[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[LeftWinger]

Isn't Otis his uncle?

Yes.

[LeChuck]

Todays Mirror says Sam now wants Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia as his No 2.. Anything in it?

I really hope so. He's very highly rated and seems a likeable and dignified man too. Listening to some of his interviews when he was given the Sunderland job he could teach Ince a thing or too about humility. I still don't know anything about our current number two...McDonald is it?

[LeftWinger]

I still don't know anything about our current number two...McDonald is it?

More about him here...

McDonald

[LeChuck]

Well, he's a step up from Mathias at least...

[waggy]

i find it strange that lardarse is not in austria with the squad,what is he doing exactly ?getting his golf handicap down perhaps

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

He's been seen at Ewood yesterday Wags. And I don't think he'd learn anything new from watching the players run in circles and do sit ups.

[Hughesy]

i find it strange that lardarse is not in austria with the squad,what is he doing exactly ?getting his golf handicap down perhaps

As he said the other day - looking to sign players, and maybe trade a few out to bring more in.

He said he wants 2 more without any leaving. He then also said if 1 goes, it will be to bring 2 in. KA out means there should be 4 coming in!!

Like ADB said - whats the point in watching them doing fitness work?!

[waggy]

most other managers like to watch fitness work,has he not invited a italian pensioner to the camp,surely he owes it to him to have a look or does he trust a 3rd division coach?

[Hughesy]

No he probably trusts his assistant that he brought in with him.

What is there to assess? Is he fit, yes or no?! Going off Sam's comments the other day, I dont think Vieri will only be with us for the Austria trip, I think Sam will get plenty more time to watch him before he is either released or signed.

[T4E]

most other managers like to watch fitness work,has he not invited a italian pensioner to the camp,surely he owes it to him to have a look or does he trust a 3rd division coach?

Vieri is in primarily so we can assess his fitness.

I'm sure you'll agree leaving that to the fitness coaches is probably the best course of action.

[tashor]

I believe Big Sam is ESSENTIAL to our future.

HE IS THE MAN!!!

THE BIG FACED HAIRY MAN..............

Without him we will DEFO BE RELEGATED 100%

SAM SAM YOUR THE MAN......

IF YOU CAN'T SAVE US NO-ONE CAN...........

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK...........................

( over to you RB my sensible straight-laced chum................................................)

[John]

I have more ambition now than I’ve probably ever had before which is a good thing for Blackburn Rovers. I won’t settle for second best and that’s a good thing. We want to be an attractive Premier League side competing against the big boys and enjoying our football. Last year not too many of us enjoyed our football because of the pressure of being in the relegation zone.”

[den]

Good find John. Interesting.

[Blue blood]

Encouraging article, especially the recognition of needing to unearth/develop very good players.

Also am confident that whoever Sam has got in to do the fitness work will be an EXPERT. Something utterly missing from the Ince regime.

[tonyoz]

Thanks for that John. The more I listen to Sam, the more I like it. We hear far more about the manager's ideas and philosophy now than I can ever remember under any of the last 3 managers. His recent article in the LET was on a similar vein. Every manager has to be guarded in his comments to a certain extent but Sam seems to have a good feel for the way the fan thinks. He seems to me to be the epitome of "Arte et Labore". Last season he kept us up with a full dose of the "Labore" but next season I think he will try to instil more of the "Arte".

[Majiball]

Encouraging article, especially the recognition of needing to unearth/develop very good players.

Also am confident that whoever Sam has got in to do the fitness work will be an EXPERT. Something utterly missing from the Ince regime.

Mark Howard and Neil Mcdonald will be heading up the training, Howard and Sam go back a long way as do him and Neil. Both are more than competent, However it was Ince who brought Howard to the club less than a week after he joined Fulham. Ince did well to get Howard here he must talk a great game.

[Amo]

I think it's funny how waggy suggests Big Sam doesn't give two hoots for Rovers, and is essentially using the club for his own pursuits. Guess what? It works the other way around. I wouldn't expect the club to show much loyalty to Sam if we're sinking into relegation next season - thankfully that won't be happening.

[Ninjathunder]

That's an excellent article. A mixture of inspiring words from our manager about the direction he's taking us in and holiday hard sell.

"Cayman seems a very safe, secure island. I think that’s one of the things we’ve enjoyed. The weather, obviously us Brits is what we come for. That along with the service and hospitality of not just the Ritz but everybody we’ve met is fantastic.”

[Tris]

We are looking at replacing one player but if Sam creates what he normally does, a team, then Santa Cruz has been replaced.

If Sam gets the tye of player he wants and the team play the system he wants, despite the replacement not being individually as good as Roque, as a team we have replaced him and will be even more succesful!!

Its a team game!!

Together Everyone Achieves More!!

I've dragged Kelbo's post in from the transfer thread because it deserves more attention than it'll get in there.

I'm a natural optimist, and I look forward to the start of each and every new season with renewed hope and expectation.

Same this time around (which will surprise a few people). I am no fan of the current manager and deplored some of the football I had to watch last season, notably against Arsenal and Liverpool away. Those games are now water under the bridge. New players have already arrived, more will follow, and pre-season is an absolutely key period these days with the intensity of competitive fixtures to follow.

So there's 6 full weeks of training to their methords, there's a decent budget to be worked with (after 7 months for this management team to scout around), and a world full of footballers to choose from.

So in the same way Ince deserved the time of day last season, so does BFS this. It's his team to build, and his football to get us to where we want to be in the league. Nobody can question the value for money of football at Ewood this year whatever happens - but we can all question the value for money from the highly paid manager and playing staff on the field, if they don't respond to the fabulous drive to fill the stadium.

SO over to Allardyce. Prove your experience, prove you are worth your salary. I'll be there in support, as always for BRFC. Listen to Kelbo - go and build us a team.

[1864roverite]

That Tris is a recipe for a pre match speech as we entertain the dingles !!

Your point (and kelbos) is a very valid one, I hope Waggy can see the relevance in it.

[John]

Nice feeling this summer, having a manager who knows what he is doing: Sam's summer man management

[thenodrog]

Ince did well to get Howard here he must talk a great game.

No doubt John Willams will confirm.

[iamarover]

This is good feedback.

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/sport/45...or_Prem_opener/

If the captain is happy then all in the garden is red rosey. If he gets the striker he wants the season looks like it could be a belter....

[philipl]

The contrast with this time last year could not be greater.

By late July everything I heard leaking out was apocalyptically bad- training routines awful, fitness declining, staff arrogant clueless dinosaurs and training camp was odd to say the least (did not find out what until much later and probably still only know a fraction).

Now, the noises coming out from all sources are training is fantastic, preparation is brilliant, players individually feel they are being given every possible support, team spirit fantastic.

[waggy]

must be the best job in english football,manager of blackburn rovers.fancy a weekend away whilst your team has a game,just fly of to russia.surely the managers job is to prepare his team for the coming season.do we have any scouts,or did mrs lardarse just fancy a top up of duty frees