No sexy football please, we’re British, pleads Cole

Steve McClaren pleaded for patience when he became England's head coach and he was not just talking to the country's expectant supporters.

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McClaren wanted to adopt a passing game after succeeding Sven Goran Eriksson, but there was a noticeable change in England's approach after a poor start to the Euro 2008 qualification game.

Time on the ball has been replaced by a typically belligerent British attitude and the seismic shift brought handsome victories over Israel and Russia last month.

Cole said: "We can't be going out on the pitch and trying to play like Brazil and flicking the ball about.

"We have to be England and do what we do best. In the last four qualifying games we have done that.

"We got ourselves in a terrible mess with poor results last year, but that is done now. We are lucky that Euro qualification is all still in our hands.

"We got a great win in Estonia because they have come close to tripping a few people up. If we guard against complacency, we will continue on the right road.

"There's been a different challenge with England over the last month, but the results we have had made sure of a good atmosphere. But sometimes the mood can be affected by what is going on at our clubs."

Cole knows that more than most. After clashing with Jose Mourinho following Chelsea's 0-0 draw against Blackburn in September, the midfielder has been given a fresh lease of life by new Stamford Bridge boss Avram Grant.

His mood has improved along with his football and there is a zest about Cole at England's Hertfordshire hotel.

He is not the type to dine out on the "ball of the century" that set up Didier Drogba to score Chelsea's winner in the Champions League against Valencia last week, but his form is certainly encouraging.

His Chelsea team-mates have nicknamed him "Zizou" after the fabled Frenchman Zinedine Zidane and, at times, it is easy to see why.

With the ball at his feet, Cole is unquestionably the most gifted player in the England team, but consistency is key.

He said: "Things have been difficult at Chelsea because of the start we have made and the team were not settled, but we have picked up a couple of good results.

"As far as my form goes, I think I'm doing ok. I've been in better form, I've been in worse. The important thing is that I'm confident coming into these games.

"There have been times when I have performed well and been left out but the majority of times, you stay in. That's how it should be.

"I've always had competition for my place with Chelsea and England. There's been Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips and loads of other players, but I've held them off for a few years now.

"All I know is that, if I play well, I merit a place in this side. I'm happy with my last three or four performances for England and I want to build on that. That is what I am focusing on."

Cole will also have to focus on his discipline if he is selected against Estonia. The Chelsea midfielder is already on a booking and a caution on Saturday will rule him out of Wednesday's trip to Russia.

John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole are walking the same tightrope.

Joe Cole said: "It won't affect the way I play. You are always going to pick up bookings here and there, but I don't want to make a big deal of it.

"A lot of my bookings are for silly things, but all I will be worried about against Estonia is whether I perform. There won't be anything else on my mind."