Wayne Rooney believes England need to become more streetwise on the pitch to help them compete in major tournaments.
The Manchester United striker, who hit his first World Cup goal in Thursday's 2-1 defeat to Uruguay, says the Three Lions are too honest and must learn to control the pattern of games for their benefit.
England's Brazilian adventure came to a premature end when Costa Rica's win over Italy confirmed their exit from the Finals.
Rooney scored his first World Cup goal against Uruguay
But it was narrow defeats against the Italians and the Uruguayans - two top-ten ranked teams - that ultimately cost them their place at the World Cup.
"I think if you look at teams who have won the tournament over previous years and you can see that nastiness in them. I think we need to get that in us. Maybe we're too honest," said Rooney.
"Uruguay the other night, they stopped the game, they committed I don't know how many fouls... clever fouls, really, to slow the game down. I think we're a bit honest in terms of the way we play.
"It's small margins but if those small things can amount to a big thing in terms of staying in the competition or going out. We need to learn that quickly and adapt to that."
He continued: "I got kicked ten times and I don't think there was a yellow card given to an opponent. We try and be honest, but maybe that's a fault of ours.
"You see a lot of the great teams, international and club teams, they are streetwise. I think that will come."
Wayne Rooney believes England need to be more streetwise
Despite the defeat to Uruguay, Rooney reached a personal milestone when he scored a long-awaited first World Cup goal. It took his England tally to 40, level with Michael Owen as fourth top scorer and nine behind the leader on the list - Sir Bobby Charlton.
And while he expects to overtake the World Cup-winning legend, his latest achievement does not take away his disappointment from what has happened in Brazil.
"Sir Bobby's record is within touching distance. I'll be disappointed if I don't do it," said Rooney.
"I feel I have many years left. If I don't get the ten goals required to beat the record, I'll have no one to blame but myself. It would be a great achievement.
"But this is about the team. Collectively, we're disappointed. I don't really want to be talking about my chances of breaking records when we're all hurting."
