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Capello just right for England says Lampard

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  • Frank Lampard says Fabio Capello has proved just the coach England needed
  • Capello's side top their World Cup qualifying group after winning first four games
  • Ukraine opponents at Wembley on Wednesday as race for 2010 finals hots up
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(CNN) -- Fabio Capello's no-nonsense approach to international management is just what England needed to turn them into potential world beaters, according to midfield star Frank Lampard.

Frank Lampard tells the media why coach Fabio Capello can turn England into a team of world beaters.

Frank Lampard tells the media why coach Fabio Capello can turn England into a team of world beaters.

Capello succeeded Steve McClaren as coach 15 months ago and victory in Wednesday's qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley would boost the belief that England can become top contenders for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

Leaders England have won their opening four Group Six games under the Italian and they warmed up for this week's tie by firing four past Slovakia at Wembley on Saturday.

"Fabio Capello was exactly what we needed," said Lampard at a media briefing on Monday. "One of the reasons for that is his experience, which tells him exactly how to do things.

"He picks each squad on merit. He assesses how you play for your club side and watches you very closely. He picks the team along the same lines.

"As players it is very important we all accept that - and we all do."

Capello's single-minded approach reminds Lampard of former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, now in charge at Inter Milan.

"There is a very strong aura about Fabio," Lampard added. "There is a bit of Jose Mourinho about him in the fact that he knows what he is doing. It is his way and we are all following it.

"There is probably a bit of that in every top manager. They have a confidence in their own ability.

"It is very important with England because we all know what kind of microscope there is on us and you might be affected by the strong public opinion.

"But Fabio makes his own decisions in terms of the team, the substitutes and what they do on the training pitch."

One of Capello's big decisions has been to deny 29-year-old Newcastle forward Michael Owen an England recall.

Even when Carlton Cole and Emile Heskey withdrew in the wake of Saturday's game, Capello still refused to draft in the fourth-highest scorer in England history.

"Michael Owen is one of the best strikers ever to play for England. His goal-scoring record is unbelievable," said Lampard. "But he has been injured for a long time and Fabio does not feel he is ready to play.

"I am sure if Michael is fit, playing well and deserves to be in the team, he will be."

Although the Slovakia game was flagged as a warm-up for Ukraine in terms of the style England must face, Lampard is expecting a much stiffer test.

And he know former Chelsea team-mate Andriy Shevchenko will have a particular reason to shine given the dismal time he endured in England following his .30million transfer from AC Milan.

"I don't know why it didn't work for Andriy," said Lampard. "But I do know he is a fantastic player who will be a huge threat to us on Wednesday. "He can produce something out of the blue. He can score and make goals. He is one of the best there has ever been."

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