Summary

Media caption,

'There's a generation of England players that expect to win' - Carsley

  1. See you again soonpublished at 15:14 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Curtis JonesImage source, Getty Images

    We'll leave you here.

    Thank you all so much, wow we've got through a lot today.

    You've shared your thoughts on England's win in Greece, Harry Kane's role in the squad, Lee Carsley's bold tactical changes, and, most importantly of all, we've come up with two teams - an England and Rest of the World XI - made purely out of players called Jones.

    Never change BBC Sport audience, never change.

    Make sure you stay on the BBC Sport website and app for tonight's coverage of Scotland's Nations League match against Croatia and Northern Ireland's game with Belarus. Enjoy!

  2. How are Northern Ireland doing in the Nations League?published at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Northern Ireland

    Very well.

    Michael O'Neill's side are top of Nations League Group C3 and can win promotion to League B by winning their final two games against Belarus and Luxembourg.

    Nations League
  3. What is Northern Ireland's form like?published at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland have enjoyed an upturn in form in the past 12 months after a difficult Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

    They began to turn the corner with an impressive 2-0 win against Denmark last November, and this year they have won four, drawn two and lost two of their eight fixtures.

  4. Northern Ireland team newspublished at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Northern Ireland

    Jamal LewisImage source, Getty Images

    Jamal Lewis and Ross McCausland will miss Northern Ireland's Nations League games against Belarus and Luxembourg because of injury.

    Defender Lewis, who is on loan at Sao Paulo from Newcastle, has an ankle injury whilst Rangers winger McCausland has been nursing a foot problem.

    Both have left the camp and will be unavailable for Friday's game at Windsor Park and Monday's final Nations League fixture in Luxembourg.

    Michael O'Neill is already without defenders Paddy McNair and Eoin Toal for the double-header because of hamstring injuries.

    Shea Charles will captain the side against Belarus in his 22nd appearance for the senior team.

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Stevo, Cheltenham: Re: Brian, Stoke 14:17 I wouldn’t get them managed by Nathan Jones…he’s been gone too long.

    For younger audiences, search for Nathan Jones online and either Bananarama or Supremes. You won't be disappointed!

  6. 'Scotland need to pick up wins'published at 14:58 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Scotland v Croatia (19:45 BST)

    Andy Burke
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Scotland players pose for team photo during the Nations League match against PortugalImage source, Getty Images

    Scotland could do with picking up some wins to improve their world rankings.

    At the moment, they look to be heading for Pot 3 in the World Cup qualifying seedings. If we end up with two big teams in the qualifiers, it could be an uphill struggle for Steve Clarke's side.

    They could do with some good results. They were as high as 30th in the rankings last summer and have now dropped to 51st. They are just outside the top 24 in Europe.

    What they've paid for is taking on some very difficult friendly matches in the build-up to the Euros. It was to get them battle-hardened for the tournament, but it's seen them slip in the rankings.

  7. How are Scotland doing in the Nations League?published at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Scotland

    Not great.

    Technically, Scotland could still qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals, but they need to win both their remaining matches and hope other results go their way.

    If they lose tonight, and Poland get a result against Portugal, they'll be relegated.

    Group A1
  8. McTominay's tribute to Maradonapublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Scott McTominayImage source, Getty Images

    One Scotland player currently full of confidence is midfielder Scott McTominay, who says he has had Diego Maradona "in his head and his heart" since making an instant impact at Napoli.

    The 27-year-old joined the Serie A club, where Maradona is a legend after guiding them to the Italian title in 1990, from Manchester United this summer.

    He has scored twice and assisted once in the league and been an integral part of Antonio Conte's side irrespective of the formation the former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager uses.

    "Maradona is obviously the most iconic footballer to ever play the game," said McTominay during his media conference before Friday's Nations League game against Croatia.

    "When I walked into the stadium, it was a surreal feeling knowing he's an icon of the game and an absolute legend of football. The people absolutely adore him for the things he did in Naples."

  9. 'Confidence is back for Scotland'published at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Scotland v Croatia (19:45 BST)

    Andy Burke
    BBC Sport Scotland

    John McGinn of Scotland lines up before the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage matchImage source, Getty Images

    Injury problems have been bad for Steve Clarke in recent times, particularly since the Euros. Kieran Tierney and Aaron Hickey are still missing and they are two very important players for Scotland.

    But it will be a huge boost to have John McGinn back. He is the heartbeat of this side and he's been a big miss.

    Scotland's hopes of finishing in the top two in their group is very slim, but they are still two important games, against Croatia and Poland.

    It has been a tough time after the Euros, which was also a disappointment. Though the results do not reflect it, there have been positives from this Nations League campaign.

    Scotland were not embarrassed in any way. They've lost by the odd goal in three of their matches and the goalless draw against Portugal in their last match has brought the confidence back.

  10. What is Scotland's form like?published at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Scotland

    Scotland, who lost 2-1 in Zagreb last month, are bottom of group one in the top tier of the Nations League with only last month's point against Portugal to show from four games.

    They are on their longest winless run at home - six games, losing three - and their longest run without a victory in competitive fixtures (10 games, losing six), but Clarke believes the campaign has shown they have the tools to take on the best.

    Steve ClarkeImage source, Getty Images
  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:41 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

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    For whatever reason, England played with a good shape, passed quickly and didn’t sit on the ball - complete opposite to the match against Greece at Wembley. Front-line was quick and mobile, although slowed perceptibly when Kane arrived. Also, Greece failed to press England into errors. Better balance to the team, all motivated to showcase their quality.

    Bobster

  12. How England pair's footballing journey came full circlepublished at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Greece 0-3 England

    Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers in GreeceImage source, Getty Images

    Talking of young players coming through, one storyline that played out in England's win over Greece was the final step of a journey taken together by Midlanders Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers.

    Rogers grew up in Halesowen, Bellingham in Stourbridge, and both came through the ranks of school and regional football before playing together for England as youth internationals.

    Their paths took them in different directions after that, Bellingham from Birmingham City to Real Madrid via Borussia Dortmund, while Rogers started out in the youth ranks at West Brom and then Manchester City, before finding his way to Aston Villa via a successful spell at Middlesbrough.

    They finally made it back on to a pitch together in Greece, when 22-year-old Rogers joined Bellingham, 21, after replacing Anthony Gordon in the second half of the 3-0 win.

    Check out Bellingham's social media post using the link below to see a picture of the pair as England Under-15s players.

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  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

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    England look a lot better when Kane starts the game. Look at the difference when he came on [against Greece]. He links play so well and creates space for others. We could and should have scored more in that last 25 minutes. Watkins is a good player, but for me only an impact sub at international level at the moment. Kane is always the fall guy, but when he starts he usually scores or makes a goal.

    Adam

  14. 'There is a generation that expects to win in an England shirt'published at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Greece 0-3 England

    England

    Who leads the line for England going into World Cup qualification will, of course, be a problem for incoming manager Thomas Tuchel to solve.

    Interim boss Lee Carsley has shown that, all over the park, Tuchel will have plenty of options, with an old guard being pressed hard by those coming through the ranks: "I think we have seen in the past that teams coming through and able to win the Euros have six or seven players coming through. Look at Germany and Spain.

    "I think I said before the Greece game there's a generation that is just used to winning whether that is World Cups or Euros. There is a generation that expects to win in an England shirt, that can only be good for the future."

    On whether it is important for a team to not rely on one player: "I think we have shown that we have so many quality players.

    "The biggest challenge is fitting them all in. Players come in and out of form. A lot of good performances tonight and hopefully we see the same at Wembley."

  15. Kane v Watkins - how their stats match uppublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Harry Kane and Ollie WatkinsImage source, Getty Images

    Ollie Watkins scored with his only shot on target against Greece after failing to score in two substitute appearances in the Nations League last month - the 2-1 defeat at home to Greece and 3-1 win at Finland.

    The 28-year-old Aston Villa striker took his overall tally for England to five goals in 18 appearances after hitting the net for the first time since his winner against the Netherlands in the Euros semi-final.

    Those stats obviously pale in comparison with Harry Kane's, who is England's all-time leading scorer with 68 goals from his 102 caps.

    Kane, 31, has scored two in four appearances during England's Nations League campaign, but his long-term role within the team has come into sharper focus since the debate started to rage during the summer's run to the European Championship final.

  16. get involved

    Get Involved - should Kane start on Sunday?published at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

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    Re Harry Kane, cannot believe the comments about him. He’s a proven goalscorer, who continues to break records. Put the ball into the box and he will score or create chances for others. It’s the service he needs, prime example of what happens whether he’s on the pitch or not last night, Kyle Walker gets forward has men in the box and turns away from goal and goes backwards!! Get the ball in the box and Kane or any other striker will have a chance.

    Doza

  17. Comparing heat maps - Watkins v Kanepublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    The areas covered by Ollie Watkins for England against Greece on Thursday night were central and almost exclusively in the opponent's half...

    Ollie Watkins heat map v Greece

    ...compare that with Harry Kane's heat map from England's previous match in the Nations League - a 3-1 win at Finland.

    The England skipper certainly looks to have covered more ground, feeding into the common perception that he drops deeper looking for the ball and spends less time on the shoulder of the opposition defenders.

    Harry Kane v Finland
  18. 'The kind of chance Kane doesn't get'published at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Greece 0-3 England

    Ollie WatkinsImage source, Getty Images

    Ollie Watkins' selection ahead of Harry Kane to start against Greece as England's lone striker was a big talking point before Thursday's must-win Nations League tie.

    The Villa striker showed great movement in the box to open the scoring after just seven minutes, slotting home Noni Madueke's pull back.

    But it was his running in behind the Greece defence that former England striker Ian Wright picked up on in his punditry for ITV Sport:

    "He's justified his place in the team with his pace," said Wright. "He had a chance in the later stages [of the first half] where he couldn't quite get it under control, but it is the kind of chance that I don't think Harry Kane gets because I don't think he has got the pace to get on to that.

    "I think he causes problems because he can run into those spaces, he can stretch the team, that then leaves the space for [Jude] Bellingham."

  19. get involved

    Get Involved - England Jones XIpublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

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    Managed by Nathan Jones....

    Brian, Stoke

    Davy Jones as the mascot?

    Irfaan

    Alex Jones could talk about it on the One Show

    Steve

  20. 'Carsley has been brilliant'published at 14:13 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Greece 0-3 England

    Leon Osman
    Former Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Lee Carsley, Interim Head Coach of England, reactsImage source, Getty Images

    You would have expected Lee Carsley to bring some of the young players through from the under-21 set-up and do what he can to keep this team moving forward.

    But he tried something different that we were all crying out for and it didn't work, and he did come under some criticism for that.

    To do what he did last night - a tactical change, a big decision to bench captain Harry Kane and putting in some young players - and make it work, it justified what he has done.

    He's been brilliant in this temporary role and he has done it with a smile on his face.