More to Sam than survival

SAM ALLARDYCE has had to become particularly adept at statement-making in recent times, his most recent one a resignation missive.

In it, he thanked Crystal Palace for the chance to help him “rebuild” his “reputation”.

His reputation as a coach and manager did not need rebuilding but, when reflecting on his career, to pigeonhole him merely as a survival expert or a relegation firefighter would do him an injustice. Sometimes in football, it is worth remembering further back than yesterday.

In Allardyce’s case, it is worth remembering he took Bolton to two eighth Premier League places, a sixth place and had them fifth with two games to play when he left in April, 2007.

He was that club’s greatest manager in the modern era.

Memories are short in modern football. That’s why Allardyce (above) will never get the credit he deserves.

AS Garry Monk walked away, Leeds United – despite a new owner who promises to be a turn for the better – were paying the penalty for the years of boardroom chaos.

Monk, though, will soon be back and probably in the Premier League. A late collapse cost Leeds a Championship play-off place but his stock has risen and Monk has re-established his solid reputation.

If nothing else, his departure demonstrates one thing – managers are as ruthless with clubs as clubs are with managers.

FOOTBALL and Twitter, a cautionary tale. Having joined Wigan on loan, Alex Bruce tweets on January 31, thanking Hull City fans, staff and players for “the last four-and-a-half years”.

Last Wednesday, Hull confirm via Twitter that his contract will not be renewed. Bruce sarcastically posts: “Thanks for letting me know! All the best.”

Cue accusations of a player being sacked on social media, while most knew Bruce’s Hull days were long over. Lesson: look beyond the 140 characters.