Big Sam – The Right Man

The Three Lions has a new man at the helm, and we have every reason to be optimistic about his chances. Sam Allardyce is one of us. He has that down-to-Earth persona that every England fan should be able to relate to, typified by his very first media appearance in the job. With a huge grin on his face, he composed himself enough to say “Excuse me, but I can’t stop smiling because I’ve got this job“. This is the type of manager you or I might look up to in the workplace – he is clear about what he wants, he is passionate about getting it, and he commands respect from his staff in a way that makes them want to follow him. We are looking at the man-manager we have needed for some time.

“Excuse me, but I can’t stop smiling because I’ve got this job”

It has taken a long time for me to see this. Prior to his tenure at West Ham, I very much saw him as a boring manager. Long ball tactics and park-the-bus defending, causing the occasional upset. This was mainly due to his spells at Newcastle and Blackburn failing to inspire, although with hindsight I don’t think this was his fault; but it did make me quickly forget what he did for Bolton. Not only securing them an unlikely promotion to the big time, they became a permanent Premier League fixture, and even one to fear. How many times did Radhi Jaidi score late on to deny the big teams all 3 points?

Jay-Jay Okocha, possibly the most exciting player ever to grace Bolton Wanderers*

That’s before mentioning the likes of Youri Djorkaeff, Ivan Campo, and one of the most exciting footballers I have seen, Jay Jay Okocha. Looking back I’m not sure how I neglected to credit Big Sam for this. When he arrived at Upton Park I wasn’t excited, but I did feel confident that they would return to the Premier League; where I believe they belong. Once re-established, the boring football surfaced again, but this time he wasn’t sacked; he was given a chance. The board asked for more attacking football, and he delivered.

When a club needs promotion, or is at risk of relegation, Big Sam is the man to turn to. Players respond to him. He inspires them to get the job done whilst keeping it simple. Sunderland know how valuable he is, and their desire to keep him from the national job pays testament to his quality. Perhaps England fall in to the category of a relegation threatened team? Certainly by public opinion, if not FIFA rankings. Definitely a team that requires promoting; psychologically at least; from the rut they appear to have sunk into.

The obscure moment of realisation for me was during a charity match – Soccer Aid 2016. Allardyce was named manager of the England team, the foreshadowing of which didn’t seem to be any great talking point. The team spirit throughout both camps was clear, but it was the image of Big Sam picking up Niall from One Direction and turning him upside down, like a doting father plays with his son, that gave me a glimpse of what a manager like this could bring.

Sam Allardyce channels his inner Nigel Pearson on Niall Horan pic.twitter.com/WJlt3qe195

— SportsJOE.ie (@SportsJOEdotie) June 5, 2016

He probably won’t be picking up any of the England players, but I daresay there may be some father-son dynamics occurring. Boys don’t like to let down their fathers, and fathers don’t like to leave their sons exposed to the elements. The elements on the international scene being the media, and probably the German strikers.

Hence my optimism at this appointment. England are a team with great potential, who can’t seem to get their act together; just like every other team Big Sam has taken charge of. Here’s calling the nation to get behind him, and roar our support for this new era of the Three Lions. And maybe even get this Coldplay chant going…and dream of Allar…Allar…Allardyce…

 

*Picture credit Michaelgodstimeake

Cover photo credit Egghead06

 

England Expects…

50 years ago today, England won the World Cup, and ever since then, England Expects. I’ve always had a problem with that. Just as the anticipation builds for a big match in a major tournament, when the England team and manager need the whole country behind them, the headline is published for the match previews and announces – England Expects. And before you can say “self-sabotage”, pressure gathers, worries appear, doubts set in and cracks emerge. By the time the national anthem is belted out the bottle has already gone.

The reaction is swift and fierce. Typical England, they say. Bunch of overpaid prima donnas, I hear. Not fit to wear the shirt, again. Or the one that really got to me, “I can’t remember the last time England played well in a major tournament”. As if to sum up the fact that they could only remember as far back as the morning’s headline “England Expects“. To which I answer, in my opinion, 2012. Unless when you say “played well” you mean “Reached the semi-finals” or even “Won the Tournament“. England Expects, you see.

Roy Hodgson struggled to root cause Englands’ Euro 2016 exit*

This blog begins in the aftermath of Euro 2016. Another disappointing exit for England, agreed; but not quite the debacle most are fuming about. The tournament, for England, could have turned on any moment. Had just one chance squirmed it’s way in against Slovakia, or had Russia waited one more minute before deciding to doing something well, and Group B would have been won. Win the group, and face Northern Ireland in the last 16 with confidence, and even swagger.

The confidence boost taken from the last-gasp win over our rivals, Wales, was destroyed the moment it was murmured that we should beat Slovakia easily. Confidence that should have been left to flow naturally, instead of trying to force it to turn into victory. Victory that didn’t come, albeit by fine margins, and all that positivity taken from Wales is turned into doubt – that short memory attacking once again. Follow this up by billing a certain victory over Iceland, and the pressure seeps through.

An upset such as Iceland beating England doesn’t happen very often, but it happened to us. Sure we were not just unlucky, we were terrible that night. The reaction, however, was that the whole tournament was terrible, and that the players should be lynched. Here are some direct quotes from people in the immediate aftermath: “Ashamed, Disgusted. Pick a word. I’m done with England” Ashamed, perhaps. Disgusted? This word is too often misused. “Look at them sitting around trying to look devastated. No heart, no soul, no passion” I really cannot believe the players had no passion, just because they played poorly. “Every tournament there’s excuses. It’s not acceptable for these people to get paid” They are not paid for international appearances, and if they were then those who offer the contract must put faith in their investment and help it to succeed – pay related blame goes further than just the players.

“This current set-up plays like they just don’t care”

Sorry, but I’m just not buying it. Those guys were heartbroken. For this response I was given “If they don’t care, then it’s because they just aren’t good enough”. Closer, but not quite. On top form I think most of the squad are quarter-final ability. The point is that they did not find this form; far from it that night. Why then? In my opinion it was down to confidence, pressure and guidance. The attitude of England fans wanting them all to walk the plank if they lose is not conducive to a winning mentality. It’s too simple minded; we win and we are the best, we lose and they are not worthy of wearing the shirt they love.

Harry Kane received the lion’s share of the criticism**

Sterling and Kane in particular were destroyed after one poor performance. And instead of encouraging them to achieve the best of their potential, we put pressure on them to just go and do it. The lack of composure of the fans reflects the lack of composure of the players and coaches. “Half the squad shouldn’t have been picked“. Just because it didn’t work doesn’t mean it wasn’t fresh to begin with. And as soon as Butland makes a mistake in Hart’s stead we’ll throw him to the sharks too. This is the epitome of the rot in our country. It’s the same reason we change government every few years, or sack managers every few months. We need to pick the best, and then give them all the support they need. That’s why dropping Rooney wouldn’t solve it.

So here’s calling for a little optimism. Let’s take the best players. Let’s give them all the help and nurture they need. Let’s cheer them on when the going gets tough. Let’s stick with them when they lose, so that the prospect of defeat does not cripple them. Imagine if Sir Alex had been treated this way – not one trophy would have come to Old Trafford. Composure is the key for everyone.

England expects? England Hopes, if you please.

 

 

*By Mikhail Slain – foto.mail.ru, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10413344

**By Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK – England striker Harry Kane, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45176392