Southgate: I inherited 'a mess' as interim England boss
England interim manager Gareth Southgate admitted Tuesday he inherited a messy situation on the Three Lions' bench, where Sam Allardyce had sat just over two weeks ago.
Southgate secured four points out of six in his first two qualifiers in charge following Allardyce's swift removal - a respectable return after a tumultuous changeover.
Though the 0-0 draw in Slovenia didn't inspire supporters, Southgate is happy to have navigated a minefield of criticism and stress without losing top spot in Group F qualifying.
"I can't thank the players and support team enough for the backing I have had. We wanted six points but we have taken over a mess and had to steady the ship," said the 47-year-old. "We are on track. Qualifiers away from home have always been tense, and were when I was playing too."
If not for the heroics of Joe Hart - the much-maligned goalkeeper who left Manchester City for a new beginning at Torino - England would've come away with a far worse result. Hart pawed away a particularly difficult attempt from Jasmin Kurtic in the second half to keep the match level.
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Dele Alli was also favoured in the No. 10 role over Wayne Rooney, who served as an England substitute for the first time since 2003.
The tactical tweak didn't solve the problem. Chances were still hard to come by, and the football was often drab.
"We're very much a work in progress as far as I can see," Southgate said. "What was key that, in an incredibly difficult 10 days not only in terms of taking over (from Allardyce) but with the withdrawals with injury, to get four points … We'd have liked six, to have scored more goals and been more fluent with the ball, for sure, but we sit top of the group.
"The overall objective is to qualify so, long term, this could be an important point."