by Bashmachkin Tue Dec 04, 2007 10:54 pm
I see Allardyce has come out tonight regarding tomorrows game, saying that the key thing is to stop Arsenal first of all, and then in those rarest of moments where we actually have the ball, we have to use it well and get at their defence (ie. kick the ball hard at their defence). Which makes twice since the weekend that hes peddled the need for containment and results above all. Im like Kimbo in that I think its unlikely, though not impossible, that he will leave anytime soon - the consensus within the game is that it would be silly to sack him so soon, even if this isnt the view of many of the fans, and I think Ashley is likely to listen to the view within the game whilst he will be hesitant to sack a manager so early on.
I genuinely think its a tricky one, and that its not as easy as saying 'a manager needs time' - if a situation isnt working, then it requires a degree of insight and bravery to change it. For me, as Ive said, Allardyce may improve our fitness levels over time, the players may understand his methods more and benefit in the longer term from his training, but theres a sense to which he has shown his hand at the club and its lacking; certainly the early impression is that hes a very negative thinker with a negative style of football (which doesnt suit the club at all) who will prove reluctant to change his ways, and that hes not got anything more about him than he showed whilst at Bolton. If you have a club with a chairman and a support that wants attacking football and that would like to even reach the top four in the next three or four years, and if you have a manager who looks unlikely to provide either, then is their any point keeping him on the basis that things may improve a little bit?
If Allardyce is still here after Arsenal, then I think theres a good chance he will stay for the season, and ultimately I cant see him leaving whatever the Arsenal result. After that game we have a run of four easy fixtures up until the end of the month - from there the next ten games are dreadful, but at the same time we would already be in the transfer window and it would be difficult to change managers in that period. Then Allardyce would presumably make a few more changes, and its difficult to sack him any time soon after that. I do fear our January with him in charge from a transfer perspective.
Back to the game, I think Kimbos team will probably be right - presuming Taylor is fit (I dont know the situation with him and Faye). Im sure Allardyce thinks that those midfield three provide good protection, and that line up showed improvement against Blackburn. Though it wouldnt be too surprising to see Enrique line up at left back with Milner or N'Zogbia on the bench.
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