England still need changes to progress

England’s dismal World Cup performance showed that there is need for change in the squad. England boss Fabio Capello came under major scrutiny and rightly so.

However it was the players who went out and performed so poorly in South Africa.

We all knew changes were needed and Capello made some changes for the friendly against Hungary. I think it’s now time for Capello to be bold and get rid of some those big egos in the squad.

Big Reputations

There are a lot of players in the squad who are in the squad on past glories and their big reputations. A lot of those players can’t replicate their form at club level in the Three Lions shirt. Surely now would be a good time to almost start afresh and select a squad on form (what Capello has done with most of his club sides).

Youngsters

Lots of people have said we have a dearth of youngsters coming through into our national side. However I beg to differ. We have some very talented youngsters, it’s just they are not being given their chance to play.

The omission of the likes of Jack Wilshere and Jack Rodwell from the England squad for the upcoming fixtures against Bulgaria and Switzerland is in my opinion a mistake. Both youngsters have talent and have bright futures ahead of them. Why doesn’t the Italian give them their chance and let them gain vital experience. Yet the pair continues to play for Stuart Pearce’s under-21’s side instead.

Formation

One successful change Capello did implement in the Hungary game was the switch of formation. Although England only defeated the Hungarians 2-1 I believe they posed more of a threat with the likes of Adam Johnson and Theo Walcott on the wings.

The pair has started the season in blistering form and you have to wonder what effect the pair could have had at the World Cup if they would have been selected. The pair offer pace and trickery, which was missing in South Africa.

Capello has always preferred to play a traditional 4-4-2 but this summer’s World Cup debacle has forced the veteran coach to change his thinking. A lot of sides in modern football play with five in midfield and it’s almost became the norm. Capello has finally moved with the times.

Goalkeeper Situation

A few months ago everybody was talking about England having a problem finding a decent goalkeeper. David James was aging and Robert Green made a mistake which rather harshly looks to have ended his England career. Then there was untried Joe Hart sitting on the bench, not getting his chance.

Now a few months on and suddenly Joe Hart is looking every bit the number one England keeper. Capello started with Hart against Hungary and club boss Roberto Mancini looks to have made him his number one as well.

Hart gained valuable first team experience on-loan at Birmingham last season and looks to have benefited greatly from that season at St Andrews. In fact the 23 year-old would have been my first choice at the World Cup.

It’s ironic that Birmingham replaced Hart with another England keeper Ben Foster, who has suddenly regained his confidence and form under Alex McLeish. England has a lot to thank the Scotsman’s for.

Boss

The next two European Championship qualifiers could be crucial in how successful the next few years will be for the Three Lions. If England struggle against the Swiss and Bulgarian’s I can see Capello leaving his position.

I believe that if the Italian hadn’t recently signed a new contract that the FA would have sacked him after the World Cup. However it would cost the FA a small fortune to get rid of the veteran.

The FA may just have to take the financial hit in the next few months if England are to progress. The Italian seems to have lost the support of the fans and players. When that happens it’s always going to be difficult to be successful. Mr Capello if you don’t change then the FA will be forced to change, manager that is!