Sam Allardyce

[Big Fat Sam]

They asked about him last week. Sam confirmed he's still out for a while.

So we determined what the injury was, surely? And it was also determined how many games / weeks / months he'll roughly miss? Because as far as I know, unless I've missed it then I apologise, I have no idea what's up with him and how long we'll have to put up with the worst player in our modern history representing us at left back.

I heard talk at start of December of 'six weeks', which would mean he should be back now. But I heard no mention of a "setback" or "reoccurance" or anything similar. Why all the hush hush? Really weird.

I'd like to think they're working on a big signing at left but and thus don't want to bring attention to it, but I really, really don't think that will happen.

 

[bluestevon]

They asked about him last week. Sam confirmed he's still out for a while.

The not asking about defenders - especially left backs is massively weird mate, it's such an obvious and easy question, not asking it from anyone just strieks me as too unusual to be coincidence...

 

[bluestevon]

So we determined what the injury was, surely? And it was also determined how many games / weeks / months he'll roughly miss? Because as far as I know, unless I've missed it then I apologise, I have no idea what's up with him and how long we'll have to put up with the worst player in our modern history representing us at left back.

I heard talk at start of December of 'six weeks', which would mean he should be back now. But I heard no mention of a "setback" or "reoccurance" or anything similar. Why all the hush hush? Really weird.

Baines was a calf injury, in mid December he 'felt it' a bit again in training, basically I'm sure we are keeping the full extent of the injury hidden and doubt he will play for us again this season.

 

[Connor]

You ask about Baines, then by proxy you are bringing up the left back situation, and it's clear as day that the press have been told by the club not to ask any questions regarding this position

Not a single doubt that's what's happened as it's such an obvious question to have asked and even the papers which have ran numerous stories about the need and various player links have not even brought it up once in any conference.

@Connor , @BlueToff

Sadly, my site does not get invited to press conferences or briefed by the clubs despite being Premier League accredited. Not sure I'll be doing a game at Goodison before the window closes so I can't even say I'll ask myself.

I don't even think it's a no go thing, like they've been told not to ask because Vinny O'Connor was asking about Bernat, I just think they're not bothering. Which is concerning because someone has to ask questions.

 

[Saint Domingo]

You ask about Baines, then by proxy you are bringing up the left back situation, and it's clear as day that the press have been told by the club not to ask any questions regarding this position

Not a single doubt that's what's happened as it's such an obvious question to have asked and even the papers which have ran numerous stories about the need and various player links have not even brought it up once in any conference.

@Connor , @BlueToff

The press know what happens if you cross Robert censor Elstone. One bad word against the club and you’re banned. For a club that does nothing right it’s got its control of the press cast iron.

 

[Big Fat Sam]

Baines was a calf injury, in mid December he 'felt it' a bit again in training, basically I'm sure we are keeping the full extent of the injury hidden and doubt he will play for us again this season.

Yeah, I am with you on that last bit. Shame on that front as it means Martina plays about 25 games in a row which will cost us about 10 points through sheer incompetence. Could even be the difference between relegation and staying in the league should our form continue the way it is.

Also @Saint Domingo, I don't see how asking a question about Baines or "are you specifically looking for a left back due to Baines' injury / due to have no cover in that position" would be a "bad word" against the club?

But I realise there has been an agreement that no questions are asked regarding the topic.

 

[Connor]

The press know what happens if you cross Robert censor Elstone. One bad word against the club and you’re banned. For a club that does nothing right it’s got its control of the press cast iron.

Exactly.

They don't want to cross the press officer and have their access revoked.

 

[GwladysBlue]

Apart from the Garbutt comment I haven’t even heard him mention needing a left back. He mightn’t even see it as a problem.

Seems about right. He's a terrible manager; his tactical nous doesn't extend beyond 'punt it to the big lad up front'.

 

[Harry73]

Thought it was really weird they didn't ask about injuries in the press conference.

Why is absolutely nobody, ever, asking about Baines? Has it been agreed by all parties that the question shouldn't be asked?

Everybody in football watches us and laughs because we have a player released by Southampton from right back playing left back for us - no questions on that, or potential incomings in that position?

No questions about Mori's fitness and potential return date? No questions about when we can expect Seamus back other than Sam acknowledging he is 'in training'?

All seems very very weird.

when you say everyone in football watches us and laughs at us...I have a sneaky feeling most people a) couldn't care less and b) have absolutely no idea who Martina is and that he isn't a natural left back. There is a c) which is they are only bothered about their own club. I popped onto Man Utd's forum and Chelsea's and couldn't find a single thread on Martina. Bit odd, who'd have thought. He needs replacing yes and now ideally, but maybe just maybe the Manager has seen something in Garbutt that says he really is as good as we all thought he was two years ago. Equally, they may have tried to find a number of players and can only end up with another Martinez, which is likely. Good left backs are almost the hardest player to find after all (maybe after a 20-goal striker?). Many on this forum seem so focused on kicking the Manager, the old managers, Steve Walsh, the Chairman, the owner, the Comms Dept, the players, the Echo, any ITKs, the Mayor, the architect, Schneids and obviously other fans, that we kinda forget that none of us know the facts. No club stands still and there are always issues behind the scene that lead to a situation. Do we really think that a manager that has been relatively successful over 1,000 games thinks, ahhh, we have a second class right back playing at left back - that'll do us. He sees what we see and more, because he knows about football in a way we all can only dream of. He's not everyone's cup of tea but only time will tell if he is going to be good for us. Just accusing these people is bizarre when we don't have a single fact let alone enough of them.

One fact is clear though, he has been pretty clear that Koeman screwed things up with the team and he is starting with an unbalanced squad, that's massive and lacking in some key areas. and for that I apologise to @davek for giving him a hard time I think on that point.

 

[BlueToff]

The not asking about defenders - especially left backs is massively weird mate, it's such an obvious and easy question, not asking it from anyone just strieks me as too unusual to be coincidence...

FWIW, I think we might get something from one of the paper guys.

But I pointed the same out on twitter in regards to the press - local, especially - not pressing Sam on the issue.

It's such a blatantly obvious question to ask for anyone who remotely has a link with the fans.

"Tottenham clearly targeted Everton's left side the other day. With Baines' continued absence, this must be an area you're looking to address in the next few weeks?"

Something like that is all that is needed.

 

[Big Fat Sam]

FWIW, I think we might get something from one of the paper guys.

But I pointed the same out on twitter in regards to the press - local, especially - not pressing Sam on the issue.

It's such a blatantly obvious question to ask for anyone who remotely has a link with the fans.

"Tottenham clearly targeted Everton's left side the other day. With Baines' continued absence, this must be an area you're looking to address in the next few weeks?"

Something like that is all that is needed.

Yep, which tells me it's been made clear, for whatever reason (and I cannot think why; surely if they ask the question Sam could say "we're happy with our options at the moment"), that the press may not ask about our left back or Baines or Martina. Sad really.

 

[Toffe3m4n]

I just sincerely hope that there's at least some sort of plan being concocted behind the scenes.

 

[People75]

A few good signings being done already in janyary, and Sigurd has improved his play aswell.

What can Sam make of it? Let's hope we start playing football soon enough.

Parking the bus, is not the optimal solution.

Toffies FC

 

[Kev50]

I don’t understand why Cuco is getting so much stick, certainly compared with Kenny he’s been doing a better job defensively these past few weeks. I blame Siggy and Jags for the first goal, Kenny for the second. Kenny was also to blame for Bournemouth and was dropped for Man U. Not having a go at him he’s obv v young, but it seems weird that everyone is saying we HAVE to buy a left back right now (rather than in the Summer when we will get a better deal)

 

[Sir Alan]

Can’t wait for him to leave and he’s been here 5 minutes.