Terry Butcher: England lacking "something special"

England remain top of their qualifying group after beating Malta 4-0 on Friday night at the Ta'Qali national stadium. 

However, the scoreline masked a disappointing display by Southgate's side, with three goals coming in the closing stages. 

Speaking to 'BBC Radio 5 Live', Butcher said: "When it comes to something special, we haven't quite got that.

"Is this England team going to pass you off the pitch? No. Is this England team going to work hard? Yes.

"We have good attacking players but we need someone in the middle of the park who can spray the passes, switch the play quickly and play at a tempo that Gareth likes.

"He hasn't got the blend of his team right, he hasn't got the shape of his team right to what he wants, but that requires work."

England were unable to break down a defensive Malta side in the first half and a number of the traveling contingent expressed their resentment at the quality of football by booing the players at half-time.

Harry Kane finally found the breakthrough after 53 minutes but England did not extend their lead until five minutes before the end when Ryan Bertrand scored his first England goal. Welbeck and Kane then added two more in injury time. 

"I understand if we don't score until late, the game feels different for everybody," said Southgate.

"But I've played in so many qualifiers and watched so many qualifiers, and I don't remember many of them being free-flowing, champagne football. It just hasn't happened, especially when there's no space to play.

"You have got to work your way into the opportunities."