Why Sam Allardyce thinks keeping his cool could be crucial for Leeds United - Yorkshire Post 21/5/23
Sam Allardyce is hoping he can make the difference in Leeds United's fight against relegation.
By Stuart Rayner
As the number of substitutes allowed in matches goes up over
the years, so the influence managers like Allardyce can have when the game is
up and running.
So with his team needing a result against West Ham United on
Sunday as they fight Premier League relegation, Allardyce is hoping his
experience of pulling teams out of the mire works in the Whites' favour.
He has a history of pulling out surprise results late in the
season.
"At Crystal Palace (in 2016-17), we beat Arsenal 3-0
and then beat Hull City 4-0," he says, overlooking a victory at Liverpool
in between them.
"At Sunderland (the previous season), we beat Everton
3-0 in the penultimate game and in 2003 with Bolton we beat Middlesbrough 2-1
at home (in the final day) to stay up.
"With Blackburn (in 2009) we beat Tottenham 2-1 at home
and we only had Chelsea to play in the (penultimate) game of the season.
"We’ve managed to hold the nerve in these eras of my
time but it doesn’t mean I can get these players to do exactly the same as they
did.
"Hopefully I can use my experience to help them over
the line and they take that on board.
"I’ve been here before, so I know what it feels like.
"I’m calm enough to hopefully give the players the
right direction and calm enough hopefully to make the right decisions on the
day.
"I think five substitutes will be a key element in the
decision my staff and I make at the right time.
"Whether it’s five, four or three (changes made),
that’s a massive responsibility now as a head coach to adjust when you need to,
to try and get better.
"If you get that wrong, it can destroy the chances of
the team doing well. If you get it right, it could give them a better chance of
winning.
"That’s how calm you need to be to make those decisions
under the enormous pressure of that game."
