Allardyce denies 'long ball' claims

Sam Allardyce has admitted that he was disppointed by comments from Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman regarding his purported direct tactics.

Freedman, speaking after the 2-2 draw claimed that Allardyce's side spent much of the game hitting long balls at Carlton Cole - the very style he was criticised for during his time at Bolton and one that caused many Hammers to harbour concern regarding his appointment during the summer.

But Allardyce - speaking via whufc.com this afternoon - insisted that Freedman had got it wrong. "We dominated the game and outplayed the home side so it disappoints me to hear a young manager talking in the way that he did about my team," he said.

"Just to get the facts straight, we were on top in terms of passing and possession and should have won the game with the chances we created."

Allardyce's tactics have been the subject of muuch discussion amongst West Ham fans in recent weeks. His purported 433 formation is actually 451, many claim, with the aforementioned Cole - or in his absence, John Carew - playing that sole pivotal role.

Meanwhile supporters of the various teams faced in recent weeks - as highlighted in KUMB's post-match 'Opposition View' round-ups - have also been heavily inclined to criticise Allardyce's set-up, given the quality of players available to him.

Despite the criticism, West Ham sit fourth in the Championship and remain unbeaten away from home - and all whilst Allardyce continues to discover for his best team, having signed 14 players since becoming Avram Grant's successor just four months ago.

The opposition views: in quotes

Crystal Palace

"West Ham were physically very big, strong and used it to their advantage. "

" A good side, but when the going got tough they hid for long periods and went for hoofball."

" I thought West Ham looked like a poor man's Bolton - loads of big guys and only ever looked dangerous when the ball was lumped into the box. "

Ipswich Town

"After the break West Ham had more of the ball but never matched the flowing football which has been characteristic of the Blues."

"West Ham started to show some semblance of threat nearer to half-time with Cole’s physical power the main danger."

Peterborough United

"To play a lone striker at home against a newly-promoted side that has been known to concede a few is a joke."

"Big Sam would walk over hot coals to manage England. If that happened I would emigrate; a dinosaur of a manager."

"West Ham for me were a poor footballing side - typical Allardyce hoof-ball apart from a couple of passing moves."

Millwall

"They are no longer the Academy of Football. What I saw today was a long ball humped up to a big lump up front , who tries to get his nut on it."

Portsmouth

"Seeing the way West Ham used Carlton Cole was a perfect example of how to play with the long ball and winning the knock downs."

"West Ham have by far and away the best squad in the Championship, littered with internationals and they have bought well in pre-season."

Nottingham Forest

"West Ham play in their manager’s image – big, strong, brawny and trying to take advantage of every set piece."

"Our visitors didn’t really have to get out of second gear to register an impressive looking scoreline."

Leeds United

"I didn't think West Ham were anything special, they lacked attacking ideas and rarely troubled us."

Watford

"People can laugh about Allardyce and the concept of 'football', but West Ham tonight were the Championship's 'Barcelona of Europe'."

"They tried to take the sting out of the game by getting the ball down, passing it about and spreading the play."

"We were totally outplayed football-wise by a Same Alladyce team. That is saying something!"

Doncaster

"West Ham struck me as a bit like Newcastle [last season], not a great 'team' but [with] good enough players individually to go up."

"Their defence looked solid. They will be in the mix at the end of the season simply because they will not concede a lot of goals."

" If anything West Ham were fitter, and their midfield was all over ours most of the match."

Cardiff City

"West Ham played numerous long ball that rolled harmlessly into touch."

"How often did West Ham kick the ball straight out of play and lose possession?"

"West Ham will win this league. With this midfield they'll overrun every team in the league. Five in the middle all season for them."