Fabio Capello felt left down by his England players

“It’s too early to speak about this,” the England manager said when asked if he would resign. “You have to wait.”

In truth, the question is academic as Capello’s position - even if the break-clause in his contract has been taken out - would be untenable should they fail.

He looked a shaken man after the draw with Algeria. “This is not the England that I know,” he said in a damning assessment of his team.

“I hope, when we play the next game, we forget this performance and we forget to play with fear and without confidence.

"It’s incredible, the mistakes of the players. When they can’t control the ball, or miss easy passes. We missed everything.

"This is incredible given the level of the England players. Normally it is the pressure that is so big, the performance of the players was not so good as I know.”

When asked about Wayne Rooney, Capello added: “Rooney didn’t play like Rooney, but it’s not just his problem…we are not in a good moment. It's probably the pressure, perhaps, I think so.

"The players play well during the training. I don't know why it is. I want to see the spirit of the team and I didn't see it. I said to the players it wasn't a good performance, but we are really lucky because we can play another game.

"I don't like to speak about individual players. When you don't play well it's because of the team. I can change the tactics, I will try to do something different. It won't be difficult to lift them before Slovenia.

"They know what they have to do. I don't know if it's pressure or we're not in a good moment. We lost too many balls, it's not the same team I know."

Capello admitted he was at a loss to explain England’s performance.

“I think the pressure of the World Cup does not help, probably,” he said. “These players train very well, at a fast speed, but in these two games it was not the same team that I know. Also, we are really lucky now because we have another big chance to go forward.

"I just told the players this in the dressing room. We have to be focused for the next game, not more. This is the past. We have a big chance after the draw of USA (against Slovenia)…I hope that, Wednesday (England’s next match), I hope to see the England team.”