Jordan Henderson pings a shot over from 30 yards but again it came from the full-backs pushing on. Kyle Walker has been much more prominent in this half already. 

Both full-backs in attacking positions, that's a start. Raheem Sterling's cross is only tipped away by the keeper and Kyle Walker can't turn it in. From the following corner Sterling shoots and it is deflected just wide.

Much better.

Image source, AP

No changes at the break, in personnel anyway. In tempo? Style? Substance?

We shall see. 

Here come the players for the second half, Wayne Rooney is giving Harry Kane plenty of instructions as they come back on to the pitch. Is anyone telling Rooney where to play though?

Germany start their defence of the World Cup later with a new captain.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 30, will lead the team out away to Norway following Bastian Schweinsteiger's international retirement.

He was between the posts when they beat Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final and was voted the best goalkeeper in the world in 2013, 2014 and 2015. 

"It makes me proud to be captain of the team, but we all know that we need several players to lead on the pitch, if we are to succeed," said Neuer.

Image source, Rex Features

Genuine progress there Michael, and a plan in place. Did you use lots of short, sideways strokes? Or chuck it up the front in one movement?

Relating to the entry at 17:46 BST...

Looks slicker than most of England's passing...

As it stands Lithuania sit top of England's group after two goals in two minutes from Fedor Cernych and Vykintas Slivka gives them a healthy half-time advantage over Slovenia.

Poland lead 2-0 away to Kazakhstan thanks to efforts from Leicester City's 19-year-old winger Bartosz Kapustka and a penalty by Robert Lewandowski. In the same group, Denmark lead at the interval against Armenia, Tottenham's Christian Eriksen with the goal.

Azerbaijan, who are in the same group as Northern Ireland and world champions Germany, lead away to San Marino after Ruslan Gurbanov's goal, which means England's game is the only one of the five early kick-offs which is goalless.

Image source, Reuters

England have had plenty of the ball but done very little with it...

Image source, .

You can imagine the Monday papers already. Wayne Rooney's positioning is being examined in forensic detail. 

Chris Waddle
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Raheem Sterling has had a good start to the season with Manchester City. He has looked for the ball today but the full-backs have handled him well. 

But look at Wayne Rooney, who's playing far too deep. 

The way England have set themselves up, it looks as though we are playing for a draw. Slovakia will be delighted with this.

Image source, Reuters

Thom Bolton: Don't think I've switched off a competitive England game before, but I came close during that first half. Terrible stuff.

Carl Lavery: That has to be the worst half of football since... well, the last time England played.

Henry Whitfield: Henderson awful. Rooney awful. Where is the energy!? Where is the attacking intent!? Boring, boring England.

I'm not the man to give Big Sam advice but if I were in charge I think I'd bring on Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater and just ping balls over the top.

Worth a try. This is so dull. 

Image source, PA

Defender Jonny Evans says Northern Ireland players are amazed that Michael O'Neill is still in charge of the side.

Having led the country to their first major finals in 30 years at Euro 2016, it was widely expected the manager would land a top-level club post.

"A few of us have said we are surprised a club has not come in for him," West Bromwich Albion player Evans revealed.

Terry Butcher
Ex-England captain at Stadion Antona Malatinského for 5 live Sport

This is not quite Iceland II: The Sequel, but it's not far off in terms of England trying to play forward and get the basics right. It's been quite comfortable for Slovakia, and it's got more comfortable the more the game's worn on.

I think Sam Allardyce will have to make changes at half-time, anything to try to shake things up. Because England just aren't good enough.

England have failed to register a first-half shot on target for the first time since June 2015 vs Republic of Ireland.  

Remember that game? That was rubbish as well. 

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Trnava

Well that was a grim first 45 minutes of new England under Sam Allardyce - but let's be realistic. England will not be rebuilt in a day, let alone one half of football.

England need greater urgency and more support for Harry Kane. The half-time whistle was greeted by a wave of indifference.

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss?

Image source, Getty Images