Driver: Sam tells you straight
Maidstone defender Callum Driver played for new England boss Sam Allardyce – and says the national team have never had anyone like him. Driver was a young right-back at West Ham when he was handed his debut by Allardyce in an FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest two years ago. He was one of the few players to emerge with credit from the Hammers’ 5- 0 third-round defeat as Allardyce showed the ruthless streak that Driver feels makes his old boss the man to revive England’s fortunes. Driver said: “It’s a good job for him. He’s a thorough manager who goes through a lot of setpieces and things like that, so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on. “I don’t think England have had a manager like him yet. He doesn’t take any rubbish from anyone. He’ll be pretty ruthless. “The way he comes across is pretty much how he is behind the scenes. Ruthless is the way I’d describe him. “He’ll tell you if you’re doing something wrong and that’s the best way to be sometimes. “You know where you stand, you know what he wants from you. Him in that job with a certain team around him will do well for England. “Having an Englishman taking the national team is probably a better thing, it gives us a bit more passion behind it and he’ll care a little bit more.” Driver dropped into nonleague with Whitehawk and Dartford before helping Maidstone to National South play-off glory last season. The 23-year-old, who went off injured at Aldershot on Tuesday night, is confident United will fare well in their first year in the National League. He said: “Relegation’s not in our minds at all. All the players at the club are pushing for top 10, that’s the target we’ve set ourselves and there’s no reason why not. “Everyone’s a bit tidier on the ball at this level, a bit more comfortable and the ball’s moved a little bit quicker but we’ve shown we can compete with some of the biggest clubs in the league. “If York are one of the favourites, we’ve given them a good
game.”