Jon Mcleod
Andrew MacdougallHas Capello introduced humility to England's super egos?
There is something very different about the England squad at present, something emanating from the players, something transforming the previous perceptions; A shift in attitude and in culture. A whiff of humility perhaps?
Much has been written - more has been said - about the iron fist of Fabio Capello and the new dictatorial regime instilled from top down, but it is a point worth pausing on and developing. The truth is, the treatment of the squad has affected the fans as much as the players.
Over the past few years a chasm has grown between the fans and the footballers, most keenly felt at international level.
The perception (and probably the reality) was that the players were intoxicated with the life style of the rich and famous, an addiction that was indulged under Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren. Egos were routinely massaged, Bentleys were bought, WAGS were tolerated and football matches were lost. This fostered resentment among fans - as expressed in the booing of Ashley Cole on Saturday. This may have been something the players were aware of all along, and their outward apathy and warped priorities may simply have been a media concoction, but I suspect not.
But no longer do trips abroad resemble all-expenses-paid company jaunts to Spain.
Capello has instilled some austerity to the previous material culture, with bans on mobile phones and WAGs as well as shifting the focus to football and professionalism. By doing this, he has reintroduced the concept of sacrifice and cold showers to the pampered players and with it, perhaps, even some humility.
An added sense of modesty should stand them in good stead for challenges on the pitch. And for all us fans - jealous of the mega wages, model girlfriends and blacked-out BMWs (especially with the somber mood of the impending credit crunch) - it is reassuring to know there is still place for cold showers and much sweat.
Much has been written - more has been said - about the iron fist of Fabio Capello and the new dictatorial regime instilled from top down, but it is a point worth pausing on and developing. The truth is, the treatment of the squad has affected the fans as much as the players.
Over the past few years a chasm has grown between the fans and the footballers, most keenly felt at international level.
The perception (and probably the reality) was that the players were intoxicated with the life style of the rich and famous, an addiction that was indulged under Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren. Egos were routinely massaged, Bentleys were bought, WAGS were tolerated and football matches were lost. This fostered resentment among fans - as expressed in the booing of Ashley Cole on Saturday. This may have been something the players were aware of all along, and their outward apathy and warped priorities may simply have been a media concoction, but I suspect not.
But no longer do trips abroad resemble all-expenses-paid company jaunts to Spain.
Capello has instilled some austerity to the previous material culture, with bans on mobile phones and WAGs as well as shifting the focus to football and professionalism. By doing this, he has reintroduced the concept of sacrifice and cold showers to the pampered players and with it, perhaps, even some humility.
An added sense of modesty should stand them in good stead for challenges on the pitch. And for all us fans - jealous of the mega wages, model girlfriends and blacked-out BMWs (especially with the somber mood of the impending credit crunch) - it is reassuring to know there is still place for cold showers and much sweat.
