The friendly between Spain and England in Alicante was instructional for Australia, an indication, if not validation, of the direction being undertaken.
The contrast between the two combatants couldn't have been more evident, particularly in relation to the identity of their game, a point that Vicente del Bosque made prior to the match when he said England have lost their unique DNA as a nation. 
Everyone is slowly coming together stylistically, according to the former World Cup-winning coach, which is largely true, and England have joined the merry-go-round courtesy of the coaching influences permeating the English Premier League and the outcome of this in developing a different type of player, capable of adapting to different styles of play.
Adam Lallana, the superb Ross Barkley, Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling, who destroyed Sevilla last week in the Champions League, are part of a new generation of players, having spent time under an assortment of skilled international coaches and accordingly having great tactically flexibility.
But, if you look at the two teams, it is clear that England are challenged to create their own identity, a way of playing that reflects their inherent desires, mentality and culture, the process Australia is now well advanced in. However, if our experience is any guide, it takes a number of years of debate, discussion and often will require some lean times to commit to a larger plan.
Even longer with such an entrenched football culture and with the weight of history of England.
Spain, of course, did so with incredible results. Starved of success as a nation, they thought, and argued, and plotted, and worked to find a style of football they could relate to, that reflected their nature and that could succeed.
History shows they did so spectacularly, changing the history of the game along the way.
So it is incredible to think that with all the billions of dollars of resources in the English game, their solitary success remains almost 50 years ago.
It is a salutary tale for Australia, one to take great meaning from because, if nations with unlimited resources and far greater player numbers can meander through the decades without a clear picture of what they represent on the field in a playing-style sense, it emphasises how we must know ourselves intimately, to focus our time, energy, brainpower and finite resources.
Spain played their style, as they always do, and England sat back waiting for the counter-attack. This cannot be a true reflection of the English mentality, one that desires to go forward, but football has a funny way of taking you down a path in search of the almighty result that becomes a carousel. Round and round we go.
We counter, and lose. So we attack, and win. Then we attack, and lose. So we counter, and win. And so on.
If one thing characterised the recent international tournament winners, however, it is clarity of vision and approach.
Spain and Germany. Many, many other nations are confused about who, and what, they are.
Today, England have a fantastic, exciting, skilled and energetic generation of young talents borne of the Premier League, who could and should take on anyone in the world with organisation, spirit and courage.
The same plan, in fact, that Australia has instituted.
Football would be the better for a resurgent England but while we wait and watch, let their search for identity reinforce our commitment to clarity and focus.