After nearly four months of thinking what might have been, England will try to lay their World Cup ghosts to rest in Bratislava tomorrow.
Taking three points from Slovakia in their opening Euro 2004 qualifier is the number one priority.
But Sven-Goran Eriksson's young squad also want to prove that this summer's World Cup quarter-final defeat by Brazil was not the result of a critical failure of nerve.
England's captain David Beckham has admitted that thoughts of 'that could have been us' crossed his mind on more than one occasion over the summer.
The defeat by Brazil has also led to Eriksson's tactical judgement being questioned, with many critics suggesting England became overly reliant on long balls in an era when all the best club teams, including a number of top English clubs, have prospered by playing a style based on intricate passing at pace.
Eriksson insisted that England were also capable of playing that game but said fatigue had restricted the possibility to do so in Japan.
"To play like that for 90 minutes you have to be very fit because it means a lot of movement, and of course it is the best football to play.
"I think we did it for part of the time in the World Cup. In many first halfs we did well but then in the second half we did not have that flair, that energy that we all wanted to see.
"I think the main reason for that is that we were tired unfortunately. I am sure that if we are fit we will play as good football as any country in Europe."
Eriksson refused to divulge whether Gary Neville, back from the broken foot that forced him to miss the World Cup, would return to the team at the expense of Danny Mills.
But he is certain to start Steven Gerrard, perhaps England's best passer of the ball, in the centre of midfield alongside Butt, who excelled himself at the World Cup.
That could result in Scholes being put into the troublesome slot on the left of midfield.
"I've seen him play for Man Utd on the right, on the left, as a second striker and in the centre of midfield," Eriksson said.
"Wherever he plays, he always plays very good football when he is fit."
Although surgery (Rio Ferdinand) and a dose of gastroenteritis (Sol Campbell) have conspired to rob Eriksson of his first choice central defence, that is one area where England have genuine strength in depth.
Middlesbrough duo Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu are expected to fill the gap on Saturday, although Eriksson was notably fulsome in his praise for Jonathan Woodgate.
"He is a modern player," Eriksson said of the Leeds central defender."He's not only a big stopper, he can play football as well. He's a good passer, very elegant."
Whichever defensive line up is chosen, they could be retained for next Wednesday's match with Macedonia should Campbell not recover by Sunday.
Their main task tomorrow is likely to be containing Szilard Nemeth, who has scored three goals in the Premiership this season to help Middlesbrough into third place.
Nemeth was left out of the 3-0 defeat by Turkey in Slovakia's opening qualifier but is expected to return for a match the home side can ill afford to lose.