The Ashes 2013-14: the England team is desparate to turn things around says captain Alastair Cook Cook looked out of the window of one of the many rooms and suites that encircle the Melbourne Cricket Ground. But you only have to look out there to see the approach of the guys. Obviously when you lose games of cricket, your confidence does slip. But the way the guys have stuck together in the dressing room has been excellent. We're desperate to turn it round and you don't often get the chance to play a Boxing Day Test at the MCG. It's going to be pretty much sold out on the first day which will be an incredible opportunity for us as players. We know we're up against it in terms of the last three results, but you've got to keep believing in yourselves if you're going to turn it around. No one else will keep believing in you if you're playing badly, it's got to come from us first. Instead of receiving birthday and Christmas presents, Cook had to field some difficult deliveries. It was like Andrew Flintoff, his predecessor as captain in 2006-7, taking the first ball of the series at second slip. Graeme Swann's sudden retirement for a start. "Obviously his selection would've been talked about but the question is irrelevant now because he was no longer involved by the time we started talking about selection for this game," Cook said. It (his retirement) was done so quickly after that game (the Perth Test) we never had to discuss it. Speaking to Swanny about it and looking into his eyes, it was quite an emotional chat. When somebody gives up playing for England it's a huge decision to make. He's only 34 in age but obviously speaking to him about his body and his mind, he said he had nothing more to give and he couldn't do it any justice. To me, once a guy is in that situation there was no point hanging around because he will only drag energy from the group, whether you want to or not. I think you've got to try and win every game in front of you. We are so lucky with the support we've got, and we are very privileged, and we owe it to them to try and put in a good performance. I think when you win games of cricket it papers over some of the cracks that have been developing lately, and when you lose it hits you with stark reality exactly what you think needs to improve, and there is no hiding place because you can't hide behind the fact that you are winning. So yes I do believe it is a chance for me to really stamp my authority. I think it will take time, as always. I've always tried to do the best job I can do, and maybe by losing 3-0 I've really had to look into myself and see where I need to improve as captain. Previously, before that, we'd won against New Zealand, won the Ashes at home and won away in India, which is a great achievement but maybe that papered over some of the cracks in my captaincy as well. After these two games especially we have a bit of time off Test cricket - I think five months - and it's a real good chance to get very clear about exactly the direction I want the side - or we want the side - to go. There is no trickier subject for an England captain than Kevin Pietersen, who is now the oldest player left apart from the 33 year-old novice Michael Carberry. I think he (Pietersen) has a huge part to play in the future. He's another guy I've talked to quite a bit over the last couple of days and his hunger and determination to play a lot more for England and help England win games of cricket is as high as ever. In this series he has hit the ball pretty well, just he's made some mistakes which have cost him pretty highly and he hasn't gone on to get that big score. I know speaking to him about it and watching him train yesterday, he's desperate to turn it round. He loves the big stage and there's no bigger than a Boxing Day Test match. Monty Panesar now has the chance to resume the career he had as England's first-choice spinner, before Swann came along in 2009. I think Monty is playing his 50th Test if he plays this game and that in itself is a great achievement. He had a very successful first part of his career and then Swanny came along and achieved what he achieved so quickly. He's played the part of the second spinner when we've needed one. He's a fine bowler. Technically he's excellent, we all know that, and he's got the chance to try to establish himself as England's No1 spinner. The beauty of Swanny going in one way gives another guy an opportunity, who has been waiting in the wings for as long as he has. When you lose games, naturally you're not going to be as buoyant as when you're winning. I have been impressed by the way the lads have stuck together, by everyone's determination not to try to let everything affect them. We've been dealt some pretty bad cards on this tour and we haven't played the cricket we're capable of. Of course the atmosphere in the changing room is not as high as when you're winning but we are determined to try to turn it around. I can only praise the players' attitudes and we've got to start again tomorrow. Not Churchillian rhetoric. But in a composed, morally courageous and dignified style, Cook's leadership has been most admirable.