Sam Allardyce faced the media on Friday to speak about his plans for the start of the 2011/12 npower Championship season at home to Cardiff City.
The manager revealed that his squad are raring to go for the 1pm kick-off on Sunday. He updated on the latest regarding England trio Robert Green, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole, and explained just why he has faith in new recruits like Matt Taylor and Kevin Nolan to deliver success. Trialists Jlloyd Samuel and Mikael Forssell have both left the club.
What's the injury news?
Sam Allardyce: Only Julien Faubert at the moment which is a hamstring injury he picked up against Real Zaragoza last week. A hamstring injury. The medical staff said it was a grade 1 which is normally about ten days or two weeks, so it is a bit early for him this week. Jack Collison trained this morning which is good. Everyone else seems to be OK.
How difficult an opening match is it this weekend?
SA: I have come here to be successful to try and get the club back in the Premier League that is why I have come here and hopefully we will have a very exciting journey.There are some difficult teams and very good managers in this division. Big money has been spent by a lot to try and get up so we are going to have to be right on song, consistently over 46 matches. If I have a concern, it is that this club hasn't had a winning mentality in the last couple of years.
It is an hugely difficult weekend. I only know what the players are capable of but I am not really comfortable yet with the psyche of the side and how they play. I am working that out day by day, what the mentality is of the player and what makes them tick. That is an ongoing process. It is a new club for me and a new job and anyone who comes in is always in that position. At least I have had since the first of July up to now to understand the players, not just ability but them as a person. That will help me to guide the team.
How do you feel about being favourites to get promoted?
SA: We are the favourites, the big boys in this league and I have told the players that. 'Everyone wants your scalp, you are going to have to live up to your reputation from day one because they are going to want to turn you over. They are all going to play better, they are all going to play their best and try their hardest when they play against us.'
A club like this shouldn't be anything other than the favourites. The only way to test if we are going to be good enough is to start the season and play the first five to ten matches. That will be a big indication of where we will be or how good we will be. I personally think the players are good enough but they have to cope with a different division played in a different way. I was listening to Ian Holloway on the way in saying his lads enjoyed the football they tried to play [last season in the Premier League] but now it is down to scrap bite, bite, scrap, scrap and bite. If that is what it is about [in the Championship], it will have to be about the talent of our team overcoming that style of play.
Given the transfer window is still open, will you risk your England players Robert Green, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole?
SA: They are West Ham players and they are contracted to West Ham. Their commitment has to be to the West Ham shirt because that is where their contract lies. Of course, like everybody at this stage of the season the madhouse is in full flow. Speculation is all over the place on a constant basis which is why this is one of the most difficult periods for a manager in an entire season. All we can do is try and focus on what is the most important thing and that is the Cardiff game on Sunday and for us to try and go out and set a marker on how we want to be by trying to win the game.
I will absolutely field my strongest side and try and start how we mean to go on. That would be great. I would imagine we will grow and get better as the season goes on as we will get to know each other better. A lot of players have left and fringe players from last year have a better opportunity to have a major stake in the team this year.
What will you tell the players before the game?
SA: Be cool, calm and collected and control your emotions. If we can get them to control their emotions in a controlled aggressive way, it gives you a better opportunity to win the game. The first game of the season is just about 'Wow, we are glad we are here' and often players will just go out and go 'bang' and forget about everything. They go chasing around like headless chickens sometimes and it is about calming down and controlling your emotion. Put your ability and aggression into the right area. Play as a team right from the very start and wait for the opportunity to score. If you get it, try and make sure you take it.
The vibe appears to be that Scott, Robert and Carlton are less determined to leave than before you arrived?
SA: I hope so. I think that it is always where you want to play, at the highest level. I hope all the players are enjoying their training and looking forward to a new season. Certainly I am and they have got less to worry about than me! If I am looking forward to it they should be doubly excited about the season starting on Sunday. There is not a lot to tell the players here about their ability it is how they use it and how they focus as a team to get results. There is a lot of Premier League experience but it is a different style in the Championship and it is a longer season.
What can you tell us about John Carew?
SA: Yes there has been interest in John. We have had a chat with him. But he has got a number of opportunities and offers on the table. We have given him our terms and conditions and try and if we can go from there. Whether he can negotiate that and whether he will accept that is another matter. I think he is a quality player that has played at most levels in his lifetime and is only just in his 30s. He is very mature and experienced. He is a clever and good player. If he chooses us, we will be delighted.
Where are you going to sit?
Not quite sure yet. I will eventually always sit in the stand but whether I consider that to be the best place on Sunday I haven't quite got my gut feeling yet. Probably on Saturday I will sit and think about it and should I go there right from the start or on the bench and get a feel for it. There is a better feel on the bench but there is no tactical awareness that you can see. We can all pretend we can as managers but realistically when you sit above you see the whole plan of the game very comfortably and of course your emotions don't run as high.
What do you make of only five substitutes for this season in the Football League?
SA: It is sad for the game of football . Most of the managers are upset about it. From my point of view, I voted for [seven subs] and was consulted but it appeared to me when it was announced to us at a referee's meeting there were 33 managers there and I was one of a handful that had actually been asked. It had to only have been done for financial reasons but if you look at the situation it will undervalue development players as you can't put them on the bench anymore.
