Tuchel names England squad published at 10:21 GMT 7 November
10:21 GMT 7 November
Image source, Getty Images
England boss Thomas Tuchel has named his 25-man squad for the final time this year ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
The Three Lions have already secured qualification.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Alex Scott (Bournemouth), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, on loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).
Andrews on team news, Henderson, and Wissapublished at 16:44 GMT 6 November
16:44 GMT 6 November
Karan Vinod BBC Sport journalist
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Newcastle United at Gtech Community Stadium (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "I've just seen Antoni Milambo around an hour ago, he's on crutches but looks good. The operation went well so we'll look after Antoni and make sure he gets up to speed, and really integrate him into the football club, which we're big on. Josh Dasilva is back on the grass and he's doing pretty well."
Andrews is eager to see Brentford rediscover the form they displayed in strong performances against Liverpool and West Ham. He acknowledged that "styles of play and game plans" would influence how the team approaches upcoming matches but emphasised that "some of the performances were very good" and that he is "really happy with the way the team is growing and developing".
On Jordan Henderson: "He's been brilliant, he's clearly done a bit in the game and when our captain left this summer to go to Arsenal, we were quick to highlight that somebody that could come in and make an immediate impact, that had experience of the league, know-how, and when Jordan's name came known to me that he was available, did the due diligence on that and since coming he has grown in stature and his role within the group."
Andrews also praised Henderson's professionalism and willingness to adjust to the club's demands, highlighting his ability to adapt given "what he's achieved in the game". The manager noted that the "shift of mentality" in what Brentford are aiming to achieve is "very different to former clubs," and commended Henderson for embracing that change.
On Yoane Wissa not featuring for Newcastle this weekend: "Wissa is a very good player, so I am not too displeased that he is not going to be available because it's the nature of competing against teams. Around the transfer window, I was glad when it was closed; it wasn't enjoyable for a lot of people, I would imagine. I think the nature of that deal in particular - there was a lot made around certain aspects of it. Ultimately, they paid a really good fee for a player of a certain age, a really good player, but I think we as a club did pretty well out of that."
The Brentford boss reiterated the importance of maintaining equilibrium when selecting his side, explaining that "you have to find the balance in rewarding players that are training very well and taking their opportunities, but you want to build connections". Andrews admitted that striking this balance remains one of the biggest challenges in establishing a settled starting XI.
Is Henderson a faithful or a traitor? Your round table choicespublished at 13:14 GMT 6 November
13:14 GMT 6 November
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With the countdown to the Celebrity Traitors final under way, we asked you which Brentford player or manager - past or present - would make the best traitor and faithful.
Here are some of your comments:
Chuck: Traitor? After his behaviour in the summer look no further than Yoane Wissa. By his own actions, he went from hero to zero in record time. Faithful must be Kevin O'Connor. An absolute rock of a player for Brentford over many years and now part of the coaching set-up. He is a shining example to any youngster hoping to make it in football.
Andre: Jordan Henderson would be excellent because he is really good about faking where he is going to pass or go with the ball. He would be a traitor.
Adam: The timing of your question is perfect as Brentford play Newcastle this weekend, which was meant to herald the return of the biggest traitor in recent memory - Yoane Wissa. Sadly, the pantomime season will not be starting early as it looks like he is still injured but I'm sure he will be left in no doubt what the Bees fans think of his summer antics. Kevin O'Connor has to be the most faithful with almost 30 years and counting at the club as player and coach.
Paul: This is too easy! Faithful - Bryan Mbeumo. Traitor - Yoane Wissa.
Who would make the best Brentford traitor and faithful?published at 15:55 GMT 5 November
15:55 GMT 5 November
Image source, BBC/Studio Lambert
Challenges. Leaders and followers. Tactics. Second guessing and wondering where to turn next.
This could be any game of football in the Premier League this weekend.
It is also the plot to any episode of BBC's hit show - The Traitors.
The countdown to the end game of the Celebrity series is on, but, while we wait for that, we want to know which Brentford player (or manager) - past or present - you think would make the best traitor, and who would be more suited to the role of a faithful.
Was it the way they could appear at the back post without anyone noticing? Or could they stop anybody getting past them?
Are Brentford fans happy with Andrews' performance?published at 11:18 GMT 5 November
11:18 GMT 5 November
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on how Keith Andrews is doing after 10 games after our Brentford fan writer Ian Westbrook said this was the first junction at which he would start to judge the manager. You can read Ian's piece lower down this page.
Here are some of your comments:
Chris: I think he has the teams' support. Interestingly we create chances against better teams. When a team like Palace allows us possession, I can see we have work to do.
Peter: Pleased with the progress, however the timing of the subs is concerning. At Crystal Palace this weekend he should have rung the changes earlier. Against Sunderland, I don't understand why he subbed the left full-back, who was player of the match at that point, when the defence was working well
Jane: I think Ian has got this about right. Not currently reaching the heights of a couple of our previous Premier League seasons but that's not surprising in the circumstances. We will always have ups and downs in performances and being mid-table a quarter into the season is a good place to be.
Ron: Worried about the away form. At home they nearly always look dangerous but away hardly ever look like scoring. Clean sheets few and far between. They need to tighten up in defence and gain consistency.
How would you judge Andrews after 10 games?published at 09:25 GMT 4 November
09:25 GMT 4 November
Ian Westbrook Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
I have always said I will judge Keith Andrews as Brentford head coach after 10 Premier League games.
We have now reached that landmark.
Several pundits wrote off Andrews immediately after he was appointed, but that was unfair, as nobody could have possibly known if he would be any good.
But he has Brentford safely in mid-table after 10 games and also into a cup quarter-final - so I think he has done a decent job so far.
He has had a huge amount to contend with. The loss of most of the coaching team, last year's two top scorers, our captain and first-choice goalkeeper in the summer would have derailed most people.
But despite all of that, Andrews has won more games than he has lost.
We were superb in home Premier League matches against Manchester United and Liverpool and good against Chelsea. We also played well at West Ham and at Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.
Though, not everything has been perfect.
We were awful on the opening day at Nottingham Forest (although there were mitigating circumstances around the line-up) and terrible in the local derby at Fulham, where Andrews' decision not to change the formation when 3-1 down after 55 minutes was poor.
Our away form overall has been disappointing - with four defeats out of five, including Saturday's flat display at Crystal Palace.
With the exception of the West Ham, Liverpool and Grimsby games, we are creating few chances.
However, Andrews is learning as he goes and definitely seems to have the respect of the players.
The squad look as tight-knit as ever, with most goal celebrations now featuring the whole side in a huddle. Watching players and Andrews on the pitch after games, they look to have a tight bond.
Without getting carried away, especially after Saturday's flat display at Crystal Palace, his appointment could be another Matthew Benham/Phil Giles masterstroke.
Al: Solid and professional against a side who can be dangerous. A clean sheet and solid performances throughout. Four days to rest and then the European adventure continues. It feels good being a Palace supporter.
Stef: Palace pressure secured this game. Jefferson Lerma was the best I've seen him play and Brentford weren't allowed to get into any sort of rhythm. They have been a bogey team for us of late but they never really threatened us, despite having more possession. A very good result.
Michael: Lerma was incredible. He looks a different player with pace, accuracy and aggression. Where has he been hiding?
Jerry: Brentford don't make it easy for any team. We had to graft but a superb header from Jean-Philippe Mateta was what we needed. It wasn't the most fluid performance but it was certainly a professional one. It was our fourth game in two weeks so there were a few tired players in the last 20 minutes. It won't get any easier of course, but at this stage it's all about the results. We've had far too many draws against them in recent years, so this was very satisfying.
Brentford fans
Richard: The Bees were overwhelmed by Crystal Palace. We are in good company though, since no opposition has secured three points at Selhurst Park since February.
Paul: The Bees are a real 'Jekyll and Hyde' team at the moment. When they are good, they are good but when they are bad, they are really bad. Just when we thought we could be starting to become consistent, we throw in a performance like that! Toothless.
Joe: Watching from the stands, it looked a real lacklustre performance. Thiago looked isolated and so we never looked like scoring. Lots of little mistakes but hopefully we can learn and move on.
Crystal Palace 2-0 Brentford: What Andrews saidpublished at 17:51 GMT 1 November
17:51 GMT 1 November
Media caption,
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the defeat at Selhurst Park: "If we're really honest, we weren't at our absolute best. This match was always going to be niggly, tight and edgy. Some of our quality wasn't what it has been over the last few weeks.
"It was a game of very few chances - and they edged it. My players aren't robots, they will make mistakes. There were elements of the first half that I wasn't bowled over with.
"The players have been outstanding over the last few weeks. They tried to break them down but just didn't have that little bit of magic.
"We'll analyse it like we do any game. We are very understanding of where we are and the steps we need to take as a group."
Did you know?
Brentford have lost four of their five Premier League away games under Keith Andrews (W1), after losing just one of their last 11 away fixtures under Thomas Frank last season (W7 D3).
Analysis: More away-day blues for Beespublished at 17:43 GMT 1 November
17:43 GMT 1 November
Matthew Howarth BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Keith Andrews had described Brentford's recent rise up the table as a "natural evolution" resulting from his players "constantly building relationships and understanding" with one another – but the Bees were horribly disjointed once Jean-Philippe Mateta had opened the scoring.
Passes began to go astray for the visitors as the home side, buoyed by their opener, sought to press home their advantage before the interval.
The Bees then fell apart completely early in the second half and could have had few complaints had Sarr given Palace a 3-0 lead, moments after Nathan Collins' own goal had put them 2-0 ahead.
Brentford's first effort on target came six minutes later, but Kristoffer Ajer's tame, close-range header was easily held by Dean Henderson, who was called into action only once more – by Reiss Nelson – before the full-time whistle.
Andrews' side have exceeded expectations in the Premier League this season but have now lost four of their five top-flight away games under the Irishman, having lost only one of their final 11 league matches on the road under Thomas Frank.
Things aren't about to get any easier for Brentford on their travels, with away games against Brighton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City to come before Christmas.
Substitutes: Benitez, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Canvot, Sosa, Devenny, Cardines
Keith Andrews fields the same Brentford team that started the 3-2 victory over Liverpool last weekend.
Keane Lewis-Potter, Fabio Carvalho and Reiss Nelson have to settle for a place among the substitutes after starting the 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Grimsby in midweek.
Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Ajer, Yarmoliuk, Henderson, Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade, Igor Thiago
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Burnley v Arsenal" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Chelsea", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Crystal Palace v Brentfordpublished at 12:34 GMT 1 November
12:34 GMT 1 November
These teams are next to each other in mid-table and it feels like they have both made positive starts to the season - they also both progressed in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
There were a lot of doubters when Keith Andrews succeeded Thomas Frank as Brentford boss - about Andrews himself and also how the team would do without Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa - but they have coped admirably.
The Bees are a very good counter-attacking team, so it is going to be fascinating to see how they get on against a Crystal Palace side who can be awesome on the break.
Crystal Palace v Brentford: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:04 GMT 31 October
19:04 GMT 31 October
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Crystal Palace host Brentford on Saturday afternoon after both clubs reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup in resounding fashion earlier this week.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their meeting at Selhurst Park.
Battle of the long throw
Crystal Palace and Brentford meet in the Premier League following League Cup wins, although it is the Bees who are in better form in the Premier League.
Brentford, who defeated Grimsby Town 5-0 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, have won three of their last four Premier League matches, including a 3-2 triumph over Liverpool last weekend.
Victory against the reigning champions was the latest example of Brentford using defender Michael Kayode's battery of long-throws effectively, with one leading to Dango Ouattara's opening goal.
It is one of eight occasions that Brentford have scored a Premier League goal from a throw-in since the start of last season – at least five more than any other side.
Image caption,
Brentford have been the most prolific Premier League team at scoring from throw-ins
Set-piece expertise
Focusing on such a tactic is no surprise given the involvement of Keith Andrews, first as set-piece coach and then as head coach following the departure of Tottenham-bound Thomas Frank ahead of this season.
After losing at Gtech Community Stadium last weekend, Liverpool manager Arne Slot said: "They're a very good team in winning duels and second balls and you have to give them credit for that.
"It's also difficult to win a game of football if the set-piece balance is in their favour."
And after Manchester City edged a 1-0 win at Gtech Community Stadium at the start of October, match-winner Erling Haaland said: "It was a tough game and reminded me of Stoke City with Rory Delap 15 years ago."
A meeting of similar styles
Brentford have put 47 long throws into the box, at least nine more than any other side, although second on that list is Crystal Palace.
The Eagles host Brentford after beating Liverpool for a third time this season (including on penalties in the Community Shield) to end a four-game winless run in all competitions.
Palace have lost on two of their last three league outings – the same number of defeats as in their previous 19 games combined – but their success in the Premier League this season has ben built on similar tactics to Saturday's visitors.
Only the Eagles (18) have generated more shots from throw-ins than Brentford (17) this season, while Palace and Brentford rank in the Premier League's top three teams for direct speed – meaning attacks that progress the most quickly in terms of metres gained during open play.
Image caption,
Crystal Palace and Brentford have been effective at attacking with speed this season
If similar styles should make for an intriguing contest this weekend, Brentford have got the better of the Eagles in the Premier League, achieving the league double in this fixture last season and losing only once in their eight meetings.
Andrews on Hickey's fitness, 'selfless' Thiago and Palacepublished at 15:43 GMT 31 October
15:43 GMT 31 October
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Andrews confirmed Jordan Henderson is fit and was rested for the Carabao Cup win over Grimsby on Tuesday, while Yehor Yarmoliuk will also be available after being withdrawn during the first half of last weekend's win over Liverpool.
Aaron Hickey has recovered from an injury suffered on international duty with Scotland and trained this week so will be available for Saturday, but Benjamin Arthur will not be involved after going off against Grimsby with a knock.
On the growth in his team, Andrews said: "I've really enjoyed watching us play. I want to get results but when you get the performance with the results, it is the ideal scenario. You watch your team grow and develop in the way that I think we have. I'm enjoying where we are at."
Asked if he has had discussions with Fabio Carvalho about his future, amid speculation of a move away from Brentford in January, he said: "No, nothing at all."
On Igor Thiago's form: "He's clearly in a very good place. Great rhythm in his game, playing with confidence, enjoying life. He's played a pivotal part in what we've done. The selfless way he approaches games - you can see how hard he works for the team. He's really settled into a groove. Players are loving playing with him."
On interest in the forward from elsewhere in January: "Thiago is going absolutely nowhere. He's a pivotal part of the football club. He doesn't want to go anywhere. That won't be happening."
The Bees and Palace are the top two for long-throws in the Premier League so far this season and Andrews believes there is still "snobbery" around it: "It will be part of the puzzle that both teams have to deal with. A lot has been made of the long-throws this season. Most teams are using it and realising the danger it can be. Tomorrow will be a very tough game and that will be a part of it."
On Reiss Nelson, who scored and assisted against Grimsby: "Reiss is a very mature young man. He's very serious about the game. Naturally, when you have those setbacks you develop a level of resilience. We had to be a little bit patient with his approach. Grimsby was a good showcase of what he's about."
The year of the dead ballpublished at 08:08 GMT 31 October
08:08 GMT 31 October
This - it seems - is the season of the set piece.
The Premier League debates are more about dead balls than ever before, with some sides enjoying immense success from corner kicks, throw ins or well-worked free-kicks.
What fine timing then for BBC Sport to launch a column with former manager Tony Pulis, a man who seemed to finely extract the fine margins from the game.
'The fans can get as excited as they want'published at 08:04 GMT 29 October
08:04 GMT 29 October
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford boss Keith Andrews, speaking after his side reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a comfortable 5-0 win over Grimsby: "I'm delighted. We approached the game really well.
"The professionalism and attitude in the group doesn't surprise me, we just maybe had to educate some of the players about what it might be like and the levels required.
"Some of the foreign boys wouldn't be aware of this part of the world and this level of football. That was a big part of our approach to this game.
"Tactically, we didn't change too much. With the personnel, there was a lot changes because they deserved it, and they performed really well.
"Fans can always get excited. I wanted all the staff to go over and engage with them because it was a long way for them to travel. That's what it's about: players and fans. The fans can get as excited as they want."
After making his full Bees debut and registering a goal and an assist, winger Reiss Nelson said:
"It's been a bit slow for me coming here, with a little setback and injury.
"I've been working in the background, so I was delighted to start and get a nice assist and a nice goal - it's about moving forward from here.
"We showed our fighting spirit and the team we can be, even with all the changes we made."
Image source, Getty Images
