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Alan Shearer questions England progress under Capello

Fabio Capello close up
Capello lost his unbeaten record at Wembley with defeat to France

Former England striker Alan Shearer has questioned the progress England are making under Fabio Capello.

England's midweek 2-1 defeat by France at Wembley prompted a huge outcry about the direction of the national team.

"Fabio's been here for two-and-a-half-years and I'm not sure we've actually gone forward in that time," Shearer told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek.

"If every England player was fit, I'm not sure that he'd know what system he wanted or what team he wanted to play."

The BBC Match of the Day pundit also suggested English players are technically inferior compared to their foreign counterparts.

"I don't think anyone can argue that if you put a bunch of players against ours, yes we might have the fight and we might have the will, but I think technically it's obvious for everyone to see that we do lack and stand behind [other teams]," added Shearer.

"When you look at a Wayne Rooney or a Steven Gerrard, or look at a Frank Lampard or a Rio Ferdinand, then yes they would certainly get into other teams but, beneath that, that's where we have a problem."

The day after England's defeat the FA confirmed that building work will begin on the much-delayed National Football Centre in Burton, which will be used as a coach education centre from 2012.

"I think the problem lies with the kids coming through and how they are taught. What are they taught?" said Shearer. "That's where you need to start from. And it will take a long, long time.

"Unfortunately in this country we haven't got patience, because we always put so much pressure on our players that we go into every tournament not only wanting, but expecting to win."

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One player that Shearer believes will become a permanent fixture in the England side is Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, who put off-field worries aside to impress on his international debut.

"I've been hugely impressed with the way he has been on the football pitch," added Shearer, who used to wear the number nine shirt at Newcastle which 21-year-old Carroll currently sports.

"I know he has had one or two problems off it but he's young.

"We have got to give the guy a chance. On the pitch he has been a huge success.

"He has scored goals, the future is very bright for him. He's big, he's strong, he's horrible to play against and if he could control his lifestyle he could be a regular for a long time."

Following the news on Thursday that Burton would be finished in the summer of 2012, the FA's joint-acting chairman David Sheepshanks said it could be a watershed for English football.

"St George's Park won't be an instant panacea for all the ills of English football," he said. "But what it will be will be a catalyst for a step change in the way we go about educating our coaches.

"If we get the maximum number of highly qualified and highly adept coaches at all levels - all the way down the pyramid - the chances are they will inspire better players."



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see also
FA gives final approval to Burton
18 Nov 10 |  Football
Fifa urges rapid Triesman review
18 May 10 |  Football
Burton receives council go-ahead
17 May 10 |  Football
FA revives national centre plans
19 Jan 10 |  Football
Burton receives fresh FA support
23 Oct 09 |  Football
Burton academy on track, says FA
09 Oct 09 |  Football
FA board gives Burton green light
03 Jun 08 |  Internationals
FA backs National Football Centre
21 Dec 07 |  Internationals
Burton 'vital to England success'
18 Dec 07 |  Football
The Burton blueprint - Wilko's vision
17 Dec 07 |  Football
FA unveils national centre
20 Nov 01 |  Football
FA unveil academy plans
15 Feb 01 |  Football
Football on the BBC
11 Aug 10 |  Football


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