Big Sam is cleverer than people think he is.. he’ll take away the fear that’s held England back
GERRARD TIPS ALLARDYCE TO BE A SURPRISE SUCCESS
STEVEN GERRARD reckons England’s stars froze against Iceland due to “psychological pressure” but insists new boss Sam Allardyce can banish their fear.
Big Sam names his first squad on Sunday to face Slovakia and Malta next month after succeeding Roy Hodgson following England’s Euro 2016 disaster in June.
Former England captain Gerrard, 36, has hailed the appointment as a big step towards making the national team a threat at major tournaments again.
Now starring in the MLS with LA Galaxy, he says the side look very capable playing with “autopilot on” in qualifying after reaching France with a 100 per cent record. But the midfielder (taking on David Silva of New York City FC, below) was as frustrated as the rest of the nation watching England toil at Euro 2016, where they were held by Russia and Slovakia and defeated by Iceland.
Gerrard, who won 114 caps before retiring from the international scene after the 2014 World Cup, reflected: “You want the lads to blow Iceland away but it completely backfired. It was a frustrating match watching that.
“It will change, I do believe the talent is there. I’m not putting it down to, ‘We went out of that tournament because we haven’t got the talent.’ I do believe it is psychological.
“Bringing Sam in is a very good appointment because he is the best out there that can help with that.” Gerrard knows what is required after representing the Three Lions at six major tournaments. He added: “Sam is cleverer than people give him credit for.
“Let’s hope he is the man that can take that pressure and fear away from the players and let them go and play.
“If that happens we have seen it in the qualifying and in the friendly games that when they play with that autopilot, they are as good as anyone.
“Sam is upfront, he is ahead of the times in terms of doing stuff away from the game to try to improve players psychologically. He was also one of the first to bring in more physios, more doctors, more massage and everyone thought he was crazy.”
Gerrard was consulted by the FA and their director of elite development Dan Ashworth about Hodgson’s successor – and has urged the FA to also call upon other former internationals such as Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer, Paul Ince to help nurture talent.
The former Liverpool star aims to get into coaching himself in the future but is not yet sure whether to play on another season when his MLS contract with LA expires in November.