• World Cup

Terry dismisses rift rumours

ESPNsoccernet staff
June 20, 2010
John Terry has dismissed rumours of a rift in the England camp © Getty Images
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Former England captain John Terry has denied reports the England players are unhappy with coach Fabio Capello.

Widespread reports on Sunday morning claimed there were divisions in the squad, with a number of players apparently unhappy with Capello's selections and man-management style, but Terry insists there is no truth in the suggestions.

"We shouldn't be looking at excuses or criticising the manager," he told a press conference. "I've seen a few reports myself this morning but I'm coming here on behalf of the players and there's no disharmony in the camp at all.

"I'm not going to sit here and question the manager. All I can say is that I'm here on behalf of the team and the players and we're all behind the manager. We're here, we're supporting him, we're fully behind him and we know we've got his support as well."

However, Terry suggested there may be issues that the players want to get across to the coach as they review the Algeria game.

"We've got a meeting tonight to see where we went wrong," he said. "That's probably the whole 93 minutes. Everyone needs to get off their chest exactly how they're feeling."

He added: "If it upsets him (Capello) or it upsets any player then so be it."

There were suggestions that Joe Cole's failure to play in England's first two games had upset some of the players, and Terry feels he should be given a chance against Slovenia.

"We've seen with Chelsea, he was a great boost for us [in the title race] coming back from his injury," he said. "On the training field, he gives everything and always makes himself available and I personally think him and Wayne [Rooney] are the only two in the side that can really open up things and the key to breaking down defences."

Club England managing director Adrian Bevington earlier told Five Live he had seen no evidence of disruption in the squad.

"There is certainly not any disharmony from what I have seen," he said. "The mood in the England camp is a group of players and coaches who are very, very focused on the match against Slovenia in Port Elizabeth and trying to get the win we need that will take us through.

"Anyone who works on media or football knows that when the results or performances are not quite what they want them to be - and when the whole focus of attention is on you - people look for certain angles and we have seen this many times over the years.

"When results aren't going particularly well then you hear different stories of disharmony or disharmony in the camp.

"I have been around England for the best part of 13 or 14 years now and what I have seen is that we have a very experienced manager here who has been applauded from the minute he got the job.

"We appreciate that on Friday evening the level of experience wasn't anywhere near what we would have liked. Fabio was open about that but the most important thing is that we all stay together as one."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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