Crystal Palace have lost all three of their Premier League games under the former Sunderland boss so far this season.
When Sam Allardyce took the reigns at Crystal Palace in December, the majority of those from the outside looking in expected the Eagles to soar. It seemed like a very shrewd appointment. Palace had been woeful in 2016 under Alan Pardew, and now firmly embroiled in a relegation scrap, who better than Big Sam to come in and steady the ship.
After all, Allardyce had somehow managed to guide a rudderless Sunderland side to safety last season, and most of the footballing community was in agreement that he was inheriting a more gifted squad in far less trouble at Palace than he had in the North East. With the likes of Scott Dann, Yohan Cabaye, Loic Remy, Andros Townsend, Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke, the Palace squad is one laced with genuine Premier League quality, and most felt Big Sam would quickly get them firing.
The Eagles first trio of fixtures presented a good opportunity to do just that; a difficult trip to Arsenal was followed by the visit of last placed Swansea City and a tie with Allardyce’s former team West Ham United. A minimum of 3 points would surely have been targeted by Big Sam and his players, but three-and-a-half weeks on, his team are yet to gain a point under his stewardship.
Slow start: Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace
Ultimately, Palace is a concoction of problems right now, and the job Allardyce has taken on is a far greater one than the media and probably he himself truly realised a month ago. The first and most obvious issue at Selhurst Park is a severe dearth of confidence and belief. From top to bottom, Allardyce’s team look totally void of confidence.
In years gone by, Mile Jedinak may have been the man Palace turned to when the chips were down; a genuine leader, to instil belief and rally the troops. In his absence however, no-one seems to have filled the void. Scott Dann and Damien Delaney are both players who have at times exhibited leadership qualities, but they seem quiet and dejected at present.
The buck stops with Big Sam on this now, he either has to turn the duo back into being leaders on the pitch or quickly identify someone with those abilities in the transfer market. This is also a problem for Allardyce; identifying targets in the market.
Allardyce joined Sunderland in October 2015
Sunderland acted fast last season, bringing in Big Sam in October, giving him longer to get over how he wanted his team to play, but more importantly giving him a few months to assess his squad and identify where he needed to strengthen.
The former West Ham manager hasn’t been afforded such luxury with the Eagles, and like fellow strugglers Marco Silva and Paul Clement at Hull City and Swansea City respectively, he will have to act fast and make quick decisions on who the club should bring in during this January window.
Allardyce’s poor start has also raised one or two questions about his 60 day stint as England manager. The 62-year-old made no secret of the fact that it was his dream job, and the manner of his departure having reached what he saw as the pinnacle of his career may have had a greater effect on Big Sam than many would expect.
Allardyce lasted just 60 days as manager of England
Former Crystal Palace chairman Steve Jordan said he thought that Allardyce looked like a “broken man” recently, and whilst that may be a little strong, it would be naive to assume that departing his dream job under such a cloud couldn’t have had a profound and last effect on Big Sam, who after all, hardy took much of a sabbatical, being out of the game for less than a month between leaving England and joining Palace.
Of course, it’s incredibly early days for Big Sam at Crystal Palace, and no-one is – or at least they shouldn’t be – writing him off. But it would appear the size of the job he has taken on at Selhurst Park is a little larger than some thought. The Eagles are currently 17th, level on points with 18th placed Hull City but with a superior goal difference.
February is the month in which Palace seriously have to pick up points, otherwise things will start to look bleak. Big Sam’s men face Sunderland, Stoke and Middlesbrough, the first and last of which are at home, whilst Hull have a hellish run of fixtures coming up. The Eagles cannot rely on anyone else though, as Allardyce will know all too well.
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