I’M not sure how Fabio Capello rates as a dressing room orator, but his words over the next 24 hours are likely to have a crucial effect on England’s mindset as they head into the World Cup opener against the US.

As legend has it, when Sir Alf Ramsey gathered his team together as they prepared to go into extra time against West Germany in the 1966 final, he simply said: “You’ve won it once, now go and win it again.”

Now, whether Capello can be quite as succinct remains to be seen. I just hope he motivates his side enough to see them muster a faster start than they have managed in recent outings.

Personally, I’d gather the team round a TV set and make them all watch the Carlsberg advert, which always sends shivers down my spine. But then such crude motivational techniques probably have no place in international football... or do they?

According to Lee Dixon, a veteran boasting some 20-plus caps, all Capello needs to do is take out his Zulu phrasebook.

“I have seen the effects of the word “Cabanga” on performance, it is clear we can use it to help cheer our lads to victory,” read a recent press release, attributed to the former Arsenal defender.

“With everyone chanting “Cabanga” it could make a very real difference.

“It could even be the crucial, deciding factor if a match goes to the dreaded penalties.”

Now you might think that Dixon had unknowingly attached himself to such poppycock, but sure enough, if you type the words “Lee, Dixon and Cabanga” into Youtube, up comes the BBC pundit and former Arsenal and England defender in full technicolor, extolling the virtues of Cabanga, alongside a neuropsychologist from the ominous-sounding Mindlab Ltd.

And the worst thing is, he’s not the only one. Sky’s talking head Chris Kamara has seemingly also subscribed to the Cabanga craze, and will use the word as his new surname for the duration of the tournament.

I just hope it doesn’t spread. Seeing Adrian Cabanga and Gary Cabanga hosting the terrestrial coverage of the World Cup would be enough to send me over the edge, or maybe to a faith healer. And that’s another story altogether.