If you talk to a football fan about a sack race, a sports day event is unlikely to be his first thought.

The frequency with which football managers get given the boot, especially at this time of year, means that a week does not pass without the noose hanging over the neck of one manger or another.

In the Premier League, Paolo Di Canio and Martin Jol have already been handed their P45s, while Ian Holloway chose to jump ship.

Plenty of others have been the subject of speculation, most notably Chris Hughton and Andre Villas-Boas.

Back in August, even Alan Pardew and Arsene Wenger, now riding high in the league, were rumoured to be at risk.

This week seems to be the turn of Sam Allardyce.

West Ham losing at Anfield is par for the course but it has prompted many to question Allardyce’s position.

Fans will have differing views on the subject, but this fan is quite adamant: to sack Big Sam would be madness.

The manager should be judged on results and so far they have been pretty impressive.

Promotion was achieved in season one. A mid-table finish secured in season two.

Perhaps Allardyce even over-achieved last year and is now paying the price as fans expect a mid-table position throughout the season to be a minimum requirement.

Current form is poor - there’s no denying that.

One win in eight speaks of a team low on quality and low on confidence.

But form is temporary, and to judge the gaffer on such a short period of time is fickle and knee-jerk.

Allardyce must take his share of blame for the current malaise. Equally, he should be given time to turn it around. His record in the Premier League indicates a manager well capable of steering us to safety.

David Gold and David Sullivan’s time at Birmingham City would seem to suggest they will stick by their man.

Trevor Francis, Steve Bruce and Alex McLeish all benefitted from the Davids’ loyalty.

Some fans will despair at that, seeing this as the ideal opportunity to be rid of a man they never really liked.

I hope and believe those people will be the minority at Upton Park on Saturday for the six-pointer against Sunderland.

This is the moment for us all to come together - the fans, the players and the manager.