Injury strife mounts for Allardyce

West Ham's injury problems are becoming a "huge concern" to manager Sam Allardyce ahead of the packed Christmas fixture schedule.

Last Updated: 15/12/12 at 09:40 Post Comment   

Allardyce: Tough times

Allardyce: Tough times

The Hammers have started the season well and taken points from the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, but a number of injuries to key personnel are threatening to derail a promising campaign.

Andy Carroll, Yossi Benayoun, Jack Collison and George McCartney are out with knee problems while Alou Diarra is still fighting back to fitness after a thigh injury.

Ricardo Vaz Te is set to return in the new year after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Arsenal on October 6, and Mohamed Diame was forced off against Liverpool last week with a hamstring tear.

With so many first-team players missing, Allardyce could be forgiven for putting poor performances or defeats down to his lack of options, but the former Blackburn boss refuses to do so.

"I have had it bad before and you work so hard to avoid this type of thing, but when you look at the injuries, apart from Mo Diame all the injuries are trauma injuries," he said.

"They have happened by the trauma in a tackle or in a change of direction. Yossi Benayoun's was a tackle with Jonas Gutierrez, Andy's was a tackle, George's was a tackle in training this week.

"The trauma injuries, unfortunately for us they are something you can't really avoid, they happen in a game and you have got to try to deal or cope with it.

"It is a huge concern for us at the moment but like everything else it won't be an excuse because nobody allows you to use injuries as an excuse so we have got to go and get on with it."

The festive period is a notoriously busy time in the British football calendar and with the injury problems and the transfer window opening in the new year Allardyce is ready for a testing period.

"It looms before the window opens which creates mayhem, starting now until the end of January," he said.

"Dealing with the madness it's called. December and January are the most difficult part of the year for everybody, particularly the players. You've got to be professional enough to get through that."

With Allardyce already down to the bare bones of his squad, he is also wary that both of his first-choice centre-backs are one caution away from a suspension and the 58-year-old is hoping they stay out of trouble against West Brom on Sunday.

He said: "What we can't afford would be any more injures and we can't afford any suspensions to either James Collins or Winston Reid who are on four bookings at the moment, that would be a huge blow for us.

"I have probably cooked my goose now I've said that, they have been on four bookings for the last four games and neither of them has got booked, so now I've mentioned it it will be my luck that they both get booked, but I hope not."

The loss of Diame during last Sunday's defeat to Liverpool is arguably the biggest blow as the Senegal international had been enjoying a superb start to his Upton Park career.

Allardyce confirmed the injury is not as severe as he originally feared and his 12-week forecast for recovery now seems to have been at least halved.

But Diame was so integral to West Ham's style of play that Allardyce will have to tinker with his tactics for upcoming matches.

"That will be a definite, Mo plays in a way that creates a lot of our forward movement - with or without the ball," he said.

"We have to pass through midfield without him and I think we have to slightly change the way we play with the personnel we choose."

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