A campaign that began so full of optimism ended in a humiliating defeat to Germany after a series of lacklustre displays that brought just one win in four games, a slender triumph over minnows Slovenia.

Capello has already highlighted the problem.

In the March friendly with Egypt and two pre-tournament warm-ups against Mexico and Japan, the Italian detected a tiredness from which the Three Lions never recovered.

There are a number of obvious solutions. A winter break, a smaller Premier League or a reduction in the number of cup engagements could all make a major difference.

But Capello knows none of these will happen, which leaves him to find a solution.

And the Italian admits the right formula does not come easily to mind.

"I don't know what we have to do to improve the minds of the players," he said. "At this moment I really don't know.

"When you play at the World Cup, you have to arrive in a really good physical situation.

"But we were not fresh. The matches against Egypt, Mexico and Japan were all the same. The level was not high and the performances were not good.

"We tried to change things but we didn't have enough time after the league season."

With a friendly against Hungary - for which Darren Bent is a major doubt with a back injury that, despite reports to the contrary, has not yet seen him withdraw - at Wembley on Wednesday to plan for, it would appear to be a time to look forward.

Yet Capello cannot help looking back at the Frank Lampard shot against Germany that should have brought England level but, thanks to the incompetence of the Uruguayan officials, only added to the frustration.

Given England had fallen two goals behind in the game and proceeded to concede two more in rather simple fashion, the Three Lions chief appears to be clutching at straws.

Yet he cites two examples to back up his theory that individual moments can be pivotal in the eventual outcome of even the biggest fixtures.

"The result against Germany was really important," said Capello.

"If the referee had given that goal it could have changed the whole World Cup.

"Look at the match between Brazil and Holland. It just shows the minds of the players are key to everything.

"In the first half Brazil played very well. They scored one goal and had a lot of chances. The second half after Holland equalised, the game changed completely.

"All these Brazil players with so much experience, played without confidence and with fear.

"Ten minutes from the end of Spain's game with Paraguay, Iker Casillas saved a penalty, and they scored two minutes later."

Capello claimed he is not making excuses, merely reporting facts.

The overall impression in South Africa was of a team, and a manager, floundering, totally unable to prevent what looks like their last opportunity of winning a World Cup in a good few years slipping through their fingers.

Judgment will come at Wembley on Wednesday, with Capello anticipating a crowd predicted to be around 60,000 will deliver their own verdict with a rather harsh reaction.

Capello has tried to usher in a new era by bringing a few youngsters into senior ranks.

But Arsenal duo Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs cannot take the heat away from Capello, who at £6million-a-year is paid to deliver much more than he has managed so far.

"Everyone makes mistakes in life," he said.

"But when you lose something, you have to understand what really happened and work out if we made mistakes. From that you always have to improve.

"I am here because I can do something for this team. I have the right experience to improve things.

"I know the fans are not happy and I am sorry for what happened but I hope they follow me because of what we did in the period before South Africa and before even that.

"Hopefully they sill respect my qualities as a manager."