Source: Telegraph
Sam Allardyce defies the critics as he sets about transforming West Ham's fortunes
By Alex Shaw[LNB]5:42PM BST 30 Jul 2011[LNB]Comments[LNB] But in his blueprint for his side's return to the top flight, Sam Allardyce wants to set the record straight. He wants to remind those who have mocked his lofty dreams there's nothing wrong with being sure of your strengths. [LNB]To those who continue to cast aspersions over Allardyce's style of play, he asks them to view the bigger picture in his bid to manage where he believes he should. But most of all, you get the impression the one-time England candidate feels he has something to prove to himself. [LNB]While the cauldron that is the Championship will not be a walk in the park for him, it is fair to say eyebrows were raised when he decided to drop down to the second tier of English football, a world away from Inter Milan or Real Madrid - teams Allardyce remains confident he could handle. [LNB]Many see Allardyce as a slave to Prozone statistics, long balls and blood and thunder, but he sees it differently, calling on his adventures in Europe managing Bolton and the flair of World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff, along with Champions League conquerors Ivan Campo and Fernando Hierro as a case for the defence. [LNB]Allardyce believes graft as well as guile is necessary if West Ham want to return to the top flight and, remembering his time as a Bolton player under Ian Greaves, he reflects on two failed promotion attempts before abandoning brains for brawn and earning promotion back to Division One in 1978. [LNB]Related Articles
