Steven Gerrard, the England midfielder, says he has been encouraged by his dealings with new manager Fabio Capello. Much has been made of Capello having to learn English in order to communicate with the squad but it appears he has honoured his pledge to master the language within a month as he was understood fully by the players when he spoke to them in a meeting and at training.

"It was all English. It surprised me, he was really good," Gerrard said. "All the session was put across to the players in English. He got some help from a translator but it was better than I thought."

The Liverpool captain, who is tipped to lead out the side against Switzerland at Wembley on Wednesday, said the change in management style between the Italian and Steve McClaren, the former manager, had been noticed by the players but all felt positive about the future.

"Everyone's nervous because it is a new manager and we don't know much about him and he doesn't know much about us," Gerrard said. "We had a quick meeting last night and he told us it is a fresh start for everyone.

"He wants a winning mentality around the place and he wants to build a winning team and wants players pulling in the same direction. He thinks we can improve defensively and going forward and we were straight into it this morning.

"He is a very good manager and you want to work with the best and the FA have certainly employed one of the best managers in the world."

Capello has a reputation for being a disciplinarian and Gerrard said the players were still adjusting to the new system.

"Different managers have different ideas and rules. It takes time to adapt and I'm sure we will do in time but the first 24 hours have been good," he added. "I don't think as a footballer you are scared of any manager but you have to respect them and you have to adapt to what the main man wants.

"You want to impress the manager. No-one is guaranteed a starting place so we have to use these friendlies to impress. It is also a chance to get back to winning matches."

On Capello's decision not to select David Beckham for what would have been his 100th cap, Gerrard said: "I'm sure once he is back playing on a regular basis he can convince the manager to pick him. Everyone is talking about the 99 caps - David has to get back playing football and I'm sure the 100th cap will come.

"He (Capello) makes the decisions and all the other players go along with it."

In Terry's absence Gerrard has emerged as the front-runner to be captain and although Capello will reveal tomorrow who will wear the armband the Italian has stressed he will not make a decision on a permanent skipper for a while.

Gerrard has led out his country before and would relish the opportunity to do so again. "Of course it would be a great honour. We have to respect the fact John Terry is still our captain. He is not involved so we will have to wait and see who the manager will go with," he said. "But until he makes that decision I don't want to say too much."

The midfidler also stressed the players wanted to erase the memories of their disappointing Euro 2008 qualifying campaign as quickly as possible.

"It was disappointing not to qualify for the summer's tournament but we have to look to the future and that future is to get back to winning matches and to be a real attacking force going forward," he added in a press conference televised by Sky Sports News. We know we have the players capable of being successful.

"We are still slightly shocked from missing out on the summer but we have to forget about it and try to concentrate on getting the team right for the World Cup qualifiers."

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