Terry calling for a leap of faith

John Terry has revealed that England are stricken with fear in their match against Andorra, the fear of failure, that is.
After losing out on a place in Euro 2008, the Three Lions are under a lot of pressure to perform and reach World Cup 2010.
England's recent form has been far from impressive, with the team regularly choking when against a worthy opponent.
Fabio Capello's men have not only flopped, but have flopped badly, failing to even conjure up anything close to smooth, flowing efficient football.
It has been observed that the star players of the team always play with a leash around them in international games, as players like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney fail to translate their club success into anything meaningful at the international stage.
England captain Terry has said that it is the fear of failing, along with its repercussions, that has forced its stars to play with an overly cautious state of mind; and that it will take some time to change that way of thinking.
"There's a fear of failure, speaking honestly," said Terry. "It's been like that for the last couple of years now. It's not something you can put your finger on."
"I don't think we'll be able to go out there and completely change it overnight. At club level the lads feel free and can express themselves. That's something the manager and myself are trying to bring out of the lads in the camp," added the recently selected England captain.
"When you walk out on the pitch, everything's the same," the defender concluded. "Once the game's started, we play the short and easy pass, whereas if I was at Chelsea and I hit a long pass that didn't come off, the fans still sing my name."
"The players have to take responsibility out on the pitch."

Saturday 6th September 2008
by espnstar.com

Tags: football, sport, news, Fabio Capello, John Terry, England, World Cup

Eto’o behaviour unchanged at all

Samuel Eto’o was late for training yet again as his tardiness continued after a week that saw him miss three sessions.

Following Barcelona's loss to Numancia in the first round of the campaign, head coach Pep Guardiola has only been able to put his faith in a handful of first-teamers due to international call-ups.
Eto'o asked Barca for time off this week despite not having any games for Cameroon in the international period. This was one of the main reasons there was disharmony during Frank Rijkaard's short reign.
Guardiola even had to call on youth team players as practice players for the training sessions, so Eto'o's lone appearance on Thursday must have given the former Barca captain some glimmer of hope.
However, Eto'o followed his Thursday appearance with a Friday one where he was 45 minutes late, a gesture that has not gone down well with the other training players.
Under the previous regime, Eto'o and Ronaldinho received preferential treatment as long as they could perform on the pitch.
Switching venues from the pitch next to Camp Nou or the Miniestadi, Guardiola prefers to hold training at the club's sports complex outside of the city in Sant Joan Depsí.
Although the sports facility has always been a place to train for the Catalans, the Barca board would prefer to upgrade the premises before moving training there permanently.
There is also the point that the training at Camp Nou would endear the players to the fans, as not many would travel the ten kilometres to the picturesque training facility to watch the team train.

Saturday 6th September 2008

espnstar.com

Tags: football, sport, news, Primera Liga, Barcelona, Samuel Eto’o , Camp Nou

Capello challenges Rooney to end England goal-drought

BARCELONA (AFP) - Fabio Capello believes Wayne Rooney must end his England goal-drought against Andorra on Saturday to shatter the mental block affecting his performances for the national team.

Rooney's last goal for his country was in Russia 11 months ago and the Manchester United striker has scored only twice in competitive internationals since Euro 2004.

It is a woeful run for a player regarded as England's talisman. But Rooney has no problem producing wonder-goals and match-winning displays for United and Capello is convinced he has developed a confidence problem when he pulls on an England shirt.

Rooney struggled once again in last month's 2-2 friendly draw against the Czech Republic as he recovered from a virus, but he is fully fit now and Capello expects a significant improvement in Saturday's opening World Cup qualifier at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona.

"He has to score the goal. Psychologically it is very important for the forward. If you don't score goals it is a problem," Capello said. "I think it is very important for Rooney to be perfect physically. The first game he was not fit but now he is better."

With Rooney struggling for rhythm, Capello's decision to drop Michael Owen looks an even bigger gamble.

The Newcastle striker returned from illness and a calf injury to score in his substitute appearances against Bolton and Coventry, but failed to impress Capello in Saturday's defeat at Arsenal.

That was Owen's first start since last season and Capello left the Emirates Stadium certain England's most clinical finisher was not fit to play any part against Andorra or, more importantly, Croatia on Wednesday.

Owen's absence from the squad was seen in some quarters as the end of his England career but Capello insists he could return.

"I saw the last game Michael played. I checked him and I decided not to put him in the squad because he is not fit at this moment," Capello said.

"We have very important games. Andorra is too soon for Michael because it is very important we score a goal.

"The game on Saturday was the first he had started. It is impossible to be fit after the first game. That's why I didn't put him in. But the door is always open to the players not in the squad."

After five friendlies produced mixed results, Capello has quickly arrived at judgement day.

England's lacklustre displays since he replaced Steve McClaren last year have hardly inspired belief that the Italian will turn his team into serious contenders for the 2010 World Cup.

The jeers that rolled down the Wembley stands after the Czech Republic friendly brought back painful memories of England's last clash with Andorra, when a 3-0 win failed to stop McClaren and his players suffering vitriolic abuse.

Another poor performance against the part-timers of Andorra would be potentially fatal ahead of England's most important fixture in Zagreb next week.

But Capello, who has been drilling his side with double training sessions to implement his tactical plans, sees signs of an improvement.

"I think it is a different atmosphere. I saw the players very concentrated on their job and their work during the week," he said.

"I am very happy to have had these five day to work. I have confidence for this game and the next one.

"I saw a lot of improvement because the players understand what I want. In this moment I am very confident for the next two games."

While England's 7,000 travelling fans will be ready with the brickbats if their team splutter again, Capello gladly puts victory ahead of an entertaining display.

"Every game every manager is ready to be judged," he said. "It is one game. It is important because we have to win and play a good game but most important is the three points."

by by Steve Griffiths
http://news.yahoo.com

Tags: football, sport, news, Fabio Capello, Rooney, England, Michael Owen

Bilic, Mancini cool on Hammers link

The shortlist of names in the frame to replace Alan Curbishley as West Ham manager appeared to shrink by two on Friday.

Curbishley resigned on Wednesday, seemingly in protest at the sale of defenders Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney and his own diminishing influence on the make-up of the playing squad.

The prominence of the club's technical director Gianluca Nani appeared to be at the root of Curbishley's dissatisfaction and led many to believe a foreign coach, more attuned to such a management structure, would be handed the job.

But two of the most high-profile names linked to the club have played down their chances of taking over at Upton Park.

Former Hammers defender Slaven Bilic, who has enjoyed great success as Croatia's national boss, admitted he would like to return to the club one day but seemingly ruled himself out until at least 2010.

"I always said West Ham will be my choice when I return to England," he told Croatian sports daily Sportske Novosti.

"However, my contract with the Croatian FA expires in 2010 and I am intending to lead Croatia in this period."

Roberto Mancini's agent also admitted his client would welcome the chance to ply his trade in the Premier League one day, but insists the timing is currently wrong for him to take a job in England.

Mancini was sacked by Inter Milan at the end of last season despite guiding the Nerazzurri to a hat-trick of Serie A titles and still having five years left on his contract at the San Siro.

Giorgio De Giorgis claims Mancini will not take on a new team until finalising his compensation package with Inter.

"Until his contract situation is resolved with Inter, Roberto Mancini won't talk to other clubs: that's the way he is," De Giorgis told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"Roberto loves England and London in particular, something which he has never denied."

Several other names have been linked with the job including former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola and former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni.The shortlist of names in the frame to replace Alan Curbishley as West Ham manager appeared to shrink by two on Friday, after Slaven Bilic and Roberto Mancini distanced themselves from the position.

Curbishley resigned on Wednesday, seemingly in protest at the sale of defenders Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney and his own diminishing influence on the make-up of the playing squad.

The prominence of the club's technical director Gianluca Nani appeared to be at the root of Curbishley's dissatisfaction and led many to believe a foreign coach, more attuned to such a management structure, would be handed the job.

But two of the most high-profile names linked to the club have played down their chances of taking over at Upton Park.

Former Hammers defender Bilic, who has enjoyed great success as Croatia's national boss, admitted he would like to return to the club one day but seemingly ruled himself out until at least 2010.

"I always said West Ham will be my choice when I return to England," he told Croatian sports daily Sportske Novosti.

"However, my contract with the Croatian FA expires in 2010 and I am intending to lead Croatia in this period."

Mancini's agent also admitted his client would welcome the chance to ply his trade in the Premier League one day, but insists the timing is currently wrong for him to take a job in England.

Mancini was sacked by Inter Milan at the end of last season despite guiding the Nerazzurri to a hat-trick of Serie A titles and still having five years left on his contract at the San Siro.

Giorgio De Giorgis claims Mancini will not take on a new team until finalising his compensation package with Inter.

"Until his contract situation is resolved with Inter, Roberto Mancini won't talk to other clubs: that's the way he is," De Giorgis told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"Roberto loves England and London in particular, something which he has never denied."

Several other names have been linked with the job including former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola and former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni.

Saturday 6th September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Tags: football, West Ham, manager, hammers, Mancini, Inter Milan, liverpool, Slaven Bilic, Italy, sport, news