It’s almost here…

The squad has been announced, the last of the real friendlies are played and we’ve had the usual whines from the goalkeepers about how the match ball flies strangely through the air.

Lets just say I’m excited.

Fabio Capello was employed by England for only one reason, to win the World Cup. That’s why he earns millions as a coach and if England get to a semi-final, or even the final then I think most English people will think he’s earned every penny.

He gave England a huge boost and has removed another potential distraction from the team by committing himself to the national team until after the 2012 European Championship. He’d been openly courted by Inter Milan and before flying to South Africa he signed an amended contract that removes any chance of Capello leaving before Euro 2012.

“Now we can all concentrate on the World Cup and give Fabio and the players our full support.” Said head of Club England Sir Dave Richards.

Capello was clear about his commitment “I am very happy about this and would like to thank Sir David Richards and the FA for their continued support and assurances about my future. I always wanted to stay until the end of my contract. In South Africa we are totally focused on the World Cup.”

After spending years in racing I believe completely in the saying that teams take their tone from whoever is in charge. It was that way at every professional team I’ve been part of, the sheer professionalism of McLaren and the underdog mentality of Minardi both came from the top.

The England squad is no different, under Erickson four years ago results were inconsistent and Sven took the whole jaunt to Germany as a well deserved reward. Capello seems to be treating it all very differently. He’s a professional and is clear England are here to win football games. His goal is very simple, it’s the brief the FA gave him when he took the job.

After a spectacular qualifying run followed by some mixed play in the recent friendlies the first stage is over. It gets serious now.