England's struggles continue

Slovenia 0 England 0: England manager Gareth Southgate’s big decision to finally leave out Wayne Rooney failed to have the instant impact he desired as his team were held to a goalless draw in Slovenia last night.

For years now, despite his legendary status, Rooney has strangely been a divisive figure in English football, blamed for the team’s under-achievement in tournament finals — successive managers accused of not being brave enough to drop him. Now, however, England know that simply jettisoning Rooney to the bench won’t solve anything on its own.

Southgate’s side were happy to come away with a point from Slovenia and thankful to three excellent saves from Joe Hart in a match in which even Rooney’s 73rd minute arrival could not inspire them to victory — although the result keeps them top of their qualifying group and on target for Russia 2018.