David Sullivan and David Gold have so far been loyal to Sam Allardyce, despite the disappointment of last season and the continuous calls from the supporters to remove Big Sam from his current position.
With the team having not picked up a home win so far this season and with the last performance against Southampton being so poor, the pressure is on for a result on Monday night, especially as the trip to Hull City televised to anyone either mad or bored enough tune in. If the Hammers were to perform badly in this game, will it then be time for a new manager?
Given that the East Londoners had won at Crystal Palace the previous week, the aim was to build on that win by claiming three points in front of their own fans. On paper the home side had a stronger line-up on the pitch against the Saints, but something went very wrong. It may have been that some players were worried about their futures, as the game was played the weekend before the closure of the summer transfer window, even though in the end it was only Mohamed Diame that was sold from the squad that kicked off the season, or it was just another bad day at the office. It did seem strange though, as they performed so well the last time they turned out at Upton Park, with just a bit of bad luck causing the defeat to Spurs.
Allardyce won’t want a repeat of last year’s result against the Tigers at the KC Stadium, as Steve Bruce’s side inflicted a first away defeat on the Irons, so it will be important for Big Sam to get a result because if they don’t, then the co-owners’ patience will really be tested.
Although the transfer window and the subsequent international break may have disrupted some of the team’s preparations, the manager may have some of his long-term injury players available such as Matt Jarvis, Carl Jenkinson and James Collins, as well as new signings Morgan Amalfitano and Alex Song to try and fit in; it gives the boss a pleasant selection headache.
So the trip to East Yorkshire is a vital one because, with Liverpool the next visitors to the East End followed swiftly by a trip to Manchester United to come, maximum points are a must. Having said that, Brendan Rodgers’ men have a Champions League game on the Tuesday before they come to Upton Park so they may be at a disadvantage.
If these matches were to go by the formbook, then results afterwards are going to be key, as the Hammers are due to face two of the newly-promoted sides in Queens Park Rangers and Burnley back-to-back. But the fact of the matter is, if we don’t produce a result at Hull City then Allardyce may not have the job of managing the team for these future fixtures.
However, if we do manage to make it back-to-back away wins on the road, it will have already been a more productive start to this campaign than the previous one and Big Sam should live to see another day.
Here’s hoping! Come on you Irons!
