In defence of Big Sam

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My colleague and friend, Neal Thurman (formerly of these pages), had this little nugget buried in his Monday Morning Manager post:

"As much as I appreciate what Big Sam accomplished at Bolton back in the day, it seems like a poor fit of manager and roster. The Black Cats are handing a roster full of attacking midfielder-types to a guy best known for blood-and-guts football."

Neal, you're talking about a manager who ran out Jay Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff, Stelios Giannakopolis, etc behind (pun intended) the not-inconsiderable backside of Kevin Davies. At West Ham, he converted Stewart Downing from a winger to a (temporarily, at least) surprisingly effective number 10.

Big Sam has a plan, and works that plan to a hard edge. It may not always be pretty, but sometimes it can be.

At Sunderland, he has some talent in the likes of Jermaine Lens, and Yoann M'Villa. He has the target-forward he likes in Steven Fletcher. And while Bruno N'Gotty isn't walking through the door, he's got... well, maybe the less said about Sunderland's defensive options the better.

I'm not saying that Sunderland are poised for a run at the European places, but Allardici is a good manager who has done more with less in the past. I'm fascinated to see what he can do with the Black Cats, starting this weekend against Newcastle, who may have just had their own dead-cat bounce against Norwich.

Season Preview - Wolves

Quick Reminder, Real Life

Despite a load of money spent on transfer window signings, Wolves found themselves in the relegation zone on the last day of the season but miraculously survived - finishing the season with 40 points - only one more than both Birmingham and Blackpool. Despite a -20 goal difference on the season, Wolves had some memorable wins at home (they beat Manchester United and Chelsea) and the form of winger Matt Jarvis and (when fit) striker Steven Fletcher went a long way in cementing the club’s Premier League status for one more year. The likable Mick McCarthy has won more games than he’s lost at Wolves - dating back to his time managing the club in the Championship, and despite the poor results for a majority of the 2010-2011 campaign, always displayed a sense of calm and confidence in his players.

Quick Reminder, Fantasy

Starting at the back, George Elokobi was a decent 5th defender in the Official PL game - coming in at a bargain basement price and chipping in with a few goals and assists but it was further up the field - specifically Jamie O’Hara on loan from Tottenham - who really provided the fantasy spark. When fit, O’Hara was instrumental in creating chances for his Wolves teammates and his delivery from set pieces earned him much praise. His strike against West Brom was a ‘goal of the season’ contender. The well-known forwards Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher combined to score 15 league goals but lacked the season-long consistency necessary for prolonged fantasy investment.

Summer Changes

Fletcher set for Wolves move

Fletcher set for Wolves move

At least Wolves will have cover for Doyle. This doesn't bring them anything they don't have on the pitch already though. Maybe next season Milijas gets going and brings them the creativity they lacked in the first half of the season, and didn't even try for in the latter half. 7.5 million pounds though? It seems to me that they're paying almost as much for Doyle's understudy as they did for Doyle himself.

Premier League Transfer Round-up for Tuesday

Today we see the culmination of several seemingly inevitable deals.

Man Utd sign Wigan winger Valencia
This has been rumoured for months, if not years, and Cristian Ronaldo's departure only made it more likely.  Certainly not a galactico, but Valencia is a proven Premier League player.  He's also a true right winger which is something ManU hasn't had for the length of CRon's conversion into a center forward.  He'll stretch the field, put in crosses, and has the potential to make everyone around him better.

It will be interesting to see how Wigan replaces him.  They've already signed Jordi Gomez but he's a central/left-sided player and not a like for like replacement.  In fact, Wigan are overloaded on the left with Koumas, Kapo and N'Zogbia as attacking flank players for that side.  Maybe Daniel de Ridder will prove himself at this level if given a run of games on the right.  However, he's been notable for not being notable at all in the Premier League so far.  Wigan will be linked with a lot of players such as Jermaine Pennant (available on a free), and David Bentley.  I'll suggest they look to Newcastle United's Jonás Gutiérrez.  He should be available and would give them all the running they could want on that side and no little invention as well.

Burnley land Fletcher
Burnley complete Mears deal
Burnley start building their squad for the next level, and are hoping that these two fit the bill.  However, Mears certainly hasn't proven himself yet and players who starred in Scotland but couldn't make the grade in England are a dime a dozen.  Mears was at least cheap at 1/2 million.  Compared to Glen Johnson's 17million price tag and you think if Burnley get a servicable 30 games from him they'll have found a bargain.

Wolves snap up record signing Doyle
Meanwhile Wolves continues their own rebuilding effort.  Again they've chosen to pick over the bones of Championship rivals Reading and now Doyle joins goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann back in the Premier League.  I think it's a good signing.  Doyle had a great rookie season in the Premier League and like the rest of the team, a lousy sophmore season.  But experience counts, good and bad.

Blackburn sign N'Zonzi
The next, next, next Patrick Viera.  He's only 20, so perhaps one for the future.  But at 6'2", he's a typical Big Sam signing.

The question becomes, if Big Sam continues to make over Blackburn in a Bolton mold, will fantasy manager be advised never to bet on or against them?