Sam Allardyce Column

67 Days and it’s all prematurely over. Another England manager who has fallen on his sword without a single battle under his belt.

Sam Allardyce was supposed to usher in a new era of English Football but having only played one match, it’s already curtains for the former West Ham kingpin.

So where did it all go wrong?

The Telegraph discovered that Allardyce used his position to negotiate a £400,000 deal and offered advice to businessmen on how to “get around” FA rules on player’s transfers.

Unbelievably this was even before England’s first training session under their new boss. A willing accomplice in a plan to make these businessman millions in the current market.

‘Business trips to Singapore and Hong Kong as an ambassador’ – This was the concoction that Allardyce already had in motion.

What he didn’t know was that the businessmen that he met with were undercover reporters for the Telegraph. This was part of a ten month investigation.

This was supposed to be his dream job, the pinnacle of his career. Yet it’s finished with him managing more Soccer Aid matches than England ones.

It’s laughably really, unfortunately it’s a reality. In a straight choice between Steve Bruce and Allardyce it was the latter that got the job and it’s another stain on another managerial appointment for the FA.

Those meetings with alleged businessmen gave the former England manager a chance to ridicule the same employers who gave him a chance of a lifetime. Disclosing information that he knew certain agents who were already abusing the system.

That’s not even the worst of it either, Roy Hodgson was also in the firing line and was mercilessly mocked for his voice and personality.

“Woy hasn’t got the personality for public speaking” – A direct attack on another manager yes but on the former England manager, a huge slap in the face.

In addition to this, He blamed England’s players for under performing because of a “psychological barrier” and shouldn’t be picked for England if they weren’t playing for their club.

Describing the decision to redevelop Wembley as a stupid one completed the disgrace that Allardyce will have his career remembered by.

Let’s have some perspective here, The FA were willing to pay £3 million a year plus bonuses for a manager who has thrown the national side into complete disarray.

The European Championships in France were an embarrassment and that’s putting it nicely. A last 16 defeat to Iceland compounded another miserable tournament for Roy Hodgson’s men.

Allardyce was overly critical in Hodgson’s tactics and particularly the influence of one of his right hand men in the form of Gary Neville.

Claiming that the former Fulham boss was “too indecisive” and that Neville should “sit down and shut up” it’s a damning verdict.

Guilty as charged. A reputation destroyed and a future in the game practically over. You have to think, why?

You’re given the gift of a lifetime why throw it away over a complete act of stupidity. 

Swansea City Need to Rediscover Their Identity

Swansea were something of an enigma when they first got promoted. Everyone's second favourite team. The passing was fluent and the tempo was high, the cries of Swansalona didn't take long to appear.

So fast forward a few years and it's almost the complete opposite in every way. The passing feels forced and there's no neat build up by letting the ball do the work. The accuracy and composure is way off what's needed especially at the top level.

As a Swansea fan I don't mind losing when your opponent has more quality than you it can't be helped. We're almost beating ourself in the opening three games. Many fans on social media are worried and some are relaxed. It may only be a few games but warning signs are there.

Against Burnley it was unimpressive but just having a little bit more to get over the line. Against Hull it was average again. Possession without creating serious pressure. Better sides attack wave after wave and turn it into points.

Leicester's score actually flattered the Swans, had that Mahrez penalty gone in then it's 3-0 and another battering again. We haven't learnt our lessons from last season.

Back to my original point, we have always built from the back but without Ashley Williams there's no composure back there. Both centre halves are error prone and don't have the distribution needed. There needs to be a calmness which hopefully new recruit Alfie Mawson can bring.

I don't want to get into the mess that was the transfer window and the situation involving Huw Jenkins and the new owners. Clearly something has to change immediately and I think it will. Three poor transfer windows isn't good enough and could cost another manager his job.

Under Francesco Guidolin it seems to be that we are heading further away from our style. It's more defensive and grit and relying on individuals rather than the team ethic it's been built on. The best football was played under Brendan Rodgers and then Michael Laudrup.

Garry Monk and Guidolin have steered the Swans away from their free flowing football and implemented a steely defence but it's not worked out that way. A few games have been won by the odd goal but many have been conceded and not much heading the attacking end.

I didn't want the Italian as a manager when he took over in January but he did what was asked and kept the Swans up, In my opinion there were just as many bad performances in his time than good ones. The inconsistencies were apparent.

He deserved his chance to have a fair crack at a full season in the Premier League, I didn't want it but can't really argue that he didn't deserve it. He's not really getting the best out of many players. You can say he's very limited by what he has but there is isn't a fluency to his teams and it's almost awkward to watch.

I don't think he will last the full season, as I mentioned he's not been helped by recruitment and the next 6 fixtures are daunting. You can imagine confidence will be low after that even with a few points on the board.

There needs to be a new era at the Liberty Stadium, Recruitment needs to be elevated and the playing squad needs serious investment. This season will be even tougher than last year because of the mistakes made time and time again. If they DO manage to stay up then it has to be a clean slate next season.

Thanks for Reading, See you in the next one.

Daniel