Source: Eurosport
Fabio pleased with England progress
Fabio Capello says England have progressed as much as he hoped and developed into the team they were not before he took over as manager.
Capello's side has been 15 months in the making and they have a similar amount of time to go before they are put to the test in South Africa during next summer's World Cup.
For, although Capello is far too wily a character to admit it, England's place among the final 32 is surely assured following Wednesday's win over the Ukraine.
In coming up with a system designed to get the best out of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, Capello has solved a puzzle both Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren failed to answer.
And with some able foot soldiers surrounding that illustrious trio, Capello appears to have a thrilling blend at his disposal.
"The team has progressed as much as I wanted," he revealed."We have played better in every game and discovered a new attitude. This is very important.
"When I took the job, I found one group, with some players. Now we are one team."
There was a hint of pride in Capello's voice as he delivered the words, suggesting it was the task he set himself above all others when he was getting to grips with what has been dubbed the 'impossible job'.
The last 10 days have seen a few more names added to his list of long-term probables, including Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster, who Capello described as "playing with confidence" during the friendly win over Slovakia.
Foster's second-half performance earned him a place on the bench for the Ukraine game, an indication Capello feels he is at the very least capable of acting as back-up to first-choice David James if only he can prise a bit more action out of Manchester United.
With Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and Darren Bent all pulling out, and Gabriel Agbonlahor only belatedly called into his squad after a niggling hamstring strain ruled him out of Under-21 duty, Peter Crouch did his chances of a more permanent place in Capello's squad no harm with the opener in midweek.
Crouch's admirable record of 15 England goals is nine more than Heskey, and he has managed it in 19 fewer games.The problem for Crouch is that he does not have the combination of pace and strength Heskey can offer to create openings for Rooney and Gerrard - the men Capello is looking to do the most damage.
"I prefer players who can create space for Rooney and Gerrard," admitted the England coach.
"Is standing enough? With Crouch we play the long ball for him, not to move around for other players."I am not concerned about a lack of strikers. I thought Crouch did well."
Capello will now set about working out how he will marry together a squad comprising players whose season ends as scheduled on May 23, with others who could be involved in Champions League and FA Cup finals the week afterwards.
Although such appearances are a measure of success, for the Italian it represents a difficult problem as four days after the FA Cup final, his players head off on an arduous 12-hour journey to Kazakhstan.
Does Capello stick with players who have reached the pinnacle of their profession or place his trust in those somewhat less fatigued? How can he cover for injuries, knowing major mishap could come at any stage of the week?
"We are studying the matches the players have to play and we have a lot of things to decide," said Capello."Perhaps some of them will go away on holiday. I cannot forbid it and maybe after a week they will come back very strong and relaxed and be better."It is difficult because it is a situation I have not encountered before."
What Capello does know,
