Deadly duo to shatter Sam’s plan

First let’s get the stats out of the way and the most significant one is that Sunderland have conceded 50 goals this season – along with Norwich more than any other team in the division. The have managed to score 30 which is more than any other in the bottom eight.

This, is not a team we should fear but the backdrop to the game – the return of Sam Allardyce – has built it into something it doesn’t need to be. It’s as winnable as games get.

That ageing Jermain Defoe is clearly their most dangerous player and yes he has scored 13 goals this season and is still decent. But our defence has dealt with some of the most dangerous operators in the game this season and will come out on top.

Nor do I believe he can possibly represent as big a threat as he could be were he if he was involved in a team that was set to come and attack and weren’t facing a defence which always keeps a great shape.

Sunderland have managed two wins away from home (Palace and Swansea) and beat Man U last weekend. That will have given them a shot of confidence

We know what we are going to get from Sam and it will be a test because his  priorities will be to defend deep and stifle the Hammers counter-attacking game.

To be fair it’s a good – possibly the only plan – for a team which needs to take anything from a game in which they will be surrounded by better players.

But who can forget Allardyce’s West Ham and Chelsea at the Bridge when such a philosophy gained us a totally unexpected point.

However, I believe the likes of Manu and Dimi are impossible to keep quiet for 90 minutes and the galloping runs of Cheik are  a constant threat along with Mark Noble’s current form and range of passing.

If all of that fails to work I think it’s totally inevitable Sunderland will be forced into fouls around the box given how deep they are likely to defend.

And we all know what than means.

Forecast: 2-0