'Jarvo - an Andy Carroll/ Carlton Cole figure up-front is central to the whole Allardyce ethos.'

and this is precisely what will contribute to the demise of Sam. he only knows one way to play, we all know that. Enner Valencia came on for ten minutes and in those ten minutes you could tell he is going to be a right handful for defenders. he had the beating of the big lump Spuds had at the back - Capoue? on more than one occasion. its the first i'd seen him in the flesh and he reminded me so much of Maiga i thought it was him coming on the pitch at first! 

Clearly he's not a Cole or a Carroll type which begs the question why the fuck did we buy him for £15m (if indeed it is that much) all but equalling our record transfer fee? he is not going to be a target man he looks to small and diminutive for a start although for the ten he was on was very quick and strong.

Someone in the BML mentioned to me yesterday that both Zarate and the new Sakho were not BFS buys and unless we have a major injury crisis are both likely to be sat on there arses on the bench week in week out as he will not use them.  i guess we will see.