Big Sam loves bothering the big boys. Few things outside the bedroom give him more pleasure. His teams had a significant role in the title races of 2003, 2007 and 2010, and there was a spell in the mid-2000s when it almost felt like Bolton were beating Arsenal every fortnight. Yet although he ultimately denied Manchester United the title in 2010, his record against his managerial BFF Sir Alex Ferguson is pretty hopeless: two wins in 18, with 12 defeats and 44 goals conceded – and both of those wins were over a decade ago. In the last 15 games, nothing. Nada. Sweet FA. The square root of bugger all.
He should have beaten Ferguson at Upton Park 10 days ago; then came an injury-time equaliser from Robin van Persie that was paradoxically both predictable and stunning in its brilliance. It will be difficult for West Ham to win tonight, particularly as Allardyce has promised to "tinkle" with his team. Then again, Sir Alex Ferguson is the original tinkerman (or rather Tinkerbell, as he was known in the early 90s), and with a big game at Spurs on Sunday he is likely to change one or two or 11 of his players. A shock is not entirely beyond the realms. The winners host Dimitar Berbatov in the fourth round.
Kick off is at 8.05pm
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