Sam Allardyce senses West Brom fans back fighting spirit
Sam Allardyce is aware he was not overly popular with supporters during his first few months as Albion boss.
But the 66-year-old – who is hoping to mastermind a derby win over Villa tomorrow – hopes Baggies fans have now started to warm to him and his methods.
Allardyce endured a nightmare start to life at The Hawthorns with the team conceding 28 goals in his first 10 games in charge.
But with the exception of a disappointing performance at Leicester on Thursday, they have improved significantly over the last few months. Currently nine points from safety with just six games remaining, Allardyce knows there is a good chance that improvement has come too late.
But he hopes fans can see he is doing everything he can to keep the team in the Premier League.
“There was not a lot of love for me in the early stages when we were getting beat four or five, I’m not stupid – I can imagine those comments wouldn’t have been very nice,” Allardyce said with a smile.
“But hopefully as they (the fans) have seen the team play better their opinion has changed on what we’re trying to do.
“At the end of the day, I’d love the fans to be back in the stadium whether they’d boo me or whether they’d cheer me because that is all part of the game.
“What I’d always try to do is turn any boos around.
“I think at this moment in time we have all tried our best.
“It’s very difficult to say that is going to be good enough with the position we are in. But we have improved and hopefully the West Brom fans have seen that.”
Meanwhile, Albion’s Sam Field is no longer obligated to join QPR on a permanent basis.
The midfielder joined Mark Warburton’s side on loan with a view to a permanent deal in February.
But according to reports the move only becomes permanent if Field starts 12 matches.
He has currently made eight starts and with only three games remaining can no longer trigger the extension.
Warburton, though, still wants him to be a QPR player season.
“I would be very keen and I know he is really enjoying his football here,” he said.
“He can play at centre-half in a two or a three and, as he has shown, in midfield.
“I have been delighted with his contribution.”
