Allardyce should right the wrongs of previous manager

Sam Allardyce is the right manager at the right time for West Ham.

Replacing Avram Grant, a man who was as deluded as he was tactically na�ve will certainly help his case, but there are plenty more positives regarding Allardyce’s appointment than can be derived from the ineptitude of his predecessor.

Allardyce has long had the reputation as a ‘long ball merchant’, but purchases such as Fernando Hierro, Jay Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff over the years show he has an eye for a stylish player and the lack of funds he has been given at previous clubs, proves his ability to get the best out of players.

Allardyce is more than aware the type of football West Ham fans expect and knows himself it would be foolish to stray too far from the passing football the Upton Park faithful have been brought up on.

“At Upton Park we’ll attempt to play the kind of passing game the fans want. We will aim to continue in the same way on our travels but we’ll also be tough, hard to beat and utterly resilient,” he said.

Tough and hard to beat were not associated with the Hammers last season when the laid back approach of Grant failed to get the best from his squad.

Underperforming as a team and as individuals occurred on a regular basis, while all too often goals were conceded through players left exposed or out of position.

It’s a problem the 56-year-old will surely make his priority to solve.

Known for his organisation and thoroughness it is unlikely Allardyce will be found dozing in the office and his managerial record is one which should give optimism.

He led Bolton Wanderers to top flight football before reaching a League Cup final, while two finishes inside the top 10, which both led to two UEFA Cup campaigns and although he was hardly given a chance at Newcastle his record at Blackburn is also an impressive one.

Rovers were struggling when he took over, but made sure they survived that season and even ended up 15th, before leading the club to the last four of the League Cup.

When he was again unfairly fired the Lancastrians were 13th and they needed a win on the final day of the campaign to ensure Premier League safety.

Only last January when the former Blackburn boss was linked with the post, the reaction in main was one of negativity and although many Hammers’ fans acknowledged he would probably keep them up, they were not willing to sacrifice style to do so.

Six months on and all is change. In a poll conducted by the East London Advertiser, 81 per cent believe Allardyce is the right man for the job.

It’s hard to disagree and it’s highly unlikely the disorganisation, desperately poor tactics and poor individual performances will be repeated next season.

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