As I sit and write this West Ham United sit 10th in the Barclays Premier League, on 42 points, in our first season back with just 4 games to go.
When Sam Allardyce was appointed manager we had just been relegated, we’d finished bottom of the league and were an absolute joke…in two short years he has transformed the club; those that for some bizarre, unfathomable reason still want him out will pipe up when we get a less than favourable result, but when we win they’re silent.
The Allardyce haters will always chuck in the pathetic line that ‘he didn’t get us up automatically’ who cares?! The only objective was to get up and by any means necessary and whilst the Play-off final was a bit tricky to say the least, the way we bounced back from the failure to go up automatically by destroying Cardiff 5-0 on aggregate was a fantastic response from Sam and the squad of players he assembled.
Wolves and Blackburn both relegated last season and now sit perilously close to the Championship drop-zone have proved that clubs that drop down a level don’t necessarily automatically bounce back. Look at where the aforementioned clubs are…that could’ve potentially been us if Sam hadn’t come in and delivered.
I find it very interesting how we’re attracting criticism these days, if it’s not Sir Alex Ferguson having a pop its fans of other clubs about our style and tactics and there is one simple reason for this…they are used to West Ham being a soft touch, this current Hammers side however is moulded and shaped in the image of Allardyce; we’re a very difficult side to beat these days; especially at Upton Park where we’ve only lost four all season. So hopefully the digs will keep on coming, surely its better than a pat on the back after we’ve just been stuffed 3-0?
Apart from Gary O’Neil and Winston Reid the side that started against Wigan on Saturday was entirely made up of Sam’s signings; so he should take all the plaudits for how well we’re performing. Now that our safety is assured and we can significantly improve the quality and quantity of the squad I’m sure we’ll see an even better improvement next season.
Since Glen Roeder was sacked in 2003 we’ve been through a plethora of different managers, isn’t time for a bit of consistency? When was the last time a West Ham manager even signed a contract extension?
It’s because of Sam we bounced back from the Championship at the first time of asking, it’s because of Sam that we’ve only lost 4 at home this season, it’s because of Sam that we’ve only failed to score once at home this season, it’s because of Sam that with 4 games to go we’re tenth and in no danger of going down.
Sam Allardyce is quite simply the best thing to happen to West Ham in recent years, those that cannot see that now I fear never will.
Great article, Big Sam as saved the club i love, we was complete joke before Sam came and laughing stock for so many clubs!
While I agree big same should get an extension I would like us to move for a more modern expansive style manager when we’re in the new stadium. I feel sam will get us there steady around mid table, I like that we don’t look like we’re going to concede when ahead anymore and the constant barrage of attacks at home when we’re behind.. The players work hard and we haven’t had a beating in the league all season BUT I don’t like Nolan, don’t always like our build up play and unlike you said I’m not a great fan of his signings (bar Carroll) maiga, o neil, taylor, jussi, pogatez, chamakh arent good enough long term and jarvis hasnt been worth our record fee, his selections and substitutions are questionable at best and probably our best players Tomkins, noble, Reid alladyce didn’t and wouldn’t of bought and joe cole was more of a gold / Sullivan signing
Really good piece Kwame
No point me explaining why I disagree as we all know my view already but I just thought I would say, very well written piece Kwame even if I do disagree.
Well said Kwame…. In my opinion SPOT ON!
We didn’t go up automatically…..But we were 3 points off of being crowned Champions. Most teams that fail to get automatic promotion by the margin we did, also fail to gain promotion through the play off’s. But we did it!
The other thing that gets me about some of our supporters which I find just as bad as those that are unable to give credit where its due are….. the TWEAKERS, who believe that changing your manager for some footballing genius (Waiting for the call from West Ham) will turn us into Brazil. Those supporters waiting for that might as well switch to supporting a club like Chelski who can afford to tweak once or twice a season.
Key word, Deluded comes to mind.
Those supporters expecting miracles better wait until the manager BIG SAM has the funds available to get the type of quality players who will bring that ability to the club.
These supporters need to understand you CAN’T comeback from financial meltdown, relegation, promotion and play like Brazil in two years flat unless your manager is…..
I think you know the rest!
Well Done Big Sam, keep up the good work, as with stability will come the success everyone wants!
COYI
Top telling hammers fans to support other clubs because they disagree with you, then what you say might have an ounce of credibility to it.
You’re a known quantity. I’ve been supporting West Ham for over 40 years and I have seen the change in support and what is expected and the difference is people these days are always in a hurry and expect a quick fix.
Most supporters who have been around long enough and have a full understanding of the game, finances and where we have come from in the last two years, probably wouldn’t agree with your views anyway. So if I’ve lost my credibility in your book, I can’t honestly say I’ll lose any sleep over it anytime soon!
Congratulations on your long tenure as a hammers fan. If I was your age I would have supported them for that long too. You can disagree with my opinion of Big Sam and whether or not he is the saviour he is made out to be, that’s fine, but to start telling fans to go support another club is mindless. Even those that support your opinion won’t agree with that. It is mindless and immature to start telling fans to support other teams. For someone who has supported the club for over 40 years you really need to get off your high horse and grow up a bit.
Supporters should support. People like you just give a negative buzz, if you had your way the club would be in complete shat, so who wants supporters like you.
I don’t think you’re a hammers fan anyway little boy
Well said…im not 100% sure about this ..but i read somewhere that Ron Greenwood was not liked at first because he was a coach at Arsenal ….the rest is history as they say!…Sam has done a good job,we would all like jose or pep..so would every team in the world!
Give him an extension and a few bob to spend in the summer and i reckon a european spot could be ours for the taking.
I agree – Sam should be rewarded with an contract extension, what happened at Blackburn when they got rid should be a lesson to all Hammers fans.
Give him an extension, see what happens, we could do worse. If more funds are available he can buy more Allardyce players for 2 years and get rid of the taylors, pogs etc.
Cheers Hugh, I get that Sam is a bit divisive amongst the fans, I just feel we need a bit of continuity and stability, we’ve simply gone too long without it.
I agree totally with all you have said, Get behind Big Sam he has done well for us