Yes, things look ominous: Two Tests down, three Tests left and you know there will be those in the camp starting to see it as a long month ahead. 

Self-doubt can play havoc with any cricketer’s mind and, having spent time on BBC 5Live this week with Matt Prior - someone who knows what it is like to lose 5-0 in Australia - I can appreciate how hard it will be to gain momentum now. 

The reality is England went to Australia with an inexperienced team and the 2-0 scoreline is disappointing but hardly unexpected. It reflects the basic differences in the teams.

Yes, a bowling attack with Broad and Anderson can claim to be experienced but, unless they are under the lights with a pink ball, do they have that point of difference on true Australian wickets? Bowling fuller seems to be the obvious approach and this will no doubt be a real focus going forward, however there is still the issue of pace and proper bounce. 

Are we expecting too much from a team that may just be performing to its potential? 

On paper England have lost badly but the matches have been far closer than results suggest. Neither batting side looks convincing and really it is only one big knock from Steve Smith, the extra pace of Australia and the form of Nathan Lyon to the left-handers that has made the difference. 

And one big decision from the England captain.

There is no doubt Joe Root should have batted first in Adelaide. Any chance to bat first, during the day, in a day-night Test is one you surely take with both hands. 

Even if England hadn’t batted well in the first innings, that would have allowed Anderson and Broad a chance to bowl at night. England put themselves under too much pressure in that first innings, didn’t get it quite right and the game was effectively over once Australia got over 400.

In these circumstances the tendency is for a team to go away and practice harder, do longer, tougher fielding sessions, face faster bowling and step up the intensity. 

When Johnathan Trott went home early on the last tour, he was seen facing 100 mph on a bowling machine to get as close as possible to replicating Mitchell Johnson. 

Was that the right approach? No one can say for sure. But, for me, increasing the intensity can never be a good thing and I’m glad to hear England have been given some time off before their preparations for Perth.

England can turn this around but some things should change immediately.

I said it before and I will say it again: Jonny Bairstow is England’s third best batsmen and therefore cannot be coming in at No 7 and batting with the tail. He may say he is comfortable there but I’m not interested in that. Please move him up to five and give him a significant batting role. 

If he is 65 not out and then happens to be in with the tail, then so be it. But at the moment he is hardly getting in. 

My other proposal would be to look at the option of Ben Foakes. This could allow Jonny to play a more significant role as a batter. That would also bring in another right-hander which, considering Lyon’s success against all the left-handers, wouldn’t be such a bad idea. It’s about the here and now and therefore we have to think of a solution to his obvious threat. 

Ben is an attacking player who uses his feet well to spin. If Lyon is bowling well we have to find a way to put pressure on him. 

I thought Kevin Pietersen made a good point when he said that if he was batting Lyon wouldn’t have bowled 20 for 40 runs. He may well have got KP out but he would have been hitting him for sixes too. 

Yes, it is so easy to sit here and say that but, as KP said: ‘Let’s have a go and take him down.’ He is a finger spinning off-spinner and nothing else.

Beyond that I feel that this squad is quite limited. There aren’t many options. Gary Ballance is the only other recognised batter but he does much the same as the rest and is left-handed. 

I think Tom Westley might have been a good selection despite failing recently in England. If there was ever a place to play across the ball it is Australia. Ricky Ponting made a career of it.

England also need to get on the front foot with the sledging that is going on. There is no doubt, from what I have heard, that Australia have crossed the line out there. 

They know that top players nowadays need a lot to rattle them. Australia have been digging deeper and getting personal. 

It’s not pretty – but England must fight fire with fire to get the upper hand. 

***Nick Compton is Ladbrokes' Ashes brand ambassador. Australia are 1/2 favourites to win the third Test with England 7/2 outsiders and the draw at 5/2.***