Time’s Up Sam – Why the Newcastle Game Could Be Allardyce’s Last Game

Everton play Newcastle on Monday night in what may be Sam Allardyce’s last game at Goodison Park as Everton manager. Reports that a board meeting will be held to decide Big Sam’s future have come after Allardyce himself asked for clarity on his future. We look at the signs that point towards an Allardyce exit at Everton.

 

Fireman Sam

 

Everton knew what they were getting when Sam Allardyce joined the club in November. His reputation as a fire fighter who could organise clubs and help them fight relegation. Everton were in disarray when Allardyce joined and but went on a 6 match unbeaten run to surge up the table. Indeed, since the New Year, Everton have rarely been out of the top ten in the table. Hard fought draws against Liverpool and Chelsea were a part of that sequence and Evertonians were able to relax a little as the threat of relegation faded. While they may have been more relaxed, they were not satisfied. The football was dull and they had not been entertained.

That’s Entertainment

Sir John Moores famously said “We’ve a very good crowd and our crowd are very loyal. But of course, they pay money and expect us to do well. If we don’t do well then something should be done about it and something will be done about it.”

This was the epitome of Nil Satis Nisi Optimum, the motto that adorns Everton’s badge. Moores famously fired Johnny Carey whose team had improved to 5^th place, their highest post war position.  The man he brought in was Harry Catterick. You know the rest.

The cries for a taxi for Allardyce have increased since that Christmas period. Allardyce was originally offered a contract to the end of the season but played hardball with Moshiri to get the extra year. He himself stated that the length of his contract would not determine the length of his stay.

He told the Liverpool Echo “My length of stay at Everton is purely based on two things – results and entertainment.” Whilst the results have improved from the start of the season, the football has been dire. Everton had a measly 3 shots on target against Swansea who have struggled against relegation all season. According to www.footcharts.co.uk, Everton are 17^th in the table for shots on target with an average of just 3.12 per game. Damningly, we are 19^th in the table with an average of 5 shots on target per game against us. Allardyce has not had his usual galvanising effect on the defence. It is testament to Jordan Pickford’s form that Everton have avoided the relegation battle.

Regardless of statistics, the football doesn’t pass the eye test. Everton are laborious in attack and unconvincing in defence. Despite the arrival of Theo Walcott and Cenk Tosun, we pose little attacking threat. Evertonians know what good football is. This isn’t it.

History Repeating

3 years ago, Everton parted ways with Roberto Martinez. Many of the fans had tired of Roberto’s dream and the players seemed to have given up playing for him. Everton were in the lower half of the table but had made it to the semi-finals of the league and FA Cup. John Stones, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku were valuable members of the Everton squad with bright futures. The fans were unhappy though and had let Martinez know it. Farhad Moshiri acted, firing Martinez before the final home game of the season. Moshiri has shown with Martinez and Koeman that he has a ruthless streak. This week’s board meeting could see history repeating itself.

Do you want Allardyce to leave Everton? Who would you like to replace him in the manager’s hot seat? Let us know in the comments section below.