To infinity and beyond with Big Sam

So those erstwhile experts at the FA have finally placed their lottery like thumb on the head of Big Sam Allardyce. Who’d have thought it. Sam Allardyce, England Manager. This after-all is a man who did reasonably well with Bolton, did reasonably well with Blackburn, did reasonably well with West Ham did reasonably well with Sunderland but not very well with Newcastle. It’s a managerial record that had the top teams in Europe falling over themselves for his signature. Sadly that’s a lie. Only one team sought his signature which says much about the level to which English football has sunk. And let’s face it, it can’t get much lower than Iceland.

But don’t bank on it. Progressive is not a word with which to attach to Big Sam. Even those loveable rogues Sullivan & Gold could see the limitations in his approach. Since replacing him at the end of season 2015 Slaven Bilic has taken West Ham to a different level.

But no matter. On one thing can we count. He’ll do a shift, much like the individuals in whom his no nonsense approach will now find favour. Thus can we look forward to the prospect of Jordan Henderson and Fabian Delph running midfield. Neither has an ounce of guile, but that won’t matter. They’ll run around a lot giving the impression that they are working hard even though what they do will be fruitless in terms of creating openings. He’ll also give bollockings aplenty and be good post match copy.

Will he succeed?

I doubt it.

©Mark Brennand

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