England manager Fabio Capello looks to Theo Walcott in attacking line-up
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Arsenal attacker,19, celebrated three times in England’s memorable 2010 World Cup qualifying win in Zagreb last month and Capello has urged the rest of his players to follow Walcott’s example by offering them a license to thrill.
“When I put my faith in Walcott, I had the sensation and belief he could give me that little bit extra.
“But he honestly gave much more than even I expected,” said Capello, conceding he had initially underestimated the talents of the former Southampton player.
Walcott was deployed in a 4-3-3 formation alongside Rooney and Heskey during an England training session yesterday, an attacking line-up the Italian is hoping will accelerate an improvement in the potentially world class striker.
He added: “It’s really important for a young player to gain experience – but the world class ones emerge rapidly.
“I think it depends on the coach’s qualities to understand when the moment has come to field a youngster.”
But Capello insists the nation should not get too carried away by Walcott’s fabulous performance against Croatia, believing it is important not to judge him on the back of one good game.
“As it is far more difficult to play in the national team, you can only rely on a youngster if he is really good, and not just playing well with his club. You play one match and you are judged on it for a month,” he said.
“The same goes for a coach. if you don’t win a match in which you fielded a youngster they wonder why you didn’t choose someone more experienced,” he added indirectly to his omission of Newcastle striker Michael Owen.
Capello is himself refusing to take the Croatia result for granted wary that stunning victories under previous England regimes often proved to be false dawns.
“This is a new adventure for me, a new challenge and what is important is to be focused and determined," said the former Real Madrid head coach.
“It’s a new way of working. It’s harder to get your ideas. desire and tactics across because we don’t spend a lot of time together.
“You have to condense what you want to teach your team.”
Labels: Arsenal, Fabio Capello, selecções, Theo Walcott
