Has the Allardyce gamble paid off?

Sam planning for the future at Selhurst Park

In February Crystal Palace were a Championship club in-waiting. A record of five wins, four draws and no less than 16 defeats had them in a whole heap of trouble. The Big Sam gamble had back-fired – and at great cost.

Fast-forward six weeks on from that spirit crushing 1-0 loss to Stoke and The Eagles are soaring up through the rankings, thanks to a stunning three-match winning run. Up against it vs fellow strugglers Middlesbrough – they passed the test with flying colours, taking a vital three points thanks to a van Aanholt winner.

Palace upsetting the odds

Next they didn’t have a chance against high-flying West Brom – they upset the odds with an eye-catching 2-0 cheer at the Hawthorns, Zaha and Townsend the scorers. Getting ideas above their station, Palace would be surely cut down by London rivals Watford – wrong again, hard-fought 1-0 win, with Hornets hero Deeney scoring at the wrong end.

Three matches – nine points – four clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand. The numbers add up. Big Sam beamed at the conclusion of that win over Watford – the England fiasco now a distant memory – telling the media, fans, and anyone else who would listen, that his team of battlers are getting there.

Allardyce building from the back

The experienced gaffer picked out the changes made in the club’s backroom staff as the main difference, and now the new faces had settled in and got through a difficult festive period, they are beginning to work their magic. Allardyce also reserved special praise for his defence, saying they looked solid, had cut out stupid errors and stopped conceding the silly goals that had cost them for much of last year.