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Sam Allardyce is currently the bookies favourite to be the next manager out of a job. I think this is a safe bet but I also, more controversially I imagine, think this is unfair.

The first article I wrote for KUMB was about sacking Allardyce. At the time a “Fat Sam Out” banner was hanging at Upton Park after a fourth straight league loss, the last win having been a 2-1 victory over a ten man Hull City wherein the squad were booed for a large portion of the second half despite leading.

We had also suffered recent cup calamities; the double whammy of a crushing 9-0 aggregate defeat to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi-final and a devastating 5-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

At the time I argued that if you looked at it objectively he was probably doing a better job than many thought. For example, the final position in the league was exactly what you would expect if you ranked clubs by transfer kitty. However I couldn't resist making my final conclusion that he should be sacked.

Arguments I made for that were that his transfer market moves were woeful, the irreconcilable relationship with some of the fans and a poor FA Cup performance. Looking back on it, this conclusion was probably forced through on the back of emotional prejudice towards an inherently unlikeable man leading the club I support through a terrible run of form.

Allardyce survived that brush, he avoided the sack - but wasn't unscathed. The relationship with the fans is definitely not mended, as yet another poll conducted in pre-season called for his dismissal. After complaints about his route one style a new brand of football has been promised repeatedly by the board.

The requirements issued to him for this season range from top ten in the league to top six, depending on which David you ask. Personally I think top six would be an impossible feat for any West Ham manager. That would involve ousting one of Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham and as much as I’d love the latter to occur, I don't think it's realistic.

Also, as a fan I would be happy with a top ten finish any day of the week so I think setting it as the minimum requirement is a tough ask. I understand the two Davids wanting to see a return on their investment as the £20-30million war chest they’ve provided for transfers this season is a lot for a club of our stature, but I still think they’ve set the bar high.

After the latest petition to have Allardyce ousted, DS promised a review of Allardyce’s performance after six games. We have a tough opening, in that the only team we'll face that finished below us last season is Hull next week - and they will have the home advantage in that fixture. This six also includes Tottenham (which of course we lost 1-0), Liverpool and Manchester United.

Given the tough run of games leading into his review and the high bar for performance set it is already clear to see why Big Sam's job is in jeopardy. Then there is this new promised system to remember; the introduction of a new style of football is almost always associated with a lull in form. The final nail in Allardyce’s coffin is team selection, after all the spending this summer is that Cole and Vaz Te have remained regulars in the team, whilst Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho have barely featured.

It's clear to see why the bookies have him down as their favourite to go next but, as I mentioned at the start of this article, I think this is unfair.

I cast my mind back to earlier this year when I was racking my brain for arguments as to why he should go and the best I could do was his woeful transfer moves. Well the board have taken on some of the responsibility for those, and this season's signings - complemented by late moves for Alex Song and Morgan Amalfitano, who we are yet to see - look very promising.

As far as the above reasons go, Allardyce seems damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. He is very unlikely to be in a strong position with the board if he is attempting to radically change playing style in a way that is not just new to the players but new to him as well - and during a tough run of games. Even if he does ok in this run of fixtures but does not implement an attractive, attacking style of football, there is a good chance he will be sacked regardless.

When it comes to the team sheet I fully agree with not starting the likes of Valencia until they are fully fit. He is too big an investment to risk injuring. The only real debate lies in the number 10 slot. That should go to Mauro Zarate in my opinion, although David Sullivan would like to see Ravel Morrison in.

Given Allardyce’s history with Nolan it is understandable that he started the season with him, although the captain's shoulder injury enforced the change many had asked for. Zarate is currently in pole position and given Morrison’s most recent off the pitch antics it’s getting harder and harder to disagree with Allardyce’s clear objection to him.

And yes, pre-season was disappointing - but it’s pre-season and when it was clear pressure was building on his job before a ball had even been kicked in anger, experienced pundit after experienced pundit came out to say how ludicrous they thought that was.

So in summary, I think betting on Allardyce to be the next manager to get the chop is as safe a bet as you can get, but despite him having all the charm of a dirty needle full of smallpox I can’t help but feel sorry for him given the rock and the hard place he has found himself between. Even though I was baying for his blood myself only a few short months ago...

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