England have nothing to fear as they approach Dragons’ lair

A thoroughly professional performance in Copenhagen where several young hopefuls made a strong case for inclusion when Euro 2012 qualifying resumes next month would have been heartening enough for the Three Lions and their Italian manager. But throw in an abject display from Wales, England’s next opponents when the ‘real’ action resumes, and it is easy to understand why Capello was not sporting his trademark frown come the final whistle on Wednesday night.

England’s display against Denmark, a side who are firmly in the hunt to qualify for the next European Championships, had many impressive facets with Theo Walcott, Ashley Young and Scott Parker all making strong cases to start against the Welsh in Cardiff next month.

Walcott, in particular, underlined the growing composure that the Arsenal wideman has brought to his game this season, Darren Bent being the obvious beneficiary with an unmissable chance that brought his second international goal.

Also seizing an opportunity to impress was Parker.

Replacing Frank Lampard at the break, Parker did enough to suggest he may be the best option alongside Steven Gerrard in the Millennium Stadium with a performance that brought control and order to the England midfield – so much so, in fact, that it was noticeable how more solid Capello’s side looked compared to the first half when Christian Eriksen was allowed to wreak havoc due to being afforded too much space.

Young, the scorer of England’s winning goal in the 2-1 triumph, is another who could be happy with his night’s work after being brought off the bench during the interval.

Clearly relishing the freedom of playing through the centre in a supporting role, Young may be an unlikely starter in the principality due to Wayne Rooney still being considered by Capello to be his No 1 striker.

But should the Manchester United man’s disappointing form continue in Cardiff then Young will surely be the player the England manager turns to on the bench.

Other pluses for England on Wednesday night included Gary Cahill doing well after coming on for the final half-hour and Jack Wilshere showing plenty of promise in the holding midfield role, if not an ability to truly fill the Claude Makelele-role that Capello had promised.

The manner in which the game was closed out once Young had made the score 2-1 on 68 minutes was another heartening aspect ahead of next month’s return to competitive action, though perhaps not as much as what happened in Dublin 24 hours earlier.

Wales, in Gary Speed’s first game as manager, were soundly beaten 3-0 by the Republic of Ireland. Of course, the atmosphere inside the Millennium Stadium come March 26 will be something that Capello’s men will have to overcome to earn the three points needed to reclaim top spot in Group G.

Gareth Bale, one of the season’s standout performers, will also be back in the Welsh line-up after missing the trip across the Irish Sea. Craig Bellamy is also likely to return but, even allowing for his winning goal for Cardiff City against Swansea City last Sunday, he has not been the success we all expected in the Championship.

It all points to England having little to fear when stepping into the Dragons’ lair.