HATCHET MAN: Capello's wise move to usher Liverpool star Gerrard away from England captaincy shake-up

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Chasing the game: former captians David Beckham and Steven Gerrard during England training

Gerrard - or Stevie G to Capello's predecessor Schteve McLaren - was considered a serious rival to Terry when he first got the job, but is simply not up to it.

People say he leads by example, but in his case that just means no rousing speeches, no dressing downs and no tactical leadership in the heat of the game.

In reality, Gerrard doesn't lead by example either. Just ask Senor Goatee at Liverpool. The midfielder may be very talented and a talisman, but he refuses to stick to a gameplan and always wants a free-role.

Hop, skip and a bump: Senhor Goatee (right) with his skipper Gerrard

That would be fine if his managers wanted him to fulfil that function, but more often than not they don't. He is usually given a position with multiple responsibilities and if he doesn't fulfil one of them the whole team strategy can fall apart.

England need a captain and vice-captain ready to sacrifice everything for the cause, not a guy who is known in some quarters as StevieMe because of his self-centred approach.

Gerrard's recent record with England wasn't up to much either. On the pitch, while Terry was injured, he presided over the shambles against Croatia and Russia as Dutch Steve failed to mastermind qualification for Euro 2008.

Hatchet Man is not sure the memory of wearing the armband in the win against Estonia and the friendly victory in Austria adds up to much in that scheme of things.