While a 3-2 defeat would clearly read a lot better for England than 4-1, it would be even more frustrating in many ways because it would only add to a feeling of what could have been.
England could have won this series given the Australia XIs they have been up against and the situations they have been in, had they been stronger mentally and better tactically.
They cannot think like that going into the next Test, of course.
Even if a 3-2 scoreline would frustrate, it may save jobs when the review does come after this series with a win even more important for the coaching staff than the players.
These players are good – the likes of Harry Brook, whose talent is exceptional, or Zak Crawley, whose innings in the second innings in Adelaide should give him a template for the future.
I would hate for them to be thrown out in an upheaval.
England showing they have adapted and learned from the mistakes made in Perth and Brisbane would reflect the work done by the coaching staff.
That is important going forward.
In contrast, I hope Australia are hurting after defeat in Melbourne and use that to spur them on.
They have played so well to get to this point, coping impressively with captain Pat Cummins, fellow frontline bowler Josh Hazlewood, spinner Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith all missing at times.
They have done the important bit in winning the series but you do not want to take your foot off the gas.
Was Cummins rested for Melbourne because there are genuine fitness concerns? If so, that is fine but this is still an Ashes series. You have to put a high price on every Test match.
Jake Weatherald needs a score to secure his future, having failed to pass 20 in any of his past four innings.
All-rounder Cameron Green will come under pressure for his place from Beau Webster after his poor run, though I still think he will have an amazing career when he settles back into Test cricket following his injury absence, and I am surprised Usman Khawaja has not already announced this will be his final Test aged 39.
I retired after the Sydney Test of the 2006-07 series, along with Shane Warne and Justin Langer. Damien Martyn also called time on his career earlier in the series.
Warney and I spoke about the prospect of retiring before the Perth Test, at which point we were 2-0 up. The last thing we wanted to do was make an announcement while the series was still live.
Our win in Perth, when Adam Gilchirst scored an incredible hundred, allowed us to announce our decisions but that only placed even more importance on the next two Tests.
The fact we finished in such a dominant fashion is something I am really proud of.
There was never any talk about dead rubbers and there should not be now.
As ever, the Sydney Test will be a special occasion for me and my family.
This will be the 18th ‘Pink Test’ where we raise money in the name of my late wife Jane and last year we broadened the reach of the foundation to cover all types of cancer as well as breast cancer.
It can be emotional but is an occasion unique in sport given the scale – one that I view as a celebration of life.
I just hope we have more than two days of play this time…
