Wilshere's Wembley adventure

London: Due to gremlins invading the Wembley ticketing system, some England fans are receiving duplicates as well as originals for Wednesday's friendly with France, which could lead to interesting scenes at the turnstiles if some are sold on.

At least nobody can replicate two complete originals, Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll, who will also be at Wembley.

Having named both rising stars in Saturday night's squad, Fabio Capello still wants the pair to alter their game. That's good news in the case of Carroll, who patently has much to learn on and off the pitch, but less so in the case of Wilshere, the Arsenal teenager whose talent demands he be let loose to express himself.

In assessing Wilshere, England's manager gave an insight into the direct tactics he seeks.

"The style he plays with Arsenal involves a lot of touches," Capello said of the midfielder.

"Here is not the same. Arsenal's style is their school style, from the Academy. He has to understand what he has to do here."

Understand what exactly? Understand that England's football is less sophisticated than Arsenal's. It's as if Wilshere is being told to dumb down for a couple of days. Dwelling on the ball is clearly not encouraged with England; moving it forward quickly is paramount.

The game-plan appears to be to get the ball wide to any of Theo Walcott, Adam Johnson, James Milner or the overlapping Ashley Cole and get it whipped in to Carroll.

Steven Gerrard will be lurking around the box for any knock-downs.

Arsenal's possession game should not be dismissed by Capello, though.

In its most elevated form, such tactics served Spain well in their progression to glory at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Wilshere is a hugely capable young footballer, the heir apparent to the conductor's baton when Cesc Fabregas returns to Barcelona, and he can adapt to whatever football Capello commands, but it would be wonderful to see Wilshere sitting in midfield, directing play releasing the ball at the right time.

Wembley would love a player who spends time with the ball, not offloading it sharpish. England can fashion a more measured game, although they may need to wait until Wayne Rooney returns to the fold (and to form). For all Carroll's aerial strength, and it was the first quality Capello mentioned when describing the striker, the Newcastle United forward can be used more constructively.

Although far from fast, Carroll enjoys taking defenders on and can easily hold the ball up, bringing midfielders into play.

Attacking style

England must resist the urge simply to bombard Carroll with high balls. For the 21-year-old, an education awaits. On the field, Carroll must beware how he attacks the ball. Kevin Davies was booked within minutes of his England debut for a challenge that would not have drawn even a whistle in the Premier League.

"You have to understand the international referee's style," warned Capello, who did voice his admiration for the Geordie's competitive qualities.

"He's a fighter."

We know. It's a matter of police record that Carroll has a caution for assault and a matter of public record that he clashed in training with Steven Taylor.

Capello's stock response to such facts about Carroll is "he is young". So is Walcott and he's an exceptional role model. Ditto Jordan Henderson.

Carroll needs to understand the weight of indignation in many quarters towards his proximity to an England cap, an honour bestowed on few.

Carroll's not the King of the Toon at Wembley; he's coming under the scrutiny of 90,000 fans, let alone the international media. If he responds intelligently, an England career awaits.