Forum | General Discussion

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-ham/11598549/West-H...

So maybe it was true that when the board approached him at Christmas to offer him a 2 year deal he already had other offers? Thought he had nothing to lose and so told them to 'double' the wages or he's not interested? The problem seems to be that none of our preferred targets are interested so, mentioned this before, at odds of 6/1 is Old Harry on his way back as interim manager? I really wouldn't be surprised if this happened now, I bet a few of you will argue this one.......

Any of their players worth us trying to sign?

So it looks like Allardyce is staying. It will be music to the ears of some and fill others with dread. After this week's abject performance against Villa, I almost envied the others in claret and blue, that they have a fresh new start and something to look forward to. Like our season we only turned up for one half and the one we were bad in featured Nolan. If you want a laugh btw, slow-mo Cleverly's goal and Nolan trying to track back. I asked the question of the pro-Allardyces to try and convince us that next year will be something to look forward to. All I got back was the usual rhetoric, don't know what your talking about blah blah blah, oh and my favourite, "Have you ever coached!?". A position held mainly by the media also this season, but funny how they have now stopped talking about it. Also funny that the owners didn't even nod towards Allardyce's amazing achievements this season at the awards dinner. I suppose anybody that thinks Allardyce shouldn't go is happy with the 3 wins against Sunderland, Hull and Burnley this year. Maybe Danny Murphy will break silence and tell us how fortunate we are.

So back to Villa, they're ground is about 3/4 full, apparently a hangover from the Lambert days. They vote with their feet there, rightly or wrongly and have forced a change. Lambert's record for the first 19 games this season was 21 points. According to us that should warrant a new 2 year contract. Which now looks likely for Allardyce. In the knowledge that Nolan is going to start every game how do things get better or is this as good as it gets? Someone on here said something like, "If Allardyce managed Chelsea he'd have Costa up front with Hazard behind". No he wouldn't he'd buy Nolan and stick Hazard on the bench. Another pearl of wisdom was that Nolan should become a coach. To coach what drinking and eating kebabs? " Kev, show us how you stick your are out again at corners". So another season with the mighty duo at the helm and big Andy making a 6-game cameo. Oh by the way Allardyce has asked for more money, so that's more than the £60K a week he already gets. So forget our enjoyment as fans, how the hell are we not going to get relegated? the fallacy that Allardyce GUARANTEES you Prem football is waning. Playing like this with 10 men every game, we're only heading one way.

Watching that second half against Villa proves to me that we have so much potential, that our players can cut it in the premiership and when they are allowed to fly they can do it pretty well.
Unfortunately even now when the season has almost finished Big Sam still feels the need to play defensively, but at least he allowed our players to show what they are capable of in that second half and it almost paid off.
It is painfully obvious that we have some decent attacking players in the squad and I feel confident that if they were playing attacking football more regularly they will be tighter and better at it and God how I wish they could be unleashed against the lower teams and all teams at home games to attack with belief and want, and show us all what they can do.
I am not blind and can see that Sam Allardyces hands are somewhat tied because of Injuries (Though even if he had a fully fit squad would he change things that much ?) my belief is that West Ham have a bright future and simply need 3-4 top notch players to become a top 6 team but Nolan has to go possibly even Noble too maybe not next year for him though, a few difficult decisions have to be made if West Ham wish to step up but to make those decisions we have to play more positively so we can see who can cut it and who cannot, our biggest problem is lack of pace and a few players probably the ones I have mentioned may be the problem.
Downing too I am not sure about but he gets moved around like a rubiks cube if he is played as he was when we were playing well then he is a leader in attack though where that leader is now God knows.