Taylor: Capello getting Fab results
by Joseph Caron Dawe, 20 August 2008
Former England Under-21 manager Peter Taylor has told Setanta Sports he believes Fabio Capello’s no-nonsense style is starting to bring the best out of the senior side already.
Speaking as a studio guest on Setanta’s coverage of Stuart Pearce’s U21 side’s win over Slovenia on Tuesday evening, Taylor said he has been impressed with the results he has seen in Capello’s relatively short spell in charge.
And the Italian’s insistence on picking players on form rather than reputation is the root of why things are working, says Taylor.
“I like what I am seeing, because he is making the players pass more patiently. We are keeping the ball much better and I really liked the last game that we played where we kept it and we created good chances,” Taylor told Setanta Sports.
“I think bit by bit he is getting there. For me, what I like about him is that he is picking players in form. He won’t mess about. If they are not in good form I think he might leave them out of the squad which he would do at club level anyway.
“He will also give young players here that play well a chance, so he picks players that are in form and I quite like that.”
Capello announced on Tuesday that John Terry would be his captain for the World Cup qualifying campaign, and Taylor believes it was a tight call between the Chelsea man and Rio Ferdinand.
“I think it was a very close choice and a difficult decision because I think both of them would be very acceptable captains,” said Taylor. “That, for me, is where it is very difficult for the manager.
“But in the end he has gone for John Terry and I think he is an outstanding captain. I think Rio is an outstanding captain so whoever got the armband would be a good captain and whoever didn’t get the armband will back up that captain, so I’ve got no doubt that Rio is disappointed, but he will be as professional as normal.”
Terry will lead England out for their friendly against Czech Republic on Wednesday evening, and you can watch the game exclusively live on Setanta Sports.
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