Allardyce facing ‘big moment’ after dire run of defeats
Everton manager admits job is already on the line Pressure on Goodison side for visit of Brighton
Sam Allardyce did not mask the precariousness of his situation ahead of a match against Brighton that he said was a “big moment” in Everton’s season and for his longterm Goodison prospects.
“Whatever Farhad [Moshiri] says is very positive, but I am under no illusions about my position,” said the manager. “There is no point beating around the bush.”
Allardyce may earn credit for honesty. He will take all that is on offer after finding himself in the same position that saw off Roberto Martinez and Ronald Koeman, where disenchantment with the direction of the Everton team can swiftly turn to rage. Not for the first time in the past two years, Goodison Park will be on edge.
The difference is the speed with which the disillusionment has spread, since Allardyce has faced public disapproval since day one. Allies are difficult to locate when the only division in the fan base is between those who did not want you appointed and those who did not want you even considered.
“I have always said that managers stay in a job when they win football matches. I can’t continue to lose football matches. It is as simple as that,” said Allardyce. “There is great backing from the owners but I have to win matches to reassure them that I am the right man. While that support is there, it is my responsibility to alleviate the pressure on everybody by winning.”
Allardyce struck a measured but resilient tone ahead of tomorrow’s game, recognising the fury that will be unleashed unless there is a marked improvement. “We are absolutely aware of that and I’m sure the players are. They have to draw on their experience to deliver a performance to that level and deliver under the pressure they’ve put themselves under. This is a huge game, one of the biggest I’ve had in my short time here.”
Whether his tenure is a symptom, rather than cause, of this season’s problems is worthy of deeper discussion. Much is made of Allardyce’s style of football, although he largely delegates day-to-day coaching to assistants such as Sammy Lee, who is schooled in the finest footballing principles.
However, it is the six successive away defeats – and the manner of them – that has removed protective layers. Only the minimum expectation of keeping Everton in the Premier League is achievable now.
More was needed to extend fans’ patience and satisfy the board that he deserves longer.
Allardyce believes there is still time to shift the mood. “It is my responsibility to change that [poor run] and to always try to grow,” he said. “There was a lot of pressure on the team, then they had a great run, but don’t think you can’t give less than 100 per cent to win a game.
“There are areas where we have slipped up, particularly on our defensive resilience. It hasn’t been the case at home – we have conceded a couple of penalties in our last two home games – but away from home the resilience to stop the opposition from scoring hasn’t been the same.”
Can Allardyce ever convince the Everton faithful? “If you win, you win fans over. This position is difficult but I have had difficult positions at other clubs I have been at.”