GARETH’S TO DO LIST..

1

This is key. The anchor role in midfield is Southgate’s biggest single concern about his starting XI. Dier has been found wanting, Henderson’s injuries are a worry, the jury is out on Livermore – and then who else?

2 FIND A CENTRAL MIDFIELDER CREATE A SENSE OF BELIEF

This old chestnut. Southgate insists he has quality, but – as last year’s Euros proved – the players freeze when they get to tournaments and cannot handle the pressure.

3 TAKE QUALIFYING FORM INTO TOURNAMENTS

The reason England set up highprofile friendlies against top-class opposition is simple: they cruise through qualifying, but fail in tournaments. They must raise their level next year.

4 GET MORE OF HIS SQUAD STARTING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAMES

When a big team signs a new foreign star, Southgate worries another of his internationals will lose a regular starting place. Just as Joe Hart lost his place and was bombed out by Manchester City.

5 FIND A WORLD-CUP BASE – AND GET PREPARATIONS RIGHT

The smart money is on England being based in St Petersburg. The build-up to Euro 2016 was panned. Southgate must get the balance right between good dressing-room spirit and intensity.