[BaggieSteve]

We really need to be looking at resigning Gareth Barry to add some energy and pace to our midfield...

In all seriousness, I'm not happy with Big Sam's selections so far, which is a bit embarrassing after championing him so much for the job. The selections pretty much mimic his inept predecessor. For me it's blatantly obvious that we don't have the quality to outplay teams so we need to move to a more industrial line up, get as many big blokes in as possible, play direct, play the percentages.

Play to other teams weaknesses.

But what I will say is that we have very little quality at our disposal and I can't blame Big Sam for that.

It's not his fault we have only 1 right back at the club who is a bog average championship player. The fact we don't have a single defensive midfielder at the club. The fact that all but one of our "forwards" are really wingers and don't make any attempt to get onto balls into the box. The fact the only proper striker we have is completely immobile. The fact we decided to spend £40m in the summer on a load of wingers, none of which have top flight experience.

But that said, the changes need to be rung...

There is little point persisting with Grady who is a non entity. Saywers doesn't have the energy to play in a 2 man midfield, so if Pereira plays, Ajayi must be pushed forward.

But that said, the reality is that we're just desperately short of Premier League quality. The only experienced Premier League player we have who has a willing mentality is several years past his best. The only decent full back we have is always injured, and even his quality is questionable. Not one of the "exciting young creative players" we have signed have convinced me they are good enough to play at this level. Our star player has the pace of a snail. I'm starting to think it's a task too far for any manager without mass incomings asap.

You’re right, Slick, your championing of Allardyce is now somewhat embarrassing. You describe Bilic is “inept” and I would challenge your use of that in the way you challenged me for describing Ivanovic as “appalling”. However, if you’re going to describe Bilic as inept, you’re going to have to apply it now to Allardyce. The guy is indeed inept.
Accepting he has to use the players at his disposal, we were lead to believe that there would be an undoubted improvement over Bilic’s team of sloppy defending, baffling selections and substitutions, and tactical naivety. There is absolutely no improvement and, as regards defending, I would argue we have gone backwards. There is no discernible shape or pattern to our play, it is totally aimless. I await with interest the players Allardyce brings in during January...interest but no expectation.