Twenty four hours after ClaretandHugh reported that Sam Allardyce could be replaced in the summer, the Daily Mail is today suggesting the possibility of a managerial change.
The newspaper says in a carefully worded report that whilst Allardyce “retains the support of the board who will make any decision on his future for the moment, but they are aware of a need to freshen things up.”
And it adds in its one reference to another manager : “Mackay was sacked by Cardiff City at the end of December after losing the favour of owner Vincent Tan and would be on West Ham’s shortlist if Allardyce went.”
Despite almost certainly assuring the Hammers of Premier League football next season, the team’s performance against Hull City last night has come in for much criticism last night.
The team was booed off the pitch by a section of fans and Allardyce cupped a hand to his ear.
His explanation afterwards was: ” ‘I did it because I was hearing booing and I couldn’t quite believe it. I’ve never been to a place where I won and got booed.
“I started at 16, got into the first team at 18 and I’m 59 now and I have never been in place where we have won and got booed.”
I can’t believe Sam is surprised at the booing. I didn’t boo – I never do – but we were dreadful last night. Football is an entertainment business and we, the fans, pay top dollar for our seats – if that entertainment. Isn’t entertaining, it’s no surprise some people boo.
And we can play good stuff under Sam – more last season than this, admittedly. I just think he’s taken us as far as he can.
I doubt there’s anything in the paper talk — it’s essential we are in the PL when we go to the OS and Sam doesn’t take teams down. The safe approach is to keep him in. Had he gone when there was a clamour for him to be sacked Dec-Jan, I have no doubt that he’d have been straight into a new job with one of the other strugglers.