John Barnes: 'Sam Allardyce will bring pragmatism and humility to England'

'Big' Sam Allardyce basks in the Mackem glory of having led Sunderland to survival in the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over Everton, following in the footsteps of messrs Di Canio, Poyet and Advocaat
© Getty Images
Former England winger John Barnes believes that new Three Lions manager Sam Allardyce will bring pragmatism and humility to the national side.

Former England winger John Barnes has claimed that new Three Lions manager Sam Allardyce will bring pragmatism and humility to the national side.

The former Sunderland, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers boss, who was appointed last week, can boast a record of never having been relegated from the Premier League.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Barnes told reporters: "What Sam will demand is the spirit, the determination, the desire, and the never say die attitude which has been lacking in England in the past.

"When you know you're not the best, you have to work hard, have some humility and respect the opposition.

"Don't think 'oh we are in the Premier League, we can turn up and beat Iceland'. That's what Sam has to change, this attitude that we are England and should be winning things... we shouldn't."

Allardyce takes the England reins following Roy Hodgson's resignation after the Three Lions were knocked out by Iceland in the Euro 2016 last 16.

Sam Allardyce bellows during the Premier League game between Southampton and Sunderland on March 5, 2016
Read Next:
Allardyce: 'No lack of passion from players'
>

Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal00000000
2Bournemouth00000000
3Burnley00000000
4Chelsea00000000
5Crystal Palace00000000
6Everton00000000
7Hull City00000000
8Leicester CityLeicester00000000
9Liverpool00000000
10Manchester CityMan City00000000
11Manchester UnitedMan Utd00000000
12Middlesbrough00000000
13Southampton00000000
14Stoke CityStoke00000000
15Sunderland00000000
16Swansea CitySwansea00000000
17Tottenham HotspurSpurs00000000
18Watford00000000
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom00000000
20West Ham UnitedWest Ham00000000
LIVE SCORES VIDEPRINTER
expand