Sam Allardyce has not been sacked, to the disappointment of many West Ham fans. However, he has much work ahead of him to change his ways if he wants to keep the owners’ loyalty.

Before West Ham’s 2016 move to the Olympic Stadium, it’s vital that they do not get relegated. This seems to have been the key for keeping Big Sam; he has never been relegated. Although, the joint owners of West Ham, David Gold and David Sullivan, want to see a more attractive football played, and so do the fans. Attractive football has never been the Allardyce way. His career has been built on finding the most effective way to win matches, and it can be ugly- and arguably ineffective.

West Ham has now decided to put in place some changes, one being the addition of an attacking coach to Allardyce’s back room. The hope is to spice up some of the tactics Allardyce and West Ham usually display, known most frequently as “hoof-ball.” But will Big Sam be willing to share more of his leadership? He is a manager that prides himself on being a complete package, and likes to talk about how, only if he were Italian, he would have more respect. In public, Allardyce has grasped onto the plan and has seemed willing to make changes. But, in private, could he think this is another insult to his reputation, and his tactics? Maybe he will change his surname to ‘Allardici’ to put things where he believes are right; him in the Champions League.

Co-Owner of West Ham David Sullivan has made the claim that the goal of next season is to finish top-six in the league. “I don’t want to just aim for top 10. We should be aiming for top six,” he is quoted as saying in the Evening Standard, “I want to be looking down the table not up it next season.” As Sullivan raises his expectations, many fans may be raising their eyebrows at that ambition. Of course, it’s good to be ambitious, but judging on last season’s performance, the co-owners must be expecting major changes at Upton Park.



Those changes could be expected through transfers. The board has given £20 million in transfer budget, which pales in comparison to the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, yet should be sufficient in bringing new flair to West Ham. “We want to see players who can play in any of the three attacking positions and who have a proven record of scoring goals,” David Sullivan said, “We want people who take on players and go past them, people with movement because we need to add speed to our team.” This idea can be seen with the signing of Argentine Striker, Mauro Zarate, as Sky Sports has confirmed. The 27 year-old is believed to have signed a 3 year deal with West Ham. Zarate was the top-scorer in Argentina with 19 goals this past season for Vélez Sarsfield. Hopefully, he brings some of his goals to Upton Park, as West Ham struggled to have a consistent finisher last season; Kevin Nolan led the category with 7.

Sam Allardyce has been criticized for not developing youth as much as is expected. West Ham are now in talks with M’Baye Niang after AC Milan reportedly agreed to loan the 19 year-old. Niang definitely has speed and the skill to add flair to the play of West Ham. This deal brings hope that it can hit 2 birds with one stone; Niang has the potential to be great, and is already a possible starter for West Ham should he accept the loan deal, and Big Sam will have a young player to point to should people criticize his willingness to give youth a chance again.

A player that West Ham fans certainly wish to see in claret and blue next season is Ravel Morrison. Big Sam and Morrison have not gotten on too well, and it resulted in Morrison’s loan to QPR. But, he could be back and help in a big way. Morrison is a potent and exciting player, one that Hammer’s fans want to see on the field. For Sam Allardyce, it is essential that he puts a bandage on his relationship with the player, because it could be a deal breaker for West Ham fans if they see Morrison leave again. In a tweet by Morrison that was later deleted, he seemed to confirm that he wants to return to Upton Park, saying he “wants number 10 at West Ham next season.” Big Sam: you know what to do now, welcome him back with that number 10 jersey, and make everyone happy.

Fans will be eager for next season to start, and will be hopeful that talk of change will turn into change. Sam Allardyce has just one year left on his contract, so he has just as much at stake for his future as the team does, fighting for better than just survival in the Premier League.