Divided opinions when we need unity

So Fabio Capello doesn't agree with the FA over its insistence that John Terry be stripped of the England captaincy. Meanwhile PFA boss Graham Taylor questions Capello's reasons for publicly disagreeing with his bosses.

Personally I don't normally have much time for either the FA or the PFA, but for me this just goes to show that the whole issue has divided opinions in the game and - I daresay - will do the same in the England dressing room.

Footballers aren't the stereotypical idiots that some would have you believe. They too will have formed opinions on the matter - a matter that will not be fully settled one way or the other until the Euros have been completed in the summer.

In the meantime, the Terry situation will hang over football like a dark cloud and I'd suggest that it is a situation which will not contribute positively to a united squad mentality - something we'll need if we are to progress in the competition.

Ideally, Terry would do the honourable thing and declare himself unavailable for selection so that the squad can focus fully on the task ahead. Unfortunately though, Terry may well see it as his last chance to win an international competition and so you can understand his reluctance do take this, admittedly difficult, decision.

It's a tough one. From Terry's point of view he is declaring himself innocent and wants to fight the accusations in court and so why should he fall on his sword? However, I'm afraid he needs to step back and look at the bigger picture.

This situation isn't just going to go away and as the manager Capello should realise that. His public support of Terry doesn't help and personally I feel he would have been better advised to keep his own counsel for the good of the rest of the squad.