The Three Lions begin a nine-match, 10-month countdown to South Africa 2010 in Amsterdam tonight where they face a Dutch outfit that has already booked its place in the finals.

Capello can gain only a limited amount from what he views as a "pre-season friendly".

However, having established England are capable of matching world-class rivals such as the Dutch, and even France and Spain, the two sides to beat Capello's side since he succeeded Steve McClaren in December 2007, now he is looking to extend that period of perfection.

"Sometimes we play very well for 20 minutes, then we go to sleep a little bit. At other times, we don't play with the same aggression," said Capello.

"We have to play like we do for those 20 minute spells for 90. That is a really important step.

"It is about consistency of performance.

"We are a really good team who must play with our own style.

"But sometimes we play against really important teams so we have to play with intelligence."

As ever with Capello, he is ahead of the game.

Holland will provide another marker for the development his team have made - and the work still to be done if they are to be successful at South Africa 2010.

Losing Steven Gerrard to a groin injury is a blow, still more so given Theo Walcott seems certain to miss out as well, with a further doubt over Emile Heskey.

But while Walcott's replacement David Beckham is a pretty familiar face on this stage, Gerrard's replacement Ashley Young will be making his first start, no doubt hoping to do better than on his first appearance under Capello last November when he was one of few failures on a successful night against Germany in Berlin.

"Every player has a different style and Ashley Young is really important because he is one of the English players who can dribble and take people on one on one," said Capello.

"He has only played twice for me. The first time it was so-so. The second he played very well.

"Now he needs the confidence to perform against one of the best national sides in the world."

While he may be some way off having to decide which players will carry a nation's hopes, Capello is slowly formulating his plans.

And they certainly do not include Arsenal's certainly Manuel Almunia, whose name has once again been mentioned now he is eligible for England under FIFA residency rules.

"Almunia, for me, is Spanish," stressed Capello.

"He is Spanish and he plays for the Arsenal team."

Unusually, Capello was more candid with his team selection.

Robert Green in goal, back four as expected, Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard in central midfield, Beckham to get Walcott's place if the Arsenal man misses out, Carlton Cole to replace Heskey should the Villa veteran decide it is not worth the risk.

And Wayne Rooney, in the roving forward's role he loves best, a fact Sir Alex Ferguson is set to acknowledge at Manchester United this season.

"Yes, I am pleased about that," said Capello.

"I don't know if he'll play the same position in the future but I am happy he plays there now.

"He is always in the centre of the action, can receive and play a lot of passes, and can score goals."