Cole enjoying settled life under Fabio
ENGLAND defender Ashley Cole believes a settled side and playing style are at the root of the turnaround in fortunes under manager Fabio Capello.
The Italian has turned England from a side who failed to reach Euro 2008 to one who will clinch their place at the 2010 World Cup with a draw against Croatia next week.
Chelsea full-back Cole has been a regular in Capello’s England team and is convinced the former AC Milan coach has brought the best out of the squad.
“I think the England team is quite set in the players that play – we’re not chopping and changing all the time. The manager knows his team and the squad he’ll take if we get there. He knows the way we’ll play and the lads he’ll pick,” said Cole.
“It feels settled, and people are starting to come into their own. Wayne Rooney, for instance, is playing very well – and we hope we can all play well up to end of the season and then do something very special with England in South Africa.”
Rooney has particularly flourished under Capello and tops the scoring charts in the European section of World Cup qualifying with eight goals in seven matches.
The Manchester United striker has also begun the Premier League season in fine form, with four goals already to the 23-year-old’s name.
But Capello, whose side also face Slovenia in a friendly on Saturday, says there is more to come.
“Rooney is a really important player,” he said. “He is incredible and young – he can improve a lot with more experience and confidence in himself.”
Last month England roared back from two down to draw a friendly against Holland, and Capello wants to see a repeat performance, but this time for 90 minutes.
“The priority is to recover the spirit,” he added. “I think it will be really important to start like we finished in Holland.”