In Sam Allardyce\u2019s isolated world of warped perspectives, nobody is ahead of him \u2013 not Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta and not even the almighty Pep Guardiola! Or at least that\u2019s what the self-proclaimed invincible Allardyce would like to think, anyway.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for the big man, just one game into his comeback, maybe, just maybe, Guardiola could be slightly ahead of him by one teeny-weeny gulf.<\/p>\n
The 2-1 scoreline, deceptive as it was, obviously suggested as much but in reality the unquestionably one-sided match indicated they indeed are separated by an entire gulf so broad that a whole sea of water could fill the expanse. In every area from ambition and skill, ability in possession and even in footballing philosophy, Allardyce trailed by light years in comparison to Guardiola.<\/p>\n
Of course, an individual like Allardyce \u2013 with self-bloated esteem and unwavering conviction \u2013 would immediately argue that he suffers the great handicap of having to lead his charge with clearly inferior players at his disposal, not to mention the supposed myriad difficulties he inherited. Obviously a man of Allardyce\u2019s immense self-confidence may feel it supports his contention that the and Guardiola are indeed equals.<\/p>\n
Allardyce would perhaps do much better to argue it is only logical that the Spaniard has the unfair advantage, having had seven years to work with some of his players while the Englishman has only had a miserable three days in comparison, thus leading to his debut defeat, by only the narrowest of one-goal margins, in charge of his ninth Premier League club \u2014 eight more than Guardiola.<\/p>\n
Self-delusions or denial, regardless of whether Man City indeed are a team unfairly superior \u2013 as others would argue \u2013 than Leeds United, there was virtually hardly any evidence supporting Big Sam\u2019s self-proclaimed genius. Zilch, to be precise.<\/p>\n
Just compare the basic figures \u2013 Leeds amassed 48 passes in the first half while the Blues\u2019 Ilkay Gundogan completed 92, all on his ownsome lonesome. Alardyce\u2019s defensiveness unfortunately proved self-defeating as Gundogan, supposedly City\u2019s erstwhile, holding midfielder, was actually invited forward by Sam\u2019s defense lines and duly delivered his death-dealing clinical brace as swiftly as it was ruthless.<\/p>\n
Then, of course in his own defence, Allardyce could likely argue that the dismissed Javi Gracia was handed a much heavier beating at Bournemouth last week, and that he escaped the Etihad Stadium without really denting United\u2019s goal difference.<\/p>\n
Honestly, Big Sam was mercifully spared humiliation due largely to a rare off-day from a Leeds youngster as Yorkshire-born Nordic slayer Erling Haaland headed against the bar, shot against the post and also comically drilled wide after Kevin De Bruyne found the lad in delightful fashion.<\/p>\n
The 51-goal forward this time around somehow fumbled six opportunities in sparing a club his father, Alf Inge, used to represent. Haaland\u2019s undoubted generosity even extended to allowing Gundogan to take an 84th-minute penalty but, instead of completing a hat-trick, the latter struck the post instead of converting.<\/p>\n
Hence the scoreline managed to present an impressive, albeit deceptive, semblance of respectability for Allardyce, especially considering that Leeds had conceded four to Bournemouth, five to Crystal Palace and six to Liverpool in the sacked Gracia\u2019s shambolic April. That said, a manager who had defiantly and arrogantly bracketed himself with some of those at the top of his profession clearly made a defiant return to management with his own brand of anti-football.<\/p>\n
It was Allardyce\u2019s all-out defence against Guardiola\u2019s obviously offensive approach. While City played with the ball, Leeds clearly played without it. It was an evident case of progressive against regressive.<\/p>\n
The Allardyce blueprint, if indeed he had one, caught no one by surprise. What used to be Bielsa\u2019s buccaneers were this time not in any way or dynamics Allardyce\u2019s adventurers. It was clearly discernible that all Big Sam had been intent on was to shut out City with any means at his disposal.<\/p>\n
By comparison and in sharp contrast, City have 10 consecutive league victories, with 14 wins in a row at home in 2023. Leeds have five defeats in their last six outings. Allardyce, the clean-sheet specialist brought in to repair Leeds\u2019 leaky defence, attempted to pack it with something approximating to a back nine that quickly proved to be nothing but a flawed approach.<\/p>\n
With City 2-0 up, Leeds\u2019 home faithful promptly serenaded Allardyce with chants about him being sacked in the morning. It appears even they aren\u2019t quite ready for a fifth manager of the season yet, and definitely for someone like Allardyce. Not by a long mile.<\/p>\n
A quarter of Allardyce\u2019s reign is already gone. Now the massive boulder in front of their tomb is that 16 clubs are ahead of them in the table and the three below have games in hand.<\/p>\n
Big Sam, time to do some real work and pull out all the stops instead of just thumping your chest.<\/p>\n
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