Capello is left bemused by England's go-slow

After arriving at the World Cup with such high hopes following a qualifying campaign where they registered nine wins from 10 matches, the Three Lions' collapse has been as unexpected as it has been sudden.

Draws in their opening two matches were bad enough. But the manner of the performances, particularly against Algeria in Cape Town on Friday night, have been so lacking in quality there is genuine uncertainty over whether England can claim the victory over Slovenia in their final Group C game that would ease their passage into the knockout stages.

Capello is at a loss to explain the downturn in fortunes.

Just like his very first game in charge, against Switzerland at Wembley in February 2008, the Italian has seen some excellent training ground performances completely fail to be transferred into a match situation.

"Yes, it almost feels like all the work of the last two years has been for nothing," he sighed.

"I am not happy because we have worked hard for 20 days.

"You see all the things during the training. Then on the pitch it is completely different. As a manager, when that happens it is no good.

"I don't understand why during a game we don't change the rhythm or the speed. We are really slow. At this World Cup if you don't run or press or fight it is difficult to go forward."

Capello can only hope the pre-planned clear-the-air meeting with his squad last night resolves the issues that are stopping them. If not, England will surely be on their way home on Thursday and the Italian might well be out of a job.

Senior Football Association officials have offered their backing, with new Club England chief executive Adrian Bevington saying: "Fabio was given a contract until 2012 and nothing has changed in that respect. Our position was very clear when we dealt with this three or four weeks ago. All we are concentrating on is getting a win on Wednesday and trying to get through to the next round."

There has to be an element of 'he would wouldn't he?' about such soothing words, knowing the firestorm that would be unleashed should England tumble out at the first hurdle of a tournament they had genuine hopes of winning and their manager claimed there was no reason why they could not reach the final.

The heat has certainly been turned up on Capello to an extent the Italian would rarely have been used to, even in a career that included two spells with Real Madrid, plus Juventus, AC Milan and Roma.

He insists he can cope.

"I am strong enough to deal with it," he said. "It is no problem for me. I work hard and I prepare everything. That is important. Every morning I look in the mirror and ask whether I have worked and whether I have studied everything. Yes, I have.

"For this reason I will accept the criticism and everything. I don't know what the result will be but I do know the result is the most important thing."