Big Sam, England 1st XI and the Rooney question

Pavilionaire · Jul 21, 2016

Now that Big Sam has got the England job speculation will begin about who he might pick to face Slovakia in 6 weeks' time.

In particular, attention will focus on whether or not he will pick Rooney.

I fancy he will start Rooney, albeit not in the central midfield spot Hodgson shoehorned him into. However, I think this says more about the fact the other strikers have failed to take their chances and less about a ringing endorsement for Rooney.

I also think Big Sam might reshape the side to include more players from outside the "big clubs" for whom playing for England might be a bigger deal, so a lot of changes but players playing in their favoured club positions. A possible XI:

1. Forster
2. Walker
3. Cresswell
4. Cahill
5. Shawcross
6. Dier
7. Noble
8. Alli
9. Kane
10.Rooney
11.Albrighton

Kinky Gerbil · Jul 21, 2016

Time for Rooney to retire, we have better strikers than him now.

I would give the Sturridge Kane combo a try if we are going 442

Scott Dan should get a call up as well.

Can see Zaha getting one as well if we are playing with wingers.

Hiney · Jul 21, 2016

Forster

Walker
Smalling
Stones
Clyne

Dier

Barkley
Alli

Rooney

Kane
Sturridge

Ernest · Jul 21, 2016

Rooney should be SACKED and never picked again, he has made a living off of ONE good goal 14 years ago

Marshy · Jul 21, 2016

Butland

Clyne
Stones
Smalling
Shaw

Dier
Ali
Rooney

Sterling
Townsend

Kane

Pavilionaire · Jul 21, 2016

I fancy the first year under Allardyce will be all about clean sheets, defensive strength and finding a cohesive style. Given that we have the least amount of depth in central defence I fancy he'll pick two CBs who take try to command of the box at set plays and protect them with two combative CMs in open play.

He's all about scoring from set plays so I'd expect at least one of Noble or Cresswell to get game time, with Albrighton a decent crosser of the ball too.

Ernest · Jul 21, 2016

Andy Carroll up TOP and not that SOFTY Kane, BIG Sam will sort those FOREIGNERS out #theydon'tlikeitupthem

HastingsSeagull · Jul 21, 2016

Vardy over Kane to partner Sturridge for me

bn1&bn3 Albion · Jul 21, 2016

Kinky Gerbils said:
Time for Rooney to retire, we have better strikers than him now.

I would give the Sturridge Kane combo a try if we are going 442

Scott Dan should get a call up as well.

Can see Zaha getting one as well if we are playing with wingers.

Rooney isn't a Striker... It's like saying we should get rid of Kayal because we have a better right back..

Simster · Jul 21, 2016

I don't think it matters. I'd just rather not have the England manager on a stupid sized contract unless linked to performance (semi or better at major tournaments). It is absurd that Hodgson was the best paid manager at the Euros, and Capello in South Africa and Eriksson in Japan and so on. It is quite clear to me that it doesn't make that much of a difference who the manager is, the players aren't good enough to make the most of that extra 1% that a very top manager would bring to the table.

On that basis, I'm actually reasonably happy with Allardyce. He hasn't won anything, but he has performed well enough to sustain a top division job for several years. I think [MENTION=10202]Not Andy Naylor[/MENTION] nails it for me on the Albion Roar Facebook page:

I don't want to upset anyone's carefully-nurtured prejudices, but I happen to think Big Sam will do okay. This is the long-ball hoof merchant who signed Gary Speed and Jay Jay Okocha, the Old School gaffer who was one of the first to bring sports scientists into clubs, and the relegation firefighter who got Bolton into Europe. Oh, and the old-fashioned 442 loyalist who kept Sunderland up playing 4-1-4-1. True, the chicken-farming geniuses behind Blackburn decided that he wasn't the man to get them into the Champions League (how did that go with Steve Kean?) and Newcastle considered 12th place five months into his contract wasn't good enough (but I bet they'd take that now). But almost every player he's ever signed praises his man management and I'll bet he has never ever gone into a game without a plan.

Gullflyinghigh · Jul 21, 2016

If he believes that Rooney is genuinely a better option that the others he has at the time, by whatever criteria he's using (current form, fitness, whatever), then I hope he'll pick him and defend the decision to do so.

Conversely, if he feels that he isn't the right man for the job then he will leave him out and, again, defend doing so.

It's not asking for much but if Big Sam takes that approach with every member of the squad then he'll have a ticked the first box for me.

Surrey Phil · Jul 21, 2016

Big Sam needs to shore up defence first & foremost. We don't have the centre backs to play a back four so I believe he will play three CB's.

crookie · Jul 21, 2016

Hiney said:
Forster

Walker
Smalling
Stones
Clyne

Dier

Barkley
Alli

Rooney

Kane
Sturridge

I like that, but would probably switch Lallana for Rooney. Could do worse than give Rashford a start, he showed some real talent and purpose in France, unlike plenty of others. And Rose at LB for Clyne

Two Professors · Jul 21, 2016

Come on Big Sam-give us something fresh.Solid defence and kids up front who want to play for England,like Rashford.

GT49er · Jul 21, 2016

Simster said:
On that basis, I'm actually reasonably happy with Allardyce. He hasn't won anything, but he has performed well enough to sustain a top division job for several years. I think [MENTION=10202]Not Andy Naylor[/MENTION] nails it for me on the Albion Roar Facebook page:

Absolutely this.

joeinbrighton · Jul 21, 2016

Rooney's prospects of remaining in the team will depend a lot on where he plays for Manchester United.

Mourinho has already publicly stated that he believes in specialists and that Rooney will only play as a #9 or a #10 for him and will not be playing in midfield. Given that England have other potent options in those positions, he might find it hard to retain a starting place, whereas England are not swimming with midfielders who can pick a pass right now.

AmexRuislip · Jul 21, 2016

Two Professors said:
Come on Big Sam-give us something fresh.Solid defence and kids up front who want to play for England,like Rashford.

Spot on, start a fresh, make his stamp on the team and start with the youngsters, whilst getting shot of the old dross.

KingKev · Jul 22, 2016

joeinbrighton said:
. England are not swimming with midfielders who can pick a pass right now.

There's one that was in France and didn't see a minute of game time, and another one that's just won the Premier League but was left at home in favour of (a half fit) Jordan Henderson and a nowhere near fit Wilshere. We've got enough decent midfield options, if the manager cares to look further than the end of his own nose.
I think Sam will pick Drinkwater and see how he goes - hell, I think he should pick him and Woy definitely should have taken him to France.........Henderson FFS!

joeinbrighton · Jul 22, 2016

KingKev said:
I think Sam will pick Drinkwater and see how he goes - hell, I think he should pick him and Woy definitely should have taken him to France.........Henderson FFS!

Drinkwater is good on the ball, but he's more of a shielding midfielder rather than someone who plays defence splitting passes that set up chances. It also remains to be seen if he can follow up next season with the type of season he's just had with Leicester. He's capable, but I don't think it's a given.

Stumpy Tim · Jul 22, 2016

Surrey Phil said:
Big Sam needs to shore up defence first & foremost. We don't have the centre backs to play a back four so I believe he will play three CB's.

I agree, with the added reason of the lack of world class wingers. Makes more sense to play wing-backs in my opinion

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