Martin Keown drops verdict on Leeds United accusations with Elland Road ‘codswallop’ on cards
Martin Keown has suggested Sam Allardyce could be accused of “codswallop” if Leeds United are relegated to the Championship.
Allardyce hit the headlines after suggesting he is a match for Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp on the management front.
Keown feels that if the former West Brom boss does keep Leeds up, his press conference unveiling will live long in the memory.
“If Leeds stay up, that press conference unveiling will live long in the memory,” wrote Keown (Daily Mail print edition, pg 111, 6 May).
“but if they do not survive, quite like the accusations levelled at Marsch whenever he made excuses, Allardyce will be accused of talking codswallop.”
Distraction
It’s clear that Allardyce’s comments were a distraction technique. It’s allowed for the attention to be taken away from the players and onto him. The squad was under intense scrutiny before his arrival. Now the focus is solely on the big man in charge.
He’s been around the block and is attempting everything in his power to keep Leeds afloat. Who can blame him, it’s rumoured he will receive a fairly healthy payout if he does retain their Premier League status. Moving to Allardyce was something the board had to do.
The chaotic nature of Leeds’ season means they’re now throwing one more roll of the dice. Javi Gracia had to depart, there’s no doubting that. But the Spaniard shouldn’t have been given the job in the first place. A manager of Allardyce’s ilk should’ve been recruited when Jesse Marsch was sacked.
Had that happened, Leeds probably wouldn’t be in their current demise.
In other Leeds United news, one mystery man appears to remain in limbo at Elland Road as one of the most bizarre elements of the season continues.