09 Oct 2014 09:52:44
I just wondered what the feeling ws about Allardyce now? It seems the international break is a good time to discuss it, as you will all have had time to get a look at the new season's tactics.
Are you happy with them? Do you feel progress has been made towards the style you want to see West Ham play with?
I suppose most of all you will have been glad to see Kevin Nolan not just walk back into the side after injury. While he does score vital goals, he doesn't have the best touch or range of passing and can often be found wanting when play is being built up slower. His whole game is built on bursting into the box to get on the end of flicks down or loose balls. He is at his best when the ball is pumped forward quickly, so the opposition defence doesn't have time to organise and pick up his runs. In the style West Ham are aiming for, he is little use as anything other than a sub to rescue points late on, in my opinion.
Spot on about Nolan, he should be part of the squad, but used in very particular circumstances. He would be a good player to have around, even off of the pitch, in training, etc to give some of his experience and leadership skills to the next captain and vice. As far as Allardyce is concerned, I think it was a matter of too much pressure from the board and the fans, he has given in and proven himself wrong in a sense that now we have the ability to attack even the best teams in the PL. He is right when he mentions that our defensive side is a little untidy though as we have conceded a lot of goals. Adrian a bit suspect too? Maybe but as long as we keep scoring goals we will win enough football matches
The whole difference is the players brought in during he window allowing sam to use diamond rotating system 4-3-3 or virually constant switching if needed; previously we did not have the ability to change tactics owing to the lack of player variety; sam has apologized to dgs as he knew nothing of sakho until he rolled up at upton park and was negative on zarate; they are all chummy again which can only be good for club; Nolan moving towards the end of his time and will not be involved for 90 minutes unless injuries and supensions dictate. obviously we need long ball option so carroll will be kept unless we are offered close to money back ( unlikely) Dgs will push on there are another 6-8 targets right now; and with lots of squad coming to end of contracts soon there will be much more blowing in the wind ; this will leave the fans bubbling with excitement and there feud with sam could be soon forgotten ; providing of course results and quality of play continue IRONMIKE