Tuchel can't afford to dismiss Nations League in battle to win back England fans

You cannot underestimate the importance of this game for Thomas Tuchel. England face Spain at Wembley in the Nations League on Saturday night in their first game since the World Cup.

Incredibly, that will mean England’s last three games have come against the last three world champions. Argentina in THAT semi-final, France in the third-place play-off and now Spain. But this is important because it has the capacity to set the tone for the rest of Tuchel’s reign as England manager.

Win and do it in style against Spain then England begin to move on from the disappointment of the summer and Wembley has something big to cheer. In fact, any win will do.

A draw is not a bad result in the great scheme of things but a defeat on the back of what happened in the summer and it will feel very uncomfortable and difficult for Tuchel.

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Wembley can be a tough crowd. The paper aero planes. Fans get fed-up, bored and frustrated fairly easily. The hardcore away fans can be more supportive. England fans were incredible in the United States in the summer.

England fans bought into the team, they worshipped Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham and serenaded the whole squad to a chorus of Wonderwall.

It felt like falling in love with the England team all over again. The fans have largely bided their time with Tuchel. The England manager was critical of them for being too quiet at Wembley.

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They responded in Latvia last October. “Thomas Tuchel, we'll sing when we want” and “Thomas Tuchel, are we loud enough for you?” Tuchel enjoyed it and called it “good humour.”

In the summer, they chanted his name. They got behind him and the team. But then Argentina happened and the majority of fans saw it as an opportunity wasted. And against an arch enemy.

I actually believe Tuchel when he says 99.9 per cent of fans who come up to him are largely positive and start talking about Mexico. You don’t worry about what they say to your face. It’s about what they say behind your back.

This team needs a result on Saturday. Tuchel needs it. He needs the nation to believe in him again and to bring back the aura of a world-class, Champions League -winning manager who has X factor. And he does.

But this is all about perception. Football has always been like that. One result can change everything and it’s why Saturday is important.

England do have a bit of a mix and match squad. But there is passion in the way Kane speaks and he talks for the squad.

There is also quality there. Elliot Anderson, Jarrel Quansah and Alex Scott all played - and beat - Spain in the Euros under-21s quarter final last year. That speaks volumes for England’s DNA and quality.

But it is about proving it. Yes, it’s the Nations League. But this tournament throws up some A-List fixtures and is still a competition. And it is very important for Tuchel and his future.