Hammers boss pleased with change in style that helped secure a point
Saturday 1 November 2014 19:24, UK
Sam Allardyce hailed West Ham’s character and determination after they fought back from two goals to claim a 2-2 draw against Stoke City.
Missing top scorer Diafra Sakho, the Hammers looked to be heading for defeat at the Britannia as goals from Victor Moses and Mame Biram Diouf put the hosts in control.
But the visitors staged an impressive comeback in the final 30 minutes and grabbed a share of the spoils thanks to efforts from Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing.
Allardyce told Sky Sports that it was no more than his side deserved after a gutsy display.
“It shows the character of this team, not giving up right to the very end,” he said. “We haven’t played our best today, we know that, but it’s points on the board and it’s a gritty and determined result.
“When we got the goal just after 2-0 that was a real turning point then we got a grip and scored another very good goal. I couldn’t have seen have us doing that over the past two years, having the determination and the grit, but ultimately we got back to 2-2 because of our quality.”
Quality is something the Hammers looked short of for much of the opening hour as they struggled to create any chances of note against a solid Stoke defence.
But they burst into life thanks to the goals from Valencia and Downing and could have nicked the win as both sides pushed for all three points in the closing stages.
“We were not producing the type of movement and passing we normally do because of the conditions and Stoke shutting us down,” said Allardyce. “Changing the way we had to play got us back into the game. When you are 2-0 down you take the chance, you open up more and say you are either going to lose 3-0 or get back into the game.
“This time we got back into the game at 2-2 and there was no point trying to get any messages on the field for changing the way we played, it was either go and win it lads or lose it, up to you. In the end we got a draw so I’m delighted with that.”
