Summary

  1. 'More than one big name will be disappointed next month'published at 10:39 BST 15 October

    Latvia 0-5 England

    John Murray
    BBC football correspondent

    Declan Rice and Elliot AndersonImage source, Getty Images

    The now recently assembled first choice Thomas Tuchel midfield three of Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice and Morgan Rogers have looked like a natural combination who have started more than just the last three England matches together. They are the men in possession.

    Right now, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Adam Wharton, Curtis Jones and the injured Cole Palmer are not. And Tuchel has made it pretty clear with his words and deeds that he is not going to be changing the current successful formula too much unless he absolutely has to.

    The message from the head coach whenever he has spoken publicly this month has been to underline the value of teamwork, team spirit and ‘behaviours’.

    So stay tuned for that next squad announcement in only three weeks from now, when the only certainty is that more than one big name will be left disappointed.

  2. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Bellingham will rightly come back into starting line-up'published at 10:35 BST 15 October

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Bellingham will clearly and rightly come back into the starting team, probably in place of Rogers. Let's not let some decent performances against sub-par opposition by Rogers make us forget Bellingham is a truly world-class player.

    Liam

  3. What about Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold?published at 10:31 BST 15 October

    Latvia 0-5 England

    John Murray
    BBC football correspondent

    Bellingham and TrentImage source, Getty Images

    There are over seven months before Thomas Tuchel will announce his World Cup squad and while so much could change in that time, there will be an intense scrutiny on who’s in and who’s out for next month's internationals.

    It does seem remarkable that England can have two players at Real Madrid, in Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and yet neither is now guaranteed a place in the international starting line up. Alexander-Arnold was unavailable this month because of injury, while the recently-named England Player of the Year Bellingham was omitted from the October squad.

    Tuchel said Bellingham had “not yet gathered full rhythm” after recovering from his summer shoulder operation.

    But the head coach impressed on us that Bellingham had wanted to be in it, that he is a very special player and there “can always be special rules for special players” and that he believes England are a stronger team with Bellingham in it.

  4. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Clarity for the players is generating real results'published at 10:20 BST 15 October

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Rather than following his predecessors by selecting players based on reputation, Tuchel focuses on picking the right personnel to fit his system. This makes for a far more efficient and coherent set-up, where every player has a clearly defined role, and this clarity for the players is generating real results.

    JD

  5. Postpublished at 10:17 BST 15 October

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    Thanks Ben.

    There is certainly still a lot to get through here.

    I am interested to know what you believe Thomas Tuchel has done to turn England into comfortable group winners.

    And what he should do next to translate that into success at the World Cup finals.

  6. Postpublished at 10:09 BST 15 October

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    That's my stint for the morning over but you've got Craig Nelson here now for the good stuff.

    Selection dilemmas and such.

    Who do you want to see make Thomas Tuchel's final squad? Should the likes of Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer be left out if the current group continue to perform as they are?

    All those questions coming your way...

  7. Recap: Wednesday morning headlinespublished at 10:00 BST 15 October

    It may be hump-day but there's a spring in the step of England this morning after they secured passage to the 2026 World Cup.

    Here's the best bits from the reaction to that so far:

  8. 'A nice touch by the team and the manager'published at 09:56 BST 15 October

    Latvia 0-5 England

    Matt Upson
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live in Riga

    On England players thanking the Three Lions fans...

    A lovely touch and it is only right.

    These supporters have travelled a long way to come and support the team.

    A nice touch by the team and the manager to go across and show their appreciation.

  9. Tuchel analysis: England fans take head coach to taskpublished at 09:50 BST 15 October

    Latvia 0-5 England

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Thomas TuchelImage source, Getty Images

    England's supporters inside Riga's Daugava Stadium wasted no time in making their feelings clear about Tuchel's criticism of the Wembley crowd following the 3-0 friendly win against Wales on Thursday.

    The game was only seconds old when loud chants of "Thomas Tuchel we'll sing when we want" as he was then subjected to a torrent of sarcasm from his own fans.

    It was followed by "Thomas Tuchel are we loud enough for you?" then "Tuchel Tuchel give us a song" which at least brought a raised hand of acknowledgment from the coach.

    It carried on, with a period of silence in the stadium sparking the response "are you wembley in disguise?" from England's fans.

    Some of the chanting was light-hearted but the message was clear. England's travelling support on this rain-soaked night in Riga did not appreciate being taken to task by their own head coach and made their feelings obvious at great volume.

    The night ended on good terms as Tuchel applauded the drenched away section, but he was left in no doubt that his words had not been well received.

    It is hardly a major fracture between the coach and England's fans, but it provided an intriguing sub-plot to the formality unfolding on the pitch and may be a lesson learned by Tuchel.

  10. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Bit rich from Chris in Brisbane'published at 09:45 BST 15 October

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    I wonder what Chris in Brisbane will have to say if we beat them in the Ashes this winter!!!!!!!

    Paul, Ashford

    Chris in Brisbane it cant be any easier than facing the Solomon Islands and New Zealand !!

    Chris, Tilbury

    Bit rich from Chris in Brisbane there about easy qualifying. Australia spent 40 years playing in the Oceania Federation against teams such as the mighty Tonga and American Samoa!

    Tom, Bristol

  11. 'I do not think you can criticise our away support ever'published at 09:42 BST 15 October

    Latvia 0-5 England

    England

    Harry KaneImage source, Getty Images

    England captain Harry Kane, speaking to ITV Sport: "Another tournament. I said before we make it look easy but each game and the group will be tough. We have to be focused. We talk about no matter who we play setting high standards to keep the momentum we have built and we showed that this week.

    "Qualifying with two games to go, zero goals conceded and playing some great football. We can only take care of the opposition in front of us and we have done that very well so far.

    "I know Thomas [Tuchel] came out after the last game and said the fans were not great but I don't think you can criticise our away support ever."

    Are you playing at your best? "I'd say so. The numbers are there but the way I feel on the pitch and the way I see the passes and runs, I'm in a good moment. Hopefully I can keep it going."

  12. 'It is British humour and I can take it'published at 09:35 BST 15 October

    Latvia 0-5 England

    England

    Media caption,

    Tuchel on England fans' chants

    Thomas Tuchel on fans joking with him about his comments on England fans' support: "They had a reason today from the last comment and that is fair enough. It was creative and made me smile. It is British humour and I can take it, no harm done.

    "The support today was brilliant and we are very sure the support in America will be brilliant. We need it as it makes such a difference for the players.

    "We want to make the fans proud and happy, they should be happy to watch us and able to identify with the way we play."

  13. 'Are we loud enough for you?'published at 09:30 BST 15 October

    Latvia 0-5 England

    England

    England fans and playersImage source, Getty Images

    Travelling supporters targeted Thomas Tuchel with numerous songs throughout the game against Latvia, with plenty of noise coming from the rain soaked away end.

    Supporters chanted: "Thomas Tuchel, we'll sing when we want" and "Thomas Tuchel, are we loud enough for you".

    But what did Tuchel do to provoke the supporters?

    Following the win over Wales, Tuchel said of the Wembley atmosphere: "I love English football and I love English football fans and the support they give, but I think the atmosphere did not match the performance on the field.

    "We had excellent support in Serbia, but [here] we were 3-0 up after 20 minutes, we had ball win after ball win after ball win and I felt like why is the roof still on the stadium? That's just it, it's nothing big.

    "We will do everything again to be infectious, there's no problem. I'm sure we will get everyone going - it is on us. But tonight I was a little underwhelmed."

    The German added that it was "a bit sad" because for half an hour it was "just Wales fans" being heard.

  14. Postpublished at 09:27 BST 15 October

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    Cor blimey, Chris. What have we ever done to Australia?!

    Anyway, moving on and we've got loads of you getting in touch this morning with regard to the selection issues that face Thomas Tuchel.

    There's a big old bit on that coming your way shortly and I can hear the Get Involved machine preparing itself for your undoubtedly strong opinions on that one...

    First though, another talking point from yesterday evening - Tuchel vs England fans in #AtmosphereGate

  15. get involved

    Get Involved - 'schadenfreude over English defeats'published at 09:24 BST 15 October

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Perhaps you English are getting carried away by qualification in a very soft group, why does England always have soft qualifying groups. Like many of my fellow Australians, schadenfreude over English defeats is a favoured pastime, may there be may more to come.

    Chris, Brisbane

  16. How Group K stands - England to be kingmakers?published at 09:21 BST 15 October

    Group K - England on 18 points, Albania 11 points, Serbia 10 points. All three countries have two matches remaining

    England may have already secured qualification, but they still have an important role to play in the final outcome of Group K.

    The Three Lions have to play Serbia and Albania in their remaining two matches, with both countries aiming to finish as runners-up and clinch a place in the play-offs.

    Albania, who are currently in second place, one point above third-placed Serbia, play at bottom side Andorra before entertaining England in their final match.

    Serbia, meanwhile, will probably have to avoid defeat against England at Wembley in their penultimate match to retain any chance of qualification, then host Latvia in their final game.

    Thursday, 13 November

    • Andorra v Albania (19:45 GMT)
    • England v Serbia (19:45 GMT)

    Sunday, 16 November

    • Albania v England (17:00 GMT)
    • Serbia v Latvia (17:00 GMT)
  17. 'Tuchel has set his stall out'published at 09:17 BST 15 October

    Latvia 0-5 England

    Matt Upson
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It is not easy coming into a fresh group of players as a manager.

    There were some bumps in the road, but you feel Thomas Tuchel has a handle on the character of the players.

    I don't expect masses of changes for the next game. He has set his stall out. I expect the team to be similar.

  18. 'Expectation is going to creep up'published at 09:13 BST 15 October

    Latvia 0-5 England

    Conor Coady
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I think the expectation is going to creep up.

    The manager's remit is to win the World Cup and we all expect that. This country comes with expectation and the shirt weighs heavy and you have to win.

    Let's embrace that expectation.

  19. 'Eighteen points and six clean sheets - it is a special moment'published at 09:09 BST 15 October

    Latvia 0-5 England

    England

    Thomas Tuchel in his post match press conferenceImage source, Getty Images

    England boss Thomas Tuchel, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on his plans for the remaining two World Cup qualifiers: "You need to give me some time to think about it. Harry [Kane] just said in the dressing room: 'Let's keep this thing going in November guys.'

    "This is my feeling - we are building something together. Everyone will be delighted to be back in camp. Let's see, we have some time to decide."

    On adapting the style of play at the World Cup: "Need to adapt to the conditions. It is different if you play at 40 degrees in the afternoon or 8 degrees in the rain. It will come naturally as you cannot sprint the same amount.

    "The players buy into it [the style of play]. We play a running game and this reflects the English football culture. We will adapt it when we need to adapt it.

    "It is 18 points and six clean sheets, so it is a special moment. If it looks easy, it is never easy in football.

    "The way we did it, it is nice to see because they play with a lot of effort. They don't just rely on their talent, and we work hard for their goals."

  20. get involved

    Get Involved - 'It is all about the performance'published at 09:04 BST 15 October

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    The positive vibes about this England team stem form the fact that these sort of games were the ones we would draw 0-0 in the past, unable to break down 11 men behind the ball. Now we breeze past them, along with strength in depth.

    Darren, Norwich

    It maybe lower teams, its all about the performance, making it convincing, unlike Germany scraping a lucky win against NI. Agree with Nigel at 08:50, we bang on to much about opposition, but it least we have gone from struggling with 1-0 wins to demolishing these teams, that's the point.

    Mike, Hythe