Sam Allardyce: I’m hard enough to be the England boss, bring it on
Big Sam puffs out his chest and demands his Three Lions produce immediately
SAM ALLARDYCE settled in to his first day as England boss and declared: I'm hard enough , bring it on.
Allardyce insisted he can handle the pressure of leading the nation and called on his young Three Lions players to show they are up to the job too.
In a strong performance in his first press conference as England manager, Allardyce left no-one in any doubt he is up for the challenge of finally delivering success to the country.
He said: "This is not the poisoned chalice. I’m hardened over the years.
"I am here because I want the challenge, think I can make the players better and think I'm tough enough to take it.
"Bring it on lads."
Big Sam, who confirmed SunSport's exclusive that Sammy Lee will be his assistant added: "We have got to say it is not potential in the players any more, it has to be reality now.
"It has to be stood up and counted. These players have had a lot of experience now.
"Potential is a word I don’t like to use. This is the England first team, you don’t want potential - you want the player to be producing his top performances immediately.
"I think this group of players is experienced, some of it bad experiences, and going forward will be producing better performances and better results.
"I think I fit the chair, I hope I do.
"Five Premier League clubs has given me a huge amount of experience, man management is my biggest asset to try and help players enjoy themselves and be better than they are.
"It’s worked everywhere else I have been and hopefully it will work well in this job."
England returned from Euro 2016 humiliated following their 2-1 defeat to minnows Iceland in the last 16.
But Allardyce insists the country is not at rock bottom - and dismissed the idea any of his players lack the passion to represent their nation.
The former Sunderland and West Ham boss said: "There’s no lack of passion, I don’t see that anywhere in the players.
"The loss of form or the fact they didn’t perform wasn’t down to the that.
"I don’t think we are at rock bottom either.
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"Part of my expertise as people see me is being able to turn a club around very quickly, and that comes around by taking West Ham up, saving Balckburn and saving Sunderland.
"I can get amongst the team and staff and try to create a successful journey. That starts with us all pulling together.
"The most important thing are the players, everyone works for the England team going on the field and trying to win.
"We all want to see an England team being successful that is the greatest challenge for me in my long career."