Some of Fabio Capello’s predecessors thought about an England team without Michael Owen. They would mull it around their heads at such times as the striker’s confidence had ebbed. They would weigh up whether a non-scoring Owen did enough work around the pitch to justify his place. Then they would pick him anyway.

They came to rely on him and his goals so much that even when Owen was not fit, which has been for long periods, they would select not a replacement but a stand-in, a deputy, a cover to keep the No 10 shirt warm for when the great goal-poacher returned. Kevin Keegan dropped Owen once back in 2000 and, within weeks, he was out of work. Howard Wilkinson also omitted Owen and lasted one game.

So while David Beckham might have been the more widely discussed absentee from last night’s line-up — and the only one to get a name-check from a peeved crowd during the poor first half — Capello’s decision to drop Owen was no trifling one.

Perhaps we can read too much into the England manager’s opening line-up, but Owen himself is hardly likely to have shrugged his shoulders at being dropped for the first time in more than seven years.

And he certainly would not have been at all comfortable if he picked up last week’s rumours that he might even be left out of the squad altogether. It sounds unthinkable — and it would have been extraordinary whatever the doubts about Owen’s recent form — but the smoke signals emanated from the same reliable source that had Beckham forced to remain in Los Angeles.

In the end, Owen made the bench against Switzerland, although he might as well have been on another continent. He was forced to remain there while Peter Crouch, and subsequently Ashley Young, were summoned to play up front.

Perhaps most ominous of all was the sight of Steven Gerrard in the No 10 shirt that Owen has worn for most of his 88 England appearances; games that have yielded 40 goals to leave him behind only Sir Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker and Jimmy Greaves in the list of all-time England scorers.

Not because Gerrard is a direct rival but because it suggests that Capello is looking at a team that does not have a second striker, a side built around one forward. It may be hasty to draw such conclusions from 90 minutes but it was notable that Wayne Rooney was moved out to the left when Crouch came off the bench as Capello stuck with one man up. Were the Italian to persevere with such a system, there is no place for Owen.

That Capello and his scouts have been troubled by the 28-year-old’s form hardly comes as a surprise. His goal against Middlesbrough at the weekend came after a run of nine consecutive Barclays Premier League games without finding the net.

He has scored only three times in the 19 games since the Euro 2008 qualifying matches against Israel and Russia last September, when two of the most spectacular finishes of his career appeared to mark an upward turn in his fortunes. “Never write off Michael Owen,” we said then. Perhaps we should say it again.

Perhaps we should remind ourselves that Owen is playing in the bottom half of the top division, in a team bereft of confidence and under a manager, Kevin Keegan, whom he regarded as tactically illiterate during their time together with England.Owen might also console himself that he would have had more chance of playing if Emile Heskey, his preferred foil, had not dropped out because of injury.

Were he inclined to risk a stern word from England’s new sergeantmajor manager, he might also have pointed out some of the flaws in the starting attack. Rooney was so isolated in the paceless 4-1-4-1 formation that it might as well have been the worst days of Sven-Göran Eriksson or Steve McClaren.

England’s attacking potency improved in the second period and while others brought some fizz to proceedings, a poker-faced Owen looked on.

By not even bringing him on last night, perhaps Capello is hoping to provoke a response. Perhaps he hopes that Owen will bounce back, will prove him wrong, will rediscover the confidence that has made him one of England’s greatest forwards. But playing up front for Newcastle, that is easier said than done.

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“England managers usually start with a big victory and it’s pleasing to see a lack of gung-ho this time. Nobody is getting carried away, England are playing calm, intelligent, mature football and doing what needs to be done to win the match. They’ve kept possession for long periods of time and ignored the idiots who constantly want to see the ball pumped forward. Excellent stuff.”

football365.com

“I’m quite scared of Capello. Am I supposed to dress up and not use my mobile phone? I feel if I don’t support the team in the correct manner, he may come through the TV and give me a rollocking.”

www.bbc.co.uk/606

“England look calm and collected. I’m impressed.”

football365.com

“This is the first time in ages that I enjoyed watching a friendly.”

rivals.net

“The improvement is there to see. I’m amazed by the amount Capello has been able to organise in such a short time. We’re moved forward well, no lumping the ball up to the front and hoping for the best, the players controlled themselves and the game very well. We got better as the game went on.”

football365.com

“If I want to watch rubbish defensive football, I’ll tune into the Italian league every week. Capello has no idea what English football is all about. I don’t care about England any more, we’ve sold our soul, and the FA should be ashamed.”

bbc.co.uk/606

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