It is hoped new boss Allardyce’s straight-talking approach is expected to make England more direct, having often lacked cutting edge over the last few years.
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England’s Adam Lallana scored his first global goal with the last kick of the game as the visitors beat 10-man Slovakia 1-0 in their World Cup Group F qualifier Sunday to get new manager Sam Allardyce’s reign off to a winning start.
It was their first outing since June’s traumatic 2-1 loss to tiny Iceland in France and with Allardyce retaining numerous same players, he conceded it was likely to have been on their minds.
Allardyce, who was managing England for the first time in the World Cup qualifier, said he “can’t stop” Rooney from dropping into midfield and the player has a “lot more experience at worldwide football” than he does.
“I think we always believed in our ability and there were no nerves or thoughts about the Euros in our minds tonight and I think that showed in our performance”. “I saw a little nervous tension”.
England defeated Slovakia 1-0, thanks to a last gasp finish from Adam Lallana.
“So that may be a bit of subconscious (fear) about not wanting to give the ball away. I can’t stop Wayne playing there”.
Allardyce suggested post-match that it was not up to him to dictate where Rooney played and that he had the freedom to operate wherever he felt was necessary to impact upon the game.
“I haven’t asked what their biggest fear is because I didn’t want to talk about fear”. Thomas Mueller has regained his confidence, putting his perplexing Germany goal drought behind him by scoring twice in the 3-0 win in Norway.
“The most important thing was getting the three points and getting off to a good start under the new regime”.
Gareth Southgate admits he was not ready to replace Roy Hodgson following Euro 2016, though the England Under-21 manager is open to taking charge of the senior team in the future.
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It took just 16 minutes for Joachim Low’s side to get the curtain raiser as Muller was in the right place and at the right time to put the Germans in the lead.
