New Everton manager Sam Allardyce probably can’t believe his gambles have paid off. Well, knowing Big Sam he probably can, but you know what I mean. Firstly, he quit a perfectly good job at Crystal Palace, who were desperate to keep him. Then he turned his nose up at being Everton’s second choice, and walked away from an eight-month contract with the ambitious Merseyside club.
Now, sitting on an eighteen month chance to impress at one of the biggest spending clubs in Europe, on one of the biggest salaries in Europe, he has no more spins of the wheel. Respect and opportunity, the two things he has craved most throughout his career, have presented themselves in a way even he cannot have imagined.
Allardyce is known to like a gamble
So what now for a man unfairly labelled as a Neanderthal long ball merchant?
Well, firstly he will have to get the players onside. Suddenly selecting Rooney in his first and only England squad seems a smart move, because no doubt the lifelong Evertonian and fans’ favourite will be a key man in Allardyce get his plans across. Next he will have to get the fans onside, which with the rubbish they’ve been served so far this season will depend largely on delivering competent performances where Everton play as a team and win. Big Sam can do that with his eyes closed.
The big if is whether the next level is possible, but if you look back at his Bolton days, there is evidence that it is.
Allardyce has handled big name players
That Bolton team may have contained Kevin Davies and Kevin Nolan, but it also included legends such as Nicolas Anelka, Jay Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff, Fernando Hierro and Ivan Campo. As unlikely a quartet the unfancied Lancashire club has ever seen. It may have been a long time ago, but its fair to say that its unlikely a 30 plus Jay Jay Okocha did much tracking back or heading the ball, with anyone who saw him live unlikely to forget his dazzling skills.
While Everton becoming the next Barcelona anytime soon is unlikely. The fans and board will not mind, however, if a more erstwhile and effective football style emerges to get them into the top 6. The odds look good with the players they have and budget available. Do that and Big Sam will get at least 3 more years to find a way into the top 4, and with the way the cards have fallen to this point, you wouldn’t bet against him finding a way.
Sources:
www.dailymail.co.uk
www.mirror.co.uk
www.4gamblers.club
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