Hammers it is then...

[MegaSteve]

West Ham are back in the Premier League...

Think rightfully also... They were 10 points clear of the other three teams involved in the play offs... Don't know if it was a good match or not as I was golfing at the time... Got back into the club house just in time to see winning goal...

Welcome back 'Ammers... If you could lose Allardyce before season starts that would be a real bonus...

 

[arnieboy]

Over the course of the season they deserved to go back up. Beautiful football and staying in the Championship or Allardyce football and a place in the Premier League....you decide!

 

[louise_a]

On the day Blackpool were the better team but we didn't make the most of the chances we made and West Hanm did, funnily I dont feel as bad as I did last season when we went down on the last day of the season.
Still I would rather watch Championship football with Olly as manager than the Premier league with Fat Sam.

 

[Tiger]

Have to agree that Blackpool were the better side and if they weren't so profligate in front of goal we'd have been dead and buried long before Vaz Te scored the winner. That said there would have been a lot of nerves surrounding the players because we were such favourites.

However, I think the stick Sam Allardyce gets is totally unfounded. I remember watching Bolton in their pomp. Yes they were tough, physical and hard to beat but they could also knock it about a bit and in Jay Jay Okocha had a fantastic midfielder who could produce some moments of utter brilliance.

Too many people make too many judgements without fully understanding football for me. Sam's teams play the percentages. Early crosses, diagonal passes between the full back and centre backs, well worked set pieces etc. It's NOT long ball football, but it is very efficient. His teams are incredibly fit and strong so when the opposition have the ball they are hounded and bullied into giving up possession. His tactics are geared to stop the opposition playing and stifle their creativity. Manager's like Wenger didn't like it and Sam got a negative reputation.

I've seen us play some brilliant football this season, but the players only ever start expressing themselves once we have a two goal cushion. I'm happy with that as I quite like to see us winning for a change.

 

[louise_a]

Tiger, one of sam's tactics I dont like, and it seems a tactic used by several not so skillful teams, is the one where you get a free kick in your own half within 10 yards or so of the half way line, everyone goes up and the keeper takes the free kick, it really does look like punt and hope football.

 

[Tiger]

It's not punt and hope it makes perfect sense. Football is 11 v 11. If a defender took that freekick the opposition would have an extra man defending. By getting the keeper to take it the match up is even. The balls played are not punts either. A good quality delivery will be driven diagonally around the penalty area. Trust me as someone who has played as a centre forward and a centre back they create lots of scoring opportunities and are a nightmare to defend.

While Barcelona, Arsenal, Man City and a few other teams can play an expansive passing game doesn't mean everyone else can AND when teams get the calibre of player that can pass beautifully the big clubs soon come knocking.