Prior to the start of the Football World Cup England manager Fabio Capello seemed to lead a charmed life - almost nothing went wrong for him and he had the backing of both the fans and the media.
However, Saturday's 1-1 draw with the USA completed a souring in relations between supporters and pundits and the Italian coach. Questions about his decision making were first raised in the weeks leading up to the competition and, after Ledley King limped off and Robert Green palmed the ball into his own net, the discontent has reached its highest level yet.
Now Jamie Carragher, whose recall to the international scene raised more than a few eyebrows, has stepped in to defend the manager.
One of the issues which has caused mutterings in the press has been Capello's habit of not telling the squad who's playing until two hours before the match.
According to the manager's critics this doesn't give players the chance to deal with their nerves and, with uncertainty surrounding the number one jersey, would serve to unsettle the three keepers in the squad most of all.
However, Carragher has revealed that Capello's actions are nothing unusual in the world of football.
He pointed out that his club side, Liverpool, have always told the team who's playing two hours before the match, so it was something he'd come to regard as normal.
Carragher also believes the technique can get something extra out of the players in the run up to the match, so anyone who has placed a World Cup bet shouldn't worry too much.
He said: "It keeps everyone on their toes and if you give the team out earlier how do you know it's not going to affect training?
"Do the people who are playing take it easy? Do the people who are not playing get the hump and not train properly?
Blaming England's failing on the way the team has picked seems very short sighted and although Capello may have made mistakes, the media are barking up the wrong tree with this one.
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