Irish Daily Mirror

SAM: SURVIVAL EASY AS 1-2-3

- BY DAVE ARMITAGE

SAM ALLARDYCE aims to tread on three of his former clubs as West Brom fight for survival.

Tonight’s visit of Everton is the start of Big Sam’s bid for a triple

West Brom tonight, could be in the top four.

But the Italian manager said that even if they do not make it, Richarliso­n will be staying next season. Ancelotti (below) said: “Richarliso­n will stay here as long as I stay, this is for sure because I like him as a player – and if he doesn’t like me as a manager, it doesn’t matter!”

As for the request to the striker to stay at Everton, he added: “I try to talk to him all the time, every day, but the communicat­ion I have to say is not so good.

“Maybe I told him these

they kinds of things, but I don’t know how long his contract is. I can say he will be here for as long as I stay, for sure.”

The Brazilian has threeand-a-half years left on his contract, so he is unlikley to be allowed to leave, despite interest from Manchester United.

He has been in fine form, scoring five goals in his

last

matches, and Ancelotti believes he has the talent to make it to the very shown signs of a revival in recent weeks, but things might have been different if Everton had not sacked him three years ago.

“We were struggling

five top. have always

The

not

two

seen eye to eye, with the Italian criticisin­g Richarliso­n and demanding he “work harder and sacrifice more”. But the manager has been impressed by the response.

“He can be one of the top strikers in Europe because he has all this kind of quality,” said Ancelotti.

“Richarliso­n is a modern striker, the complete striker.”

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 ??  ?? whammy, with Newcastle and Crystal Palace next up, and a fivepoint haul might be enough to keep Allardyce’s (right) men in the mix.
The Baggies have badly and ended up finishing eighth,” said Allardyce, who was dismissed after just six months in charge.
“But in the end they made their decision and you move on.”
TOFFEE TALENT Richarliso­n has been on top form for Everton
whammy, with Newcastle and Crystal Palace next up, and a fivepoint haul might be enough to keep Allardyce’s (right) men in the mix. The Baggies have badly and ended up finishing eighth,” said Allardyce, who was dismissed after just six months in charge. “But in the end they made their decision and you move on.” TOFFEE TALENT Richarliso­n has been on top form for Everton
 ??  ?? BRIGHT FUTURE Ellen Molloy, helping unveil Energia deal yesterday, has been urged to stay at Wexford Youths
BRIGHT FUTURE Ellen Molloy, helping unveil Energia deal yesterday, has been urged to stay at Wexford Youths

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