I've kept a much closer eye on West Ham this season, because I've been lucky enough to do some commentary at Upton Park, a phenomenal experience which will hopefully continue. In the first few months, I was wondering what Allardyce was up to. Fair enough their main man Andy Carroll was injured, but I failed to understand how that was an excuse to play a 4-6-0 formation. The fans started to get on Allardyce's back as the results weren't good enough. Everyone was crying out for a striker to be played. It looked like the humiliation at Nottingham Forest was the final nail in the coffin. But I admire West Ham for sticking behind their manager and not following the sad trend of rich owners jumping the gun and sacking the boss. Allardyce has never taken a team down, so what was the problem and although he's not going to take you into a European position, he provides stability.
There is still a lot of work to do but if they keep their main players fit they'll be fine. Signing Antonio Nocerino will no doubt strengthen the midfield, he's an Italian international, and Marco Borriello will bolster their attacking options, no more 4-6-0 this season.. Roger Johnson also adds quality to their defence and it certainly seems that Allardyce has got more strength in depth now. The key to staying up will be getting the goals. Although West Ham have had a decent amount of clean sheets this season, they've lacked the goals to gain them crucial points.
Getting Andy Carroll back will be pivotal in doing this, he's been completely overshadowed by the big price tag and half decent career at Liverpool. He's a monster at the right end of the pitch, would you want to defend against him? Nolan has had a poor season but his partnership with Carroll will change that and I believe this will spur on the rest of the team. It's so tight at the bottom and anything can happen, but a few wins and you're getting close to the better side of the table.
If the Hammers keep their main players fit, they'll have a strong finish to the season and of course they'll stay up. Allardyce has plenty of experience from being in this situation following his days at Bolton. His laugh after the Chelsea game gave me the impression of a man in control. I sensed although he felt huge success from outwitting Mourinho, he is in total control, and will steer West Ham to safety.
