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Fabio Capello encouraged by Wayne Rooney's new deeper role for England
Italian instructed the striker to drop back for the ball...
4 Sep 2010 09:21:00
By Chris Davie
Fabio Capello believes Wayne Rooney’s influential display on Friday evening was the result of the England manager’s instruction to play him in a deeper position.
The 24-year-old has struggled for form ever since he picked up an injury in Manchester United’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich last season.
Following an uninspiring World Cup, reports suggested he may have started on the bench at Wembley.
But during England’s 4-0 against Bulgaria, Rooney played a significant role in all four goals and Capello insists his decision to allow his talisman more of a free role paid dividends.
"I played Rooney in a position different than usual. He did very well. I spoke with him before the game. He had to stay just in front of the two central midfielders and from this position to go forward and to be free. The quality of Rooney was really high." Capello told reporters.
The England manager also paid tribute to Jermain Defoe, who netted a hat-trick in their opening game of the Euro 2012 qualification group stage.
"Defoe is always very important for us. He can shoot with his left foot and his right and his performance was really, really good and his movement without the ball was fantastic,” said Capello.
Michael Dawson was carried off in the second half with an injury and the centre-back is almost certain to miss out on England’s next match against Switzerland on Tuesday.
"I have to wait to find out about Dawson. I am not a doctor. We have to wait for the tests, but no one else had problems, only Dawson." Capello said.
Capello was also pleased with the display from England’s new No.1 Joe Hart. The Manchester City goalkeeper was controversially benched during their World Cup campaign, but the Italian’s new philosophy of playing younger players appears to have cemented Hart’s place as first-choice for his country.
"Hart is playing very, very well. He made two fantastic saves. The most important thing was to win," said Capello.
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The 24-year-old has struggled for form ever since he picked up an injury in Manchester United’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich last season.
Following an uninspiring World Cup, reports suggested he may have started on the bench at Wembley.
But during England’s 4-0 against Bulgaria, Rooney played a significant role in all four goals and Capello insists his decision to allow his talisman more of a free role paid dividends.
"I played Rooney in a position different than usual. He did very well. I spoke with him before the game. He had to stay just in front of the two central midfielders and from this position to go forward and to be free. The quality of Rooney was really high." Capello told reporters.
The England manager also paid tribute to Jermain Defoe, who netted a hat-trick in their opening game of the Euro 2012 qualification group stage.
"Defoe is always very important for us. He can shoot with his left foot and his right and his performance was really, really good and his movement without the ball was fantastic,” said Capello.
Michael Dawson was carried off in the second half with an injury and the centre-back is almost certain to miss out on England’s next match against Switzerland on Tuesday.
"I have to wait to find out about Dawson. I am not a doctor. We have to wait for the tests, but no one else had problems, only Dawson." Capello said.
Capello was also pleased with the display from England’s new No.1 Joe Hart. The Manchester City goalkeeper was controversially benched during their World Cup campaign, but the Italian’s new philosophy of playing younger players appears to have cemented Hart’s place as first-choice for his country.
"Hart is playing very, very well. He made two fantastic saves. The most important thing was to win," said Capello.
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21:50 BST -
And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
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