7. Sam Allardyce – The West Ham manager spent a long time pursuing the signature of Andy Carroll from Liverpool, only to be rebuffed by the striker who preferred a return to former club Newcastle. However, luck played into Allardyce’s hands as Newcastle failed to stump up the asking price for the burly forward while Liverpool seemed insistent on getting rid. Carroll was left with no choice by the end of the transfer window and had to sign for the Hammers on loan, giving Allardyce the perfect target man to fit his gameplan for the new season.
