Former England captain Michael Vaughan senses Joe Root may need to "lie" and "con" his teammates in an effort to create the confidence they'll need to retain the Ashes.
England will start the five-Test series as underdogs, especially if star allrounder Ben Stokes is sidelined as expected.
Vaughan led England to their Ashes triumph in 2005, a series win that came after Australia held the urn for 16 consecutive years.
The batsman turned pundit, who will be commentating throughout the showpiece series that starts on November 23, had some frank advice for current captain Root.
"His greatest challenge is going to be to convince the team they can win," Vaughan told reporters in England.
"That is your biggest strength as a leader, to convince your team.
"It may be that he has to lie a bit and con them.
"He might have to blow up a few tyres that might be flat and convince them they are good enough to beat this Australian team."
Root is gearing up for his first Ashes series as captain, having been handed the responsibility earlier this year.
He has reportedly assembled the squad for a team-bonding camp ahead of next week's departure.
England recorded five Test wins and two defeats during their home summer, including a shock loss to West Indies.
Vaughan admitted the likely absence of Stokes made the challenge tougher but insisted England could upset the hosts if they bat patiently.
"I don't see them blowing Australia away in three days," he said.
"They will win over there by playing how they did in 2010-11. Scoring lots of runs in the first innings ... and not thinking 'we are going to attack all the time'."
Vaughan added it would be foolish to "talk down the Aussies".
"I've been around captains that do that and it doesn't work," he said.
"It is worth saying they are good. They are not what they were 20 years ago but they are dangerous and you know what they will produce over five matches."
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