Whoops ..that didn’t go well did it Allardyce!
Here was the former Hammers boss taking his first game for the West Brom outfit who decided to sack Slav and took a hammering off Villa in a midlands derby that really counts to his new club.
In terms of importance it rates second only to the local black country clash against Wolves – BFS will not have been a happy bunny with the lack of any sort of honeymoon period.
Maybe his reputation as being a fire fighter will click back into place against one of Liverpool (away) Leeds and Arsenal at home before they face that game against Wolves.
He at least managed to give Grady Diangana a game which surprised a few as the former Hammer is not truly his type of player but the guy found himself doubled upon by Villa and was lucky not to find himself injured by some wild challenges.
All the best for the future Slav!
Nightmare? He managed to piece together a team to get us promoted at first attempt. Kept us in PL despite terrible injury list and FFP rules preventing locums at CF & CFB. Sam knows the job and he has 6 months of games to get the points needed to keep the Baggies in the Premier League. It may not be pretty, but it will be practical. It may not be successful but they have a chance. Just don’t want them finishing above us! He’ll also be surplus to requirements at the end of the season when Baggie footballing afficionados decide they could do better with their 10 year plan for world domination. Eddie Howe will take over and Sam will enjoy ‘retirement’. Occasional paid adviser commissions and answering phone calls from Kevin will be sufficient involvement.
COYI
Not sure Sam allardyce wouldn’t appreciate the fact most of West Brom’s success in the championship came when Grady Diangana was playing out of his skin and having a real influence on some crucial games. If he can get Grady playing again with confidence it will make a big difference. I seem to remember Big Sam was the only manager to get a tune of any kind out of Revel Morrison. At least for one season anyway.
He got a handful of games out of Ravel not a season, Grady can’t carry that team on his own they lack enough fitness and aggression to stay up, Allardyce will get them organised but I think the way the game has gone with everyone high pressing, organisation will only get him so far, his biggest assett was the fitness and that organisation, beating the teams around them by out working them and out muscling them with older pro’s, those old pro’s now will be cream crackered and unable to sustain the pace of the modern game, if he does take Noble it will probably be a good move for next season when they have to try to get promoted again.
Any truth in the rumour that Big Sam is trying to tempt Mark Noble to sign for him in January? Wouldn’t surprise me. He likes a captain that he knows and trusts. First thing he did as West Ham boss was to lure Kevin Nolan away from Newcastle to help lead West Ham back from the championship to the premier league.
Well said Clive good manager for us Sam
The game was lost in the first five minutes when Villa scored, a consequence of pathetic defending.
The title should really read “BFS is Welcomed to the EPL of VAR”. The first red card sealed the loss, and inconsistency in not awarding a second poured salt on the wound. The capriciousness of EPL refereeing will not suit his style at all.
Who cares
Me cos it gives me a chance to knock him
You’ve made me chuckle again, Hugh … let’s hope we’re all laughing later tonight … COYI