England’s Eric Dier says the team must become more ruthless if they are to taste success under Sam Allardyce.
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After years of broken dreams and disappointment from our global footballers – most recently in their unenthusiastic efforts at Euro 2016 – fans are unimpressed.
“I think it is always important and an honour to represent your country”, Rooney said on the eve of the game in Trnava.
But after substitute Theo Walcott was denied a late victor by the offside flag, Lallana struck his first worldwide goal to break the hearts of the home side and give England a positive start in their qualification campaign for the 2018 tournament in Russian Federation.
“It’s up to me to (ask): ‘Are you playing well in that position?”
The 30-year-old elected to move back into midfield for England’s 1-0 win over Slovakia and visibly struggled, drawing criticism for his immobility and cabaret of misplaced passes.
However, he shut his doubters up with the winning goal against Slovakia, turning home from close range in the dying embers of the game, whilst he showed quick feet and a level of invention other England players weren’t providing.
The England manager cut through the renewed debate over whether Rooney warranted a place in his starting line-up to throw his support behind him, saying he wanted to “use his experience to its maximum”.
“We got what we deserved in the end, and won it in the last minute. He needs to start adding goals to his game and I want to see more from him going forwards”.
Victory was an improvement on the goalless draw Hodgson’s side managed against Slovakia in June, but some of the more troubling questions from Euro 2016 linger.
England played the majority of the second half against 10 men after former Red Martin Skrtel was sent off for two bookable offences.
‘Today we might have played more than England’.
Allardyce, who offered the central defender John Stones praise for his performance, employed Rooney in midfield, allowing him the leeway to read the game and determine where best he could exert his influence.
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“It was a bit slow and edgy at the start but we stuck to our game plan and kept playing our football, and a clean sheet and late win is a good result in the end”.
