As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Man Utd's Ferdinand: Capello has changed England psychology

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says England boss Fabio Capello has brought a 'club mentality' to the national team setup. Ferdinand, who takes the armband instead of John Terry for the World Cup qualifier in Belarus, feels Capello is forging a club mentality that has served English teams so well in the Champions League recently.

At Dinamo Stadium in Minsk, Ferdinand will lead a side out putting emphasis on the result rather than the performance - the same mindset the 29-year-old has at Old Trafford.

Three points will mean four wins from four and England's best start to a World Cup qualifying campaign.

"It's only the beginning of the new manager's regime but he is very business-like and I think that is coming through to the players in the team," said Ferdinand.

"A lot of us play our league football with that frame of mind - it is business-like and three points is three points. The performance is second, you'd like to play well but if you win you are very happy.

"That is the way we are, we want to come out of here with three points and go home happy, the mindset is the same in training and around the hotel.

"Hopefully it will translate into the game and turn into the right result."

Capello has made brave decisions already in his tenure and faces more dilemmas against Belarus, starting with who to replace injured Chelsea duo Terry and Ashley Cole, and how to get the best out of Steven Gerrard.

The Italian's authority and ruthlessness reminds Ferdinand of Ferguson.

"He is the manager, there is no discussion that he is the boss," Ferdinand said.

"His decision is final and as a player you like that, you want to be under a manager that is very strong and demands a lot from all the players. You want to go out and impress that man.

"Alex Ferguson is the same - he is the leader of the ship - and it's the same at international level."

Video of the day:

About the author

Tribal Football Staff

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free