Barry relives his World Cup slow torture

Gareth Barry was given the biggest honour of his football life yesterday - but his England career will always be haunted by his greatest humiliation.

The incident came during last summer's World Cup and was a turning point for Barry, who subsequently lost his automatic place in Fabio Capello's England first XI.

When Barry found himself in a straight race for the ball during the humiliating defeat by Germany, he was odds-on favourite to beat Mezut Ozil.

But Ozil outpaced the Manchester City midfielder, who looked like he was running in treacle, to help Germany complete a humiliating 4-1 win over England.

That video clip has been used ever since to highlight Germany's pace, power and strength.

Yesterday, after being named Fabio Capello's seventh skipper for tonight's sell-out friendly with Ghana at Wembley, Barry was honest enough to address the issue head on

Barry had gone into the finals as key to England's prospects - the man who Capello waited on to recover from injury - but finished them being dismissed as a slow-coach.

"That's one thing that's been aimed at me since I was 17, a lack of pace," he said. "I'm no slower now than I was then.

"That one incident people recall, from the Germany game, was on the highest stage at the World Cup, so it will be remembered.

"I'm comfortable with it. My game's different. It's just one incident that will be remembered by a lot of people. That's the way it goes. You have to be strong and forget about it, play your normal game.

"I'm not going to go out and get some extra speed training. It doesn't work like that. You are what you are. You're picked to play and do your job.

"I've not seen it too much, to be honest. It's something you try not to think about too much. It's a negative."

Barry plays tonight in a much-changed line-up having failed to make even the subs' bench for the Euro qualifier against Wales on Saturday.

It seems a long time ago now, but Barry's Achilles injury became as much of an issue before South Africa as David Beckham's metatarsal in 2002 and Wayne Rooney's metatarsal in 2006.

Capello broke his own golden rule of not taking injured players to the World Cup and, after Ledley King lasted just 45 minutes and Barry struggled to rediscover form, it backfired in spectacular fashion.

Barry, who suffered the Achilles injury during Manchester City's run-in, insisted he would not blame a lack of fitness for his disappointing World Cup.

"It would be easy to say: 'No, I wasn't fit' and that I wanted to get out there and play for my country, but I'm not like that. I'm not looking for an excuse. I felt fit enough. It's no excuse," said Barry.

"At City, if I play in central midfield, I play with Nigel de Jong, who sits a lot more. But I've played a lot of good games for England where there were good performances against good teams, too.

"At the World Cup, it's the very top level. It's going to be tougher. It was just unfortunate we lost. The situation wasn't ideal. You'd had a long season, your body's probably not right and suddenly you're not doing anything for six weeks leading up to the World Cup.

"It's not ideal preparation. But I was desperate to be there. I'd worked hard to be fit and I did feel fit."

But Barry insists nothing has changed since the World Cup, even if he has lost his place in the starting line-up, having failed to even make the bench against Wales.

And he still intends to cherish the moment when he leads England out tonight.

"I was disappointed not to be involved at the weekend. I'm not sure the reasons, and I'm not too worried about it," he said.

"I'm still the same player as before the World Cup. The same player after it. My game's not changed at all.

"I feel like the memory is still there of the World Cup, but I was playing very well before the World Cup for England.

"He (Capello) knows what job I can do. Not too much has changed. You'll have to speak with him.

"I'm well aware that there are a lot of players not here and, in different circumstances, I obviously wouldn't be captain. But, personally, I can't let that take it away from me.

"I'm going to be leading my country out. As disappointed as I was on Saturday, it's going to be a great honour to lead them out."

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STROLL ON! FIVE MIDFIELDERS JUST AS NIPPY AS BARRY

Ray Wilkins His slow play and sideways passing may have earned him the nickname The Crab, but Wikins' organisational skills and savvy saw him play 412 games for Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan, his first three clubs. His energy conservation also meant his playing career lasted 24 years and covered 11 clubs while earning 84 caps in a decade of service to England.

Jan Molby Quicker at learning a Scouse accent than he was at covering the ground, Molby nevertheless became an integral part of sides run by Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Roy Evans, which won two league titles and two FA Cup finals in his 12 years at Anfield. A demon from the penalty spot, Molby's raking passes and mighty physique made him a cult figure on the Kop.

John Robertson Made the first of his 385 appearances for Nottingham Forest at 17 under Brian Clough, who said of him: “John was a very unattractive young man. But give him a ball and a yard of grass, and he was an artist, the Picasso of our game.” He made up for his lack of pace with deception on the wing to go past defenders. Scored the winner in the 1978 League Cup final, the winner in the 1980 European Cup final and set up the only goal in the 1979 European Cup final.

Glenn Hoddle Talking of artists, was there ever a more graceful English player than Hoddle. His citation on induction to the National Football Museum Hall of Fame said he exhibited “sublime balance and close control, unrivalled passing and vision, and extraordinary shooting ability.” Twelve years at Spurs and another four at Monaco gave fans plenty of opportunity to appreciate the midfield talent of one of England’s most skilful players.

Neil Lennon made up for his lack of pace with an intelligent reading of what was in front of him and an uncompromising tackling style to ensure as little as possible got behind him. In four years at Leicester, he embued a team spirit that carried them to three League Cup finals in four seasons, two of which they won. Seven years at Celtic then produced five league crowns, three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups.

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ARMBAND OF BROTHERS: CAPELLO'S FROM-KICKOFF CAPTAINS

John Terry 28 times*

Steven Gerrard 16*

Rio Ferdinand 8

Gareth Barry 2

Wayne Rooney 1

Frank Lampard 1

James Milner 1

* Not all under Capello