Big Sam not wanted by many Everton fans
It is always interesting to gauge the support a new manager receives when he moves back into the English Premier League. Those holding the broadcast rights more often than not head down to the club’s merchandise store and simply ask supporters how they feel?
That’s exactly what they did at the start of the week when they headed to Goodison Park to get a line on how Everton’s fans thought about Sam Allardyce’s imminent appointment.
To a man, and woman on more than one occasion, the sense was just short of dread.
Big Sam, as he is roundly known, sours the toffee taste for many who were no doubt pretty excited at the start of the season given sacked manager
Ronald Koeman had not been shy on spending the pounds to bring in some fresh talent.
Koeman’s problem was they collectively failed to fire, Everton could barely scrounge a point and optimism turned to anger faster than anyone had anticipated.
Everton’s fans generally always have a high degree of expectation despite those feeling barely transforming into trophies. Nevertheless, they always want one of the world’s best managers to show an interest in the job, no matter how fanciful it appears to those looking in from the outside.
While fans might not be happy when Big Sam is finally unveiled as the new gaffer, club owner Farhad Moshiri has probably taken the view that a mid table finish and some serious rebuilding might just be the safest strategy than trying to bring in the next wonder manager.
Big Sam’s record remains respectful and Everton will become a lot more solid under his watch.
❚ Another old face returning to the Premier League is former Reading, West Ham, Charlton Athletic, Southampton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew who has taken on the West Bromwich Albion job.
Pardew is probably another who fails to excite the home fans but they’ve had a lot less to cheer about over the last 12 games having watched their side score just nine times in that period under Tony Pulis.
‘‘The most important fact is to win games,’’ Pardew said. ‘‘Tony does that very well and different to me. I hope to free up the team a little bit more.’’
❚ Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla’s comeback has been delayed because he has had further ankle surgery.
He was told by doctors that he should be ‘‘satisfied’’ to walk again after contracting gangrene in his right ankle but he has pushed on with his desire to play football again.
Cazorla last played for Arsenal in October
2016, two months before having his initial operation.
❚ The pony tailed prince of strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 36, could be set for another year at Old Trafford after he made it back after seven months out with a cruciate injury.
Reports suggest he could extend his Manchester United stay into next season, with talks over a new deal pencilled in with Jose Mourinho for the new year.
Weekend fixtures (UK time): Saturday, Chelsea v Newcastle, Brighton v Liverpool, Everton v Huddersfield, Leicester v Burnley, Stoke v Swansea, Watford v Tottenham, West Brom v Crystal Palace, Arsenal v Man Utd.
Sunday, Bournemouth v Southampton, Manchester City v West Ham.