Former England manager Sir Booby Robson believes frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard can form a formidable team in the middle of the park for the national team - but has urged manager Fabio Capello to employ them in a 4-4-2 formation.

Robson, who led the Three Lions between 1982 and 1990, admits Saturday's 5-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Kazakhstan was an anti-climax following the convincing 4-1 win over Croatia but insists the lacklustre performance at Wembley was a result of the formation used and not the players used.

"The problem was not Lampard and Gerrard, who I firmly believe can play together," Robson said.

He added: added: "It is imperative England go to Belarus (on Wednesday) with that positive attitude.

"I know people will say it's a more difficult fixture but there really is no need to go back to one striker or have a holding midfielder unless it's against the very, very best such as Argentina or Brazil.

"Everyone else, we should be able to win on our terms by taking that game to the opposition - like we did in Croatia.

"Playing our way means keeping faith with Lampard and Gerrard, and giving them a chance to flourish. Give them the option of looking up and having a choice of two strikers or two wide players to hit with a pass."