The last time I wound a rival manager up was Rafa [Benítez] when I was at Blackburn.
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“I have had some fun with him”, Allardyce told a press conference. Winding-up became a procedure that we all use if and when we feel it necessary. This game has historically been exciting and it may be the same as well this time around considering the relative forms of the two teams.
Sam Allardyce has however revealed that the trio are making good progress, with Defoe set to return against Watford next weekend and Larsson well on the way to recovery.
“But I have always had a huge amount of respect for Arsene and his quality as a manager”. I’m not so sure what you do when you wind a manager up that it makes a difference your players when they go out.
They also lost a number of key personnel – from Francis Coquelin to Santi Cazorla – and are now having to hope players like Joel Campbell or even Jeff Reine Adelaide can step-up in the absence of more senior stars.
Wenger now has an unlikely ally in Big Sam, who can’t understand the criticism the Frenchman receives.
The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw by Norwich City at Carrow Road last weekend as they squandered the chance to move up the Premier League table. Because they’ve spent £500million on a stadium and he’s still qualifying for the Champions League every year, whereas most clubs…it’ll be interesting to see what Tottenham’s investment will be like when they have to spend £450m-£500m on their stadium.
‘We’ve had some good conversations about the progression of football and where we should be going, especially at the younger end in terms of developing a player and getting him in the Premier League. I finished tenth in the first year, and then I was supposed to finish eighth, then sixth, and then in the top four in the year after that.
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Allardyce has mellowed but only slightly, insisting: “I don’t particularly like controversy”. I think it’s a great spectacle for the fans and Boxing Day football is something I really look forward to. “In the early days you can be overcome by the pressures of being in the Premier League, you react to what people say but, as you get older and wiser, you let things go”.
