England friendly takes on farcical proportions as the vultures begin to circle

Many players talk about the honour of representing their country when called up to the national side, but for the England players taking to the field for this evening’s friendly against Hungary, it will seem anything but. In fact, it is likely to seem more akin to a public flogging as 60,000 unhappy fans take out their frustration on a group of players who promised so much but delivered so little this summer in South Africa. 

As has been widely acknowledged, the timing of the friendly seems fairly preposterous given the start to the new Premier League is now just days away, as well as the fact that only 45 days have elapsed since England’s World Cup exit at the hands of Germany in Bloemfontein. The wounds are still very raw and the appetite for watching England has yet to return for many, as demonstrated by the 20,000 plus tickets which have gone unsold for this evening’s encounter.

This has hardly been helped by the turn of events since Fabio Capello named his revamped squad (although the jury is out on whether he has gone far enough). Paul Robinson’s announcing his retirement from international football was somewhat of a humiliation for Capello, although few would begrudge the Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper his decision after he rightly came to the conclusion that he was there only as an understudy to Joe Hart and Ben Foster.

However, this was compounded by the same announcement from Wes Brown, who also felt that he had no desire to be a bit part player in the England set up. This is a shocking a indictment of how far Capello and England’s stock has fallen since the World Cup. Previously players were clamouring to play for the much revered Italian, now they are willing to take the draconian measure of announcing their international retirement in order to severe all association with his squad.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, Capello’s authority was further undermined by seeing Michael Carrick start in Sunday’s Community Shield, despite having been told that he was unfit and not available for selection. Furthermore, Ben Foster’s withdrawal from the squad due to injury has meant that the Italian had had to call upon Scott Loach and the little known Frankie Fielding to provide goalkeeping cover, surely two of the more obscure international call ups of recent times.

So can anything be salvaged from this wreckage? Steven Gerrard yesterday acknowledged that fans attending the game had a right to boo the team when they take to the field. Regardless of whether this is right or wrong, it is hardly going to provide an encouraging atmosphere in which Capello’s new look side can flourish. And let’s face it, they need all the practice they can get ahead of the more serious business of qualification for the European Championships.

The likely winners of the evening will probably be those players who played no part in the World Cup matches and are untainted by the team’s failure in the competition. Bobby Zamora should be handed a starting spot with which to prove his international credentials, along with Michael Dawson and Joe Hart who will be keen to show to Capello why they should have been given at least some game time in South Africa.

The young debutants in the squad will likely get their chance to grace the Wembley turf in the second half once the atmosphere has hopefully mellowed somewhat. Whether Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs are ready for a full international debut having not featured regularly for their club side remains to be seen. Is their inclusion a knee jerk reaction by a manager desperate to prove he is doing something different, or do they really have potential at this level?

There should also be a chance for those who came close to claiming a World Cup spot before eventually missing out, which in hindsight they may now be grateful for. Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka will hoping to underline the quality of defensive cover they can provide, Adam Johnson, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott can add some much needed pace and width in midfield, whilst Carlton Cole gets another chance up front, as might Darren Bent have had it not been for injury.

The outcome of this evening’s game is unlikely to have too much of a bearing on Capello’s future, although his head does appear to be very much on the chopping block. A sluggish start to the qualifying campaign is likely to see the FA wield the axe rather sooner than they hoped. Capello needs to show that he has retained the trust and respect of his squad, and that he can rejuvenate performances on the pitch very quickly.

All things considered, most will be happy to see the back of this game. Capello and his players will be on the sharp end of a torrid reception, the fans by all accounts will simply be in attendance to register their disapproval, whilst the players’ club managers will be biting their nails and hoping their charges come through unscathed ahead of the new season. How much can be learnt from it all remains to be seen, although Capello will need to take heed of any lessons very quickly.