Kevin Nolan has backed under fire manager Sam Allardyce to turn things around at Upton Park, following The Hammers pulsating 3-3 draw against fellow strugglers Wet Bromwich Albion at Upton Park on Saturday lunchtime.
Following the draw, West Ham currently sit in 19th place in the Premier League, with insecurity surrounding the future of Sam Allardyce.
West Ham are the only club in the bottom six to stand by their original manager for this campaign, following the managerial departures from their main relegation rivals, in what is now turning out to be a real tight basement battle at the bottom of the League, the with Hammers sucked into a real dog fight.
Allardyce’s men have now just won one Premier League game in twelve following the draw against West Bromwich Albion.
Kevin Nolan, West Ham’s goal-scoring skipper, is adamant Allardyce must stay.
He said: “If Sam was out of a job any of the clubs in the bottom six would hire Sam to keep them up. The co-chairmen here have been brilliant with him. They understand we’ve had injuries.
“We’re all in it together. We feel we’ll be in the Premier League come the end of the season.”
Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have remained low-key and supportive during recent troubles.
Apart from one public complaint from Sullivan about the wisdom in paying £15 million for the long-term injured Andy Carroll, they have been a model of restraint – so far.
Despite the boos from the home crowd on the final whistle Allardyce insisted: “It was a remarkable performance given our defensive injuries.
“It was going well until (James) Tomkins was injured. His injury meant everybody getting depressed. We had two full-backs playing centre-half. You try and defend that. We scored three very good goals and the lads are disappointed they did not win.”
Allardyce went on: “The game was very frustrating. We showed great fighting spirit in the second half.”
Allardyce managed Nolan for several years at Bolton Wanderers, enjoying a successful spell as Wanderers punched above their weight in the Premier League, reaching the UEFA Cup, and a League Cup Final, before Allardyce signed Nolan from Newcastle United in the summer of 2011.
Nicolas Anelka bagged two goals against his former manager’s side, and Big Sam was full of praise for the French forward.
Allardyce knew all about Anelka’s goal-poaching menace having signed him for Bolton in 2006.
He added: “Maiga’s goal was quality. Which is what you need in our situation. Sadly we didn’t protect ourselves which is a bitter pill for me tos wallow.
“We must have mentally switched off and we got heavily punished. Fatigue kicked in but I thought it was a very good goal given our defensive injuries.”
Baggies caretaker boss Keith Downing has now overseen three draws since Steve Clarke was sacked. But he is refusing to take the credit for stabilising the club.
“I could take all the adulation,” said Downing. “But of course it’s down to the players. I don’t know who is taking over or when but I’m fully focused. I will gladly support the new guy, whoever it is.”
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
