All of the connotations associated with West Ham’s history of football over the years were brought into disrepute this summer as notorious long ball merchant Sam Allardyce arrived at Upton Park. However, surely the ‘academy of football’ tag can be forgotten for a while as the club look to bounce back immediately from its relegation from the Premier League last season.
After Avram Grant’s horrific spell in charge last year, things could only get better for the East End club who currently sit second in the Championship after missing a chance to go top last weekend. Allardyce has definitely brought his own style to Upton Park along with pals Kevin Nolan, Joey O’Brien and Abdoulaye Faye.
A large number of Hammers fans were sceptical over the appointment of Allardyce and his perceived negative tactics. Over the years an Allardyce side has been very quick to play the long ball and defensive, but in my opinion he was just utilising what he had at his disposal. Each club he has been at have had players in their side that suit the aerial game, and so it has been successful when used.
Allardyce performed wonders at Bolton and Blackburn and wasn’t given enough time at St James Park (Sports Direct Arena); where it is notoriously a tough place to be a manager. To say that because Big Sam is in charge, then West Hamwill become a dull, physical team is extremely harsh. Playing to their strengths West Ham will keep the ball and use their width, not lump the ball up to 5ft7 Sam Baldock. Talented footballers Jack Collison, Mark Noble and Henri Lansbury defy any Allardyce tradition and the fact that the clubs tallest player; Carlton Cole; cant head the ball anyway, the long ball has rarely been successful.
One thing that Big Sam has given to the Hammers is a tougher mentality and more of a will to win. Last season if West Ham went one nil down, they lost the game. Away from home they were unable to win and rarely scored a goal. Scoring 33 goals in 38 games at the highest level is just unacceptable. However, yes they are playing weaker opposition, but the Hammers have already scored 36 goals this season and have won more than last year, and it’s not even Christmas yet.
Since Alan Pardew left Upton Park in 2006 West Ham have not had the squad to be able to play silky football, as is equally pleasing on the eye as it is on the league table. West Ham fans can’t possibly suggest they were happy with the results over the past 18 months or so and the football has not been much better.
With Allardyce now in charge the Irons will play to their strengths; which is a necessity in the Championship, and will more than likely earn promotion back to top flight as they will go from strength to strength in the second half of the season. With Big Sam one of the favourites with some people to become the next England manager (no thank you) it is in everybody’s interest to sit and watch a few West Ham games this season as his style of football may surprise you, but the impressive results shouldn’t.
Managers such as Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, who sadly past away in recent years, have left a long legacy at Upton Park but West Ham are a very different club to that at the moment and Allardyce will be looking to make a similar successful time during his stay in East London. Given a chance Allardyce will get the Hammers promoted and keep them in the Premier League.
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what a load of rubbish, the west ham of old was a team that couldnt string a sentence together, let alone back to back wins. allerdyce is a breath of fresh air to west ham fans, less of the stress of loosing to bizzare small teams (excluding doncaster this year, he was still getting used to the squad 😉 ) up the allerdyce COYI!
Surely this piece is about 6 months too late?? Keep up pal…
weird I seem to remember us finishing well in the Premier league under Redknapp and Roeder without having to play the cack we are serving up now. If winning at all costs is what you want, then great but there are better clubs to get your fix for that. I personally always liked West Ham for the style of play, it didn’t always work but liked that the intention was there. Clubs the world over show that on the whole attractive football can be winning football.
and we beat Doncaster
You obviously havent been down West Ham for a while.
The place is buzzing every away game is sold out to packed stadiums.
Big Sam is the best thing to happen to West Ham in years and years with back to back wins a team that is hard to beat and will only get better.
Sam has his way of playing and has tried to implement it at home with fans pleading for a 4-4-2 system and 4-5-1 away from home with the ball being played on the ground and lots of passing.
If I was you brad I would delete this before you get mugged of anymore lol :0) COYI ‘><'
We are doing well this season. Anyone who’s been will know the atmosphere is lighter and better. Sam Allardyce comes with the headlines of long ball etc etc and he knew that would grate with us. The fact is, a lot of the football has been good. Faubert – we all knew he could play but Big Sam has given him belief and he is playing wide. Can’t Control and even le Piq is scoring! All we need now is for Mark Noble to come out of the twilight zone and for our lot to get off Nolan’s back. COYI