Ian Appleyard: Reputations on the line as Capello prepares to back Green

When the England team arrived in South Africa, they had a manager who was widely regarded as a footballing genius.

Yet now, only one game into the tournament, Fabio Capello is facing the sort of gamble that could define his first foray into international management.

It revolves around the selection of Robert Green and whether it is wise to keep faith with the goalkeeper against Algeria tomorrow night.

Green's embarrassing blunder in the opening Group C game against USA cost England two points. Capello must now decide if the 30-year-old has shaken off the psychological effects of the slip-up and is strong enough to bounce back.

If he sticks with the West Ham United player and is rewarded with a solid display in Cape Town, it will be yet another feather in his cap. However, if Green drops another clanger, it will raise serious question marks over his judgement. Even worse, it could leave England's bid for World Cup glory in tatters.

Right now, every single move the England manager makes is coming under scrutiny from all directions.

The selection of Ledley King (whose medical history was always an issue and who may now be absent for the rest of the tournament), the substitution of James Milner after just 30 frustrating minutes against the USA, even his tactics – which have been labelled 'kick and rush' by Franz Beckenbauer.

Imagine if Sven Goran Eriksson or Steve McClaren had made a similar succession of suspect calls? The tirade of abuse would have been deafening. Capello, however, warrants more respect. Not only because of his record in club management but his remarkable impact on the England set-up during qualification.

Personally, I don't believe Green will be axed tomorrow night. If he was going to pay a price for that one mistake, he would have been substituted at half-time against the USA.

Capello now needs to show loyalty to the goalkeeper he clearly regarded as No 1 in the country prior to the first game.

Significantly, there are few worse teams in the competition than Algeria so the risks involved are substantially lower.

If Capello opted for David James – who is no stranger to howlers – it could destroy Green.

And if James messed up or got injured, that would leave only Joe Hart who, although an undoubted star of the future, is still learning .

Don't be surprised if Capello confirms today that Green is keeping his place. He has already let it be known that midfielder Gareth Barry is starting despite missing the first game due to injury. The England players were kept in the dark about team selection until just two hours before Saturday's game.

Such a policy has its pros and cons but Green will benefit from an early vote of confidence and should enjoy a better night's sleep before the game.

Capello, of course, is paid well to get the big decisions right – no less than 6m a year.

However, no manager on the planet can guarantee that his goalkeeper will not make an unfortunate mistake.

Which is why we are still relying on a gamble – one that everyone with 'England at heart' hopes Capello gets right.