Little by little, and against my most optimistic and desperate attempts to believe otherwise, I’m losing faith in Fabio Capello.

I know it’s early days yet, and he’s not even had a competitive match to contend with. But even so, I’m seeing the odd sign here and there that his approach to this most massive of jobs (and the international equivalent of managing Newcastle United or Spurs – with all their incumbent expectations) is not going to effect the sea change needed to turn our under-achieving national side into the finely tuned footballing machine that we in this country believe is our birthright.

His record before taking up the FA’s offer is exemplary; one of the most successful managers of the modern era, in point of fact having won the domestic league title with every club side he has managed throughout his career. And these were clubs packed with big-name players; the Juventus of Del Piero, the Roma of Totti, the AC Milan of Van Basten, Gullit and Baresi and Real Madrid, well, they were almost ALL stars when Capello had them.

So when he was installed by the FA, I was very, very pleased; even the loss of potentially having the planet-sized ego, but voracious winner that was Jose Mourinho in charge, who was fully involved in the race for the job until the last minute, didn’t dent my optimism. Here, in Capello, was a proven winner, with a track record second to none and experience with top-level players that would drag us out of the doldrums and relight our national pride.

I even liked his dress sense.

But then he started making his squad choices. And the Pop Idol manner in which he decided to name his captain was the first of the niggling doubts that began to eat away at my confidence.

The proximity of Rio Ferdinand to winning the captain’s armband still brings me out in a cold sweat. And the fact that he is now the vice-captain still staggers me. Here’s a guy with undoubted talent, but certainly not as much as he thinks he has. A leader of men? I don’t think so. A role model, not for the kids watching (although important, not or primary concern), but for the other players? I think not.

If I were to pick the top centre-halves of recent years that would make good captains, he’s not in the same league as, say, Steve Bruce. There’s a leader, and he has proved it with his move into management. Gareth Southgate, too. Leader: dependable. But Ferdinand’s more MTV than Match of the Day; if he did move into management some day, he’d be more inclined to be MERCing his players, playing practical jokes in the Candid Camera style, than inspiring them.

No, give me a fit Ledley King any day. In fact, I rate Jonathan Woodgate as a better centre-back with better leadership qualities. Ferdinand, for me, has too many lapses in concentration, bailed out regularly by Nemanja Vidic at club level.

Don’t get me wrong, I think he deserves a place in the England team, but not vice captain. Capello’s notorious disdain for prima donna players with huge egos seems to have momentarily deserted him.

The other doubt I have is the omission of a player I think is perfect for our problematic (and I still think it is) left wing. Joe Cole, who I rate and think deserves his place, has filled in there far, far too often. It’s not his favoured position, or favoured peg, and I don’t think it brings out the best in him (in fact, with our lack of strikers at the minute, I think he would be best employed as a second striker – but I’m off the point). I’m talking about Ashley Young.

Here’s a player who has gone from strength to strength under Martin O’Neill at Aston Villa. A player with two good feet, pace, trickery and a devastating delivery from set pieces from either flank. Where’s his name in the squad? Missing, and I can see no reason why…

Still performing for Villa, we’re left with putting square pegs in round holes AGAIN. Stewart Downing’s got a ton of talent, but it’s pace that’s needed to turn stubborn defences, and today's Andorra game is perfectly suited to a player who could hurt a team who are bound to put 11 men and four stewards behind the ball. But he’s not even in the squad.

And from the left to the right; David Beckham. So much has been said about Becks' inclusion after his 100th cap, and no-one’s suggesting he’s not still 101% committed to doing well for his country. But his legs have gone, haven’t they?

The mind’s willing but the body just can’t keep up. If Downing’s lack of pace down the left is a problem, Beckham’s lack of mobility, and, an even more heinous crime, lack of positional discipline, means the right flank is a dead end for England. Time and again the right-back (whoever’s picked) is exposed by an in-field wandering Goldenballs. And if he’s now become the weak link, it’s time for the big decisions to be made. And we have enough talent from dead balls to not miss him now.

Capello’s traditionally conservative, putting his faith in a strong defence and an organised 4-4-2. But even a disciplined formation with a strong back line has the capacity for pace and vitality down the flanks . . . so let’s have Young, Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard (groin permitting) and David Bentley across the middle, with Joey Cole and Rooney up front.

Come on Fabio. Let’s have a team we can invest some faith in. And restore mine.