Capello’s decisions made easier for Wales after French flop

It is almost certain that Fabio Capello needs to bring back at least three players for the Euro 2012 qualifier away to Wales in March after a depleted squad were thoroughly exposed by a slick France.

A host of injuries meant that Capello named a weakened team on paper at Wembley and not until the last 15 minutes against France did they look like breaking through.

One of the main problems for Capello, particularly in defence, was that he picked players either out of position or that have enjoyed little first-team opportunities for their clubs so far this season.

As good as Phil Jagielka has been for England recently at the heart of the defence, picking him at right-back severely stifled any possible attacks down his flank and left Theo Walcott isolated.

Kieran Gibbs had the opposite problem down the other side as he was often beaten to the byline and allowed too many balls into the box.

In his defence, he did not always get the best defensive support from the winger playing in front of him, which sometimes left Gibbs outnumbered.

Meanwhile, although harsh to be too hard on Jordan Henderson on his debut, the Sunderland youngster struggled to get involved in the game and appeared to do little in either an attacking or defensive sense to impact proceedings.

These three performances in particular mean that Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard appear to have little threat to their starting places when they return to the international fold.

Barring injuries the threesome should all play away in Wales, with England needing victory over their British neighbours if they are to continue to lead the way in Group G.

England are 2/9 to win Group G and seal their qualification to Euro 2012, but are three points adrift of Montenegro at present with a game in hand.

Capello’s team are 8/1 to win Euro 2012, with France still available at 10/1 despite the impressiveness of their performance. See the full Euro 2012 winners football betting odds market.