Why Allardyce would be foolish to take on the West Ham fans

Sam Allardyce's West Ham have drawn their last five home games

Sam Allardyce has a very bloated view of his own ability as a football manager.

He famously once said he was more suited to managing clubs of the calibre of Real Madrid and Inter Milan than those he currently has on his CV and has now angered West Ham fans by labelling them "delusional" for criticising him.

Allardyce is a good manager who did well with the likes of Bolton and Blackburn, but he isn't exactly the Championship's answer to Pep Guardiola or Sir Alex Ferguson.

He can't understand why Hammers fans are daring to criticise him during their current 11-match unbeaten run, completely ignoring the fact seven of those ended in draws.

Many supporters are unhappy Allardyce's team are not playing the 'West Ham way', another issue the 57-year-old mocks.

He claims winning is enough entertainment and that is a fair viewpoint, but the fact is his side have not been winning enough to justify it.

Tomorrow's match against Reading is crucial to West Ham's automatic promotion chances and a loss to the Royals would leave Allardyce's men looking unlikely to finish in the top two.

In truth, West Ham should have found the Championship a much less difficult proposition this season, particularly given the embarrassment of riches they have in midfield and attack.

Allardyce has failed to get the best out of his strikers - the likes of Carlton Cole, John Carew, Sam Baldock, Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard - due to his long ball tactics and all of them have struggled to make an impact.

Vaz Te scored in this week's 2-0 win at Peterborough

Fans are entitled to express their displeasure as they see automatic promotion slipping away and Big Sam must get them back on side rather than turn on them.

They are understandably edgy given the excellent form of Reading and Southampton and the Hammers' current difficulties at home - they have drawn their last five games at Upton Park - and it is inevitable discontent at the style of football will rear its head when the team isn't winning.

That criticism stings Allardyce but rounding on supporters will only make the situation worse for him.

Rather than hit back at them, he should be looking in the mirror to find the root of his team's problems.

If everything was rosy on the pitch, he wouldn't be having the troubles he currently is with fans.

Allardyce has called a section of Hammers fans 'deluded' for their recent criticism but he is the only deluded one if he thinks West Ham will win promotion by continuing in their current vein of form.

He needs to encourage his team to be more patient in their build-up play as the personnel he has at his disposal is not suited to the current direct style of play.

Of course, a win against Reading and an eventual top two position would vindicate Allardyce's tactics and ramblings, but a failure to win promotion would surely lead to his sacking and further condemnation of his style.

Things would look a whole lot better again for the Hammers if they win tomorrow and it is certain the fans will get behind their team for such an important fixture.

West Ham supporters are among the most loyal and passionate in the country and will be there long after Allardyce has left for more attractive surroundings like Madrid or Milan.

Things could still work out for him at Upton Park but he must accept he is facing a losing battle should he continue to take on the fans.

He faced similar struggles at Newcastle - where he wasn't given enough time - and must succeed at West Ham to prove he can produce the goods at clubs where expectations are so high.

Tomorrow's match against Reading will go a long way towards deciding whether Allardyce will achieve what is required at Upton Park.

It's promotion or bust. Criticising fans is only going to make that task all the harder.