem can hardly have helped Capello's planning, and the sight of Sunderland's free-scoring forward sat in the stands alongside Jermain Defoe - also injured - was a reminder of the raw pace England so badly lacked against a side whose smothering tactics worked to perfection.

"In the first half we tried to play," said Capello. "We used possession to try to find space and kept losing the ball, so it was impossible to create chances.

"In the second half we used more long balls and we attacked the space."

Given the wounds of that abysmal World Cup campaign are still so raw, little wonder therefore that Capello found himself fending off questions about his future, even if he did not entirely understand why.

"It is one game," he countered. "We have to play another five.

"I think we are a good team but you have to accept what can happen in football. It is not boxing where you win by punching the opponent more often."

Source: PA