Does he have any idea?

Big Sam has been one of the hottest talking points at the Boleyn ground in a long time. Although we all know how that Sam is a manager that can get teams further up the table does Big Sam really know what he’s doing?

Against Southampton Big Sam opted to start Matt Taylor even though he was a severe injury doubt, and unsurprisingly it backfired. The former Bolton Wanderers man limped off the pitch with hardly any time registered on the clock. But instead of bringing on midfielder Jack Collison, the former Bolton Wanderers manager opted to go with out of favour striker Frederic Piquionne. Well we all know what happened at Southampton and I don’t really think that has to be discussed but why did Big Sam choose the striker instead of a midfielder?

Well I think there is an answer to that. When Allardyce first took charge of West Ham he said that for away games we would play for the points. We would play a physical team and fight for the victory and at home is where we would play the football. So perhaps the decision to put on Piquionne instead of Collison was that the striker is stronger and a bigger physical presence.

This time Big Sam’s plans didn’t work out but I can see what he was trying to do as Southampton were dominating and we were playing away. The so called kick ‘em till we win tactic is one used by Allardyce at all of his former clubs. The choice at the St. Marys didn’t work out for us but I trust Allardyce’s decisions and believe that he opted with the right player for the moment.

On a side note, Big Sam has received some stick for his constant changing of midfielders and attacker, cut the guy some slack. We are barely into the season Big Sam is trying to establish a first 11. He is comparing different players in different positions to see who works best where. I think that he is coming to the end of these changes as some players are playing most games. The changes will cease but for now Allardyce is trying to do what is best for us.