TONY ADAMS will captain England against Georgia in their World Cup qualifier here today because Glenn Hoddle, as he has already shown with Paul Gascoigne believes that people can change. If, at the end of a bizarre nine days, the England coach's faith in moving mountains is rewarded, then the Caucasus may be about to witness a tremor of Alpine proportions.
The 30 year old Adams, who only two months ago admitted he was an alcoholic, returns to lead the side inspired by his captaincy under Terry Venables in the European championships. He regains the arm band because Alan Shearer, Hoddle's original choice, is recovering from a groin operation.
Whether Gascoigne, whose retention in the squad after wife beating allegations drew an angry public reaction, stays in the team depends on one more heart to heart talk between coach and player.
"I won't decide if Gascoigne plays until I've spoken to him again," he said yesterday. "Whatever we discuss will remain personal, but there'll be football discussions."
He will also check on slight ankle problems affecting Stuart Pearce and Gareth Southgate, as well as have another look at the bumpy, thinly grassed pitch before finalising his side. "It will be a football decision," Hoddle reiterated, just in case anyone thought he might be influenced by Gascoigne's remorseful performance at Bisham Abbey on Monday.
So unless the team hotel springs an overnight leak to a tabloid, speculation about Hoddle's most important England selection yet will remain speculation until shortly before kick off. All that can be said at the moment is that Ian Wright looks a slightly better call than Les Ferdinand, with Matthew Le Tissier more than a faint gleam in Hoddle's eye.
As for Adams, well, apart from a stitched eyebrow, courtesy of a clash of heads with Wimbledon's Efan Ekoku last Saturday the Arsenal captain looks and sounds a better person; even taking into account the counselling speak which, in this England squad, is fast becoming a second language.
Adams took to drink after the disappointment of losing to Germany on penalties in the Euro 96 semi finals. He was hardly a stranger to alcohol, although he had previously been on the wagon for five months.
Now recovered from a further operation on the knee problem which had kept him out of the Arsenal defence since mid January, Adams is in good form on the field and in good hands off it. He had a counselling session shortly before England flew here and he has been in touch with his therapist by phone.
If the player is as good as yesterday's words, the England team will experience a stronger, relatively silent Tony Adams today. "I've had a mask on for all these years," Adams explained. "I'm changed in a lot of ways. Now I'm trying to lead by example.
"I've already said to the players at Arsenal that they're not going to get verbal kicks up the arse from me like I used to give them. I just want the players to be looking at me and seeing that I'm giving 100 per cent for the team. I'll be running, I'll be heading and I'll be kicking the ball both for me - and for them.
"I think Glenn has seen a different me. I think he knows I've changed. After all, we were playing in the same England team 10 years ago. Glenn knows what he is going to get, whether I'm skipper or not. He's picked me because of the player that I am."
His leadership will be particularly important during the first 20-25 minutes against Georgia, a period Hoddle believes will decide the pattern of the match. "Georgia are the sort of team who, if they do get on top early, have the players to exploit this, he said. Kinkladze, Nemsadze and Gogrichiani are likely to pose the principal threat from midfield.
"I don't think a draw will be a disaster but we're looking to win," Hoddle added. "Italy aren't playing and if we can take a three point lead into our match against them at Wembley in February that would be an important psychological advantage."
Not that England need any more psychology just now. This must be the most soul searched team in World Cup history. Talk about Band of Hope and Glory.
