Has Fabio Capello given England the X factor?

That was certainly the implication of comments made by Rio Ferdinand yesterday when the stand-in captain delivered the most explicit support yet from an England player for his new manager.

The Manchester United centre-half said Capello had instilled into the national team a culture of professionalism previously seen only among the Premier League's biggest clubs, culling a "circus" of WAGS, designer clothes and paparazzi.

"We got caught up in all the hype," Ferdinand said. "To give yourself the best chance, you have to be focused. That's been enhanced by the new management. This is a very, very professional regime."

Capello has established a dress code, set strict meal times and banned family, friends and agents from the team hotel. But he has also elicited improvement on the pitch, with England comfortably winning their first three World Cup qualifiers.

Most convincing was the 4-1 destruction of Croatia side that qualified for Euro 2008 at England's expense but the patience his side showed to dispatch Kazakhstan 5-1 also impressed. Where previous England may have panicked when the Kazakhs pulled back to 2-1, Capello's men held firm.

As Martin Samuel wrote, "England have recovered an ability that has been missing since the days of Sven-Göran Eriksson: that of not playing well but still winning."

Is it too early then to suggest a successful future awaits? Post your thoughts in the comment box below.

Comments

[Dan Xuereb]

England still have yet to play a good side. With Gerrard wandering out of position so often and leaving Wayne Bridge exposed, a better team, such as the sort you'll have to face at the World Cup, would have destroyed you.

Once again the In-ger-lund posse is out in force, and once again your ridiculous overexpectations and overhyping of mediocre achievements will pile too much pressure on your team. And when that happens, it'll be Capello who you will all blame.

Same old England. Sven might never have left.

[Alex D]

Capello had brought a calmness to the players game. When things go well they no longer think they've sussed out how to play international football and are going to win the World Cup. When things go bad, they're confidence isn't beaten into submission. They know what they can do, they believe in the man telling them how to do it and they don't panic if things aren't going their way. Predicting a successful future may be premature, but it is now a possibility.

[Tim H]

This is pure ar*e kissing from Ferdinand. It's all obviously true but him coming out with it in this speech is so he can be teacher's pet.

[S K]

He has presence and intimately knows success - that alone gives the players confidence- like a parent sitting near their child playing in the park - they're the same kid, playing the same games like before - but they feel safer and less scared when daddy is there - he knows whats to do...we're ok....
you feel more relaxed and at ease.....you can just go out and play like you know you can...

The most significant difference Capello will make is on the day, in the dressing room, minutes before kick off of these telling games…..England have been close in recent years but have then buckled at the hurdle (e.g. Brazil 2 – 1 England)….perhaps next time though daddy simply being there will give them that lift …. These players ALL respect Capello....becuase succes at the end of the day speaks for itself...