“To be going into it from a real position of strength, maybe that happens in the future, maybe it doesn’t?” Rooney also took the nation by surprise when he declared that: “We stuck to our plan and kept our shape”.
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What would have become of the coin had Lallana not swept home his first worldwide goal with virtually the last kick of the game is uncertain.
World Champions Germany began the defence of their 2014 World Cup triumph with a 3-0 win away to Norway in a Group C encounter World Cup qualifier.
Allardyce was critical of England’s finishing in Trnava and admitted he was getting “very concerned” before Lallana’s goal after Martin Skrtel had been sent off for the hosts.
Harry Kane is not now the domineering number nine England need and want him to be, Raheem Sterling did not bring his Manchester City form with him to Trnava and Jordan Henderson failed to take his chance in the centre.
Former England captain Peter Shilton believes Wayne Rooney should have retired from national team duty after Euro 2016.
However, Beckham used social media to offer his support for the Manchester United captain.
Eric Dier, meanwhile, was pleased to start life under Allardyce with a win but said there was still plenty of work to do to heal the scars of a summer of hurt at the European Championship.
Margetson, now 44, played 48 times for Town between 1999 and 2002 and he worked with Allardyce at West Ham.
“Adam Lallana is one of our most skilful players but for all but the last few seconds of Sunday’s game I thought his final product was lacking”, said Redknapp, “Then he pops up with the victor and, although it was a little fortunate, that goal will have done Lallana the world of good”.
“I don’t think he’s a striker anymore, we are trying to fit him in, but he’s not a midfield player for me”.
“After the English team left, I went to my office with a bit of hope”.
“But we have to be fearless and we have to get balls with quality forward and get players in good positions and hit them as quick as we can”.
“But finally we got what we deserved and, in the end, it was in the last minute and perhaps their goalkeeper shouldn’t have stayed down injured so long”.
“I think I saw a little nervous tension and it’s bound to be in the back of their mind”.
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It is unlikely to be the last we hear about Rooney’s place in the team, or his apparent influence on Allardyce’s tactics.
