Let Southgate & Co get on with a work in progress

WAS England’s draw at Hampden a decent point earned at a tough venue, or proof that the players are mentally weak and will be crushed by the first decent team they meet in Russia? Hard to say.

Was that 3-2 defeat in Paris (left) against 10-man France proof that England’s players lack the class, and the manager lacks the nous, to compete at the highest level, or were they beaten by a team of future world champions?

Again, hard to say. But what isn’t hard to say is that these games were scheduled three weeks after the players ended a long, hard season.

The manager was experimenting with personnel and systems, trying to find a way to get the best out of a small pool of talent, and send them into a World Cup with an identity and a confidence.

So it’s probably best for everyone’s sanity, if instead of questioning Gareth Southgate, we just let him get on with it.