"Everyone knows my feelings on Eriksson. I always thought that we had a good enough squad to do well at major tournaments, but maybe not the leadership," said Fowler.
"I think a few of the players actually came out and said that after the World Cup, which is unusual. But there was a frustration there, because many of them believed it was our best chance of winning something for a long time.
"What is encouraging though is that there seems to be a freshness about the side now, which comes from the fact that there is a new manager who is actually trying to do a few things.
"The players are still there. Steven Gerrard is an inspiration in midfield, and they have got strikers like Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch who are a handful for any team in the world. It is how they use those players, and it seems that the new management have got the balance right.
"It is only early days, but I think are a lot of people are relieved that there is a more positive attitude about the place.
"Maybe some tough decisions were needed. It is all very well trying to please everyone, but in the end that just causes problems of its own.
"What seems to be happening now is that the side is picked on merit, and players are put in positions which suit them and the team. It is too early to say if England will be a better team, but, certainly, there are the players in the squad to bring success."
