In mid-August I wrote an article aimed squarely at West Ham director’s failure to remove Sam Allardyce after a very disappointing campaign last season.
There was a very worrying pre-season trip to New Zealand followed by the usual Andy Carroll long-term injury – and all of a sudden we were once again at crisis point.
Fast forward four months and the transformation of play from a route-one dinosaur to the fast, slick movement game now being played in East London has been remarkable.
They now find themselves entrenched in the top four ahead of some of the league’s traditional heavy hitters.
I re-read my article calling for the appointment of David Moyes and cringed, so good has the turnaround in form been.
“Barcelona… we’re coming for you” was cheekily chanted by the Boleyn Ground masses during another huge result against a strong Swansea outfit, who had taken the lead early before surrendering to immense pressure from the home side.
While European football is still some way off, to be this high up the table in December is a wonderful achievement. In truth, it is as much the players as well as some astute management from Big Sam.
The line up from last year to now is almost unrecognisable and while some players have increased their own output, the shrewd signings from the back office have given Allardyce some wonderful players to show off his ability as a manager.
Starting between the sticks, West Ham’s Spanish sensation in goals is just about the most in-form goalkeeper in the league at present.
Adrian has had a sensational season thus far and the confidence he exudes permeates throughout the entire back four. Allardyce made a clever decision to give him the gloves this season.
Into the back four have come Aaron Cresswell and Carl Jenkinson and both have not missed a beat and provided surety and consistency.
Cresswell has come up in grade and been flawless while West Ham should do everything in their power to sign the on-loan Jenkinson to a permanent deal from Arsenal. Both provide excellent ball movement and love to attack the opposition defence.
In the midfield, depth has been added. No signing has been more important than the big Senegalese international Kouyate. Paired with Alex Song, they have suddenly become a force to be feared.
Finally after two seasons Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan have some competition and it is also bringing the best out of both players. Even the unfashionable Morgan Amalfitano is causing some good selection headaches.
Up front it has been anything but Carroll or bust this season with world cup wonder Enner Valencia providing dazzling pace and Diafra Sakho stepping up from lower French football with ease.
Now Carroll coming back and scoring is just icing on the cake as opposed to a vital component.
But to say it is only the new signings would be doing Allardyce a huge disservice. Even Russell Brand, a huge Hammer fan, felt the need to barge into a press conference a few weeks ago to give Big Sam a kiss and ask the media to “pay him the respect he deserved”.
One such masterstroke this season has been deploying Stewart Downing in the centre of the park behind the front two. This has turned a once fragile winger into a terrific ball distributor who now loves the centre stage and even led to a call up recently to his national side.
Even the way West Ham play has become so varied from week to week that Allardyce is becoming very difficult to read. Managers have struggled to come up with the right formula to temper the pass-happy Hammers.
A few weeks ago, a change in formation within the first twenty minutes against Manchester City completely altered the game and Manuel Pellegrini wasn’t able to reshuffle his pack. The Irons duly saluted with three points.
Even last weekend, Allardyce realised that while a terrific passing side Swansea can be quite vulnerable in the air. From two terrific crosses Andy Carroll returned to form with a brace.
I must say this is one occasion where I am more than content to put my hand up – yes, I was wrong but gee I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy to be so wrong.
If Allardyce can keep this squad together past the January transfer window and perhaps even add another pacy winger who knows just how many red faces the Hammers may cause by seasons end.
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