'We have to work'
Chris Hatherall
Wednesday, 26 May, 2010
Manager takes positives back to Austria, ahead of clash with Japan.
Fabio Capello admits there are things England must work on in training this week following Monday’s match against Mexico but he also has plenty to be encouraged about.
England returned to their Austrian training camp on Wednesday after beating Mexico 3-1 and Manager Capello is already analysing the team’s performance and considering the highlights ahead of next weekend's final preparation match against Japan in Graz.
And then, of course, The Three Lions will be gearing up for their opening match of the World Cup in Rustenburg on 12 June.
“I learned a lot in the game against Mexico and we have to work about the problems and be better for the game against the USA,” said Capello.
“But there were positives. I’m really happy for Glen Johnson’s performance and also for Steven Gerrard. I saw the player that all the English fans know. He played very well in midfield in the second half, winning back the ball but also the quality that he played was really high.”
Capello also got a chance to look at several players he has not seen play for him before – including Ledley King and Jamie Carragher.
“Ledley was really good,” he said. “He played the whole game and he will not play the next game.
“And Carragher is Carragher. He’s always the same, he’s focused in every moment. It was a good performance. And we had only one injury, which was Wayne Rooney’s neck. But that’s nothing serious.”
Capello was also encouraged by the performance of both his available goalkeepers – Robert Green in the first half and Joe Hart in the second.
“I’m happy for the goalkeepers,” he said. “Green played very well first half and also Hart played with big confidence. This was important for me to see in the game because he had played only against Trinidad and Tobago at half-time. But he proved a lot this game, he’s a really good 'keeper.”
Portsmouth’s David James will now be in contention for Sunday’s friendly against Japan, having sat out Monday’s match after playing in The FA Cup Final a week earlier.
Chelsea’s John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole will also be in contention, having not been considered against Mexico, either.