Say what you like about Sam Allardyce he’s not scared of bigging himself up!
He was in the papers this morning explaining there is no manager in the league more sophisticated than him and that he’s “just as good as anyone at this stage.”
There’s a pattern here. Two or three times a season we hear such words – usually after a decent result.
He reminded us last season of the ‘Allerdici’ nickname he had given himself after beating Spurs, and following early season victories over Man City and Liverpool, decided to mention his England ambitions
At the same time he claimed he would have gone on to manage one of the world’s top clubs had former owner Freddie Shepherd not left.
The question is: Why does he regularly regale us with these little bits of self promotion?
I have little doubt his answer would be ‘to wind people up’ or that it’s ‘mind games” on the morning of a clash with Ronald Koeman’s Saints.
Both responses would be valid answer were it not for the fact that these little missives are pretty regular and generally centred on himself!
We all have the ability to decide how good he is by looking at his record and for those who want to check it out try this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Allardyce. We really don’t need the guy himself to remind us!
I prefer Sam when he keeps quiet about himself and gives credit to the team rather than reminding us how experienced and good he is!
Every single one of us is guilty of wanting to be the centre of attention now and again – human nature – but self praise is never a recommendation.
And I always think it’s a little dangerous to involve yourself in mind games on the day of a match where the opposition is managed by a very able man who has led his team into third place and could leave enough egg on Sam’s face to make an omelette.
It’s surely a far better idea to allow results speak for themselves.
Sam appears to be enjoying himself at the moment having got exactly the reaction he required from Louis Van Gaal on the long ball jibe which he presumably mentioned in order to help himself feel better having been accused of the same almost since there was a King on the throne.
But I wish he’d stop because I honestly believe that were he to he would win many many friends, me among them, because he’s shown this season, at it’s best, his footballing approach is indeed the equal of most.
Tonight of course is a test for him because if Andy Carroll is fit there’s a decision to be made about splitting up Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia.
If he can sort out his thinking in that area and work out how best to use the three of them most of us will have little left to complain about – assuming the self promotion stops!
So lets see . . .
Manager Record (assistant at West Brom)
West Brom – Relegated
Limerick – Promoted
Preston – Nothing
Blackpool – Nothing
Notts County – Relegated and promoted
Bolton – Promoted
Newcastle – Nothing
Blackburn – Nothing
West Ham – Promoted
Player Record
Bolton – Promoted
Football League Division 1 Titles – None
Premier League Titles – None
F A Cups – None
League Cups – None
Yes I do not know why Barcelona and Real Madrid and Manchester United have now been banging the door down either . . .
He has some very good agent friends though, one got him the 13th biggest pay check in the world . . . fantastic business by his agent
Cough
So lets see . . .
Manager Record (assistant at West Brom)
West Brom – Relegated
Limerick – Promoted
Preston – Nothing
Blackpool – Nothing
Notts County – Relegated and promoted
Bolton – Promoted
Newcastle – Nothing
Blackburn – Nothing
West Ham – Promoted
Player Record
Bolton – Promoted
Football League Division 1 Titles – None
Premier League Titles – None
F A Cups – None
League Cups – None
Yes I do not know why Barcelona and Real Madrid and Manchester United have not been banging the door down either . . .
He has some very good agent friends though, one got him the 13th biggest pay check in the world . . . fantastic business by his agent
Cough
Yes JIMRSA, I notice BFS has a respectable curriculum… just missing the world cup, but at the end of the season, when he’ll finally desappear from here, I’m sure he’ll replace Hodgson and England will win the next World Cup. In this way his trophy case will be finally completed.
It pretty well sums him up as a manager when teams who need promotion from the championship or need to stay in the premiership are linked with his name.Never the big clubs.He has a level as a manager & maybe if he recognised this he might endear himself more to people.I dont think he knows the meaning of the word humility & to put all this down to him playing mind games or it being tongue in cheek is crazy.The guy has a big ego & high opinion of himself,it cant be doubted.Many of my mates who support other teams think he is a total jerk,it aint just we Irons fans 😉
Yes it is a little bit puzzling that a manager with so much premier and footballing experience can be so unguarded and naïve at press conferences and such like.
With regards to the press you would think when answering questions that honesty is not the best policy, especially when you know most questions have an agenda and are often twisted and taken out of context.
I know BS gets a hard time from certain sections of the press and it must be very tempting to reply to his detractors but surely after all these years he must know that he would be better to rise above it all and let his team do the talking for him?!
If he has any doubts how not to conduct yourself in public then he should look no further than Louis van ego’s press conference earlier in the week! An absolute embarrassing spectacle and a perfect example of a time when to keep you big mouth shut!
Priceless all the same though!
Every time he opens his mouth he makes our great club look stupid,Greats like Greenwood would never have done this to our club,
Let’s hope he is still blowing hot air tomorrow after tonights match,
BFS OUT COY!
I think he knows he will not be with us next season, pity Fernandez hasn’t tapped him up, or has he ?
New season, new Manger new expectations and onward to Stratford and playing in Europe. COYI
So remind me, what happened to all theses clubs that got rid of BFS?