Showing posts with label West Ham. WHU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Ham. WHU. Show all posts

Friday, September 19, 2014

Has Rodgers solved the Big Sam 'conundrum'?

When Sam Allardyce was the boss at Bolton, he actually held his own against Liverpool.  In the 13 times his Wanderers met Liverpool, they were 4-3-6.  Considering his Newcastle, Blackburn, and West Ham sides are 0-2-7 against us, that's quite impressive.  What's even more noteworthy is that he was 3-1-2 at the Reebok.

His only win at Anfield was a classic match in the fourth round of the 2003-04 League Cup in December 2003.  Liverpool were the defending holders, winning it in March of the same year, 2-0 over Man United.  It was a back and forth battle with Bolton scoring first and Liverpool countering each time.  The free kick by Okocha to make it 2-1 and the stunning 20+ yard cracker from Vladimir Smicer to equalize are particularly special.  Unfortunately, Salif Diao decided it with a bad foul that awarded Bolton a penalty.  Here are the low quality highlights for your 'enjoyment':


In the last ten matches versus Big Sam, Liverpool have won eight.  In those eight matches, LFC have won by a combined 23 to 6.  Gerrard has scored 9 career goals against West Ham, including braces in three, the most famous being the FA Cup Final in 2006, but he also did the double last year, both being penalties.  Were they penalties though?


Their goal was just as questionable as the penalties, if not more so.

Rodgers and Allardyce advocate a similar style of football, but Liverpool, especially recently, have the better talent.  LFC also tend to have a rare goal-scorer as Kyrgiakos, Sakho, Joe Cole, Agger, and Jonjo Shelvey have all scored against Big Sam's clubs. With all the excitement following West Ham's 2-2 draw at Hull, their supporters might expect a promising performance at Upton against Liverpool, but a draw in my opinion would be just another sign to accept a mediocre campaign for LFC.

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