[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[Parsonblue]

I suppose it depends on how much one buys into the philosophy that in the premier league, results are all that count.

Whether you like it or not it is the only philosophy that Blackburn Rovers can afford. Do you really believe that WBA fans are happy to see their team trying to play football as they get relegated? Look at Charlton Athletic, three years ago they were a Premier League team and now they are destined for League Two. If the Rovers go down do you really believe that they will sack Big Sam? We can't afford another change of manager because we don't have the cash to pay compensation. With no backing from the Trust, Sam's ability to wheel and deal remains our best hope of remaining in the Premier League. The next few seasons might not be pretty for the purists but if Sam keeps us in mid-table in the Premier League I suspect most fans will regard it as a job well done.

[jim mk2]

Allardyce's defensive strategy won't be changing for the remaining games to judge from his comments after the Stoke game.

ALLARDYCE CALLS FOR UNBEATEN FINISH

By Carl Markham, PA Sport

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has set his players the target of remaining unbeaten in their remaining five matches as he believes that will be enough to keep them in the Barclays Premier League.

A 1-0 defeat at Stoke yesterday leaves Rovers three points above third-bottom Middlesbrough with a month to save themselves.

But with 34 points already secured Allardyce believes if they can avoid defeat against Wigan, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Chelsea and West Brom they will escape the drop.

``It is a difficult situation to be in but we are outside of the bottom three and are in the best position we have been since I took over,'' he said.

``When I took over we had 13 points from 17 games and we have had a long, hard battle to get where we have got now and we are still three very valuable points off that bottom three.

``Making sure we don't lose another game is key to us now. With five games left, if we don't lose I think we will be okay.

``But we have to try to get a win as early as we can and if we can't win make sure we don't lose.

``There is only Chelsea that is difficult for us, all the other games I think we can get something out of.

``We have three very important home games, Wigan, Portsmouth and West Brom (on the final day of the season) but we don't want to go to the last game, we want to secure our Premier League status as soon as possible.''

With the relegation battle being so tight and such little time remaining in the season Allardyce admits the pressure is growing on all teams currently under threat.

However, he is hopeful his experience of previous relegation battles with Bolton will help as he tries to get the best from his injury-hit squad which is still missing strikers Roque Santa Cruz and Jason Roberts.

``It was a disappointing day for us at Stoke but one we have to put behind us and get ready for Wigan next week,'' Allardyce added.

``You have to deal with the pressure it brings and as a manager you have to take the pressure off the players as much as you can.

``I hope the players are ready for it. I can guide them in the right way but they have got to be the ones that withstand the pressure when it comes, absorb it and use it in a positive way to produce the best performances.

``If you cast your mind back a few weeks ago to the points we have thrown away which we should have secured - we should have been well up the table with more points than we have now.

``That has now left us with our nerve ends jangling and we have to accept that because that is our fault and make sure it does not happen next week.

``We are all obviously disappointed with the position we are in. It brings a bit more pressure that you don't really want but it is something we have to deal with it.''

[Exiled in Toronto]

Probably the most ludicrous statement of the year.

Hands up all those who want us to go down playing good football ?

Yes, yes, yes, I do understand that we need results, but it is supposed to be an entertainment. I only pay my 8 quid a month to Setanta but if the future is anything like the last 3 games, if they were playing on my front lawn I would shut the curtains.

If this was clearly Allardyce weeing with the willie he has got (a horrible thought, I know) solely to keep us up, then yes. But I don't think it is.

He's trying to get 11 other willies to wee completely differently to their capability

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Probably the most ludicrous statement of the year.

Hands up all those who want us to go down playing good football ?

Lets go down playing an ugly, hybrid insult to the game instead.

[jim mk2]

Yes, yes, yes, I do understand that we need results, but it is supposed to be an entertainment. I only pay my 8 quid a month to Setanta but if the future is anything like the last 3 games, if they were playing on my front lawn I would shut the curtains.

If this was clearly Allardyce weeing with the willie he has got (a horrible thought, I know) solely to keep us up, then yes. But I don't think it is.

He's trying to get 11 other willies to wee completely differently to their capability

If you want entertainment I wouldn't bother watching any of the remaining games. Watching the Spurs game live at Ewood was agony but the feeling walking away from the ground was pure magic.

Let's judge Allardyce at the end of the season if we go down.

[RevidgeBlue]

Probably the most ludicrous statement of the year.

Hands up all those who want us to go down playing good football ?

I don't think anyone would object to us playing ugly football which was producing results jim.

It's ugly football which clearly isn't working which is the problem. Playing in that manner we seem incapable of mustering a serious effort on goal let alone picking up draws/wins.

Edit: A final thought on Sam,I think he should stop harping on about the opportunities we've missed and how we SHOULD be out of trouble etc.

We're not, and it doesn't make him look any more impressive by saying it. Aunty, balls, uncle etc.

Now let's go out and win two or three of those last five games! Cobblers to going for draws and "not getting beaten" etc.

[Laurence]

Now let's go out and win two or three of those last five games! Cobblers to going for draws and "not getting beaten" etc.

With you there Rev if we draw the last five games we get five points, if we win two we get six points......

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

``I hope the players are ready for it. I can guide them in the right way but they have got to be the ones that withstand the pressure when it comes, absorb it and use it in a positive way to produce the best performances.

*** BIG GULP ***

[Stuart]

Yes, yes, yes, I do understand that we need results, but it is supposed to be an entertainment. I only pay my 8 quid a month to Setanta but if the future is anything like the last 3 games, if they were playing on my front lawn I would shut the curtains.

If this was clearly Allardyce weeing with the willie he has got (a horrible thought, I know) solely to keep us up, then yes. But I don't think it is.

He's trying to get 11 other willies to wee completely differently to their capability

I've been pondering this myself recently and I can see where you're coming from. What exactly is it I want from Blackburn Rovers to keep me renewing my season ticket? Is it going to watch the silky skills of our top player or the heart and passion from out man's man central defender? Is it watching another hattrick by our club's top scorer or a 40 yard screamer from our beloved foreign import? Is it the debut for the lad I used to watch down the Sunday league or the look on my boy's face as we score a goal and strangers all around us unite in their celebrations? Is it that feeling I get walking up Bolton Road after the match having just beaten a Man City or a Burnley or (God-willing) a Man United? Is it a good cup run or that unbelievable feeling of winning a trophy?

Well those are the good times and in order to appreciate them, we from time to time have to face some bad times. That heart-sinking feeling when a team you were delighted to be beating 3-1 come back and nick 2 late goals. A poor run of form for one of your former favourite players. A perceived lack of respect for your club by some pouting prima dona. A forward who doesn't have the self discipline to keep himself offside. A referee who won't give you the time let alone a free kick or a linesman who won't give you that flaming throw you know was yours.

At Rovers we've been spoiled in recent times with some great players and some amazing success and we can't bear to see our club go from one of the big spenders, thumbing our noses at the 'big clubs' to one that's having to scrimp like a League 1 side.

Of course we want to win and we want to win in style - like we used to (on occasion at least) but we have to adjust. Unless another Blackburn born benefactor decides it's his lifelong ambition for Rovers to win the Champions League or even (only) another shot at the title, we aren't going to be snapped up any time soon. We just aren't attractive enough as a business venture - which is what it's all about these days. Despite what Milan Mandaric might say.

Sadly though, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy and a downward spiral. The more people chuck in their season tickets (a la Waggy), the less atmosphere we have at the ground, the less appealing it becomes, and the less money we have to spend on players wages. As this dwindles so will the kinds of players we can hope to attract. I mean, there are only so many photos of the Lake District (or Tockholes, Philip) you can show to a young lad to sell him the area - and there are more than our fair share of clubs in the area who could do the same - and there's not much else about the North West of England to shout about. So it comes down to money. What ever their reasons the trustees cannot or will not put the required financing in to keep us in the top half of the table and we can't take expensive gambles on the kind of players Sunderland do (although look how that panned out).

So what are the prospects for the future of our club? Who knows? I'm not even convinced that relegation would mean the end of Rovers chances of getting back. One thing's for certain though, given the resources available, we must, must (did I say must?) keep hold of Sam Allardyce. I can't think of another manager with the experience and nouse who we could afford to bring in. We are in the market for loanees and rejects - and Sam is famed for turning these people into useful team players. For the detractors, please suggest a realistic proven alternative, because I have yet to read about one.

For me, I can forgive Sam (in the mid term) for trying to get certain players to do a job in certain areas - particularly given the small, inadequate squad he's inherited and it's injuries. If, if we survive then I expect Sam to sell Roque and, although it hurts, probably Warnock and Samba to raise funds for a team which can aim for mid table mediocrity in the Premier League. That team may not look like it does now but we need 11 players getting 6 or 7 out of 10 each week rather than half the team getting 4s and 5s (or less). It's going to be a slow rebuilding exercise and I trust Sam to get it right, given time - whereas I did not have that trust in Ince/Matthias. You only have to look at the players he's brought in in the short time he's been here. It's great to spot the errors a manager makes after they've been made, and some appear to take great delight in saying what he's done wrong because no alternative can be proven.

If we could afford (financially) to be choosy then we probably wouldn't have got into this mess in the first place and Sam probably wouldn't have been needed but I honestly believe he is our best bet for the position we are in - and I certainly wouldn't swap him for Shearer/Dowie.

That's why despite the football not being pretty at the moment, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and I will be at the Wigan match on Saturday, still blaming the ref and lino for all our problems for cheering on Andrews and Pedersen when they've got the ball - and it'll still feel good if come 6pm on Sunday we have beaten Wigan playing the worst football ever commentated on and Richard Keys has fallen off his stool and Stuart Hall has fallen on his Shakespearean sword in protest - because we will have won. Despite the nature of the game against Spurs - what a feeling leaving Ewood, it felt like we'd stayed up!

So with a huge dose of realism, win ugly or win in style; it's all part of the football soap opera and why I'll be buying my season ticket next season whether it's in the Premier League or Championship. I will be expecting things to improve as we go forward but even if it takes a few years I will be part of that process.

C'mon you Blues!

P.S. If anyone wants some of what I've been drinking today, it's Carlsberg and you can get it from your local off licence.

[thenodrog]

I suppose it depends on how much one buys into the philosophy that in the premier league, results are all that count.

The thing I am finding most disheartening about how Allardyce is getting us to play is the sheer hopelessness of the last 3 games. I have no hope or expectation that we will make their keeper make a save. I have no hope or expectation that a player will do something skillful. If we get a goal it disappears almost instantly from my mind as there was nothing memorable about it.

I have never felt like that before, no matter who the manager. Under Quigley, we had Eamonn Rogers to give me hope; under Pickering we had McKenzie; under Kidd we had Jansen, Duff and Dunn. Result were bad but there was at least hope and expectation. Even under Ince, I was engaged for all the games apart from Wigan away as I though we might do something positive.

I just cannot stand the sheer hopelessness of Allardyce having Andrews play hoofball to McCarthy.

Good. So go and shoot some bears and play Deliverence with the locals or whatever you lot should be doing at weekends.

We are all worried about the situation caused by our threadbare squad but snakes in the grass motivated by immature agenda are the last thing we need at this stage. Sad to say but no one will convince me otherwise that there are people on here who are wanting Allardyce to fail so badly that they are wishing for us to be relegated.

[Eddie]

I'm probably the most vocal objector and I don't want to see us relegated. I hope Allardyce proves me wrong. I dislike it when people take that stance when it comes to this club. You were very critical of Ince, didn't you even bet on us to be relegated?

I can express a dissenting opinion without it being something I wish to be seeing or want to see continue. I hope every player and manager that steps through our door is a huge success, but when I don't think they are doing their job properly I will say so.

[Exiled in Toronto]

Good. So go and shoot some bears and play Deliverence with the locals or whatever you lot should be doing at weekends.

We are all worried about the situation caused by our threadbare squad but snakes in the grass motivated by immature agenda are the last thing we need at this stage. Sad to say but no one will convince me otherwise that there are people on here who are wanting Allardyce to fail so badly that they are wishing for us to be relegated.

Yes, your right, after 44 years of supporting BLACKBURN ROVERS, I now have decided I want us to be relegated. Didn't think anyone would spot that.

If you think the tactics of the last three games will see us safe, good for you. I don't. And our threadbare squad had 3 central midfielders sitting unused on the bench apart from the last 10 mins, where they will no doubt be sat again next Sunday. As far as I can see, the only injury from when we were playing well (eg City home) is Roberts. RSC has been a write-off all season; Reid and Emerton have been out for yonks, Dunn has been unfit since last August, or 2001 more like. After Liverpool, Allardyce blamed the players for not following his plan and promised things would be different against Stoke, plus we had players returning from short term injuries. He was right - we were even worse as an attacking force.

Oh, 'bears' and 'deliverance' - marvelous! Never heard them before; I'm still laughing now. If overseas contributors bother you, you might want to consider giving the internet - you know, the global thingy - a miss for your Rovers conversations.

[beerwins]

I just dont understand why we have to play hoofball with dobbers from start, why not play our best creative players, cuase them some problems try to go a few goals in front then resort to long ball tactics once we establish a lead, i really hate to see a team setup to try and contain the oposition from the very start especially at home, like we did against villa. We still have some creative sparks like dunny, tugay, carlos and benni they could really bring us goals, give them 45 mins and play the ball on the deck and see what comes , surely its worth a go because hoofball is just so predictable.

I understand sams dislike for carlos he isnt sams cup of tea at all BUT he can cross a ball he can pass a ball he can take corners and he has a wicked free kick, all areas where we are struggling, give him some time to prove his worth, oppositions dont have a clue about him and when he brought him on against stoke( which totally wasnt the game for him) he showed some good stuff.

I back sam i really do but i think his eggs need to be placed in another basket at least for 45 mins, hoofball works with the right players, and we dont have those players and nor do the players we have enjoy playing it, make it a bit easier for yourself sam and try being positive from the start, it rubs of on the players you know

FANS TOO.

Formation for me would be : at least for 45 mins

robinson

ooijer samba nelson givet

grella

diouff dunn pederson or warnock

carlos

benni

[Parsonblue]

Yes, your right, after 44 years of supporting BLACKBURN ROVERS, I now have decided I want us to be relegated. Didn't think anyone would spot that.

Strange way to support a club. You want something to happen that may well put the very future of the club in doubt? All because you don't like watching Sam's style of football on TV! Surely, the future of the club comes before style. Ince tried to play pretty football - but it wasn't very pretty or successful. Sam makes no apologies for what he does. It was successful at Bolton and hopefully it will be successful here. His results since he has arrived have been generally good. Yes the last three games haven't been great, but if we finish fourth from the bottom at the end of the season he will be deemed to have been a success.

[Exiled in Toronto]

Strange way to support a club. You want something to happen that may well put the very future of the club in doubt? All because you don't like watching Sam's style of football on TV! Surely, the future of the club comes before style. Ince tried to play pretty football - but it wasn't very pretty or successful. Sam makes no apologies for what he does. It was successful at Bolton and hopefully it will be successful here. His results since he has arrived have been generally good. Yes the last three games haven't been great, but if we finish fourth from the bottom at the end of the season he will be deemed to have been a success.

Errrm...I was being sarcastic

[jim mk2]

.

We are all worried about the situation caused by our threadbare squad but snakes in the grass motivated by immature agenda are the last thing we need at this stage. .

The anti-Allardyce faction mystifies me too. As long as he keeps us up this season I don't care how he does it.

[thenodrog]

Oh, 'bears' and 'deliverance' - marvelous! Never heard them before; I'm still laughing now. If overseas contributors bother you, you might want to consider giving the internet - you know, the global thingy - a miss for your Rovers conversations.

Ermm... I was being sarcastic.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Good. So go and shoot some bears and play Deliverence with the locals or whatever you lot should be doing at weekends.

We are all worried about the situation caused by our threadbare squad but snakes in the grass motivated by immature agenda are the last thing we need at this stage. Sad to say but no one will convince me otherwise that there are people on here who are wanting Allardyce to fail so badly that they are wishing for us to be relegated.

You would rival Sir Alex Ferguson in your lack of self awareness. Go back and revisit your posts about Paul Ince.

[Parsonblue]

Errrm...I was being sarcastic

Sorry. Just that you seem so anti-Sam at the moment that it's difficult to know!

[Hughesy]

We were 5pts from being in the 'safe' places when he came in, we are now 3 points clear of it - to me based on this season its good enough so far. Yes its nerve jangley and yes its worrying but at the moment we are still clear. Win against Wigan and we are safe. It would be a body blow to Boro & Newcastle (Especially if they lose).

[T4E]

I've now totally changed my mindset on relegation and who would be to blame. Yes, Ince left us in a terrible position. Allardyce did a fantastic job to get us in with a chance. Fact is though, with 6 games left we were 5 points clear of the relegation zone. Pole position. If we now manage to go down from that position of strength, it wont be Paul Ince that is to blame.

[Hughesy]

Whilst Sam will shoulder some blame, I think alot of it has to be put on Ince. He bought crap with money (Andrews/ Grella) which im sure Sam could have done better with (if you look at Givet & Diouf as his examples).

Confidence was low, our defence was leaking more than the titanic and Big Sam had to fix that. He did that, we improved and we gained some valuable points. He is the best man for the job following Ince's mess and he is probably also one of the best options to rebuild us and clear the deadwood.

[Paul Mellelieu]

With the players at Allardyce's disposal, he's done a good job. My only concern is that he did not sign a midfield player during the January window.

[waggy]

lardarse is a complete joke,his football is pathetic,and i believe there was plenty of booing after the game at stoke,not a shot on target all match,pathatic

[gumboots]

lardarse is a complete joke,his football is pathetic,and i believe there was plenty of booing after the game at stoke,not a shot on target all match,pathatic

You believe but you don't know because you weren't there. Yes, there was some booing and the performance was shocking, but there was equally plenty of encouragement for the team after the final whistle from the majority of the fans who love the club regardless of the manager, his poor tactics, the apparent lack of effort at times from some players etc etc. I've had my say about allardyce in the past, but the club and the team need support and they are obvioulsy not getting it from you.