by Brian2468 Sat Oct 11, 2008 2:13 am
Can Capello do what other England coaches could only fail at. Read this.
By Simon Stone, PA Sport Chief Football Writer
Fabio Capello has vowed to play Steven Gerrard in the position he is most effective when England look to maintain their 100% start to their World Cup qualifying campaign against Kazakhstan on Saturday.
Gerrard will win his 69th cap but estimates that he has only been used in his favourite role on five occasions.
Capello is not too concerned about Gerrard's disquiet. In fact, as the Liverpool skipper has made only three appearances under England's new coach, the Italian jokingly wondered if he was responsible for three of the five.
But, having come up with a slightly new formation, which will see Gerrard working in tandem with Frank Lampard - leaving Gareth Barry taking responsibility for defensive duties in midfield - Capello thinks he has found a way to solve the puzzle of why two world class talents have seemed so ill-at-ease together.
"Tomorrow, I think you will see Steven in his long-term position," said Capello.
"He can play in two or three positions depending on the game but I think I know where he is best."
At various stages under Capello's predecessors Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren, either Lampard or Gerrard have shone. But never both.
Currently it is Lampard's star in the ascendancy, Capello's decision to use Gerrard on the left in the August friendly against the Czech Republic drawing stinging criticism from Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, who could see an immense talent being wasted.
Despite the euphoria of last month's win over Croatia, which Gerrard missed after a minor groin operation, Capello must realise he does not have enough players of such talent to disregard one.
Which is why he will continue to work at the conundrum until he unearths a solution.
"I hope I can make it work," he said.
"Fantastic players have to play together. I don't know why they haven't worked before. The past is not my problem. I just think about the future.
"This kind of thing has happened a lot in my career, although always with the forwards.
"But it's not a problem for me. I prefer to have players of this quality."
Saturday's experiment would appear to lie in Ashley Cole's overlapping abilities on the left and those of either Wes Brown or Glen Johnson on the right.
Against such limited opponents, with Barry holding back, Gerrard should be able to produce those surges from midfield that have been such a hallmark of his club career.
For England's sake, it needs to work if their potential is to be realised.
Not that Capello feels Gerrard would owe him anything even if the correct answer had been located.
"My style is to put the players in the best position for them to give 100% to the team," said the England coach.
"All I want Steven Gerrard to do is play like he does for Liverpool.
"He is one of 11 players on the pitch. We win and we lose together, always."
Now Kazakhstan are not world beaters if both players at least put in a solid performance "For The Team" it is a step in the right direction. Lampard and Gerrard are different players and should be possible to play in the same side. Capello demands more and IMO the players listen better him than the past managers.
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But I ensure you also to look at the current financial state of the club! 
