It was an hour after England had efficiently dispatched Switzerland 2-0 at Euro 2004, and the train station bar at Coimbra, Portugal's beautiful and historic university city, was jammed. I was hip to hip with an England supporter, and he began to sing.

"We're the best fans in the world when we win," went the tattooed one's refrain, and about 50 England fans joined in. His mate, at 6'3" some eight inches taller than his travelling companion, and perhaps 80 pounds heavier, sang the second verse. "We're a right bunch of b**tards when we lose, we're a right bunch . . ."

The Jekyll and Hyde Show that is England's support at major tournaments gets its next airing today at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. England require a victory against Slovenia to ensure passage to the second round.

English support is already impatient, if not hostile, after the sterile draw with Algeria on the weekend. There are an estimated 20,000 England supporters here for the tournament, some 80,000 fewer than made the much shorter trek to Germany for the World Cup in 2006.

Some English fans have taken the view that the expense involved in a trip to this World Cup has attracted a wealthier, more worldly group of supporters. A loss to Slovenia today, though, and all bets are off.

The Three Lions' travelling support will hope that their team will reverse a trend so apparent in big tournaments for years, and actually keep the ball efficiently, and use it ruthlessly. To do so, they will need to pass the ball better than their opponents, a rarity for England in major competitions.

They will also have to find a way to get Wayne Rooney into the tournament. Trouble is, most of the midfielders trusted by Fabio Capello to date are better at creating chances for themselves than they are at carving out opportunities for others – and so perhaps it's time for changes.

Joe Cole must certainly be included today for his passing ability, inventiveness and eye for goal, and Jermaine Defoe and/or Peter Crouch would add a goal threat up front that might give the Slovenian back line more to think about than merely Rooney. Perhaps Michael Carrick will get a look-in for his passing, and ability to read a game.

The Slovenians are one of the feel-good stories of this tournament. With just two million people, they knocked out Russia in a play-off to reach South Africa, and now they are within touching distance of a historic achievement. They have played neat, compact football full of intelligent running, and nice touches – and their ability to keep the ball may well frustrate England. They will also draw some encouragement from a battling 2-1 loss to England at Wembley last November; if they can lose honourably away from home, what chances of a better result on neutral ground?

Whatever the result, England fans have a right to expect a spirited, up tempo performance. The weather, so often a hindrance to England's chances at World Cups, suits them – it is winter in South Africa, and temperatures today will likely be somewhere in the 60s.

England's players know that, if they fail today, there is no 'Wally in the Brolly' to blame for their shortcomings. It is time to accept responsibility, and to perform as so many think they are able.

Residents of the city of Port Elizabeth, like those of Coimbra and many other locales before them, can only hope that England's travelling support – wealthy or not – hit the bars after the match in a triumphant mood.

Veteran World Cup observer Duncan Hall is reporting exclusively from South Africa for The Royal Gazette.