Slovakia vs England: Sam Allardyce has Adam Lallana to thank for glossing over a frustrating England showing

Sam Allardyce was bogged by criticism for sticking with the players who performed so abjectly for his predecessor against Iceland at Euro 2016. That chagrin reached its highest levels since that fateful evening in Nice at half-time as England laboured towards stalemate in Trnava.

For all of the resilience and determination it took to forge a winner, Adam Lallana’s last-ditch success merely glossed an otherwise meek display which carried the stench of Roy Hodgson’s tenure in charge of the national side.

Former Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United manager Allardyce has focused on improving team morale rather than getting down to major tactical reconstruction. However, the frailties which curtailed England’s stay in France so disastrously were on show again against Slovakia.

Wayne Rooney, the captain who says he will retire in 2018, dropped deep to provide an extra man in midfield whenever needed but that left Harry Kane painfully isolated up front.

The Tottenham striker often leans on the talents of Dele Alli for his club in the Premier League, an alley he craved until the 20-year-old’s introduction in the second-half, but he was forced to toil on his own for long periods.

Allardyce entrusted Raheem Sterling and Lallana with the responsibility to provide a spark on the wings. Sterling, attacked so vehemently for his poor displays in France, is a born-again figure for Manchester City while Lallana, too, has been a source of enthusiasm at Anfield.

Even with their hosts down to 10 men in the latter stages, owing to Martin Skrtel’s dismissal, England lacked the cutting edge which the situation badly called out for.

It was sheer determination, rather than skill alone, which gave England the points. Allardyce’s debut performance as Hodgson’s successor would ultimately lie in his choice of substitutions.

The 61-year-old resisted the temptation to use Jamie Vardy’s pace and instead opted for Alli to play in the No. 10 role behind Kane. It was an inspired decision as the former MK Dons man terrorised the depleted Slovakian defensive ranks upon his arrival. Despite a host of cutting passes and adventurous runs, there was little he could do alone to improve England’s showing.

Theo Walcott, on the other hand, was called upon to replace the ineffective Sterling but the Arsenal man also cut a frustrated figure for large periods. Spurning a succession of decent opportunities, the Arsenal winger is yet to set his England career alight and this never seemed like the setting for him to finally do so.

Allardyce’s pre-match optimism was quickly dwindling as his touchline capers veered from tranquil offerings of advice to frantic screams of indignation. Luckily for him - and the wider England supporting public - Lallana was on hand to provide some cheer and leave the inquisition for another day.