England Under-21s manager Gareth Southgate has revealed that he is "pleased" with how things have gone for his team so far.

Southgate was appointed as the new manager of the Young Lions just before the start of the 2015 European Championships qualifying campaign and has guided the team to top of their group with five wins and a draw in his six matches in charge.

The 43-year-old saw his side set a new record for their biggest ever victory with a 9-0 win over San Marino U21s in their last outing, but he was keen to stress the importance of continued improvement.

"We were really pleased with some of the principles we put in place and the way the boys responded to what we wanted to do," Southgate is quoted as saying by PA.

"They are a pleasure to work with really. They are not quite where they want to be in terms of their careers yet and they all want to keep improving, and results have been very good due to the work they have done.

"Now, the key is whether we can get back together quickly as a group and remember what we are about and what we are trying to achieve, and keep pushing each other. We are very conscious that what we have done up to now has been great and very pleasing, but there is a long, long way to go and we have to continually evolve and improve."

England U21s will face Wales U21s in their next qualifying match this Wednesday.