Former England manager Bobby Robson has called on Fabio Capello to drop David Beckham and to "stand up and start dictating" as England prepare for their World Cup qualifiers.

England were lucky to scrape a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic thanks to Joe Cole's injury-time equaliser in their final warm-up game before they start their qualification games for the 2010 World Cup.

Andorra are their first opponents on September 6th before the clash in Croatia which could prove vital with only the group winners automatically qualifying for South Africa.

Now Robson, who was "International football consultant" to former Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton, wants the England boss to show more decisive leadership.

In his column in the Mail on Sunday, he said: "Fabio is meant to lead but the only place we've gone so far is round in circles.

"It is time for the real Capello to stand up and start dictating to the players and the public exactly what he wants. Then he'll find people will get behind him.

"The weeks of dithering about who should be England captain summed it up for me.

"I'm sure the intention was to give everyone a fair chance, but it made him look weak and indecisive.

"Steve McClaren could have told him two years ago that John Terry was the best man for the job."

Robson believes Capello has had long enough to implement a clear playing system and should drop Beckham from the starting line-up - although he should remain in the squad - and solve the Frank Lampard-Steven Gerrard quandary.

He continued: "It means picking vibrant wide players rather than starting with David Beckham when he can't get forward as he used to.

"It means banging Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard's heads together and getting them to play as a unit - because they can."