‘Big decision’ – Madeley makes big claim about future of Big Sam at West Brom
Sam Allardyce could have five games to save his job at West Brom, according to Athletic journalist Steve Madeley.
The Albion boss has recorded just one win from ten league matches after falling to a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.
Madeley made comparisons between Big Sam and another flop in Alan Pardew, who took seven points from his first ten league games at The Hawthorns – two points more than Allardyce has managed.
Madeley wrote, “The club find themselves in a familiar position, having rolled the dice in similar fashion by recruiting Alan Pardew in 2017.
“There are clear similarities between the decisions. On both occasions Albion hoped for a ‘new manager bounce’ but on neither occasion did it materialise.
“Should Albion be cut adrift by mid-March, when their run of ‘easier’ fixtures ends, some big decisions must be taken.
“It is not a decision Albion envisaged when they turned to one of football’s most reliable firefighters in their hour of need.
“But it is one that might not be too far away.”
Madeley believes West Brom will have a “big decision” to make if he doesn’t turn things around after the next five games.
Unfair comparison
There is little doubt that Big Sam has failed to make the impact many would have hoped or expected.
After ten games we should be seeing an improvement in the side.
However, not only do we continue to lose matches, but our defensive organisation is as bad as ever.
Allardyce has built a reputation on his defensive qualities, which makes that a concern, particularly as we have also been toothless in attack.
A return of 30 goals conceded and just and eight scored underlines just how poor we have been since sacking Slaven Bilic.
That being said, Big Sam still does not compare to Pardew.
Our former boss had some high-quality players at his disposal but failed to take advantage of that.
He failed to get proven players to perform to anything like their best – Johnny Evans, Salomon Rondon and Jay Rodriguez spring to mind as examples.
That trio would be an upgrade on our current options, and that highlights the restrictions Allardyce is working under.
His signings have show glimpses of positivity, so Allardyce should be judged once the new additions are up and running.
Mbaye Diagne posed a threat to Spurs but had two goals disallowed for offside, while Okay Yokuslu hinted at being the next Claudio Yacob.
In other West Brom news, ‘Treading water’ – Chris Lepkowski makes Big Sam claim after West Brom defeat v Spurs.