'Well done' Sam after his flying start for England

Les Chapman.

THE focus switched chiefly to internationals at the weekend and the start of the World Cup qualifying campaigns.

I was really pleased to see Sam Allardyce get off to a winning start as England manager. Of course I've known Sam a long while - we played with and against one another on many occasions back in the day. In fact we enjoyed success together as players when we were both in the Preston team which won promotion to the old Division Three in 1987.

He's always been manager material and you could see as a player that he had real leadership qualities.

I remember once when I was at Huddersfield, we were playing Bolton and I bumped into Sam on the sidelines.

He was having a bit of a moan because he'd been dropped, but during the course of our conversation he said to me: 'one day I'll manage this club'.

That's exactly what he went on and did, and he guided Bolton to some real heady days in the Premier League and in Europe.

I think Sam is what England need now. He's a good organiser and he will get through to players.

He's also a great character, and that's something that I believe has been missing from England in recent years. I really hope he goes on and does well. I think he will.

Back to the Premier League and it's derby day on Saturday. City and United will both be trying to extend their 100-per-cent records so far so it promises to be a cracking game.

It's a blow for City that they'll be without Sergio Aguero, but would Pep Guardiola be happy with a draw due to the game being at Old Trafford? I'm not sure. He'll go for another win, but a lot will depend on the performance, whatever the eventual outcome.