Capello's public reflections on an England game have now assumed comedy value.

The Italian always claims to have learned something and always claims there are issues to address. Inevitably he is pressed further. Just as surely he refuses to divulge the detail.

Yet, in the aftermath of yesterday's 2-1 win over Slovenia, Capello did concede he was not pleased by aspects of his side's play, which presumably included Joleon Lescott failing to keep tabs on Zlatan Ljubijankic as he nipped in to score late on. And he pledged to do something about it.

"I will try in the next meeting," replied Capello when asked what he could do to prevent his players switching off.

"I have a system. My system.

"Sometimes I shout. But this time absolutely not. I will explain what I want them to do. And if they want to stay with me..."

At that point, Capello tailed off. The point had been made.

Jermain Defoe is also in the mood for point-scoring.

After taking his tally to five in three appearances as a second-half substitute, Defoe repeated his assertion that he is happy with life on the England bench.

Others are not so generous to Capello for his desire to stick by Emile Heskey.

As Heskey has scored seven goals in his entire 55-cap international career, one fewer than Defoe has managed in his last nine games, the doubt is understandable.

Keen not to give anything away before England face Croatia on Wednesday, Capello initially tried to deflect the subject away with a joke, before returning to a familiar theme.

"Perhaps he would be tired if he played from the first minute," he smiled.

"When Jermain Defoe plays in the second half, he scores goals. That is good. He is a really important player for us.

"But I can choose different players. They do a lot of movement around Heskey. And the movement of Rooney and Gerrard is very dangerous. I thought Heskey did well."

The debate is there to be had though, with Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek admitting it must be a conundrum for his opposite number.

"It is not my problem but Capello should think seriously about picking Defoe before the Croatia game," said Kek.

"Defoe has been playing well for three or four weeks at Tottenham and he worked well with Lennon in the second-half."

Ultimately however, Capello's thoughts are the only ones that matter And the chances are Heskey will start against Slaven Bilic's side and Defoe will remain on the bench, if only because of the additional impact Gerrard and Rooney can make if the much derided Aston Villa player is on the pitch.

Glen Johnson is also certain of his place, despite a disappointing performance from the Liverpool defender, who attacked the gusto but too often left holes behind him that weren't adequately filled.

"Glen Johnson is a very dangerous player," observed Kek.

"Stopping him was very important. But when you play in such an offensive way it leaves a lot of space behind.

"I have seen England two or three times. I knew we could get to the goal on that side."

If Kek knew it and Slovenia did it, it is a fair bet Bilic and Croatia are aware of the possibility too.

Injury and suspension may rob them of Tottenham duo Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka but, as Steve McClaren found out on their last visit to Wembley two years ago, the Croats have enough players of outstanding ability to exploit opposition weaknesses. And, until he proves otherwise, Johnson's defending is one, for all Capello's confidence.

"We haven't got a lot of right-backs. But Johnson is one of the best in the world," said Capello, bringing stunned amazement to those present.

"I am happy with him. Don't worry. I think Nico Kranjcar will be more worried about Johnson than the other way round."

As Capello was also happy with Robert Green, whose poor start might have brought a red card for deliberately handling outside the box after just two minutes, the only other potential change from a game in which Frank Lampard scored from the spot after Wayne Rooney had won a debatable penalty, is Aaron Lennon for Shaun Wright-Phillips.