Sam Allardyce: Don’t call me a long ball merchant – I played Jermain Defoe up front on his own
England boss defends his tactics and insists he can play with style
SAM ALLARDYCE insists his use of Jermain Defoe proves he is no long ball manager.
Allardyce has taken over as England manager with some people questioning his tactics and accusing him of playing direct football.
But after claiming he is hard enough to cope with the stick of being Three Lions boss, he went on the offensive when it came to his tactics.
And he cited the way he got Defoe to play for Sunderland last season, when he scored 15 Premier League goals, is proof he is able to play the beautiful game.
Allardyce said: "Style of play has always been a tag for me that I can’t shake, but I played with Jermain Defoe down the middle on his own at five-foot ten, the style cannot be associated when I did that.
"We worked on Jermain as a player that people were saying could not play up front on his own, he cannot play, what did he do?
"He played up front on his own and scored 15 Premier League goals.
"Whatever people tell me, doesn’t stop me trying something else. Players who join up with us will enjoy the opportunity to develop."
Allardyce has been at pains to point out the fact he has managed five Premier League clubs gives him unrivalled experience.
But his critics counter that with the accusation he has never won a major trophy or taken charge in a Champions League game.
The England boss hit back: "I have managed some world class players - Fernando Hierro, Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff, Gary Speed, Michael Owen.
"I have managed some really talented players – the good things is about them, they make your life easier.
"They know what you want, they take less time to prepare. Working with England elite players they can take on board what I want to do, they are the best players in the country.
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"Unfortunately me as an English manager never got the chance to go right to the top of the Premier League.
"Look at what I achieved over the years, they are big achievements. They don’t hold the same value as winning a cup or Premier League but just helping clubs stay up is a different kind of win.
"It’s very important to secure a football club’s financial status."