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Page last updated at 13:49 GMT, Wednesday, 1 September 2010 14:49 UK

Coach Fabio Capello backed by England players

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Players and manager ready for Bulgaria - Barry

Euro 2012 qualifier, Wembley:
Date: Friday 3 September Kick-off: 2000 BST Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Five Live, live text commentary on BBC website, live on ITV


England midfielder Gareth Barry insists the team are fully behind coach Fabio Capello as they prepare for their Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria on Friday.

Capello's position came under scrutiny after a dismal World Cup campaign and his first match after the tournament was an unconvincing win over Hungary.

But Barry said: "Everyone is behind him [Capello] 100% and the players and the manager can go and do great things.

"We just want to get the results right that will make people happy."

After Friday's opening qualifying match at Wembley, England face a trip to Switzerland for another Group G game on Tuesday.

606: DEBATE

"We'll try to get six points, we feel we are good enough to win both games but we have to respect our opponents, they are both going to be really tough games and we have to perform well," added Barry.

The 29-year-old Manchester City player says Capello operates in much the same way, despite fierce criticism in the wake of some mediocre performances from his team in South Africa during the summer.

"He still wants training at a high tempo, the whole squad is pretty relaxed, everything is pretty chilled there, so not too many changes," added Barry.

The former Brighton and Aston Villa player won his 40th cap in the 2-1 friendly win against Hungary last month and said: "I want to stay around for as long as possible and try to get as many caps as possible and hopefully have some success with England too."

That match saw a change from the rigid 4-4-2 system previously favoured by Capello, and saw Barry used with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in a central midfield triumvirate, with youngsters Adam Johnson and Theo Walcott employed on the flanks.

"The manager used the last game to try a few things, blood a few youngsters and try a few formations but it comes around so quickly and it's important the whole squad knows that these games are big for us, we need to get off to a good start and it's about getting results now, not performances," Barry said.

Hart looks to cement England place

"With the players we've got in the squad the manager has options to play different formations if he wants to.

"I'm not sure what the manager is thinking at the moment but I'm confident the players can go out and deliver the results.

"The lessons learned from the World Cup I can try and use to help the young players and help the team going forward.

"I'm looking forward to these two games and I'm hungry for more."

Barry's City team-mate Joe Hart has established himself as Capello's first-choice goalkeeper since the World Cup but was the only fit senior keeper during training on Tuesday after Ben Foster and Scott Carson rested knocks.

He rejected suggestions that he might take things easy in training ahead of Friday's match and said: "That's not how I am and how I'm going to improve.

"Every day I'm trying to get as much out of a training session as I can. Speaking to them both I think they are both going to be fine, they just needed a bit of extra rest after the weekend.

Steven Gerrard scores for England
Steven Gerrard scored twice as England beat Hungary 2-1 last month

Chelsea duo John Terry and Lampard are ruled out because of injury and Hart is hopeful that players deputising can continue to challenge for their roles.

"There are a few opportunities for people that maybe wouldn't get as much of a chance if the established players were here," said the 23-year-old former Shrewsbury stopper.

"These are opportunities for people to set their marker and be involved in something special."

Asked about differences in Capello's manner since the World Cup in the summer Hart added: "He's still as focused as ever, doing his best for the team, wanting everyone to do well and trying to build a successful and winning team, because ultimately that's what we all want to be part of so we leave it up to him and as he says we do.

"I don't think anything has changed too drastically.

"There are a few players that retired at the end of the World Cup but with England there is always fresh talent coming through, we're a blessed nation and there are good young players pushing people, and established players that sometimes get overlooked but are great players, and really bring something to the squad."



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see also
England pressure inspires Capello
03 Sep 10 |  Football
England 4-0 Bulgaria
03 Sep 10 |  Football
Capello hints at Beckham recall
29 Aug 10 |  Football
Capello 'media criticism' unfair
25 Aug 10 |  Football
England 2-1 Hungary
11 Aug 10 |  Football
England face Wales in Euro group
07 Feb 10 |  Football


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