Joleon Lescott confident he can impress Fabio Capello

Feb 8 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

JOLEON LESCOTT is confident he can make an impact under Fabio Capello despite being overlooked for the Italian’s first game in charge of England.

Lescott played in the final four matches of Steve McClaren’s reign as national team coach but remained on the bench during the 2-1 win friendly win over Switzerland at Wembley on Wednesday.

Capello instead opted to give West Ham United’s Matthew Upson a run-out at centre-back alongside Rio Ferdinand.

But Lescott has vowed to continue his fine form at Everton and attempt to force his way into the starting line-up for England’s next game in France next month.

“It’s been a good experience,” said the defender. “When a new manager comes in, everyone is determined to impress but you want to try to enjoy things as well. It’s never nice not playing but I was just grateful that I was in the squad.

“I’ve been able to sit and watch the game but I’ve still felt that I am part of the team, which is good. I’ve got to keep up my club form now. I’ve got to make it so that it is hard for him to leave me out. If I keep playing well for Everton, hopefully I will be in the next squad.”

Despite his disappointment at not getting on to the field on Wednesday, Lescott has already been impressed by the training methods of the Capello regime.

“You only have to look at his track record,” said Lescott. “The success he has had speaks for itself. He is obviously well versed in the art of defending and he worked with some terrific defenders, past and present.

“I think he wants us to be tighter at the back from now. I’m grateful for any advice he may give me. If I can take it back to Everton with me and it helps me to become a better player and the team to improve, I will be thrilled.”

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has claimed he would swap all his personal accolades for team glory with Everton.

Arteta has won the official Everton player of the season award for the past two campaigns but is yet to get his hands on silverware with Everton – a situation he is desperate to redress.

Arteta told evertonTV: “I would change that straight away. If we could win something as a team it would be amazing, it’s not just about me.

“We have been waiting for years to get something so we cannot wait anymore.

“It is going well and hopefully it is going to keep on going well and go even better. The club is doing all the right things at the moment – everybody is delighted.

“We need the three points at the weekend against Reading. We are playing some very important teams so it would be an advantage if we can win.”

After that match Everton face Brann Bergen on Wednesday in the UEFA Cup and have tough matches with Manchester City and Portsmouth to follow.

Arteta said: “We have got Steven Pienaar, Yakubu and Joseph Yobo back from the African Nations Cup, so that will be good for the team as well. We should soon have every-body fit. We have been short on numbers in the last few weeks but we have been performing and getting the points. It is coming up to the most important part of the season and we want everybody fit.”