With just over a fortnight until the World Cup in South Africa, England's coach still has some big calls to make.
Has Green ousted James from the No.1 spot?
David James may not have enjoyed the time off following the FA Cup final. There were important saves from his rival Robert Green against Mexico and they reflected not only talent but decisiveness. James is expected to start on Sunday in Graz in England's final international before the World Cup and may hope for just the right degree of menace from Japan to let him show his worth. In the past 13 months his one appearance for his country has come as a substitute. All the same, Fabio Capello likes to stand by those who have served him well, as James did when fit.
Manchester City's Joe Hart is a candidate of sorts for Capello, but his two caps have come as a substitute.
Is King ready?
Capello had sounded almost excited when detailing Ledley King's sudden capacity to make regular appearances despite the player's knee condition. Even so those outings were all in the familiar environment of the Tottenham Hotspur team. The defender was disoriented against Mexico in the early moments but he is accustomed to coping with Premier League opponents who are as good as or better than Guillermo Franco.
While some allowances can be made, since King was representing his country for the first time in three years, he did not present himself as a challenger to John Terry or Rio Ferdinand. Who can be the holding midfielder if Barry is unfit?
James Milner fluffed the audition for central midfield, where he looked mundane. Michael Carrick was as out of form for his country as he had been for his club. It was even easier than usual to see why the customarily trenchant Capello has been prepared to wait and hope with regard to Gareth Barry's injury. The Italian, all the same, was immediately vindicated in his claim that Steven Gerrard would prosper with his country irrespective of the season of toil with Liverpool.
In fact, it may be sheer relief at being in England colours that added to the brightness as verve coursed through Gerrard once more. It will help, too, when Frank Lampard comes back into the side, but Capello badly needs a dependable holding midfielder. With Barry in questionable condition, this is turning into the critical issue.
Is Walcott or Lennon the better bet at right wing?
There were only 13 minutes remaining when Theo Walcott was removed. Capello wanted to study him at length but will appreciate that the quality of his contribution can fluctuate from moment to moment. The hat-trick in Zagreb came when the opposition were taken by surprise, as they no longer are. Walcott was a substitute as often as a starter for Arsenal last season. Aaron Lennon appears to have more to offer and may be asked to prove it against Japan. Adam Johnson has caught the eye very late, but he is a different type of winger and a five-minute stint on his debut might have brought a penalty had he not insisted on staying on his feet. Where width is concerned, England will be glad to reinstate Ashley Cole, the Chelsea left-back who has matured to such an extent that his defending and overlapping are equally assured. Glen Johnson, on the right, was explosive when scoring against Mexico, but it is unsettling that Jamie Carragher, a 32-year-old centre-half, seems to be the cover for him.
Which strike partner brings the best out of Rooney?
It was understandable that Capello should turn to Peter Crouch when Emile Heskey had slid into the obscurity of the bench at Aston Villa.
The Tottenham forward had a worthwhile outing against Mexico, where he made a goal for King, scored a dubious one himself and looked uncommonly aggressive. Those strong points were outweighed by the fact that he does not complement England's key player all that well. It could be that Wayne Rooney was actually undermined by injury niggles, but there was no instinctive rapport with Crouch.
The bond with Heskey, on the other hand, was beyond both explanation and the opposition's control in the qualifiers.
Capello is too smart to take it for granted that the ploy will go on devastating opponents and, in any case, it would be irresponsible not to fret over Heskey and his unhappy form.
An alternative approach has not been found and time is running out.
©Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2010
