England were to hold crisis talks on Sunday as the troubled team seeks to clear the air before its crucial Group C clash with Slovenia.
Defender John Terry admitted that tensions were running high in the England camp, but denied reports of a mutiny. “If we feel something needs to be done, then at the meeting tonight, we’ll say where we went wrong. If we feel there is a problem, there’s no point keeping it in, even if I have an argument with the manager or it upsets him,” he said.
Terry suggested the meeting could be stormy, drawing parallels — albeit in apparent jest — with the situation of his Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka, who was expelled from the France squad after a row with coach Raymond Domenech.
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“I see Nico was sent home for voicing his opinion,” he said, “and maybe a few of us will be sent home after this evening.” But the former England captain denied there was a rebellious mood in the English camp. “I’m not going to sit here and question the manager,” he said. “We are all fully behind the manager. He has his ways and philosophies and they worked in the campaign.”
We should not be looking for excuses or criticising the manager. We are just staying united and trying to get the win.” England produced a poor performance in Friday’s 0-0 draw with Algeria and must now beat Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to be guaranteed of making it the knockout phase.
Terry acknowledged that there would have to be a change of attitude before their next game.
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“Passion,” he said, “I don’t think any player had that the other night, but I’m sure on Wednesday everyone will have the fire in their bellies.” Capello, he insisted, is the man to instil that. “It is encouraging when you see him show the passion, storming around the dressing room throwing things and kicking things.” He gave a clear indication, though that he would favour a tactical change, with his Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole introduced.
“With Chelsea, it was a great boost for us to have him coming back from injury and he got a goal away at Manchester United that was vital.”
“He and Wayne (Rooney) are the only two players who can really open things up and break defences. If called upon, I’m sure he will do a great job.” England have not been eliminated in the group stage of a World Cup since Walter Winterbottom’s side were eliminated in a play-off by the USSR in 1958.
After disappointing starts in both the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, England made it through to the knockouts with a win in their third group game, and Terry is determined the pattern will be repeated this time.
“Really we have to think — it’s one game to make or break our tournament,’” he said.
“I’ve taken three or four weeks away from my family to come here and win this tournament and we don’t want to go home on Wednesday.”