Andy Flower spoke to the media as England turned their attention to Perth
Andy Flower does not think England's poor record at Perth will have any bearing on the third Ashes Test and is instead focusing on how to improve the side's batting performances.
England head to a ground that they have won at just once - in 1978 - in 12 attempts but must avoid defeat if they are to retain their hopes of keeping the urn.
So far in the series Australia have batted first in both Tests and got ahead of the game thanks to big totals, while England have struggled in reply.
And whether Alastair Cook’s luck with the coin changes in Perth or not, Team Director Flower wants to see a big score put on the board and insisted that previous defeats at the WACA would not have any bearing on the result.
"I think past glories mean nothing in this context," said Flower.
"We've got a big challenge to stop the momentum of the opposition and to get ahead in the game.
"One of those biggest challenges is getting a first-innings score on the board. Without that, you can't put pressure on the opposition.
"We had Australia 130 for six in Brisbane, but since then they've been ahead in both games."
England’s second-innings 312 at Adelaide was the first time they have exceeded 200 in the series, with a number of batsmen struggling for form.
Flower admits the performances have not been up to scratch across the board and has challenged his batsmen to be more selective over their strokes.
"The balance between attacking shots and ensuring you bat long periods is a challenge for all batsmen at all times, and we haven't got that balance anywhere near right,” he said.
“That's not just the younger batsmen, it's the experienced ones as well.
"The challenge at Perth will be to assess those conditions accurately and have clarity on the risk/reward that you always have to judge when you're batting."
While Adelaide offered a track suitable for spinners - leading to the selection of Monty Panesar alongside Graeme Swann - Perth is not a surface that will have either licking their lips and one will be replaced in the side.
Flower confirmed that changes will be made at the WACA but was offering no clues as to what they might be as he plots England’s recovery in the series.
"We have taken some serious hits but we do have a squad full of people who are determined to turn the ship around, and that's what we must do," he said.
“There will obviously be changes in Perth. I'm absolutely ready to make tough decisions.
"We’ll assess those conditions and see who will best be able to help us take 20 wickets."