Capello might not know how to fix certain players but he seems to know how to fix the team, so identifying the problem must be seen as a positive step. Time is limited and the planned matches against Holland and Spain that he hopes will follow qualification in Montenegro next month may inflict further damage on team morale if England underperform against last year’s World Cup finalists.

But right now Capello wants to reflect on the more positive aspects of the last two games — beyond the six points they secured — and focus on the players fast emerging as genuine international performers. He takes great pleasure in the displays of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing and sees them as the future of England’s attack alongside a revitalised Wayne Rooney, just as he is excited by the discovery of another international centre back in Gary Cahill.

He is delighted that Joe Hart is fast proving himself a top-class goalkeeper, even if he would like the understudies to be playing in the Barclays Premier League.

And he also has enormous confidence in the ability of Jack Wilshere, Andy Carroll, Darren Bent, Scott Parker and Chris Smalling. Not to mention Theo Walcott. None of them went to the last World Cup, and it is because they do not carry that baggage that Capello thinks the team can be cured.

He will still call on some of the more experienced players. John Terry remains his captain and Ashley Cole remains someone he regards as ‘Mr Consistent’, one of the finest left backs in the world.

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