England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley admits his side have to be better if they want to be a “serious” team following their 4-2 victory over Kazakhstan at Molineux.
The Young Lions are on the verge of booking their spot at next year’s European Championship following their victory, a tournament they are aiming to win for a third successive time.
The underdogs hit the front in the third minute courtesy of a strike from Artyom Litosh but an own goal from Ali Turganov got England level before defender Josh Acheampong delivered a pinpoint strike to get them in front.
Saif Popov surprisingly equalised for Kazakhstan but further goals from Max Alleyne and Will Lankshear, on his debut, ensured England took home the points.
Depsite Kazakhstan occupying bottom spot in Group D, Carsley says these games are never easy.
He said: “It doesn’t help when you start the way that we did. I thought we started really a little bit nervous, maybe a little bit not convincing.
“I think we grew as the game went on. I really like watching this team play. We’re an attacking team, we’re an exciting team.
“I think we have to accept that we’re going to concede chances. We can definitely work on that within our training.
“This team haven’t played together for six months so I’m not going to be too critical but they know that they have to play better than that if we’re going to be a serious team.
“This team needs to build character and we need to see where they’re going to go but I like watching them, I think we’ve got some outstanding players and they’ve showed a bit of spirit as well tonight so we need to build on that.”
Middlesbrough striker Lankshear came off the bench in the 69th minute and notched England’s fourth to continue his rich vein of goalscoring form.
The 21-year-old put away his ninth goal of the season with a clever finish from Jobe Bellingham’s cross.
Carsley is happy with what he is seeing from his striker.
He added: “He’s had a strong week. I think the way that he’s playing at Middlesbrough has definitely brought that confidence into the camp.
“You always wonder whether that is transferable when you’re doing so well at a club and he showed tonight – his finish was outstanding.
“Will’s shown a bit of character because I left him out of the squad after the first game against Kazakhstan in Kazakhstan. And sometimes that goes one way or the other and he’s definitely not as much knuckled down, but just found his game and we’re really happy with it.”
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