Last summers transfer window was badly planned, badly targeted and badly executed, that will go down as one of the all-time spectacular failures of a window, more so perhaps for not replacing Lukaku than ending up with no pace, no guile and no idea.
Three number tens, various misfits and no goalscorer was a recipe for trouble, compounded by the recruitment fiasco following Koemans dismissal. Unsworth was left with the thankless task of soldiering on with a team bereft of confidence and competely rudderless. He was competely out of his depth and relegation was calling, that's why they were so desperate to escape anyway, anyhow.
All that's gone and can't be changed and Allardyce does get results however unpalatable his methods. He can't be blamed for past signings and his own have been far better.
Cenk Tosun - largely successful
Theo Walcott - provided badly needed width and pace
Both have been good
So while Allardyce ideally should be replaced his record of 36 pts from 24 games was sixth best in the league and certainly over a season may well have achieved 6th or 7th.
Of course we should aim for domestic cup runs too, but being drawn away at Anfield or Stamford Bridge in the first draw doesn't help, but I'm sure we should try next season if given a slightly easier passage.
Obviously we need a total reform of transfer policy from that followed last summer by the previous transfer and recruitment clowns, not least to try and stop any exodus of season ticket holders, but however justified or otherwise anger is to the current set-up, better players brings better football if planned correctly.
There really isn't much upside available as far as league position goes and any management change with such a truncated summer and so many high profile clubs looking is likely to be both difficult and fraught with risk, what there is though is a very considerable down side.
We can't just lose one manager without being in a position to be certain of better.
