Monday 5 September 2016 23:44, UK
Sam Allardyce hopes Adam Lallana's late winner in Slovakia can help remove the "nervous tension" that exists around the England squad.
When predecessor Roy Hodgson gave his farewell press conference in Chantilly he suggested defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016 might leave the young squad mentally scarred and predicted they would take some time to heal.
Allardyce rejected the notion that the team were 'damaged' by their experiences in France but admitted they struggled to express themselves in his first match as manager.
Lallana's 94th-minute strike eventually secured a 1-0 victory for England and Allardyce wants that moment to be the springboard for more commanding performances in the future.
"They're a happy bunch, not a damaged bunch," he said.
"But I think I saw a little nervous tension and it's bound to be in the back of their mind. They had a holiday, a pre season, then it comes to the first game after Iceland and maybe there was nervous tension.
"I think it was possession for possession's sake for the opening 45 minutes rather than trying to break the opposition down.
"So that may be a bit of sub-conscious about not wanting to be the one that gives the ball away but we have to be brave."
Allardyce is also convinced the difference between a late snatched victory in Trnava and a goalless draw against 10 men could prove to be a big one.
"Immense. It was the most important thing in my England career, but more for the players than for me," he added.
"It puts us on the journey...hopefully we can get better. I can only hope we get stronger."
