Big Sam’s England squad for World Cup qualifier a big disappointment

Sam Allardyce’s first England squad announcement ahead of September 4’s opening World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia has been thoroughly underwhelming.

After the humiliation of getting knocked out in the Last 16 of this summer’s European Championships 2-1 against Iceland, The Three Lions needed a massive shake-up.

However, with the exception of West Ham United winger Michail Antonio getting a first call-up, Big Sam’s squad has been nowhere near as revolutionary as it needed to be.

Arsenal’s Theo Walcott getting a callup ahead of Everton’s Ross Barkley, despite good early form from the Toffees midfielder, is a particularly questionable decision. As is the return of ageing Everton defender Phil Jagielka.

But at least some sense has prevailed in the recalling of Danny Drinkwater and the axing of Jack Wilshere.

Former coach Roy Hodgson decided to name Arsenal’s Wilshere instead of Leicester’s Drinkwater in midfield preEuros despite brittle and undependable Wilshere having hardly played all season.

Glimmers of hope

Reversing that decision, which backfired terribly at the Euros, is of some justice to the Foxes’ stalwart.

The return of Manchester United fullback Luke Shaw, following his leg break last season, was to be expected.

You could also argue that Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has been unlucky to have been sent down to the Under-21s, particularly as he was one of the only glimmers of hope for England this summer.

But after that it’s all much of the same. England seem to have slept walked their way back into qualifiers after yet another dismal showing at a major tournament.

Granted we don’t know who Allardyce will start or what tactics he will employ, but based on this squad announcement it looks like business as usual.

After suffering the ignominy of a defeat to Iceland, this was an opportunity to cut ties and start again or at least make an example out of a few of the senior players who simply didn’t perform, like; Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney and Jordan Henderson.

Of course the argument against this is, ‘well who else do you play?’ But there are alternatives — Mark Noble, Ryan Shawcross and Jermaine Defoe for example have always been unlucky not to get more of a look in. And if this summer taught us anything it’s that the current crop of England players are grossly overrated.

It’s high time others were given a chance, even those from the lower leagues. ‘They aren’t internationally proven’, you might say, but how can you prove yourself unless you’re given the opportunity? Look at Jamie Vardy — and Antonio.

Allardyce’s appointment was a chance to return to humility and simplicity, but instead — understandably under pressure to get off to a good start and not face criticism — he’s opted for big names over actual recent form.

The message that this sends out to players though is that it’s okay if you fail, you will still get picked anyway.