5 reasons why Gareth Southgate should not get the England job

Uninspiring performances against Malta and Slovenia

Four points from his first two games in charge, off the back of a disastrous European Championships, is not a bad return, but England have looked far from convincing in either match.

We should remember that Southgate has not had long with the team, and had to pick his first squad days after taking over the reins.

But England were flat in three of the four halves of football they played this week. First-half against Malta was bright – Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli got themselves on the scoresheet – but the second was uninspiring.

I’m not sure what Southgate said at half-time, but I hope that what he asked for was not reflected in that 45-minute display.

Tuesday night was even more lethargic and, although he should not be blamed for the individual errors that almost cost England, the tempo has to be set by the manager, and England just weren’t intense and energetic enough to deserve the win.

It’s still early days, but those England performances were not at all great, and couldn’t have done Southgate’s case for the permanent role much good.