In the wake of England's comfortable victory against Bulgaria on Saturday afternoon there was plenty of talk about the lack of intensity faced by the Three Lions in their Euro 2020 qualifying group and how that might impact on Gareth Southgate’s side come the tournament itself next summer.
Tuesday night’s clash with Kosovo at St Mary's certainly provided a different kind of test for the home side, one which on paper they struggled with as the international newcomers netted three times and forced England into a number of errors which were duly punished to please the raucous visiting support in Southampton.
Southgate spoke of a 'chaotic' evening and one which will give him some food for thought even if his attacking players once again showed that they will pose a huge threat to any opposition in any game, Raheem Sterling in particular running riot against the Kosovan defence as England notched another five goals to take their qualifying tally to 19 in just four matches.
Michael Keane and Declan Rice saw their misplaced passes punished and an awkward challenge by Harry Maguire gave the visitors a penalty but although the fear is that England will see similar mistakes punished at the Euros it could simply be that their second-half errors in particular were simply from overconfidence having gone in at the break with a scarcely-believable 5-1 lead.
The win completes an unbeaten decade in qualifying but in comparison to some of the turgid campaigns of the past this is a Three Lions side who are always worth watching, whatever the opposition.
That tally of goals has already surpassed England's haul in World Cup 2018 qualifying and long may that kind of entertainment value continue.