Now, starting with their first World Cup group game against the United States here tomorrow, England have to prove it.

That does not mean one or two of them demonstrating their world class talent. It means the entire team playing with a common purpose, treasuring possession, playing with balance and confidence.

That is what manager Fabio Capello has been working towards these past two and a half years in which he has restored discipline, improved organisation and raised spirits.

The criticism levelled at England in recent World Cups was that they had the players, the golden generation remember, but not the manager to take them those extra hard yards which turn quarter-finalists into champions.

That cannot be said this time. Capello's £6million-a-year salary makes him the highest paid manager at this World Cup, but he is also universally regarded as one of the best, if not the best.

"If Capello was in charge of Argentina," one former England international said this week, "the rest would be quaking in their boots."

So this time it is down to the players. No excuses.

They do not have to play like world-beaters against the USA. World champions rarely show their top hand in the opening skirmishes. When England won in 1966 their opening goalless draw against Uruguay was verging on the turgid.

But they have to show more zest and fluency than they have demonstrated so far in unconvincing warm-up wins against Mexico, Japan and the Platinum Stars.

They have to come away from the Royal Bafokeng stadium here with their World Cup campaign gathering momentum.

Let's face it, they have to win, even if football in America has come a long way from that historic World Cup group game on June 29, 1950, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, when the USA beat England 1-0.

The 'Miracle Match' they called it. A similar result tomorrow would not require a miracle. The United States are ranked a deserved 14 in the world. They beat Spain in last year's Confederations Cup and were 2-0 up against Brazil in the final before eventually losing.

They have a fine goalkeeper in Everton's Tim Howard, an enterprising playmaker in Fulham's Clint Dempsey, a fine striker in Landon Donovan and a Coca-Cola Championship defence.

Yet if England are serious in their ambition to progress deep into the tournament then this is the match to give thousands of travelling supporters and the millions partying back home something to shout about.

It is time to up the tempo, to press and harry, to play the English way at the start of an African winter when the daytime temperatures call for beach wear but sundown requires a thick overcoat.

The most depressing statement this week was hearing Joe Cole suggest football's most prestigious trophy could be won by stifling opponents. Perhaps by Italy and Germany, but not by England. It is not the English way. England are at their best when closing down tightly and breaking quickly.

If Capello has learned anything in the past month it is that, with Gareth Barry still short of match fitness, he needs Gerrard in central midfield. He requires the much-criticised axis of Gerrard and Frank Lampard to deliver.

Do not be surprised if he opts for Robert Green in goal with Ledley King alongside John Terry at the heart of the defence.

And up front it could be back to what he knows works. He has tried Jermain Defoe alongside Rooney, briefly tried Rooney as a lone striker with Gerrard or Joe Cole supporting him, played Rooney with Peter Crouch.

No system, however, has worked for Capello, or should that be Rooney, quite as well as when Emile Heskey has borne the brunt of the donkey work up front.

No, he does not score with the frequency of Crouch. We all know that. But Heskey gives the team balance and a punchier physical presence.

They are key managerial decisions but ultimately this World Cup for England is down to the players.

If Gerrard brings his Liverpool form, Terry delivers solidity, King fills the void left by the injured Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole conjures a dash of unpredictability and Rooney keeps his temper then all things are possible.