England manager Sam Allardyce seems incapable of managing Wayne Rooney

Sam Allardyce got off to a winning start as England manager, but his post-match comments have angered a good section of the Three Lions' support.

Adam Lallana's last-gasp goal - his first at senior international level - secured a 1-0 victory over 10-man Slovakia in the first qualification game for the 2018 World Cup. It wasn't the best of performances, and questions were asked of Wayne Rooney's tendency to drop deeper and deeper from his advanced role - and Allardyce's explanation did nothing to reassure those concerned about a repeat of the captain's dismal midfield display in the Euro 2016 exit against Iceland. Allardyce said after the victory that he "can't stop" Rooney playing deeper, despite seemingly admitting that the Manchester United man had gone against his instructions.

“Wayne played wherever he wanted,” said Allardyce. “He was brilliant and controlled midfield. I can’t stop Wayne playing there.”

While Rooney may have more experience of international football than the new England boss, it was a curious statement and one which was met with dumbfounded reactions. https://twitter.com/eaamalyon/status/772496473900580864 https://twitter.com/danielstorey85/status/772496567869767681 https://twitter.com/TheDaisyCutter1/status/772693302844002304 https://twitter.com/magicspongers/status/772554669365264388 https://twitter.com/wiliamhardy/status/772525777850142720 https://twitter.com/thehuwdavies/status/772478447759286273

It was not the response that many fans will have wanted, especially after the disillusionment that followed the Iceland game, the last under previous manager Roy Hodgson.

Many had hoped for a stricter attitude from Allardyce - regarded as a no-nonsense manager based on his spells in charge of Bolton Wanderers, West Ham United and, latterly, Sunderland.

https://twitter.com/BeardedGenius/status/772505710148083712 https://twitter.com/MattLMundy/status/772686941838082048 https://twitter.com/MitchMoth/status/772535837481467904 https://twitter.com/TheRedViper87/status/772693176020824064