Big Sam’s search for spirit of Okocha

SAMALLAR DYC E insists he can lead West Ham into an exciting new era next season driven by signing attacking players in the mould of Jay- Jay Okocha.

Allardyce said he needed to build a ‘ bigger and better squad’ to propel West Ham to a top-10 finish. The Hammers have kept 14 clean sheets this term but have struggled f or goals, with Andy Carroll (below) scoring just twice in 14 games since returning from injury.

‘We need to add a bit more flair, a bit mor e finishing power in the final third,’ said Allardyce, whose former Bolton side enjoyed success with Nigerian play maker Okocha at their heart. ‘You don’t want to go through next season with some of t he phases like this season and that boils down to making a bigger and better squad. ‘As good as the players have done since I have been here, sometimes that hasn’t been good enough. My j ob i s always to improve.’

Allardyce has been criticised for instructing a negative, numbing brand of football. But he again defended his approach, saying: ‘Contrary to what everyone says, we play the right type of football but just don’t get the right type of results.’

Opposite number Tim Sherwood has leaped to t he defence of both Emmanuel Adebayor and Paulinho, who turned away i n the defensive wall, allowing Stewart Downing to score with a free-kick.

Sherwood said it was a ‘mistake’ rather than a character flaw following the goal they conceded. SUPER STAT: Stewart Downing had gone 39 games without a goal. His last Premier League goal was in March 2013 for Liverpool against Tottenham. WEST HAM UNITED (4-5-1): Adrian 6.5; Demel 6.5, Tomkins 6, Reid 6, McCartney 6; Downing 8, Noble 8, Nolan 7 (Jarvis 88min), Taylor 6.5, Diame 7; Carroll 6 (J Cole 84). Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Vaz Te, Collins, Nocerino. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-4-2): Lloris 8; Naughton 6, Dawson 5, Kaboul 4, Rose 5.5; Lennon 6, Paulinho 4.5 (Sandro 65, 6), Sigurdsson 5 (Soldado 65, 6), Eriksen 5.5; Kane 5 (Chiriches 27, 6), Adebayor 4.5. Subs not used: Friedel, Fryers, Bentaleb, Pritchard. Booked: Naughton, Sandro, Dawson, Soldado. Sent off: Kaboul. Man of the match: Stewart Downing. Referee: Phil Dowd 7.