---
title: "We shot ourselves in the foot- Allardyce"
canonical: "https://readsunderland.com/2016/01/16/shot-foot-allardyce/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ed Payne"
section: "Articles"
published: "2016-01-16T20:09:03Z"
modified: "2016-01-16T20:09:03Z"
---

# We shot ourselves in the foot- Allardyce

> Sam Allardyce was left frustrated after seeing his side take the lead against Tottenham, only to then capitulate to a 4-1 defeat in North London.

Speaking after the game to [Sunderland’s](https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2016/january/allardyce-post-spurs?utm_source=home_newsfeed&utm_medium=latest_news_article_2_read_more&utm_campaign=newsteam_news2016januaryallardyce_post_spurs) website, Allardyce said:

“To concede 40 seconds after we scored is the biggest disappointment for me today.”

![Paul Gilham/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/https://media.readsunderland.com/readsunderland/2016/01/505203794.jpg)

“We did most things right defensively up until then and we’d scored a superb goal before we went and shot ourselves in the foot.”

“Had we gone in at half-time with the score at 1-0 I think it could have been a different game. We did tire towards the end and our energy was diminishing, but ultimately we’ve been beaten by a very good team.”

Allardyce also spoke about his decision to give a debut to new signing Jan Kirchhoff and switch to three central defenders.

Allardyce said:

“I made changes as I thought our legs were running out and I wanted us to stay in the game, it’s the aftermath of three big away games and it was to be expected.”

![Michael Regan/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/https://media.readsunderland.com/readsunderland/2016/01/505203472.jpg)

“John O’Shea and Wes Brown are both in their 30s and were maybe feeling it a little bit, I brought on another defender to try and tighten it up.”

“It was \[Jan\]Kirchhoff’s first-ever game in the Premier League, it had to happen at some stage and it was always going to be a risk, he needs to get up to speed with the pace of the game and learn quickly.”