When I heard this yesterday, I wasn't surprised. Allardyce has a year left on his contract and it is an easy decision for the Chairmen. Do we risk PL safety for the sake of better football, sack a manager on £6m a year, or do we ride out this wave of criticism and if he fails, we won't renew his contract next season. These two guys are businessmen at the end of the day, and with the club still in debt, they know that PL survival will keep the money healthy, especially with the move to the Olympic stadium in 2 seasons time.
That said, the statement they released was a poor one, and disregarded the opinions of the fans. It is clear, and has been for some time now, that the supporters are not behind Allardyce or his style of football. However, the board continue with him in place. An attacking coach won't change much, in my opinion, because the players Allardyce has got at West Ham, are players suited to his style of football - long ball, and defensively sound.
Let's be serious here, Andy Carroll is not suddenly going to be running at defenders, and scoring wonder goals with his feet, when this new coach comes in, is he? He is a big lad, who's strengths, albeit very limited, lie in the air undoubtedly. If West Ham want to change their style of play, then an overhaul of the playing staff is needed.
Changing the manager would be a gamble, as PL survival by the time West Ham go to the new ground, is imperative. Although, we have seen that it can be done successfully.
The example I always look at now, is that of Tony Pulis' Stoke side, and Mark Hughes.
Pulis built a side at Stoke, with similar footballing principles as Allardyce has done throughout his management career. They were spirited, organised, and very direct. After 6 seasons, despite PL safety never really being in doubt, they wanted a change of style, and they got it with Mark Hughes.
Hughes came in, and despite not improving the style when I went to see us play them at the Britannia earlier this season, it is evident that the side are more entertaining. He has made subtle changes to the players, and actually their league position is better than it ever was under Pulis. Saying that, Pulis didn't do badly himself last season, did he?
In summarising, I would say that if Gold and Sullivan were honest to the fans and said "we want PL safety to be assured", then they may be more understanding of this decision. But they didn't, and the promises of respecting the wishes of the fans and returning to the 'west ham way', are clearly false ones if Allardyce remains in charge. The grass can sometimes be greener if you change a manager, although Allardyce will no doubt keep them up.
. That pair look like they'd fight anyone for 50p.
