Sam Allardyce

[Bullet]

Keeps getting points on the board against the sides we'd expect to. It's only Bournemouth that we've lost unexpectedly to since he's been in charge. That win moves us up to 9th position in the form table since his arrival with 16 points gained from 33 available (48%). That's a significant increase from the points taken up to the point he came in which saw us sat 4 places lower with just 15 points from 42 (36%), having played 3 extra matches at that point. It's also more points than Arsenal have gained in that time.

When Moshiri made his final decision on the appointment before the West Ham game, we were sat 2 points above the drop in 17th place. After the West Ham game when he officially took over we were 13th and only 5 points above the relegation places. We are now in 9th, 8 points ahead of the relegation zone so that looks like clear progress to me. He's brought in Walcott who already looks a positive signing and has addressed the Striker situation with Tosun.

It's looking like a sensible decision from Moshiri to bring him in to steady the ship in the short term. Not convinced about him staying longer than this season though.

A well reasoned post. Moshiri made the wise if unpopular decision to bring Sam in to steady a shambles.
Like you I hope it's just to season end though I'm unconvinced businessman Mosh will pull the very costly trigger on a manager who delivered top half, if that's what happens, from a position of relegation battle.
If he does I hope Mosh makes an even more unpopular decision, the one he unequivically should have made in summer 2016, and appoints the winner of the Champs and Europa leagues, 2 La ligas, the fa cup and the Championship making him instantly the most successful person to ever manage our club in our entire history.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Big Sam has the magic, bad night for the naysayers, they got excited when the penalty went in but alas for them it was not to be. Football and Everton with two well crafted goals won it on the night, the pies are on me!

 

[Yarrgh]

Pre Sam, 13th and 5 points off relegation places

30th January, 9th and 5 points off the relegation zone.

Perfect statistic. We're 9th in a 6 team league. We could well finish up 7th or 17th at the end of this season, and it'll make no difference to player's perception of us as a team to come play for or other teams to worry about.

The anti-football of Sam cannot contain the occasional spate of footballing breaking out as some of our players do have a good skill level. But I think the fact we are 9th really is more of a reflection on how poor some of the other teams are.

7th will not save him. His will be a curate's egg of a reign. He rearranged the deck chairs on the Titanic that is our defence, and that was a vital thing to do. Luck got us through his first games, but the lack of attacking intent until last night, was an absolute disgrace. I hope for his and our sake, that it's took him this long to get 'going forward' right and that we will see an improvement from now on until the end of the season.

All too late for me, this awful season of disappointment was crystallised into gravy guzzling golem form by the appointment of Big Sam, and I have no idea what miracle can redeem him in my eyes. To get another season in charge, he'd have to play the most dazzling football ever seen and eclipse City in performance levels until the end of the season, and get us into Europe.

Having said this, we do need a replacement that has the organisational and shear bloody mindedness of Big Sam. I have no idea who that is though, but I hope the board know who they want, and have already got the wheels in motion about getting him in.

 

[sageyefc]

Come on mate how can you not give Howe credit for what he’s done with that Bournemouth side along with being one of the youngest managers around. He will 100% end up at a bigger club.

English Martinez

 

[EFC78]

We aren’t getting anywhere near seventh mate, we’ve just signed a centre half to play at left back and one of our brightest young players has chosen to go on holiday to Germany, rather than spend anymore time under the fat mess.

The end of the season can’t come quick enough.

A lot said the same last season when we were at the start of December on a poor run and sat in 7th, and it happened.

I appreciate there are major weaknesses and flaws in our team and it may turn out that we don't get near 7th. But Leicester showed tonight that they're very ordinary, especially without Mahrez, and Burnley are on a terrible run. The sides below us have had ample opportunity to climb above us since the Swansea game and haven't.

We now have one of our best and most influential players back in Coleman and Walcott looks like he could build a strong partnership with him. Both have pace and caused the 7th placed side a load of problems. Tosun and Mangala have been brought in too so hopefully they will improve us.

I think the Left Back situation is what will cost us if we don't come in the top 7-9 and that is on all of them including Allardyce for me. I'm also disappointed with Allardyce's decision to not give Lookman more of a chance. Don't know if there is something with Lookman's attitude though as that's 3 managers who have all been reluctant to give him a proper go. But the evidence he's shown on the pitch, especially in an attacking sense shows that he's easily good enough to be playing, especially when other young players like Holgate, Kenny, DCL and Davies have been given a chance.

 

[Yarrgh]

I for one have fully embraced the roller coaster of emotions that is this season.

Don't worry lads, if we lose on Saturday we will be back to all being gash again and being relegation candidates. Tonight let the man enjoy his buffet before going two's up on his missus with Sammy Lee.

That's not his missus, that's Sneaky Craig in a wig.

 

[technojoe]

Thought the team played really well last night. Big sam took too long on subs tho otherwise solid win!

 

[anton66]

Big Sam has the magic, bad night for the naysayers, they got excited when the penalty went in but alas for them it was not to be. Football and Everton with two well crafted goals won it on the night, the pies are on me!

Are you saying some Everton fans wanted us to get beat last night?

 

[chazzle_dazzle]

Just 9 more points to 40

Once we hit that I'm perfectly fine with us immediately sacking him on the spot

Will be rewarded a contract extension by finishing above 14th.... mark my words.

 

[Yarrgh]

No he will return when Sam gets sacked

I hope this is the case, and that whoever comes in, has the nous to be able to work with the talented kids we have and get them playing in the first team and letting them perform to the best of their ability. Not left hanging out to dry like DCL who led the line for a large part of the season when he should have been being eased in for cameo roles. I will concede that Big Sam is obviously on a short term mission to not screw things up to cause a relegation, and this means the kids can go under a bus for all he cares this season. Come back Ade, I wish you were still here.

 

[Mathieubleucoyb]

Martina did a good job set up the first goal.. praise Allardyce’s tactics spot on !
I’ve been negative but tonight showed a different Everton shots on target!

 

[chazzle_dazzle]

Really struggling now where to vent my frustration more at the moment. Yes we won last night, but its still massively papering over the cracks, when we where on the streak when he joined it was still papering over the cracks.

I feel his treatment of the players the last few days has been absolutely horrific if am honest, the comments last night about Klassen and Lookman, genuinely took me by shock. Klassens move fell through, and instead of saying maybe there is a bit of light for the lad and could force his way in, he strips him down...

HE HAS TO OFFER MORE THEN Schniederat YOU MASSIVE HELMET.

and Lookman, no wonder a lad who is considered homesick wanted to goto Germany after his treatment, I would be shocked if we seen him at the club again.

The whole strategy of the club is an absolute shambles, and I really am genuinely struggling to hold on at the moment. Walsh, Sam, they all need to leave... they wont though, I am expecting another 12 months minimum of this absolute train wreck of a football club trudging forward.

Cant believe some people are saying we got points against teams, we also never had a shot on target in something like 4 games - or a shot.

I mean, is this, THIS what we expect?

 

[flibbyflob]

English Martinez

Na his sides don't leak as many goals and pass it sideways for 90% of the game.

 

[Eggs]

...other than 15mins at the start and 15mins at the end I thought we played some nice stuff. There’s a stereotypical view that we play ‘hoofball’ but that wasn’t particularly evident on last nights display.

 

[kenada_blue]

...other than 15mins at the start and 15mins at the end I thought we played some nice stuff. There’s a stereotypical view that we play ‘hoofball’ but that wasn’t particularly evident on last nights display.

He plays as much hoofball as Koeman did.

But cos is Big Sam that's the brush he's tarnished with.

Additionally we lack genuine ball playing footballers