Can England remove those mental blocks before the next Ashes in this country in 2029-30?
Before then, they have two more opportunities to end their winless streak, with Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.
In my last column, following England’s loss at the Gabba, I said they needed to win the third Test in Adelaide, or this tour could get embarrassing.
England did not win at the Adelaide Oval and are now facing a huge challenge to avoid being beaten 5-0.
Towards the end of the third Test, England at least showed a willingness to adapt their style, which meant they were able to compete.
Why it took them two defeats to realise that will remain a mystery. Still, the signs for an improved performance in the fourth Test are good.
However, if we’re talking about mentality, it will not get any easier for England.
They are due to play in front of 100,000 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, most of whom will be firmly behind Australia. The Boxing Day Test is an institution in Australian sport and the atmosphere on Friday will be electric. It will be a tough place to be an English cricketer.
England should embrace the challenge, react to it and enjoy it. It could be a valuable lesson for the players who come back to Australia in four years.
There is still time for England to salvage something from this tour. Right now, there is a lot of discussion about futures, of who might still be involved when England next play Test cricket in their home summer.
Those debates will lose their venom if England can end their winless run here.
Losing 3-2 would be so much better than losing 5-0. If England do not find a way to alter their mentality, then 5-0 is the most likely outcome.
Glenn McGrath was speaking to BBC Sport’s chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt
