From the moment that England were drawn alongside the Slovenians, Slovakia, Scotland, Lithuania and Malta, few would have expected anything less than winning their group and booking their place at Russia 2018.
And, despite a couple of nervous moments and the off-field controversy that saw Southgate take charge after Sam Allardyce’s brief reign, that has proved to be the case.
It has not been a qualifying campaign to get the pulses racing and international breaks, especially at this relatively early stage of the domestic season, attract plenty of negative comment as they are perceived to be a step down in quality and excitement from the Premier League.
But the two-year cycle isn’t quite a 'no-win' for England.
If they finish the job on Thursday evening then they will have earned a chance, a slim one perhaps but a chance nonetheless, of glory in what remains the biggest competition in the sport, possibly in sport itself.
And the tournament wouldn’t be the same without the build-up and the expectation that will see supporters travel out to Russia itself and many more of us watching the Three Lions at home or in pubs and clubs.
You’ve got to be in it to win it!