Sam Allardyce never seems to give in, does he? BFS or simply Big Fat Sam always answers his critics with a deafening and a rather ‘HAMmering’ bang. An awful lot has changed about the Hammers since West Ham fans unveiled a banner reading “Fat Sam out – killing WHU” after a loss to West Brom – although not their manager Sam Allardyce, of course. And the best part is that he heaps criticism on the opposition counterpart for not being adaptable to different teams effectively. And just hours after blurting out this remark, his side emerges victorious against the manager’s team towards which those words were directed to- Manuel Pellegrini. How impressive and true to his word is Sam?
His team from London may not be the best in the country but their recent results have masqueraded them into something resembling that. Sitting pretty at 5th(on par with Arsenal), West Ham United have nothing to lose and almost everything to gain. Out of the 3 big boys of the league they’ve come up against, the Hammers have ousted two and conceded in stoppage time against the one left out. And rightly so, they deserve each fraction of the plaudits and rave reviews they’ve been subjected to.
West Ham United usually accommodated wrestling into football before this season’s offset. They were counted among the most physical and rough tackling sides of the world but lacked a spark of speed in their ranks. Teams from the bigger reaches of England came to Upton Park knowing that there would be big, burly bodies flying around both the boxes and it wouldn’t be easy to come away with a result. There was a certain limited nature to how they approached the games with the main outlet of inputs being crosses or set pieces. Teams were well aware of what they had up their sleeve and they were increasingly getting used to contesting in more of a wrestling bout rather than a football game. They headed into a game with a player who was physically adept and was keen on sticking his head and foot out in places where normal humans would hate to.
Just when we thought that we were getting obsessed and sick and tired of watching Kevin Nolan, James Collins and Carlton Cole head in from 2 or 3 yards out, Big Sam saved us from a private suicide. Ecuadorian World Cup dazzler Enner Valencia was snapped up from Pachuca and Sam made a significant dip into French 2nd Division to land Senegalese striker Diafra Sakho from Racing Metz. Cheikhou Kouyate was brought in from Belgian giants Anderlecht and with that, the outlook transformed. Stewart Downing knocked himself in to a brilliant stride of form and quite contrary to his nightmarish Liverpool days, began to prove his mettle. With all these on song and a technical forward thinking midfielder in Morgan Amalfitano in their ranks, West Ham have injected loads of speed in their thus far physically strong side. And Sakho’s terrific run of 6 goals in 6 games has given the opposition a significant amount of worries. He’s two West Ham-esque qualities coupled into one- he’s physically robust and very quick on the break.
An unexpected surprise package arrived in the form of the shrewd loan signing of Alex Song. The Cameroonian, who has formerly played for Arsenal, was also a supposed target for Wenger and Pochetinno but here, football held onto its reputation of being the most unpredictable sport in the world. Along with Mark Noble in the central midfield area, Song has been vital to how the Hammers have fared. He’s won battles in the midfield and has been the source for picking out an incisive pass to someone who gets in behind. His spectacular threaded pass from a crowded midfield zone to Diafra Sakho against Man City is indicative of how effective the former Gunner can turn out to be.
Another signing, which has been somewhat overshadowed by the others is Aaron Cresswell’s from Ipswich. He’s induced a run-till-you-drop attitude into their side, despite of being just 24 years of age. His zealous and tireless running down the left has closed players down, compelling them to lose the ball in their own half and he has maintained a commendable balance between his attacking and defensive duties. He has harried players and has marauded down the left flank with equal energy and intensity. And as per reports, the young man is set to be handed a go in the English National Team during the upcoming International break.
Carl Jenkinson’s loan capture from fellow neighbors Arsenal brought in more enthusiasm into the side, this time down the right. The 22 year old although has just 4 appearances up his sleeve so far, but is sure to place a role in determining how they finish.
If not for Mark Noble’s scuffed spot kick against Spurs, the Hammers would’ve upsetted all three of the bigger clubs they’ve faced. Otherwise, he’s been an important part of the unit. It’s needless to say that the midfield pair of Song and Noble has been far effective than the pairing of Noble and Nolan. Both being similar, partially box to box engines, have been exchanging duties with each other as if they’ve played together for years.
But, the ‘Messi of Middlesbrough’-Stewart Downing has been the most irreplaceable cog in their wheel. He has racked up 4 assists with 2 goals and has been the epicenter of all West Ham attacking moves. The 30 year old has averaged 2.8 key passes per game, which is 0.1 more than last season’s highest by Luis Suarez. And is 0.3 behind Cesc Fabregas and better than Gylfi Sigurdsson. In simpler terms, Downing’s career has been thoroughly reinvigorated by his recent showings.
With Andy Carroll on the verge of coming back from an injury problem, West Ham don’t seem to need him anymore. He’s neither a fast runner or nor a player who chases lost causes as if they’re alive. He doesn’t put defenders under pressure and doesn’t fit into the Hammers’ playing style at all. He used to act as a slobber-knocking target man in the box but as far as the current need and the status quo is concerned, West Ham need willing runners which they already have and it’s something Carroll isn’t.
Sam Allardyce is seen barking orders to his batch of players by marching down his technical area. He has driven them on the pitch and the bubble blowing Upton Park crowd are virtually acting as a passionate twelfth man.
He spent very wisely this past summer and it is evidently yielded them with profits. And the fact that Teddy Sheringham has been acquired as an attacking coach is reflected on the pitch, going their clinical finishing and how no chance to have a dig at goal has been taken for granted.
Sam was at the receiving end of a lot of stick during the pre season. And even last season, before their revival, the fans had turned against him and his system. But, after everything he has gone through, he’s emerged as a stronger manager and a person. The team has fought, for him and of course, have adhered to their new and old playing style. But their monotonous playing style of knocking long balls into the final third has transformed into a more complete looking force, which is hard to defend against.