Robson unhappy with Capello leaving Premiership matches early

Sir Bobby Robson has questioned England manager Fabio Capello's decision to leave matches before the final whistle.

Former national team boss Robson believes the Italian risks missing out on key aspects of a player's performance if he chooses to depart before the game is over.


Robson has highlighted the midweek UEFA Champions League clash between Liverpool and Arsenal where Theo Walcott embarked on a mesmerising run in the dying stages of the fixture.

"I never left a game early as England manager," he said in his column in the Mail on Sunday.

"As far as I was concerned, it was part of my job to assess players over the full 90 minutes, then to meet managers and directors to build relationships and find out nuggets of information that might help me later on.

"[Previous England manager] Sven Goran Eriksson always seemed in a hurry to beat the traffic and, from what I understand, Fabio Capello seems to be the same. I don't understand it and I don't like it. He should be better than that.

"Why leave a match before the whole story unfolds, particularly when it is your job to pay close attention?

"The Champions League thriller between Liverpool and Arsenal - and Theo Walcott's sparkling cameo - was a perfect example of why an England manager shouldn't sneak away early. Why do I feel so strongly? Several reasons.

"You can often learn as much in the last 10 minutes as the first hour. If England go into extra-time in a World Cup game, wouldn't it be nice to know which players tire and which grow stronger?"

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