Belarus vs England World Cup Qualifier: Fabio Capello to Stick to 4-4-2?
In order to accommodate Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Gareth Barry all in the England midfield, England Coach Fabio Capello played England in a 4-3-3 formation against Kazakhstan. Lampard and Gerrard played in the central midfield, while Barry was played the role of a holding midfielder with Rooney and Walcott playing as two wide men and Emile Heskey playing as lone striker up front. However, after the abject first half performance, Capello went back to England’s traditional 4-4-2 formation to which, many believe, England suits best. For that, Capello had to replace Barry with Shaun Wright-Phillips who was employed in the left flank with Rooney going back to the position where he can deliver his best. In fact, Rooney did so in the second half while playing as a striker alongside Emile Heskey.
Capello’s decision resulted in a 5-1 victory for England against Kazakhstan in the match. Well, ahead of the upcoming world cup qualifying match against Belarus in Minsk, it is pretty sure that Fabio Capello is going to employ his players in a 4-4-2 formation. Still, there is dilemma over the England midfield. First of all, Capello has to decide with if he will play Lampard, Gerrard and Barry all together in the starting line up in a 4-4-2 position.
Well, Lampard and Gerrard could not justify their partnership in the centre of the midfield against Kazakhstan. So, if Capello opt to play all of them together then he might play Steven Gerrard in the left wing with Barry and Lampard pairing in the central midfield. In the right wing, I am not sure if Capello stick to Walcott who could not shine against Kazakhstan, even though he scored a hat trick against Croatia last month.
In attacking line up, Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney are expected to carry on their job as the two strikers look formidable for the opponents. Anyway, I am not sure if Capello is thinking of bringing any change in his winning combination against Belarus, but what I can guess to be for sure is that Fabio Capello must not employ his players in 4-3-3 formation; rather he will stick to 4-4-2 formation in which England performs well most of the time.
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