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Is Sam Allardyce the New Alastair Campbell?

Sam Allardyce

I tell you what, politicians have got nothing on football managers when it comes to spin. Sam was at it at his press conference today, trying to make out that he was perfectly happy only having one striker in his squad, totally ignoring that the other one is trying to get a move to St Etienne. And of course, no one has come in for Vaz Te. Perish. the Thought. Or Matt Taylor. Or anyone come to that. And of course the club haven’t been talking to Juventus, or any other club for that matter, about bringing in another striker. Well if that’s the truth my name’s Wim Van Hanegam. [Where did that come from? Ed]. And if it really is the truth then someone isn’t doing their job properly.

I have rather lost count of all the European strikers we have been linked with. Quagliarella seems to be the hottest tip, although Norwich might well be competing with us for his services. Not sure the Norwich nightlife would suit him, to be honest. but maybe it’s changed since I was at university there in the early 1980s. A nice pizza at Pizza One, Pancakes Too in Tombland, then a night at Bonds or Ritzy’s. I knew how to live. Eleven pernod & blacks (remember, I come from Essex) in two hours was a particular achievement. The night took a turn for the worse when I asked the captain of the UEA Rugby Club: “Do you come here often?” I was dragged away by friends before he could shove it where the carrot wouldn’t crunch. Anyway, I digress…

Quagliarella

If we are happy to pay £7 million for a 30 year old Italian, why not pay £6 million for Jermain Defoe or not much more for Jordan Rhodes. They are both proven goalscorers and could both either lead the line or play alongside Andy Carroll.

We have a chance to finish well inside the top half of the league this year. But I can’t see that happening if we are totally reliant on the midfield players to chip in with ten goals each. Neither Jarvis nor Downing are known for their goalscoring exploits, and while Nolan and Cole will always get their fair share, what if Andy Carroll gets injured? Again. It hardly bears thinking about.

Sorry if that all sounds depressing. I really feel we can push on this season, but not if we have to rely totally on one player for goals. We’ve seen what Swansea have done. We’ve seen Norwich sign a couple of cracking strikers in Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper. I think both of them could finish in the top half. We could well finish above them, in the top 8, but only if we do what we all know needs to be done. And there are only 9 days left in which to do it.

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