Terry issues war cry to England team in build-up to World Cup games

Terry acknowledges England need to improve considerably on yesterday's performance in the 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic at Wembley when only a last-gasp goal from Joe Cole salvaged a share of the spoils.

Shaky: England boss Capello greets his newly appointed captain at the the end of a disappointing home draw with the Czech Republic

And the Chelsea central defender is calling on the players to 'stand up and be counted' when they tackle the Croatians in Zagreb on September 10.

It was a 2-0 defeat in the same city two years ago that played a major role in England not qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals.

Terry said: 'I think we are all a little bit disappointed with how we played.

'There were some pluses and some negatives to take away from the game - but overall I think the feeling is disappointment.

'I think the fans will be disappointed with what they have seen. I think there are three or four positives and maybe four or five negatives from the game.

'It is down to the manager now to sit down and address it with the players.

'On the next trip we've got 10 days away and, if we can address it before those two games and thrash things out before the World Cup campaign starts, we will be okay.'

Terry admitted: 'It is not just this game where there have been problems. There have been other games and there will be problems in the future that will occur.

'We need to sit down and address it - and address it very quickly - otherwise it stays around the squad. The manager will thrash things out and we will get things off our chest.

'That will be very private. The manager makes the big decisions. We can give our opinion but he is the one who makes those big final decisions.'

Despite the need for improvement, Terry is confident England can rise to the challenge that will be posed by the Croatians and he would like to emulate some of the success enjoyed by Britain's Olympic competitors in Beijing.

He said: 'We are still encouraged by what we can do in Zagreb. Against the Czechs, we wanted to do better than we did but at the same time there will be points to be played for with Andorra and Croatia.

'Hopefully we can get off to a good start and win against Andorra - and take the confidence to Croatia. We have to go there and stand up and be counted for.

'We want to join the Olympians and have great success. It has made us very proud.

'It was disappointing we didn't play that well. But we are not going to win any medals or qualify for World Cups in a friendly.

'We played well at times and sprayed the ball around well. Perhaps we just didn't have the killer instinct but I am sure we will get that in the big games ahead.'