Czech stalemate
1. Fabio Capello needs to stop the rot quickly before he turns into Steve McClaren. Expectations are high, but he has made a few key promises about what he expects from the team which he has not yet delivered on.
2. Or maybe he is turning into Sven. Read this quote from Fabio-Goran Capellosson: “I think tonight we took another step. I’m happy. I saw a lot of things which I had doubts on. I think we’ll be ready for the next game. I’m happy for the draw because the reaction to the team to the last minute was good. I think, also, that the first half we played with good football, good style, and created a lot of chances.” Spooky.
3. Maybe it was a good result after all when you consider that the Czech Republic were a side capable of qualifying for Euro 2008.
4. The result was disappointing, but the performance was even worse. Joe Cole’s late equaliser puts a slight but undeserved gloss on the situation.
5. Almost another clanger from Calamity James. He came rushing out of goal, didn’t get anywhere near the ball, and nearly conceded another goal. The only positive thing you can say is at least fate seems to be letting him get away with this sort of thing more often as he gets older!
6. Fabio needs to take decisive action over the balance of the team. I always envisaged he would pick the best team rather than the best eleven players, and I am convinced he is doing that at the moment.