So, England have qualified for the World Cup in Russia next summer.

But you would be forgiven for not realising that fact from the lack of fanfare that has surrounded the Three Lions topping their qualification group.

Of course, it was expected given the other teams in their group, and England have rather stumbled over the line with some very average performances.

To be fair to them, they have got the job done and look like they will go through another qualification campaign unbeaten.

Yet interest in the national team seems to be at an all time low, with fans voting with their feet by not filling out Wembley for the game against Slovenia last night - albeit on a Thursday night.

And those that were in the stadium seemed to enjoy throwing paper planes more than the entertainment served up on the pitch.

That is a pretty clear indication that England are not exactly thrilling supporters with their style of football, with boss Gareth Southgate admitting that the Three Lions are a work in progress.

Perhaps more than 50 years of hurt have taken their toll on the fans, not to mention the recent performances at major tournaments.

But does England still matter to you? Our reporters across the south east have given their views on the national team below...

Robert Warlow (Croydon Advertiser)

Gary Cahill shows his frustration

I have to confess, I do not go out of my way to watch England games, particularly in qualification campaigns.

I have learned to know what to expect - a largely uninspiring performance but more often than not, with the end result that will help ensure there is home interest to look forward to in the next major tournament.

Yes, there have been times when England have failed to qualify for major tournaments in my lifetime, but does that wane my interest in a World Cup or European Championships?

If I am being brutally honest, not really.

I enjoy the spectacle of a major tournament, with or without England, and certainly in my time watching football, there have been more failures involving England than success stories.

I recognise the achievement of getting to a World Cup, and will no doubt watch the England games next summer, but I wouldn't say I am looking forward to them.

Recent history suggests it will end in disappointment, be it another defeat on penalties in the knockout stages, crashing out at the group stage or against an unfancied side.

I hope for something different, as any England fan would, but I have my reservations that anything will change too drastically next summer.

Don't get me wrong, I am pleased that England are involved in the World Cup, but please excuse me, I won't be getting too excited about it.

Clive Youlton (Kent Live)

England's shock loss to Iceland

I have tried but I can no longer muster any enthusiasm for watching England outside of tournaments. Even then I struggle.

The first five seconds of the match against Slovenia summed up all that is wrong about the English game. Raheem Sterling kicked off, played it back to Jordan Henderson, who drove the ball head height out of play.

I immediately switched over to watch a rather good documentary on a Cheetah family and the first year of cubs growing up.

That cheetah mother really cared about her young ones. I’m not sure players are really all that bothered about playing for England.

A case in point was Ryan Bertrand scoring his first goal for his country, away in Malta, in a World Cup qualifier. He turned to go back to his left-back position, barely raising a smile.

I once interviewed former England assistant manager Ray Lewington and he insisted English players were technically as good as their foreign counterparts. I don’t agree. Generally, most nations we play keep the ball better than we do.

To my mind whoever manages England is irrelevant. Guardiola, Mourinho, Wenger – take your pick.

Our issues run deeper than it being all about money and the Premier League.

Sadly, we have a culture in this country of dads managing youth teams for their own ego and to make up for their own failures as a player.

Unless we follow the likes of Holland and Germany and breed learning - rather than winning and screaming at an 11-year-old to ‘get it forward’ – we will continue to produce inferior quality players.

Tom Moore (GetWestLondon)

Seeing Lewis Hamilton being presented with a race worn Ayrton Senna helmet was more special for our reporter than Scotland vs England

England, especially in this era, will be judged on how they perform at a major tournament, rather than what they do in qualifying so my interest will lift considerably next summer in Russia.

When World Cups and European Championships contained eight or 16 teams, qualification was more special. Now, it is the expectation.

Since 1980, the Three Lions have failed to qualify for one World Cup (1994) and two European Championships (1984 and 2008) so I expect them to be at the major finals.

With the calibre of players at Gareth Southgate's disposal I'd expect them to finish top of a group with Scotland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Malta and Lithuania in.

I can't recall watching any of the games and was watching another Englishman, Lewis Hamilton, write his name into the Formula 1 history books by tying Ayrton Senna's pole position in Montreal during England's draw with Scotland. Seeing him be presented with the great Brazilian's race-worn helmet with my own eyes is something I'll treasure more than watching a 2-0 win over Malta last October.

I'd forgotten Estonia, Slovenia and Lithuania were even in England's Euro 2016 qualifying group which, with the expanded tournament, meant the majority of the Three Lions' games were, by and large, meaningless as they'd booked their flight to France.

However, I can remember all England's tournament opponents and, in most cases, the final score of every major tournament fixture back to Euro 96.

That's where memories are made; not in qualification in this day and age.

Phil Spencer (GetWestLondon)

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Like many fans across the nation, my passion for watching England has dwindled hugely over recent years.

Yes I will support the team in the World Cup, and I will be cautiously optimistic that with the squad at our disposal we should be able to make a dent in the competition, but for me the cycle of watching England has become all too familiar.

The qualifiers are an absolute farce; hence why i never tune into to watch them, and rarely even check on the scores as regardless of how bad we play, the outcome is often a foregone conclusion.

Personal circumstances also come into it, as with my personal and professional life being largely dominated by the game, It's nice to have a break occasionally to switch off from football, and the international breaks are currently the best possible time to do that, as frankly I don't feel like I'm missing out on a great deal!

Matt Storey (Hertfordshire Mercury)

England fans celebrate

As someone who goes to most England home games and plenty of away ones, too, England interest me greatly.

Much like a club side, I firmly believe that the more games you go to, the more you care. You’re invested in the side as a result.

This particular side are definitely a victim of previous sides’ failures and the gluttony of games on television, too.

The recent games haven’t been great spectacles and they are tough watch. But we all want England to do well and all the people who moan and say ‘I’m not bothered’, will all be celebrating in the pub if, at some stage in their life, England do enjoy success.

Criticism is necessary, especially after last night, but, as fans, we should have more patience.

However, having said all that, England need to have the right man in charge too if they are to realise their potential and they clearly do not right now.

Mark Ritson (Digital Football Writer)

Michael Owen scores in the 5-1 win in Germany

I used to really love watching England play, whether it was a friendly, European Championship or World Cup.

I grew up in an era watching Alan Shearer, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Steve Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.

England don't have players like these any more. Perhaps it's because I was younger and I would also look up to these guys, it made it more appealing.

And now I'm older, there isn't that same excitement. We big ourselves up, qualifying has become easier and it feels like a given, rather than the old days when it really meant something to play in a major tournament.

I'll still be watching England when they get there, but I hardly show any interest in qualifying or friendly matches any more.

I've had that experience and now I want to see us actually reach a final or win something.