Unfortunately for England, perception feeds reality. The only way they can alter the narrative that surrounds them is with victory.
To do that they need to adapt to conditions at the Gabba better than they did in Perth, particularly crucial in the day-night environment.
The lights have been coming on at 17:30 local time each day, meaning more of the Test will be floodlit than not. England must be able to identify when to move up and down the gears, rather than slamming into sixth, putting their foot down and hoping for the best.
Given the noise following England, Stokes is working overtime as a leader, yet that cannot detract from his responsibility as a player.
In Brisbane he will once again act as the fourth seamer, undertaking more physical strain.
Stokes must also find a way to defy Starc, the pace bowler to have dismissed him most in Test cricket. There is an argument for Stokes and Jamie Smith to switch places at six and seven. Smith is probably a better batter and Stokes might be more suited to marshalling the lower order.
Stokes needs help from his senior players, not least Root, who will be haunted by his lack of a century in Australia until he finally gets one.
No specialist batter has played as many as Root’s 29 innings here without registering a ton.
England need Zak Crawley to repay their sizable investment and for Archer to show he is the equal of any Australia pace bowler – Archer has as many defeats as wins from his previous 14 Tests.
What about Brook getting his average of 38 against Australia closer to his career mark of 56? Maybe Will Jacks could take advantage of his unexpected recall to become a new version of Moeen Ali. Perhaps this is the week Smith, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse come of age as Ashes performers.
As it stands, England’s impact on Brisbane currently centres on e-scooters. On Wednesday morning local police were reminding the public to wear helmets and keeping tabs on riders crossing Kangaroo Bridge with a speed gun.
Come next week, Stokes’ men will want their legacy to be a storming of the Gabba, defying pink-ball specialists Australia for a historic and Ashes-levelling triumph.
Only a win changes the perception of this England team.
Only a win vindicates the Canberra decision and can ensure a peaceful holiday in Noosa after the Test.
Only a win stops supporters turning on them and prevents questions about futures.
It is hard to see how this Test will be drawn. Only an England win keeps the Ashes alive.
