RUMOURS of a lack of rapport between England's captain Kevin Pietersen and the coach Peter Moores seem well founded, with Michael Vaughan emerging as perhaps a key figure.

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The personalities of Moores and his predecessor Duncan Fletcher could hardly be more different, with Moores an open character of nervous energy and the notoriously reserved Fletcher the calmer more fatherly figure. Both men are highly proficient in the mechanics of cricket.

The situation is due to be discussed with Hugh Morris, the ECB's cricket managing director, within the next couple of weeks, and the issue is bound to be the treatment of Vaughan by the selectors and his value, now lost, as an advisor and confidant to Pietersen.

One problem is that Moores has less experience of Test cricket than his captain, though that did not prevent a provincial coach such as John Buchanan enjoying prolonged success guiding Australia. Fletcher had little international experience on his CV when appointed by England.

Most people would agree that Vaughan is barely worth his place as a batsman, though his departure has had a greater effect on Pietersen than had been expected. For all his outward confidence the new captain is vulnerable in the cerebral department while leading a less than confident team without a good nucleus of fully established players.

The sernior players are not quite right. Andrew Strauss, in form as a batsman, has only just returned to favour. Alistair Cook, though a captain of the future, is too young and not really part of the Pietersen world of glamour. Ian Bell is simply uninspiring, and the rest of the nucleus, including Andrew Flintoff, might not like Pietersen as much as Pietersen likes himself.

Pietersen, however, fully deserved to take over from Vaughan last summer and he comes over as a good leader. Buchanan, never a top performer as a player, was content to allow his captains Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting drive their settled successful team as experienced internationalists. Moores does not have that luxury with a fragile team.

It is difficult to believe that the ECB will be faced with a 'one man must go' dilemma because that would reflect very badly on the captain and coach, who are paid by the ECB to serve the national team. Pietersen, while naturally craving success, will have to loosen his grip with the past and forge his own way, however painful. Retaining Vaughan would be a short-term measure -- transient at best.

Significantly Moores established a rapport with his Sussex captain Chris Adams during the glory years at Hove. They did not always agree, but there was respect. Why respect has diminished in the England camp is not yet known.

Moores took over from Fletcher in April 2007 after Fletcher had made a horrible hash of the previous winter, followed by a miserable World Cup. Moores is much more open to fellow coaches and directors on the county circuit, but the flow of high class players -- certainly batsmen -- is still disappointingly sluggish.

However, it would be fair to say England were very unlucky to lose the home Test series to India last summer, when the weather denied them at Lord's, and they were more competitive in India this winter than for many years. South Africa have revealed themselves as exceptional by beating England and Australia in away series.

Perhaps the answer might be for the former Test captain Mike Gatting to involve himself more as a consultant, combining that with his ECB trouble-shooting job of managing director of cricket partnerships. He could be seconded for limited periods to assist in Test series while the captain and coach gain experience. Failing that, perhaps Graham Gooch or Graham Thorpe could be similarly used.