I love what Sam Allardyce has done to West Ham United since his arrival in June 2011. He has sorted the club out from top to bottom, got rid of a lot of players who were bad for morale, and brought in players who want to play for the club, and have fought for the badge. He has also got plenty of competition for places, which can only be good.
However, as much as I admire what Big Sam has done for us, the last two games has flagged up that a big front man, is key to his tactics. Andy Carroll was signed for a club record fee, and I have no doubt that when he returns to the starting line up, our performances will improve. But its the fact that Allardyce is stuck playing a small man through the middle, a role which doesn’t suit Modibo Maiga, and it has shown in our performances.
Has this showcased Allardyce’s inability to adjust a formation to suit the players available to him? Does Allardyce only know one way to play? Is this why he has been so desperate to get another big front man in?
In a way, I feel sorry for Maiga. He appears to be a front man, who would work well with another striker, picking up the loose balls in the box, getting beyond the last man, and finishing the easy chances in the 6 yard box. I don’t think we’ve had a striker like that since the great Tony Cottee.
I will continue to support Allardyce, as I’m a great admirer as to what he has done for the club I love so much. I just hope he can prove that he isn’t a one trick pony, and he starts pulling out some results.