Why Capello must use England's superkids to slay Welsh dragons - Mirror.co.uk (blog)

By Robbie Savage

Published 23:05 01/09/11

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Much as I would love to think Wales will take Wembley by storm next Tuesday, I can only see one outcome.

Stranger things have happened, but England should win convincingly, and take a comfortable stride towards Euro 2012.

If they don't, Fabio Capello won't have to look for a taxi on the rank - there will be 80,000 disappointed fans willing to drive him to the airport.

In all honesty, that's not going to happen.

When his time is up, Capello won't be a great loss to English football and I don't think many people will be sorry to see him go.

But as his legacy, he still has the chance to leave behind a squad with a core of young players, giving his successor a strong hand.

From the squad he has picked for the double-header against Bulgaria and Wales, it is possible to select an all-Manchester composite XI from the in-form United and City teams who have looked so impressive in the first three weeks of the season.

Somehow, I doubt Capello will be prepared to take that risk, but, assuming all goes well for England in Sofia on Friday night, the Wales game would be an ideal opportunity to look at some of the young players who have become first-choice material at club level.

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling could well be involved against Bulgaria anyway.

But, on Tuesday, let's see if Tom Cleverley can become the midfield axis of a young, fresh, vibrant, England team at Euro 2012, instead of the old guard who have come up short, time and again, at major tournaments when it mattered.

The only way to find out if these young talents are good enough to cut it at a World Cup or European Championship is to play them in a low-risk competitive international - and, sadly, Wales at home should fall into that category.

I was only nine years old when Mark Hughes scored the only goal of the game at Wrexham in 1984 - the last time St George was slayed by the dragon - and I don't see England's 27-year unbeaten record against Wales coming under threat on Tuesday.

In the reverse fixture at the Millennium Stadium six months ago, Wales made the mistake of trying to pass the ball out from the back and building slowly, when their best bet would have been to keep the tempo high and force England into mistakes.

Wales manager Gary Speed would be the first to admit he should have approached that game differently, but he still has individual flair at his disposal wh,ich could damage Capello's reputation further if England are complacent.

Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Craig Bellamy are all good enough to get in the England side, but Wales are not a cohesive unit as yet and individual skill won't be enough for us to upset the applecart at Wembley.

One thing that makes me laugh is how Wales are, according to the latest FIFA rankings, taking on the No.4 side in the world.

Last month's England v Holland friendly was postponed because of the riots in London - fair enough, common-sense decision, no problem with that.

But how does a cancelled match lift England into the top four and make Holland No.1 in the world, ahead of Spain and Brazil? You must be joking!

Like it or not, England are stuck with Capello until next summer.

But please don't tell me that a team who stank the place out in South Africa just over a year ago, and who didn't win any of their games at Wembley last season, are now suddenly the fourth-best side on the planet.

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Of course, Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier is only the appetiser before the main course.

At Derby County's Pride Park next Thursday night, England play Wales in a Legends international in aid of John Hartson's cancer foundation.

Harry Redknapp is going to manage the England team - which may be a taste of things to come - and yours truly is captain of Wales.

It promises to be an intriguing night, especially for the Welsh skipper - who has not even been out running since he retired from professional football in May!

But just in case any of the England lads are tempted to leave their foot in, a word to the wise.

Our star midfielder can look after himself if there are any tasty challenges flying around and, in the unlikely event of 'handbags', I'll bet my last pound that he'll be last man standing.

You may have heard of him before.

Name's Joe Calzaghe.