Newsgroup: it.sport.calcio.milan
Titolo: England boss Capello lays down the law.....

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i6PxBWtt6JBbTtXworIh6XimG_6A
England boss Capello lays down the law ahead of Switzerland debut
6 hours ago
LONDON (AFP) — As England's players sat down for breakfast at their 
team hotel it quickly became clear Fabio Capello's strict regime had 
already made its mark.
Capello has never shied away from puncturing a few egos during his 
managerial career and the new England coach has wasted little time 
bringing a much-needed dose of reality into his squad's cosseted 
existence.
The Italian had already served notice that reputation alone is no 
longer enough to play for England when he left David Beckham out of the 
squad for his first match against Switzerland on Wednesday.
But Capello was only just getting started. While he respects the 
ability of his stars, the neccessity for total concentration on the 
task at hand while on international duty needed to be reinforced a 
little more.
He has reportedly told the players that friends and agents are not 
welcome at the team hotel, made it clear they must be on time for meals 
and eat at the same tables and emphasised the importance of group time 
together rather than their preferred habit of playing computer games in 
their rooms.
While it is the kind of strict regime that may not be received with 
universal delight among England's pampered millionaires, Liverpool 
midfielder Steven Gerrard believes Capello shouldn't worry about making 
friends.
Gerrard has first-hand experience of Rafa Benitez's no-nonsense 
approach at Anfield and knows that hasn't stopped Liverpool enjoying 
success.
"I wouldn't say you have to intimidate players but you have to get 
their respect and let them know who's the boss. What he says goes and 
we have to adapt to that," Gerrard said.
"I'm used to that with Rafa. As long as there is a big respect between 
the manager and his players that's not a problem.
"It's not about enjoying yourself off the pitch. It's all about 
seriousness and getting results in an England shirt."
Capello, who has been addressing the players by surname only, is likely 
to keep them waiting for the team line-up until 90 minutes before 
kick-off at Wembley. That way he has their attention and focus right up 
until the last minute. It is a routine that holds no fears for Gerrard.
"It creates anxiety when the manager keeps players waiting to find out 
the team. I am used to that," he said.
"I experience that with Liverpool most games. Rafa picks the team an 
hour and a half before kick-off. If Fabio decides to do that, I'll be 
well prepared."
Capello's authoritarian streak may also to extend to team-building. His 
core values are discipline and organization and at Real Madrid he often 
frustrated the home fans by playing with two defensive midfielders in 
an attempt to grind down the opposition.
That kind of sterile approach is frowned upon at the Bernabeu but by 
the end of the season Real were champions and Capello had made his 
point.
After a lacklustre qualifying campaign that ended with failure to reach 
Euro 2008, Gerrard has no qualms about sacrificing flair in exchange 
for winning football.
"My first impression is that he's a winner. He has a certain aura. 
Probably the third word out of his mouth was winning. He never once 
mentioned individuals, it was all about the team winning," Gerrard 
said.
"As players you want to win. Whatever it takes, you do it. I would 
certainly rather play in a team that is difficult to beat even if it's 
not easy on the eye.
"If I went on to achieve something with England with a team that was a 
bit more defensive I'd take that now."
Like his predecessor Steve McClaren, Capello's plans will often be 
disrupted by injury. He had an early taste of that as, following 
injuries to Gabriel Agbonlahor, Emile Heskey and Ledley King, Shaun 
Wright-Phillips missed training on Monday with an ankle problem.
Not even Capello can control everything it seems.
-- 
Count  Baldoni

 Not even Capello can control everything it seems.
Even with things he can control, he may help England play his negative
brand of football, but not the difference they hope.
In the end, when he is done, they will say that Capello's was the
wrong man for the job, like they always do.