Plans are made here, games are played here
I could write me a book
Each night astounds you
Rumours are abuzzing
Stories by the dozen
Look around you, cousin
At the news we’re making here…
The headlines are reverential, the music is loud, the drinks are flowing and there’s a whole lotta love being shared around in the decadent atmosphere of Big Sam’s Grand Slam Speakeasy! You can imagine his 60th was a rowdy, riotous affair. The gaffer, luxuriating in the glow of his new-found success, strides ahead of his cohorts, back-slapping and hand-shaking through the fawning masses. Grins wide, holds court, critics and splurge guns silenced. Enemies whacked. An armistice of sorts and the party is wild!
“I’ve done a fantastic job,” he booms. The crowd cheers. His disciples throw themselves to the dusty floor in zealous genuflexion. Pressure? What pressure? Was it ever in doubt?
Well yeah kinda.
I think deep down Allardyce is just as shocked as we are. No-one could have predicted the immediate impact of the new recruits. Sakho, Valencia, Cresswell, Kouyate, Zarate, Song, Jenkinson have all taken care of business. No-one could have predicted the regeneration of the old guard. I’ve run out of superlatives to describe Stewart Downing. All we need now is the resurrection of Kevin Nolan and the messianic metamorphosis of Sam Allardyce will be complete.
Yet, in all honesty, you can’t argue with him. In the grand scheme of things, in the cold light of day, when the speakeasy revellers have departed, the chairs stacked high on the tables and the janitor is mopping the mucky floor…yes, he has done a great job.
It’s still only early days but it’s a remarkable reversal of fortune. Following the victory against Burnley we now reside loftily in 4th place in the table. West Ham at Turf Moor like Cerberus guarding the gates of hell, 3 heads, 3 goals, 3 points. The Hammers are now brandishing a style of football that has even the most cynical of Allardyce detractors swallowing their words. Points stuffed in swag bags and players playing with swagger. No in-house spatz, er, I mean spats. The Hammers mob is getting made. And it feels pretty good.
It’s not luck that’s got them here. It may have taken longer than eager and impatient fans would have liked. It may have taken the chairmen’s Godfather-like ultimatum: play the right way or you’re swimming with the fishes (we’ll no doubt find out the truth about that in the memoirs); it may have taken a hitman foisted upon him that has buried 6 goals in 6 games. But the fact remains, you have to give credit to the man in charge.
If he has to face the backlash for the failures, if he has to bear the brunt of the responsibility for the defeats, if he has to take the bullet for the hoof up the park, then surely he’s entitled to bask in the glory of this, perhaps short-term but please God not, brilliant heist.
Let’s not forget he has previous. When the likes of Djorkaeff, Anelka, Hierro, Speed, Campo and Okocha the Magician of Bolton were delighting all-comers at the Reebok, they weren’t being surpassed or suppressed by a long ball.
During his time there, Allardyce’s roll-call of duty was pretty impressive: play-off promotion to the Premier League, a league cup final and a 6th place finish, earning the Trotters qualification to the UEFA cup for the first time in the club’s history. Yes they also had their moments flirting with the drop, but, as we all know, Big Sam has never been relegated and Wanderers fans enjoyed some of the best football and the best results they’d seen in years under his tutelage.
I’m not saying the guy is a managerial master, his spell at Newcastle was a disaster, he was ousted unexpectedly, and probably unfairly, at Blackburn, but he does deserve a break.
As any fan who has suffered relegation regularly knows, sometimes you have to dump your pretty principles if you want to stay with the big boys. Needs must I’m afraid. Maybe now, Sam believes he has finally consolidated his team in the highest division. Maybe now he knows he has the strength in depth to not only remain in the Premier League, but to push on to greater things in the top flight. Maybe now he feels comfortable enough to relax the route one reins and really expand the brand. Whether you like the man or not, whether you dislike his principles, or disagree with his methods, he’s achieving his targets, the football looks good and he should take some of the plaudits being offered. For now…
It will be interesting to see how he fares going forward. I don’t think it’s the last we’ve seen of the direct approach. When the situation calls for it Allardyce will return to type. And so he should. Any strong team should be able to adapt and fluctuate to ever-changing opponents. But now we have the luxury of flexibility. We have options and the head honcho has an array of weaponry at his fingertips. Last season there was hardly a plan A, let alone B, C and D! Eyes will be trailing his every move, tactical decision, and shift in strategy. With the comfort and reliability of a good squad we’ll now see what Sam Allardyce, once touted for the top job in the land, is truly capable of.
I don’t expect to see a new contract offered before the year, possibly even the season, is out. Allardyce seems, as is his wont, unfazed and unperturbed. He’s been in the game long enough to know que sera sera. He feels he’s already proven himself at this level. He hadn’t done so at the Boleyn. He is doing it now. He guarantees Premier League football and now he’s bringing us fans football to be savour. Badabing badaboom!
The champagne corks are popping at the speakeasy, bubbles quaffed in copious amounts. It could fall flat after a Champion’s visit on Saturday…or, we could fling some flans in City’s faces.
Anybody who is anybody
Will soon walk through that door
At Big Sam’s Grand Slam Speakeasy
Once you get here
Feel the good cheer
Like they say in the poem
Big Sam’s ain’t humble but it’s your home sweet home…
Come On You Irons!
B x