Can't say that the result was a big surprise, 3-2 is a very respectable score against the Italians and as has been said, anybody who disregarded or even voted strongly against Fognini simply didn't understand the reality of the situation. I would be very surprised if Fognini didn't win a title this clay court season, or at least beat a few excellent players on the way to a final.

Plus, with the team selections, I can understand that A1 would've chosen who he would have chosen, and that's fine. But personally, I haven't seen anybody disagreeing with Leon's decisions in this tie. It was always going to be tough on Murray to play three tough games on his worst surface, but I wouldn't have chosen anybody else for the doubles. The quality of the Italian pair's tennis in the final two sets yesterday was excellent, and a lot of people commented on their repeated aiming in Colin's direction. I felt that having Andy there beside him really took some pressure off of Colin, as opposed to having a specific doubles player who may have been equally susceptible.

And on the Ward situation, I can't really find a justification for having Evo play except his success late last year, notably his USO run. This year has had a few injuries so far, and to have him picked over Ward wouldn't have made sense to me. Everybody can see that James was selected for the right reasons, and it was always going to be a tough task considering the Italians had two singles players within the top-50.

So I think that we can be proud to have lost to the Italians, in this case. And any arguments about team selection are almost guaranteed to be dogged by the benefit of hindsight or strong personal bias. I am 100% pleased with Leon, coming after the loss, and can honestly say that I had, and will continue to have, full confidence in our DC squad. And as far as I can see, the only people who don't will often think that because they fail to acknowledge that just because we have Andy, we aren't guaranteed a single rubber win. 

Post GB Davis cup Synopsis : 

1) A little disappointing but overall GB team  acquitted them selves well , at home on a preferred surface grass or indoor hard we would have won this tie . home advantage  at Davis cup with choice of surface probably worth a rubber ! & in my opinion that was the decisive factor Brits at home our huge crowd we win 3-2 .

2) DL was good player but as Davis cup captain & commie Not at the races .

3) get colin Flemings partner sorted next year we can expect ross back to near peak performance . But lets also encourage more all all GB doubles pairs on circuit eg B&B , skupski bros, etc please eg or even Dom if had understanding with colin fleming on ATP or Ross back to peak Could get even stronger for the doubles tie's beating most nations in doubles rubber especially at home .

4) fine to have AM for 3 ties but on clay & added emotional strain of away on clay v doubles specialist would been useful & plenty GB doubles available eg Marcus defintely 1 for the future and Ross fit that's sorted with colin next year .

5) get Evo back on court in Davis cup he is our GB no2 and I am sure he's not playing because Leon not happy with something  hes done . Evo is far far more talented than wardie & he will rise to big occasion . Evo's got a healthy ego and likes to shine on big occasion .  Let's forget the personal differences  get that out of the way and stick out our Best team in 2015 and beyond and within next couple of years bring the Davis cup title back to GB . 

Good news is presumably done enough to stay in top Group and Leon as captain is about 50 millions better than John Lloyd

"for sure  "  and the experience if lessons learnt can only make Leon a stronger captain . 

GB Davis cup got 2 weapons 

1) Andy will always win 1 rubber 

2) our best doubles pairing will beat 

3) get Evo to stage where he's winning min 1 rubber 

& it's the old 3-2 .