Since England’s disastrous campaign of Euro 2016, there have been calls for wholesale changes to ensure the failure of its national side doesn’t continue. The FA’s latest appointment, Sam Allardyce will be seen as a steadying force and will allow a mixture of youth and experience to blend together.
His tactics allow a more direct style of play and his understanding of the game of football and man management skills should bring out the best in most of the players. As England’s first match in their World Cup qualifying campaign is set to kick off this coming Sunday, we analyse how 5 key players should benefit from this new style of management.
#1 Wayne Rooney
With Man United’s all-time top scorer now getting a more advanced and regular place in the first team thanks to Jose Mourinho, he has started the season on the front foot. Now is, therefore, the right time for the England Manager to reassure the striker that he is very much a part of his plans. This is something Allardyce has moved quickly on and has confirmed that he will remain the England Captain.
This should help settle Rooney into a more natural position in the England team. This will also provide a chance to simplify his game, allowing him to play more instinctively - as it’s his preferred position - and leave the ball playing to others in the team while he focusses on getting goals and providing assists.
Also Read: Wayne Rooney says 2018 World Cup could be his last tournament with England
With him being captain this should provide the less experienced players in the squad a focal point while the new manager is bedding in and getting others to adapt to his style of play. This decision may not be for the long term, but with this move, Allardyce has ensured that stability is already in place during the early days of his reign.
Mentally, Rooney will be in a comfortable place at the moment. Man United remaining unbeaten so far in the league and picked again as Captain for the England squad. But Allardyce has to ensure that his mental state is ready for a tough qualifying campaign that starts against Slovakia and that he is able to switch between England and Manchester in order to get the best out of him.
#2 Joe Hart
This is a huge season for the 29-year-old ‘keeper. His ability is being questioned thanks to a number of high profile mistakes during the 2016 Euro’s and his loan move to Italian club, Torino shows he is clearly out of favour at Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. The arrival of former Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo would almost certainly have meant that Hart would be 3rd choice and limited to a handful of Cup games.
Sam Allardyce, therefore, has a perfect opportunity to put a metaphorical arm around the struggling ‘keeper and ensure he is mentally ready to take on the role of England’s Number 1. It will be a balancing act for the England manager and a true test of his man-management skills. He first needs to make sure that Hart feels comfortable enough with his place that he isn’t under pressure. At the same time, he needs to make sure that the ‘keeper knows this doesn’t make him un-droppable.
The next problem for the England Manager is whether Hart is getting regular game time. With his deadline day loan move to Italy, it should mean that he plays regularly. If he is able to demonstrate that he has put those high profile risks behind him, Allardyce should retain him as England’s number 1. How Sam handles this will be interesting to watch as the season progresses.
#3 Raheem Sterling
The Euro 2016 England campaign will have been one to forget for the Manchester City forward. He was criticised throughout the tournament to such a degree that his club manager Pep Guardiola felt it necessary to come out in full support of him. The new season in the Premier league has already seen a huge change in attitude and confidence by the 21-year-old. Can he keep that positivity going into the Internationals?
His mental attitude is something Sam will focus on in the early sessions to ensure no repeats of the summer. There are also several key tactical areas that Allardyce will already be concentrating on with the forward whilst taking his initial training camps.
Firstly, Allardyce’ s more direct play will assist Sterling. His role in the team will be further out wide than in previous England teams. Allardyce will advise him to take on and beat the man and get crosses in, but also to use his guile and take chances to come inside.
Secondly, in open play, Sterling will be used further up the field and will get involved more to ensure the ball is won back higher up in the opposition's half. From there he can use his trickery in one on one situations, or find others with quick short give and go passes to keep the tempo of attacks high.
Thirdly, during counter attacking phases, the transition between defence and attack needs to be quicker and Allardyce will ensure Sterling is at the heart of that. His pace will frighten any defence and this coupled with mental positivity is what the England manager will be working on to get the most out of his man.
#4 Harry Kane
Kane was another England star who struggled to replicate the form in the Euro’s that saw him finish the Premier League with the golden boot last season. His quality finishing and ruthlessness infront of goal during Tottenham’s campaign had the majority of England fans excited at what could happen this summer, but sadly it wasn’t to be.
The new Premier League season has also started slowly for the Spurs striker. Despite starting all three games, he’s yet to get off the mark. So what can Sam Allardyce do for the young marksman?
Firstly, the England manager will make him his number 9. The target-man whom others will play off and a role that suits him. He will also prefer to play with others close to him. Rooney and Kane’s team-mate Delli Ali will be the main protagonists of a close front 3 and Kane and Ali’s understanding that they have already cultivated at Spurs will be something Allardyce will be keen to take advantage of.
Secondly, the manager will be able to mentally coach him through games. In complete contrast to previous incumbent Roy Hodgson, Allardyce will regularly shout instructions to his players and this will assist Kane to handle the pressures of the big occasion.
#5 John Stones
Since his high profile, record breaking move from Everton, it’s obvious that Man City Manager Pep Guardiola rates John Stones as a true ball playing Centre back. In the last match – where City beat West Ham 3-1 - he was even moving into defensive midfield and initiating the play under the manager’s direct minute-by-minute instruction.
Sam Allardyce will have seen this and will also attempt to manage the defender in a similar way. Because of his youth there will be times when he needs assistance during play and the England manager and coaching staff will use this technique in the same way.
In some international games - particularly during qualification - England will be dominating possession and therefore not in a position to be as direct in their passing. It will be key in these instances to have a ball playing defender who is able to step up and make the extra man in midfield allowing others to spread wide or move forward. He can then be used as a ball playing midfielder who can switch play quickly and accurately, stretching the opposition’s defence. This is something that England haven’t done or been able to do in many tournaments and they therefore struggle to break more defensive teams down.
While tactically Stones may need to be coached through certain games, Allardyce will be aware that because of his age he still could be mentally fragile. One high profile mistake could cause doubts to creep in and he will also ensure he focuses on his frame of mind before and certainly during games if he is to get the best out of his emerging Centre back.
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