Retirements highlight poor Capello communication

It has been a strange few days for Fabio Capello and the England football team. At a time when their horrific World Cup is still fresh in the memory, they have been hit with a couple of bizarre retirements from players set to be involved in this week’s friendly with Hungary.

Both Paul Robinson and Wes Brown were selected in Capello’s first squad since the World Cup and both have since withdrawn from the game and retired from international football.

This is a very embarrassing situation for Capello and shows that he perhaps doesn’t communicate fully with his fringe players. Surely he should have spoken to each player about their mindset following such a disastrous tournament?

The next couple of England fixtures are crucial as the team looks to repair the damage done in South Africa, with enthusiasm and belief from the fans arguably at an all time low.

So, when calling on Robinson, who hasn’t played for his country since 2007, surely Capello should have had a conversation with him about how he felt as regards to a return to the England fold?

From the outside, and probably from Robinson’s point of view, it looks as if Capello has dismissed Robert Green because of his error against USA and thought “hmmm, who else is there to make up the numbers? Ah yes, Robinson”.

Speaking to the Blackburn keeper would not only have saved a bit of embarrassment on the part of Capello and the FA, but it may also have convinced Robinson to give England another go. As it is, the keeper has decided to focus on club duties and he’ll be needed as the Blackburn betting odds suggest they’ll have a tough season.

The Brown situation is similar. Injury played a part in him missing the World Cup and he has always struggled to make an impact for his country because of fitness, so again, was it ideal that he was selected after such little football of late?

The Manchester United man clearly wants to focus on club matters and this is something Capello should have known. Yes, you could argue that everyone should be available to their country, but this was such an important squad announcement for England. The Betfair football tips suggest they will win easily, but the biggest issue was team-spirit.

It should have been a fresh start with a few new faces and now it is being overshadowed by Capello’s lack of understanding when it comes to the players he is selecting.

Neither Robinson or Brown were the most inspiring selections and you wouldn’t bet on them being involved in Euro 2012 anyway, but it is worrying that the players themselves have to rule themselves out rather than the manager assessing the situation more thoroughly.