He has told Shay Given he will have to fight for his place back once he is fit, which is perfectly understandable, and has told Steve Harper he will hold the position "for as long as he plays well".Which was what he told Harper the last time he replaced Given. Even saying "Harper is my number one", then the following game dropped him when Shay played a stormer for the Republic of Ireland.
Mind games? Obviously.
Allardyce (after Harper had done no wrong) decided to restore Given for the Carling Cup third-round defeat at Arsenal, much to the disappointment of Harper, who had been on the losing side only once all season.