Carsley has been given two games as interim boss, but could get more as the Football Association search for a permanent replacement for Gareth Southgate.
Southgate resigned two days after the defeat to Spain.
A win against the Republic of Ireland followed by victory over Finland, also in the Nations League, on Tuesday at Wembley could well help Carsley’s cause of landing the job full-time.
The next England manager will not only be expected to take the team to the 2026 World Cup but charged with winning it.
Carsley insisted he was not taking over a team low in confidence.
“I definitely don’t see this as a fresh start,” he said. “I believe we’re in a strong position. They [England] were in a low position when Gareth Southgate took over. It’s totally different now.
“Standards are so high. Hopefully they can go that one step further [to winning something]. That last push is the hardest thing.”
Carsley will be facing the national team he represented 40 times as a player. When asked by reporters if he would be singing the national anthem he said he would not – but added it had nothing to do with facing the Irish.
“The anthems are obviously a massive part of the game especially with internationals and something I really respect,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I have never sung the national anthem for Ireland as I wouldn’t for England. That’s just because of my own personal match preparation. I am fully focused on the game.
“When I was playing for Ireland, I always struggled with the wait between the warming up, going back in the dressing room, the walk in the tunnel and the wait while the anthems were on, because usually in the Premier League it was quite quick.
“It has been no different since I have been coaching England Under-21s. It’s really in that zone and preparing for the game.”