Life a pitch? Send 'em to boot camp

Feb 28 2010 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

Speaking of which, while Bridge’s refusal to go to a World Cup would have baffled Ramsey, Capello could do worse than turn Bafokeng into a Sir Alf-style boot camp rather than indulge his players to the point where they see no wrong in cuckolding a team-mate.

Anything to shatter the hype and expectation surrounding this England side.

For the costliest consequence of the Terry scandal may yet be that it blinds the nation to the weaknesses of an unbalanced squad.

While Capello was talking bed and board in the Highveld, whispers that Aaron Lennon might be laid up until the summer grew louder.

It remains to be seen whether Cole – Ashley, not Joe or Cheryl – can regain fitness and form in time to prevent us finding out if rookie left-backs Stephen Warnock or Leighton Baines have the X-factor.

And never mind Terry’s troubles when Rio Ferdinand has played the sum total of three games since October, and is injured. Again.

When the Daily Mail’s website accompanies an article asking “Who is the best English player in the world today?” with a picture of Bobby Zamora (I kid you not), something is seriously wrong.

And just imagine if Wayne Rooney is crocked these next few months. Do you dare?

So then, injury doubts over two of his first-choice back four, a seemingly permanent shadow hanging over a third, no decent right-back, potentially no out-and-out right winger, no outstanding left winger and a first-choice striker (Heskey) who doesn’t score goals . . .

Never mind the training camp, life’s a pitch for Capello as it is.