I’VE heard ‘John Terry’ and ‘big mistake’ grouped together in the same sentence far too many times in the last six months – but will Fabio Capello back up last night’s words with actions?

When Adrian Chiles talked up ITV’s interview with the England boss before the Spain game, I hadn’t remotely expected the fireworks that would follow.

But where do they leave former skipper Terry – who had not so subtly revealed his issues with the Italian the previous night in front of the ever-hungry press?

You’d think with Rio Ferdinand injured and Jamie Carragher suspended for tomorrow’s make-or-break game against Slovenia, that Terry would be a sure-fire bet for one of the centre-half slots, perhaps alongside Matthew Upson.

Capello was clearly unimpressed with what he had heard, however, so can he really afford to drop that bombshell two hours before the most crucial game of his international coaching career?

Don’t put it past him. The disciplinarian is not a stupid man by any stretch and chose his words so deliberately in that interview you’d think he was reading a teleprompter.

If it was a verbal slap on the wrists, then it was an extremely severe one.

It was Terry’s marital indiscretions and consequent removal as international skipper that put the first dint in Capello’s reign, so I wouldn’t expect him to take this current misbehaviour lightly.

It may well be that the Stamford Bridge star has a point about Joe Cole, and indeed the concerns within the England camp but, judging by his manager’s reaction, he chose entirely the wrong platform to deliver them to the waiting world.

Away from the soap opera that is England’s Rustenburg hotel – it’s good to see the balance has shifted back between good refereeing and entertaining football.

The start of the tournament was notable for its total lack of excitement, which was officiated superbly.

Kaka’s sending off on Sunday night, however, seems to have flipped a switch and suddenly we’re watching some great football with plenty of goals, with an added unpredictability factor from the man in the middle.

It’s the way a World Cup should be.