Capello playing mind games to get England in shape for 2010 World Cup

England coach Fabio Capello admits he had to become a psychologist to rebuild his players' shattered morale.

Capello inherited a squad desperately short of confidence when he took over from Steve McClaren last year in the aftermath of England's failed bid to qualify for Euro 2008.

Turning out for England, especially at the team's Wembley Stadium home ground in London, where the crowd was quick to criticise the side, had become a chore for players who are hero-worshipped at their clubs.

The Italian knew it was essential to erase the fear factor and spent time getting into his stars' heads to convince them they could reproduce their club form for England.

"When we played the first game against Switzerland, during the training the players were fantastic technically and physically. But when we played the match it was a disaster. They were not the same players," Capello said.

"At that moment, I knew the problem was in their minds. It is important sometimes to be a pyschologist.

"We started from the bottom and we've gone up, better and better every game, and we have arrived at a good level.

"I'm happy with the results and we created a good group and spirit.

We have recovered their confidence and that is most important.

"The spirit of the squad. This is most important. Without the spirit and confidence it is impossible to win. Sometimes you can win one game because one player scores a goal but without spirit it is impossible.

"But we need good players to win. Good pyschologist, bad players -impossible to win."

Progress was initially slow as Capello strived to get the team playing confidently and in his style. He believes the turning point came during a 1-0 friendly defeat by France.

"I think the most important thing we did is when we lost to France.

When I went back to the dressing room I said to the players I am happy because we did another step forward," he said.

"The players watched me and thought I was crazy. But I was happy because we played against France - a former world champion - in Paris.

"For half an hour we played very well and if you can do that we can do it for all the game. After this game we went forward."

Leading England to the top of their World Cup qualifying group with four successive victories, as well as an impressive friendly win in Germany, has given Capello a groundswell of support from the notoriously hard to please English football public and media.

But the former AC Milan manager will have fewer friends among his peers in the Premier League after he confirmed players who withdraw from international duty through injury will be called to England's base for tests by the medical team before being allowed to miss the match.

Capello angered Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez when he did just that with Steven Gerrard before the Germany game, but he has no intention of softening his stance.

"I never decide my squad until after the club games and before the internationals we check to see if they are really injured," he said.

"In the future it will be the same. It is normal. If it is possible to recover in two or three days, okay, if not you can go home.

"It is important that the players who come to this squad have to be very happy to stay with us. It is important to stay with the national team."

Sapa-AFP