Allardyce facing board battle

Sam Allardyce’s hopes of landing five more signings before the end of the transfer window could see him face his first confrontation with the West Ham board.

Allardyce went public yesterday declaring he wanted a left back, two strikers, midfielder and perhaps another central defender.

But ClaretandHugh understands that his hopes for a a fourth central defender may well be questioned closely by the co-owners.

David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady have made it clear they will be having a much bigger say in transfer dealings and a fourth central defender ‘is seen as a ‘luxury’ scenario.

A source told us: “The reason the club worked so hard to bring in Cheikhou Kouyate was to ensure they had central defensive cover should it be needed.

“And with James Collins, Winston Reid and James Tomkins available the manager may find he will have to drop that option.

“No-one is t sure why we would want another central defender and who would come as fourth choice anyway.

“Kouyate has played most of his career as centre half so we do have cover and the wages are there for the other positions we are looking to fill.”