Capello challenges critics

Capello emerged from the maelstrom to deliver a successful start to England's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Yet he knows a four-goal triumph over Bulgaria will not in itself silence the people who feel he should have lost his job in the wake of this northern summer's FIFA World Cup debacle.

The 64-year-old has done some soul-searching himself since South Africa. Now he wants others to do the same.

"When you shave in the morning you have to look in the mirror and ask is what you wrote about this man correct or not," he said.

"I can't change what people write. I understand it has to be done.

"I look at myself and I am sure what I brought was good.

"I try to do my job really well but sometimes I make mistakes."

Capello introduced the word respect into the conversation, implying there were some who had none for a man whose coaching CV is littered with success but now finds himself answering questions about his ability he neither expected nor deserves.

He quickly tried to clarify, insisting the interpretation of respect was different in his native Italian compared to an English language he can speak but sometimes fails to grasp the nuances of.

"Respect is not the right word because in Italy it means something different," he said.

"But I always feel the same. There is no change in me.

"When I started my career as a player I had a lot of big injuries. When I was 20 the newspapers said I was finished.

"I worked really hard and stayed strong. This time it is the same."

For all the criticism, Capello insists managing England is still his 'dream job'.

The £6 million ($10.11 million)-a-year salary obviously helps but ahead of a trip to Switzerland the 64-year-old regards as England's hardest match of the entire qualification campaign, he is hardly lacking in motivation as he looks to erase the memory of the debacle that unfolded in South Africa.

The Swiss had an even earlier exit, although not before it had become the only side to beat eventual winner Spain in a manner which showed wily coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has lost none of his canniness.

A scan has ruled Michael Dawson out of the Switzerland match. He was immediately cleared to return to his club by the FA, which has no plans to call up another defender in the absence of the 26-year-old.

Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott both have more experience than Gary Cahill, but it was the Bolton Wanderers man who was given first chance, making his debut from the substitutes' bench in what Capello felt was an important move.

"I have to decide about the position but Cahill is young and has a big future," said Capello.

"It is good for the players who have not played a lot of games to come into the team when we are doing well. It is not so easy when we are not."

Capello will study recent Swiss performances closely, including the goalless draw against Australia before deciding where to let Wayne Rooney loose.

The Manchester United striker may still be struggling for goals and has still to reach his peak this season, but three direct assists showed the value he can bring from a slightly deeper position than he has been used to.

"Rooney was always been given the licence to move around freely but this time he had to come back more and to play in the hole," outlined Capello.

"With James Milner left, Theo Walcott on the right and then Adam Johnson later, it was a great position for him.

"It depends on the opponents. If they put one midfielder in front of their back four the position Rooney played is not as easy.

"But in this game, with Defoe running behind the defence I chose it for him."

Victory will not be achieved easily. But if it does come and another follows against Montenegro next month, England will be a decent way towards booking a place in Poland and Ukraine, which is the only place complete redemption can come.

It barely seems credible seven of the starting line-up should have kept their places from that German disaster in Bloemfontein.

Yet, as Capello is so fond of saying. England is fresh just now.

"The players are sharp," he said. "That is so important in modern football.

"I told everyone before but no-one wants to listen."