Ramon Vega exclusive: Allardyce's rugged style won't work - he is not the right man for the England job

So Big Sam has landed the big job. But is it the right appointment?

Personally, the news has left me underwhelmed, with an overriding feeling that Allardyce’s appointment as England manager will be a step backwards at a critical time for the national team.

Allardyce has many qualities as a manager, as he proved yet again by guiding Sunderland to Premier League survival last season, and is a charismatic, media-friendly figure with a strong personality.

However, I can’t help but listen to my instincts – that his experience and skill-set are ideally suited to the weekly hustle and bustle of a Premier League relegation scrap.

This is not to demean that skill-set. Quite the opposite in fact, as I know just what it takes to inspire a group of players mired in a fight to stay in the league.

I just don’t think those credentials match the criteria required to end England’s 50-year quest to make it to the final of a major competition.

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Then there is the question around style of play. Allardyce’s supporters have attempted to dismantle the ‘myth’ surrounding his perceived long-ball approach, yet I remain unconvinced.

Although they point to some wonderfully creative players he brought in during his time at Bolton like Youri Djorkaeff and Jay-Jay Okocha, I have never really enjoyed watching Allardyce teams.

There is nothing wrong with robust or rugged football at times, but at the very top end of international football there is a need for great adaptability in approach, especially when it comes to the role and influence of the midfield ballplayers.

Some will argue that after experiencing such perennial disappointment over the years, English football is simply crying out for a more direct style in the hope that teams like Spain and Germany will be fazed and unsettled.

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They will point to the way that Allardyce teams have made sides like Arsenal so uncomfortable with their organization, physicality and constant harrying.

I for one know what they mean - I remember the Spurs players absolutely hated playing Bolton under Allardyce! I just think that on an international stage, it didn’t work for England under Graham Taylor more than two decades ago and it won’t work now.

I still believe that, despite the crushing blow of the defeat against Iceland, this crop of highly-talented young England players are not far off challenging for honours and it would be a crying shame if that golden opportunity was missed.

I sincerely hope I am proved wrong and Allardyce steers the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford to future success.

For if he fails, the England team will be left even further behind for many years to come.