STAN COLLYMORE

impact at international level in two years’ time. Once Big Sam named Rooney as his captain it was obvious he would start this game, in which case I’d probably have moved Alli back alongside Dier and told him to create from deeper.

Challenge

Sturridge’s company – he’s a good lad, a polite young man – and all he needs is a manager who’ll give him his chance in his best position and then leave him there.

Throughout his career he has been shunted out to the right or left, and I’m starting to wonder if they just do it to pee him off.

Because if a club boss played him through the middle for 38 Premier League games he’d get him 25 goals and likewise he’d score regularly for England if he was through the middle.

What is also interesting is that Allardyce chose to name his starting lineup 48 hours before the game.

At most of the clubs I played at, I pretty much knew I would be starting games 90 per cent of the time but I have to say I liked it when my manager named his team an hour before kick-off.

Some players are different. Some like to know they’re in as early as possible so they can get mentally prepared for the game.

From my perspective, though, everyone should be prepared to play and I liked the suspense that you might not.

That gives you a restful night’s sleep rather than getting texts from everyone saying, ‘Congratulations’ or ‘Good luck’ or ‘Oh, you’re playing…’

With some players that has a negative effect. And after the summer English football has had, we need only positives this weekend.