SOCCER:WHEN FABIO Capello's squad sets off for an away match it is seldom a journey into the unknown. The hostility that is supposed to be a feature of those trips has barely been noticeable because England have shown efficiency if not excellence. That trait should be prominent again here since Bulgaria have been able to take only five points from five matches in Group G of the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
England’s reliability is not as encouraging as it appears. If they thrive on other teams’ pitches it may be because they are released from the expectation that presses on them at Wembley. The only points to have been dropped so far slipped at the national stadium.
It was not just the scoreline that was blank in the stalemate with Montenegro last autumn. There was no imagination to be found in Capello’s players either. Perhaps that was still marginally preferable to a manager who prizes discipline and control than the draw at home to Switzerland in June, when the Swiss had led 2-0.
England have not convinced when asked to impose themselves, but the strain is relieved when the expectation and sense of occasion have dimmed. Bulgaria’s apparent difficulty in persuading the public to buy tickets in large numbers echoes not only the limitations of a side Lothar Matthaus has yet to galvanise after a year in the job but also the limited allure of England.
Capello is now regarded as an employee extravagantly rewarded for results that are merely acceptable. His men often seem at their best when the onus is on the hosts. We witnessed that in the away win when Croatia lost their professionalism and were made to pay for it as Theo Walcott, with space to sprint, scored his hat-trick.
It may well be Capello will invest some of his hopes in Walcott having such an effect here. The attack should benefit from Wayne Rooney’s current excellence, but age makes it inevitable Frank Lampard and the injured Steven Gerrard will struggle to do as much harm to sides in the days ahead than when at their peak.
Despite that, Capello detects the continuing worth of such men. That was clear last month when the manager was at the Emirates for Arsenal’s game with Liverpool. Before kick-off, Gerrard tried to edge his way past the England manager as he made for his seat. Capello stopped the midfielder before speaking to him with obvious warmth and sympathy.
There was rational cause to be so solicitous. Capello felt he badly needs the player even though a midfielder who has turned 31 cannot be the human tornado he sometimes was in the past.
A win for England here is virtually taken for granted, but the general competence in the away games should be appreciated. Diligent work by these footballers has shored up Capello’s reputation.
