Competition in defence

In the excitement of winning at Spurs it's easy to forget the changes WHU made in defence. Not sure why Big Sam dropped Collins before the Hull game as he'd been one of or best defenders this season, but Tomkins had a great game at Spurs and helps us distribute the ball from the back, rather that hoof it up towards Carroll (who isn't there) in the style of Ginge. Tomka is also more of a threat at set pieces. Joey O'Brien was also unlucky to be dropped as he's played well so far, but presumably Rat was bought to play (and did fairly well against the dangerous Townsend) and Demel appears to be Allardyce's favoured man at right-back, possibly because he's more intimidating that Joey. But with O'Brien and Collins keen to get their places back it can only be good for the team and also gives us the option of a five-man defence with wing-backs in some games.