Gareth Southgate: How is he doing halfway into his spell as England manager?

Gareth Southgate’s interim tenure as England manager may feel like it’s only just begun, but in terms of games he’s halfway through.

Tuesday’s goalless draw in Slovenia means he can’t now match Sam Allardyce’s untouchable 100% win record (from his one match in charge) – but at least the Three Lions stayed top of their World Cup qualifying group.

 Given Allardyce’s reign only came to an end a fortnight ago, the rapid turnover meant a home match with Malta was a gift for Southgate. It was always a matter of the winning margin rather than the result and so it proved, with Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli netting in a 2-0 win. Life against Slovenia on Tuesday was much tougher, with only Joe Hart’s exceptional performance securing a 0-0 draw and preventing England from slipping to a first qualifying defeat in seven years.

 Dropping Wayne Rooney, the country’s all-time top scorer and most capped outfield player, was as bold as it was belated. Southgate’s discomfort of giving any modicum of satisfaction to critics was clear, but it was borne out of the desire to add Eric Dier into midfield with stand-in captain Jordan Henderson. The duo underperformed on a difficult night in Slovenia, as did Jesse Lingard after a bright debut against Malta. Sturridge and Alli scored against Malta but failed to fire against well-drilled opponents on Tuesday, while Gary Cahill’s place alongside John Stones at centre-back could come under pressure following a poor display.