Andy from Leeds: Same old same old. Sam has moaned before about England's 'sorry history' of marginalising flair players, but now selects an uninspiring, workmanlike squad, with the only nod towards flair being Sterling, who has proved repeatedly he can't cut it at international level. Sam is just another manager repeating the pattern of putting out the same line up with the same approach and somehow expecting different results. So depressing.

Gavin in Surrey: Whatever we think about Big Sam, he can't be any worse!

It's been a while since the England team featured a player playing outside of the Premier League but Joe Hart is now a Torino man and is in the side.

Image source, Reuters

Terry Butcher
Ex-England captain at Stadion Antona Malatinského for 5 live Sport

Image source, Reuters

Joe Hart's confidence will have taken a bit of a knock in recent times, but as a defender I'd have no worries playing in front of him. And my job anyway is to make his an easy job. 

I have no worries about Hart - he'll be desperate to play well today in front of Sam Allardyce and the fans.

Image source, Getty Images

The last eight permanent England managers have all won their first game in charge of the Three Lions.

In fact the only England manager to lose his first game was Sir Alf Ramsey in 1963.

Whatever happened to him?!

Andy Birkett: The last couple of tournaments have been miserable for England but Allardyce picks exactly the same players? Depressing.

Andrew Worby: Did anybody really expect Allardyce to make drastic changes? He doesn't exactly have a huge selection to choose from...

Andy White: We will either win and Allardyce will called a genius. A draw or a loss and he will be vilified. Tough job!

Three Andys tweeting in there. Each with a different perspective. Andys have always been insightful pundits... 

Image source, Getty Images

Will the English public as a whole - and the press - be happy with a draw?

Image source, Getty Images

Sam Allardyce has made it his mission to restore the nation's pride after the debacle of Euro 2016 as his new England era starts in Slovakia .

The new England manager takes charge of his first game after predecessor Roy Hodgson resigned in the immediate aftermath of the humiliating last-16 exit at the hands of Iceland in France.

He said: "I can only focus on this game and hopefully the fans who watch on TV and that are here go home very happy or are turning the television off saying England are back on track and looked great.

"Everyone will want us to win. Some will expect us to win but I don't think it will be that easy based on Slovakia's record.

"Winning is what we want. If the nation thinks that's the only thing we can have to make us feel better, we'll try. But personally, if we get a draw from the most difficult game of the group, I'll be happy."

Loads of the ball, no goals. That was the story of the sides' recent meeting at Euro 2016. Jamie Vardy wasted a great early chance but from then on in it was long-range potshots and broken down attacks.

The England team which played Slovakia just 76 days ago was:

Hart: Clyne, Cahill, Smalling, Bertrand; Henderson, Dier, Wilshere; Lallana, Sturridge, Vardy

There are also just three changes for Slovakia from the team which drew 0-0 with England a few months ago. Former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is captain. 

Slovakia: Kozacik, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Gregus, Hubocan, Hamsik, Svento, Mak, Duris, Pecovsk  

It's evolution, not revolution for Big Sam. As Richard points out there, there are just three changes to the team that lost to Iceland. In have come John Stones, Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana to replace Chris Smalling, Dele Alli and Daniel Sturridge. 

Image source, Getty Images

Richard Lindle: Nearly the same team that were beaten by Iceland. I see no change under Big Sam. We will qualify and then crash in the finals.

Rob Elmore: Am I missing something? Why is our best player not starting - Dele Alli?

Image source, Reuters

A question that is rarely asked: Who is England's third-best goalkeeper?

Well, injured Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster was replaced by club-mate Alex McCarthy for the position.

Uncapped McCarthy, 26, was called up after Forster, 28, returned to his club for treatment on an arm injury.

The ex-Crystal Palace keeper has played three times for England's Under-21s.

Joe Hart, on loan at Torino from Manchester City, and Burnley's Tom Heaton are the other goalkeepers named in Sam Allardyce's first England squad.

Terry Butcher
Ex-England captain Stadion Antona Malatinského for 5 live Sport

England have got some team spirit but it could be far, far better. If the spirit was great then during the Iceland game there would have been players going around and stirring things up. Instead, it was a rudderless ship and the players were unable to gee themselves up. 

I think the spirit is something Sam Allardyce will develop, but it's not the sort of thing he can get right in one fell swoop.

Image source, Reuters

Sam Allardyce has - by all accounts - been ultra-relaxed in his first week in full charge of England.

He even gave the players a day off on Thursday to make it feel more like club football.

Once that whistle goes and his players get on that field though he might not feel so relaxed...

Ian Dennis
at Stadion Antona Malatinského for 5 live Sport

When Jose Mourinho took charge at Manchester United he made it quite clear Wayne Rooney would not be playing 50 yards away from goal, that he's not a number six but a number nine. 

I think Sam Allardyce will subscribe to that too, and tonight I expect Rooney to play just behind Harry Kane in a central role.

Johnny Magrinho: We don't have to play pretty, just win. We need to change our style. But 8/11 players are unchanged... where's the progress in that?

Jae Prowse: Quietly optimistic about Big Sam's reign. He's wanted the job for so long that he'll be desperate to prove he's up to it.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Trnava

England's players are just coming to inspect what looks like a perfect playing surface at Trnava's City Arena - and they are greeted by baking hot conditions here in Slovakia.

It's the start of a new era under manager Sam Allardyce - succeeding Roy Hodgson following his resignation after the Euro 2016 defeat by Iceland - and there has been no more relaxed figure around the England camp than the 61-year-old.

Image source, .

This is the job he believes should have been his 10 years ago and last night he said he felt like it was perfect for him at this stage of his life and career.

Allardyce jokingly suggested he might do a spot of pre-match shopping in the complex attached to this compact stadium - but his main task will be taking home three points from England's opening World Cup qualifier.

Image source, PA

In case you missed the news earlier this week, England record goalscorer Wayne Rooney will retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Manchester United forward was speaking to the media for the first time since new England manager Sam Allardyce confirmed he would keep the 30-year-old as his captain.

"Come Russia I feel that will be the time to say goodbye to international football," said Rooney, who has scored 53 goals in 115 England appearances.

"My mind is made up."

Image source, PA

So then, the Big Sam era.

A refreshing change? A much-needed switch? A gamble? Irrelevant - nothing much will change?

Let us know your thoughts on the arrival of the Allardyce.

That's pre, during, and after the Slovakia game.

Tweet us at #bbcfootball or text in on 81111. 

I saw someone ask this on Twitter this morning and it's an excellent question.

Has anyone seen Roy Hodgson since he resigned as England manager?

Image source, Reuters