'We're Streetwise Now', Says Terry

England return to the scene of one of their most humiliating defeats of recent times this evening. Having under-estimated Croatia and undermined their own prospects by switching to an unfamiliar formation some 23 months ago, the visitors will cling to the reassuring presence of their Italian manager, Fabio Capello, tonight.

The folly of the then manager Steve McClaren's decision to switch to a 3-5-2 line-up in the Maksimir Stadium in October 2006 was ruthlessly exposed by the home side. In a qualifying match for Euro 2008, the Croats overran a team then ranked fifth in the world and won 2-0, courtesy of goals scored just after the hour. However, if there was a naivety about England that night Capello, McClaren's successor, has instilled a more streetwise approach this time around.

"The manager has that aura about him," said England's captain, John Terry, of the new man in charge. "He's like [Terry's former Chelsea manager] Jose Mourinho a little bit. He's got that real confidence, and slight arrogance, that all top managers have and it does rub off on the players. We will draw confidence from the manager. The way he carries himself, he knows what he's achieved in the game and he knows that, sooner or later, he'll achieve similar things again. He is someone who can make a difference.

"Deep down, I really believe we're a different team coming back here this time around. We're not going to play three at the back again, for a start. Last time I was surprised about how well Croatia played, and the football they are capable of, and it was clear after 20 minutes or so that, maybe, we should have gone with four at the back and been a bit more solid. This time around we'll have that solidity. We know a draw here would be a good result but, at the same time, we're coming here to win the game."

Capello confirmed yesterday that English teams "usually play better" with four defenders at the back and that he would avoid repeating his predecessor's mistake tonight. The Italian has coached teams on grander occasions than this and stressed that the Group Six fixture represents just one step on the team's journey to the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010. Yet Terry and his men are painfully aware that, after recent under-achievements, England need a performance in daunting circumstances tonight to win over the doubters.

"Whether we win or lose this match isn't going to decide who qualifies, but it's the key game, I understand that," Terry said. "Given where England are at the moment, we need to put on a very good performance and get a result. We need to turn the fans round and get them loving England again. I think we can come here and walk away with a draw and be very happy. I know that, in recent times, we haven't come through the big games with the right results and, I suppose, you could say that's not encouraging.

"But I'd ask the fans to stay with us. We have to win them back and get everybody's confidence back in the England team. The last time we came here we were maybe the favorites, and that's turned round a bit now. We won't fear [Croatia] - we will respect them like the other sides in the group - but the memory of what happened last time will be more than enough [as motivation]. This is an opportunity to move forward."