Greeny News

The Italian has selection and tactical issues ahead of his side's next match. Our writers suggest what he should and shouldn't do

Dominic Fifield

Who should play in goal?

David James

Who should partner Terry?

Jamie Carragher

As Barry to stay?

Gareth Barry has only one role to play in this England side â€" as a scuttling defensive midfield shield â€" and could be best utilised in something approaching a 4-2-3-1 formation. His inclusion will allow Steven Gerrard to move back to the left, playing narrowly with Ashley Cole encouraged to overlap on his outside down the flank, with Barry slightly deeper than Frank Lampard in the centre. The Manchester City player is no feverish tackler, but he should ferry the ball on to his team-mates efficiently enough and his presence will offer reassurance to the back line. England will benefit from his passing as much as anything else, and he can effectively be this team's metronome.

One more thing …

The theory was always that Capello would eventually morph his side into a 4-3-3 towards the latter stages of the tournament, with Wayne Rooney flanked by two attack-minded wingers rather than fellow strikers. The time to play the forward alone up front may have come early, with Joe Cole â€" strangely ignored against the USA â€" the man to link the play at his back. Cole played off Rooney for around 20 minutes in the recent friendly against Japan, albeit in a 4-4-1-1, and excelled, playing a part in England's two goals in Graz. He is an elusive runner and was this team's best player at the last World Cup finals, so he boasts pedigree. Now is the time to give him his chance.

Education

4-2-3-1

James: Johnson, Carragher, Terry, A Cole; Barry, Lampard; Lennon, J Cole, Gerrard; Rooney

Paul Hayward

Who should play in goal?

Joe Hart

Robert Green was a rational selection against the USA but his howler exposed a concentration flaw. Sad, because Green is a good pro. On experience David James would take the gloves, but has he pushed too hard, politically, for a starting place? These things matter in World Cup camps. Also, James has his own history of slip-ups. Hart exudes cockiness as well as talent. Capello was tempted to anoint him his No1 before caution got the better of him and Green was picked. Algeria and Slovenia can prepare Hart for the harder tests ahead.

Who should partner Terry?

Jamie Carragher

Capello has already lost Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King and will be relieved he brought eight defenders, unlike Spain, Brazil, etc, who confined themselves to seven. King lasted 45 minutes against the USA. Carragher, who came on at half-time, might have been sent off for an early foul and was cleaned out by America's Jozy Altidore on England's right side. Matthew Upson is entitled to be aggrieved at being passed over for the first-replacement spot and Michael Dawson impresses with his attitude and is better than he has had a chance to show. But England need Carragher's grit and cunning, so he should start with John Terry.

How should Barry be accommodated?

One more thing …

Formation

4-5-1

Hart; Johnson, Terry, Carragher, A Cole; Lennon, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, J Cole; Rooney

Kevin McCarra

Who should play in goal?

Robert Green

There is a strong case for regarding Joe Hart as the man eventually to restore the reputation of England goalkeeping, but Fabio Capello has not let him start a match for his country. That has begun to look a miscalculation and there would have been an air of panic if he were pitched in now. David James let no one down in the qualifiers but has not had the backing of Capello and his coaches recently. In the circumstance, Green ought to be retained. He was guilty of a howler but showed character by not letting it affect him.

Who should partner Terry?

Matthew Upson

The manager is likely to opt for Jamie Carragher now that Ledley King has been ruled out, but he had an alarming second half against the USA where his lack of speed was expected, but the inability to dominate physically was disconcerting. Carragher could easily have been sent off too. Considering that Capello has never permitted Michael Dawson a single minute on the field, England ought to turn again to Upson, who was a steady presence when called upon in the World Cup qualifiers, even if West Ham's campaign showed virtually everyone in an unflattering light.

How should Barry be accommodated?

One more thing …

It was preposterous if Capello truly ignored Joe Cole because he was fretting about the overlapping of the Americans' right-back Steve Cherundolo. England should have concentrated on making him defend. Cole's creativity and technique ought to be essential. While Emile Heskey mostly impressed against the USA, Wayne Rooney kept drifting away from the danger area and on this occasion at least the answer may be to make him a lone striker, with Steven Gerrard in support, since his country craves some of the firepower so apparent with Manchester United.

Formation

4-1-3-1-1

Green; Johnson, Upson, Terry, A Cole; Barry; Lennon, Lampard, J Cole; Gerrard; Rooney

Richard Williams

Who should play in goal?

Joe Hart

Who should partner Terry?

Michael Dawson

The former captain was close to his best against the United States, and he needed to be given the early injury to Ledley King and Jamie Carragher's lack of pace. Matthew Upson and Carragher, both solid stoppers, are cover for Terry, not for King. Dawson would bring the mobility to the role originally entrusted to Rio Ferdinand, and his Under-21 caps and his fine season for Tottenham should help him overcome a lack of senior international experience. He and John Terry could form as useful a partnership as Terry and Ferdinand.

How should Barry be accommodated?

The left-footed Barry is a natural defender with an unfussy approach and a good range of passes. His return would allow Capello to revert to the formation that proved successful in the qualifying campaign, in which Barry and Frank Lampard sit in front of the back four, screening the defence. Both are given the licence to venture forward on suitable occasions (Lampard more frequently, as befits a prolific goalscorer). This permits Steven Gerrard to move across to the left side of midfield, combining with Ashley Cole, but also with the scope to drive infield to support Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey.

And another thing ...

Formation

4-2-3-1

Hart; Johnson, Dawson, Terry, A Cole; Lampard, Barry; J Cole, Rooney, Gerrard; Heskey.