Erik’s fear for career

AS David Moyes glanced to the stands and saw the beaming face of Sam Allardyce staring back, he could have been forgiven murderous thoughts.

The West Ham manager’s expression at that point – mid-way through the first half as his team had already conceded two soft goals to build a mountain they have no equipment to climb – betrayed little but frustration.

Yet surely he was wondering what he has got to do to convince his own fans, if Allardyce is supposedly facing a struggle of his own to win over the Goodison faithful.

Moyes, it turns out, will equal at the weekend a John Gorman (he of Swindon and England, errr, fame) record of 40 straight games in the bottom three of the Premier League. On this evidence, that run will be extended indefinitely. The effect of Allardyce on the home team was instant and visible. Despite not even being officially announced as the new boss, he spoke to the team beforehand and took his place in the stand to witness events. The formation looked a decidedly Allardyce one, with an emphasis on defence and a massed midfield.

And so too did some of the selections, most notably goalscorer Wayne Rooney, who had been ignored for the previous two league games.

If it was his suggestion, then Big Sam had a Big Impact. If not, then his presence seemed galvanizing.

How Moyes would love a similar response. Yet with a visit to Man City followed by games against Chelsea and Arsenal, he could be far enough behind at Christmas to need snookers.

The former Everton boss can hardly take the blame for the mess he inherited, and he certainly got his players going in the second half, only to see them miss a penalty.

Yet the lack of desire in the opening period for the Hammers will leave their manager praying there are funds left to make serious January transfer window incursions. If not, that bottom three record could be his alone for a long time. ERIK LAMELA admitted he feared never playing again after 13 months out injured.

The Spurs playmaker made his comeback as a sub on Tuesday during the 2-1 defeat at Leicester.

He had surgery on his left hip in April and his right hip in May – missing 400 days in total – but he celebrated the birth of his first child at the weekend, then playing again a few days later.

“In bad times you always think the worst and it was probably the worst time of my life,” said Lamela, 25.

“I wanted to play but my injury took too long. I’m so happy to be back and to be able to go see my son.”