Goalkeeper James believes crucial managerial errors in the past have proved costly for England, who failed to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.

But the Portsmouth player believes Capello's ability to make the correct call when the going gets tough is paying dividends.

The Italian took off Gareth Barry after a goalless first half in the 5-1 World Cup qualifying win against Kazakhstan at Wembley yesterday – and pushed Wayne Rooney into a more forward role.

The result was a transformed England in the second 45 minutes as they scored five times, Rooney netting twice to take his tally to five in the last four matches for club and country.

James said: 'We have had situations before where managerial decisions have cost us.

'Mr Capello is stubborn enough, in the nicest way, to put his point of view across to everyone in the side – and then you basically do what what he wants to do.

'He doesn't mind saying what he feels, and it is difficult to argue with him.

'We have the confidence that what he is saying is right – and, again at half-time, it is not a case of throwing tea cups about.

'If you look at the current squad, the nucleus of it has been the same for the past three England managers.

'If you look at the situation, managerial decisions are effectively the difference.

'It now seems a good bunch of players.

'The same players are playing a different game and performing.'

James also believes Capello not naming the starting line-up until a couple of hours before kick-off has had a positive effect on the squad, in maintaining competition for places.

He said: 'It is important that competition is there.

'That is the ideal scenario for England as a football side, because we can't afford complacency.

'It is important that the competition is there and the uncertainty about who is actually going to play, which is frighteningly nice.

'We do the work through the week.

'No one anticipates who is going to play – no one worries about it – because until the day of the game, you can't do anything about it anyway.

'It is enjoyable.

'It is a nervous excitement you get.
'It is like 'Deal Or No Deal'.

'You are waiting for the box to open to see if you are playing or not.'
James is anticipating Wednesday's opponents Belarus also being difficult to break down, as Kazakhstan were before the second-half goal spree.

He said: 'It was a bit difficult in the first half.
'They made it difficult for us to break them down, like Andorra.

'But the Andorran game has given us a lot of confidence, because they were difficult to break down and we got through in the end.

'I can't imagine Belarus are going to come out firing, and we just have to be focused and patient again if necessary.'

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