paid off and the manager’s decisions are proving successful. They are entitled to feel smug.

But there is still an undercurrent at the club that this is not a natural fit, with Allardyce at pains to point out his tactical brilliance at every opportunity while the owners point to the success of their signings and demand for the team to play with greater adventure.

'We recruited a better calibre of player in the summer, who were chosen because they have the ability to play the West Ham way,' wrote David Gold, in his programme notes for the Swansea game.

Before the game, Allardyce was on TV talking about the possibility of a contract extension.

Perhaps a successful season will soothe this friction.

Allardyce embraces Carroll following the striker's second goal of the gameagainst Swansea

HAMMER TIME Goals scored after 15 matches last season & this season... Chelsea: 30-34 Man City: 32-32 West Ham: 13-26 Liverpool: 34-19 Man Utd: 22-24 Advertisement

PLAYING STYLE

The style has certainly changed for the better. Allardyce will insist this is because there are more and better players available. He is also entitled to credit for the shape of the team, and the switch to a midfield diamond which has allowed Stewart Downing to thrive.

West Ham appear committed to a core of English players and they are committed to attack, with two strikers and attacking full-backs to provide the width lost to the diamond.

There were 36 cross delivered against Swansea, which helped Carroll wreak havoc. They have 26 goals, double the total they had after 15 Premier League games