The relationship between the media and the England football team has rarely been a smooth one, and it seems Sam Allardyce is keen to change that.
Ahead of a press conference to talk about his first England squad since becoming manager, the former Sunderland boss sent out a message to the assembled media to tell them what he wanted from them in the coming months.
Sam Allardyce's welcome message to the press at SGP today. pic.twitter.com/d2QmzTd9EY
— Nick Mashiter (@nickmashiter) August 29, 2016
Allardyce says the media “provide us with a platform to communicate directly with football supporters across the country and beyond”.
He also tells them he is “looking forward to working with you” – which seems a little hard to believe given the tough time previous England managers have received.
Meanwhile, fans were quick to pick apart what the new boss said in the press conference, where he explained he’d left out Marcus Rashford because the Manchester United player had not started enough games.
So Allardyce hasn't picked Rashford due to lack of starts at United but has picked Joe Hart who hasn't played yet. Good one Sam
— Craig Prince (@parkend1878cp) August 29, 2016
Allardyce said the decision to leave out Everton’s Ross Barkley was a tough one.
He added: “It’s disappointing for him. The door will always be open for Ross.”
Neil Warnock, Roy Hodgson and now Sam Allardyce joins the list of managers that don't rate Ross Barkley.
Thankfully, Ronald Koeman does.— Tony Scott (@Tony_Scott11) August 29, 2016
Good to see Big Sam planning as he means to go on. No Barkley or Rashford. Yawn!
— Mark Worrall (@gate17marco) August 29, 2016
Meanwhile, some just hadn’t got over the fact that he’d been appointed England manager in the first place.
After that terrible Euros, England's way of inspiring us again was to bring in Big Sam.. Its like they want us to hate them
— Paul (@TheKloppMeister) August 29, 2016
But we should always remember that the England manager, whoever they are, gets criticised whatever they do.
Big fan of folks complaining that Allardyce has called up Antonio and then also complaining he's only picking the same old names.
— West Stand Bogs (@WestStandBogs) August 29, 2016
