Roy Hodgson: 'Beating Slovenia all that counts'

England manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that he will accept a repeat performance of last week's abject Republic of Ireland display if it equates to three points against Slovenia this evening.

The Three Lions played out a bland goalless draw at the Aviva Stadium seven days ago, which led to criticism from supporters and pundits alike.

However, Hodgson remains upbeat heading into today's Euro 2016 qualification fixture in Ljubljana, as his side look to make it six wins from six on the road to France.

"We are concentrating on breaking them down, scoring goals and - if I'm brutally honest - winning," BBC Sport quotes the 67-year-old as saying. "I'd take a show or a lucky victory. At the end of the day winning or not getting beaten are the important factors.

"These things do happen. Did I enjoy the game? No. Did I think we played well? No. Did the players? No. But it's one of 1,300 games for me and one of 600 for Wayne Rooney.

"We will benefit from that game. We probably needed it, a lot more than I realised perhaps."

England currently top the Group E standings, sitting six points clear of opponents Slovenia who occupy the second automatic qualification berth for next year's Euros.