World Cup - Capello's Stage Fright

Capello, after being a very successful club team manager, had stage fright as he approached his first World Cup as a national team manager. After a very successful World Cup qualifying campaign - where England won 9 of their 10 matches and scored the most goals in Europe, he decided to call up some old and retired England players.

Midfield dynamo Paul Scholes turned down the offer citing that he didn't want to take away precious spots from players who helped England secured the World Cup qualificaton. Ledley King, well known for his chronic knee problem, agreed but lasted only half a game. Jamie Carragher, with his slow pace, also agreed but his limitation was immediately shown against Altidore in their USA game.

Adam Johnson was a left-footed winger who can play on either side. He was in excellent form when finishing the Premier League and Don Capello called him up for England's initial World Cup squad. He was dropped in the final selection for lesser players like Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joe Cole - who, although with more England team experience, were all recently recovered from their respective injuries.

It is well known that Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, both excellent players, cannot play together in midfield. They are so similar in style that they end up giving the contribution of one player instead of 2+. Don Fabio knew that but was too chickened to drop either one of them from the starting lineup.

Capello must be pretty jealous when he saw how USA's Altidore assist in their 2nd goal against Slovenia. Those are the kinds of assist he wants to see his pet, Heskey, delivers on the England team. Emile's contributions has been minimal outside of assisting in England's only goal so far.

It is highly likely that they will draw against Slovenia and end up on the next plane back to England.