Sven-Goran Eriksson has told his players not to let self doubt creep into their minds after their struggle against Sweden as positive thoughts are the key to reviving England's World Cup hopes.

Eriksson hinted at ''some small changes'' for the second group game against Argentina, with Nicky Butt a strong contender to earn a recall, possibly at the expense of Owen Hargreaves.

But while the England coach could also switch tactics to a 4-3-3 formation, he knows the spirit in the squad is the most important quality of all.

He saw his players were downhearted after conceding the lead to draw against Sweden and immediately spoke to them in the dressing room to underline his optimism that they can still top their group.

Eriksson is fully aware of his team's second-half weaknesses in Saitama, namely their passing and hold-up play, and he knows they must improve dramatically against Argentina on Friday.

However, he insisted: ''I hope there are no self doubts among the players because, if that's the case, then we can go home at once.

''My message is 'don't give up'. England is famous for never giving up so why should we do it after a draw against Sweden?

''It's strange in football, when you are 1-0 up and then draw, it seems like you have lost. The happy team were Sweden and we seemed to be a sad team.

''But it shouldn't be like that. We didn't play very well in the second-half yet we still have one point, everything is still open and I think we will go through.

''In fact, if we can win on Friday, why shouldn't we be able to win the group?''

Eriksson's problem is that, in such a young side, there are few dominant figures on the pitch who can take control when events turn against them as they did against Sweden.

Especially once David Beckham's lack of match fitness had forced him out of the fray, there was little obvious leadership in midfield.

''We are a quiet team but that's a thing you can't do very much about. When you have a young team, it's normally quiet. Maybe a fit Beckham would have tried to organise them,'' said Eriksson.

Restoring Butt, who has more experience than Hargreaves despite the 21-year-old's evident promise, is one of the possible moves Eriksson is weighing up.

Asked if Butt had much to offer the team this week, the England coach responded: ''I think so. He is coming back from an injury, like David Beckham and Kieron Dyer.

"When we picked the team to face Sweden, I thought it'd be a little dangerous to start with more than one of that trio.

''But it's four or five days until the next game so Beckham, Dyer and Butt will be even better and fitter by then.''

If Eriksson believes Dyer is back to full fitness by Friday, he could bring in the Newcastle midfielder on the right side of a front three or the left side of a midfield quartet.

Either way, Darius Vassell could find his place at risk despite another energetic first-half display against Sweden, although Eriksson has not yet made up his mind.

The England coach is sure of one thing though, that his influential captain will be sharper against Argentina after his first taste of a competitive action in seven weeks against Sweden.

For while Beckham was patently not match fit in Saitama, the only way to get him back to his best is to play him.

In the meantime, Eriksson, who also needs Michael Owen to rise to the occasion against Argentina, can only hope his young players learn quickly from the challenges they are facing.

''Experience is important. When we had the problems in the second half against Sweden, maybe an experienced team would have handled it a bit differently,'' he added.

''But you have to gain experience and, to do that, you have to go out there and try to do the best you can.

''I told the players that it is not a funeral. Life is not finished. You have to talk positive things. If no one made a mistake, then football would be very boring.''

Eriksson also warned that England must improve their passing if they hope to overcome Argentina.

''If you can't keep the ball, you will always have difficulties,'' he admitted.

''You get tired very quickly when you have to chase the ball. We didn't defend very well as a team. The back line did well but when you can't keep the ball in midfield and up front, life is very difficult.