[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[T4E]

Its not a crisis. It wont be until the window shuts and we haven't addressed the desperate needs that we clearly have. Problem is, we seem to be hurtling towards that point. There's a feeling of inevitability about it all.

[Hughesy]

Hughesy, if today has confirmed one thing, it's that you're a complete prat.

We are in crisis

CRISIS?? WTF are you on about... il have whatever it is your drinking.

We will go down the route of Leicester & Southampton he says? Why is that?! What is that based on?

To me it feels like a lot of people really havent accepted big sam is our manager, the once facebook signers still lurk out there and are ready to turn at the slightest of comments.

Thats the bottom line - people still hate him, despite the fact he sorted out Ince's mess and kept us up with ease.

Exactly what is the clubs 5 year business plan. To sell all our best players and replace them with freebies with a hope we can sell them in 2 year time for a profit.

Is nobody else worried about whats happening at the club at the moment, we have sold all our best players apart from samba for big money and have not re-invested in the playing staff. We are fast approaching the time when we don't have any players left that can bring in big money.

What happens to the club if we cant find the players cheap and sell big?

I don't expect the club to go out and spend millions on players but i do expect the club to re-invest in the playing staff. FFS SAM struggled to sign a free right back from Real Madrid who wanted to come to us.

Atty - Sam wanted Salgado - our 2ND right back signing of the summer (Despite also having Emerton on the books) - which other clubs have 3 right backs?

Our plan (as set by Jack Walker) is to be self sufficient - in order to do that we either have to finish high in the league - or sell a player for a big profit every now and then.

We have sold players but not replaced too eh? We have sold RSC & Gallagher, also released Tugay, Ooijer & Mokoena - replaced them with Kalinic, Di Santo, Van Herden, Jacobsen, NZonzi, Greek keeper, Salgado. We are top heavy in midfield, how can people expect us to bring another in there on 40k a week without movement outwards?

[Blue blood]

Before I respond, I am an Allardyce fan.

But, crisis? I define it as us having to sell any salable asset, and then only get half the money to replace the player, slowly weakening the team, the squad, and leading us to an inevitable relegation. This scenario will lead to the club going down the route of Leicester, Southampton, Charlton and Norwich.

And to respond directly to your points...

1/Lost two out of two.

2/Condeded 5 goals in two games, or 2.5 a game.

3/How many of our forward line are good enough for this level? There is a big question mark over EVERY ONE OF THEM.

4/We're skint, and I don't see any other club, bar Pompey selling every good player AND NOT REPLACING THEM.

I still think we'll be okay this season, but we are slowly sinking, and if i had to bet, I'd say the ship will have sunk in three years time max at this rate.

Before replying I have to say I too am worried about the situation and think there are key issues to be addressed. However it isn't a crisis yet.

1) Villa lost the first two then thumped Liverpool yesterday. Here's hoping we respond in a similar manner. Two games is far too early to see how things will pan out.

2) Not great but again, it's only two games, and both games have been close. We've not been outclassed in either game.

3) Benni can and will score if given chances. Roberts is decent against the teams in the lower half of the table. Put it this way, we've more options then last season up front, and we survived so that shouldn't be a major worry.

4) Agree we're not quite as strong as a team/first 11, but in terms of a squad, I'd say we're definately stronger then last season. We've more strength in depth and options. Plus there is still some class in the team. If you want to compair us to other clubs, I'd say our squad is still better then 5 or 6 other teams at least.

Having said that, if things don't turn around quickly, all this stronger on paper, and financially secure business won't count for too much. However, for now, I think there's enough signs that we'll turn things round.

[S15]

I swear people forget just how crap Benni is until 3pm on a Saturday, and then re forget at 6pm.

[waggy]

well lardarse has shown his true colours in that interview,i'm suprised it's took the more rational posters on here to realise what he is,never so him give a interview like that at his beloved bolton,and by the way why was he shown the door at bolton

[booth]

For those who missed Sam on SS, here's a link...

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11676_5511052,00.html

[dopper69]

Only just seen the interview and I really don't know what to say. Very dissapointing from Sam and certainly casts us in a negative light.

I will be the first to admit that when news first filtered through that Sam was to be appointed I was not overly happy. My main concens were that we would become a 'mercenary' club just as I believe Bolton were under his tenure.

However his initial results and the capture of Givet and Diouf early on put aside my worries. Now, I dont know what to think and I'm veering back towards the belief that he may not be the right man to take Rovers forward.

The part of the interview where he states that 'it is obvious why Stephen would like to go to a club of that size (Villa)' is particulary cringeworthy. What ever happened to us fighting with the likes of Villa for a European spot!?

Finally, he cannot bemoan the lack of funds that he has been provided. I make it that he has roughly spent £10M on new players (not including wages). IMO that is plenty of money for what we really needed. A ball playing CM, versatile defender and ST.

[Exiled in Toronto]

There were two symbols on Allardyce's top in that interview: a Rovers club badge and the initials SA. One of those symbols means everything to him and one means nothing.

[CrazyIvan]

There were two symbols on Allardyce's top in that interview: a Rovers club badge and the initials SA. One of those symbols means everything to him and one means nothing.

Please explain your comment.

[S15]

Please explain your comment.

Hardly cryptic is it..

[67splitscreen]

Finally, he cannot bemoan the lack of funds that he has been provided. I make it that he has roughly spent £10M on new players (not including wages). IMO that is plenty of money for what we really needed. A ball playing CM, versatile defender and ST.

Kalinic ST 6.25m, Givet versatile defender 3.25, a ball playing CM .5m, although it is debatable which budget Givet's money came from.

Time to judge Sam and the board is next Tuesday when the window shuts.

[thenodrog]

It seems the pack of jackals are circling......... and growing.

And unfortunately the welfare of BRFC seems well down the agenda. Casual visitors from other clubs will just love this. Waggy will already be a folk hero in his neighbouring town.

[adopted scouser]

We've only played two games, yup two games.

So many knee jerk morons posting at the mo.

[T4E]

I'm not sure it is knee-jerk Nick. The majority of what I've read seems reservedly concerned. No Sam out noises, just concern at the way this is going.

Surely his comments yesterday narked you a bit?

[adopted scouser]

I'm not sure it is knee-jerk Nick. The majority of what I've read seems reservedly concerned. No Sam out noises, just concern at the way this is going.

Surely his comments yesterday narked you a bit?

My point was that we've only just started. Can't we at least get our games played to double figures before the hue and cry ?

[S15]

My point was that we've only just started. Can't we at least get our games played to double figures before the hue and cry ?

Where's the fun in that?!

We've been waiting all summer to declare an epidemic, and the way it's going, Burnley won't even agree to a L a n cashire United after another three games.

[Hasta]

This isn't me trying to provoke an argument. I've just not been switched on to footy things over the last couple of days but I've seen the interview once and was quite shocked by it. I certainly doubt it was approved by the board.

However, which bits of it, if any, do people here feel aren't true or are unhappy about. Or is it just the fact it actually paints us as a small town selling club to the media?

[Stuart]

This isn't me trying to provoke an argument. I've just not been switched on to footy things over the last couple of days but I've seen the interview once and was quite shocked by it. I certainly doubt it was approved by the board.

However, which bits of it, if any, do people here feel aren't true or are unhappy about. Or is it just the fact it actually paints us as a small town selling club to the media?

I think, for me, it appears to show Sam coming to terms with the situation. He can't have been over-sold the job when he took over so things must be even worse than he thought. Ergo, even worse that I thought.

Secondly, Sam is a football professional employed by Blackburn Rovers and should behave as such - possibly even try to put a positive spin on things.

Maybe if he adds a chapter to his autobiography "My time at that Skint, Small Time/Town Club in East Lancashire" then we could empathise but for as long as he wears the Blackburn Rovers badge on his corporate workwear he should be keeping his personal feelings on the matter closed (certainly not sharing them with the media) - for the good of everyone connected with the club. If we were a PLC, the shares would be falling like rocks after yesterday.

For all our gripes about him Mark Hughes didn't do interviews like that (that I recall).

[Hughesy]

There were two symbols on Allardyce's top in that interview: a Rovers club badge and the initials SA. One of those symbols means everything to him and one means nothing.

Did you say that about all the players too? Shearer, RSC, Neill, Bentley, Bellamy etc?!?

[The Prof.]

Who wouldn't already have known that??

btw Prof.... please name two clubs in England that are NOT selling club?

There are no none selling clubs Gord. (Possibly Chelsea and City). But there are few club managers who have the sense to say they are not a selliing club to keep a little esteem amongst there fans and make sure other clubs know they will be paying top dollar for players.

Reading this board has cheered me up though. Clear division of fan groupings.

1. The Fantastic, Super, Smashing Group - "everything is rosy - we'll turn Clarrots over 6-0, bring it on!" How about leading this group -Any guesses, Nicko??

2. The Sam Can Overcome Group - "Remember last year - we were in a much worse situation simply 'cos Ince has was here then.” Hughsey

3. The It'll Be Alright on the Night Group - "Look the board won't let us go down - it'll be a disaster for them - relax." -Kelbo!

4. The I Don't Want Neck Ache Group. = "The ball has to be on the ground or I won't go, fat slug fat…!" (see Waggy, Spencey7)

5. The They Don't Like it Up 'Em Group - "Win at all costs, kill the opposition, hoofball is a means to an end" (Scotsrover!)

6. The We're Doooomed Group. "It's the boards fault, it's the players fault, it's the managers fault, its the fans, the bus service, that bus lane in Darwen.... (sorry Fife)

7. The Suicide Group “ The end of the world really is nigh, No money, no brains, no hope, going dowwwnnnnn. “(Ribble Valley Rover?)

8. The More Interested in Burnley Group "Claroots are above us, claroots are above us claroots are above us...etc. (Hi Mack! Ihateburnley. Duffs Minder)

9. The Completely Detatched from Reality Group. "Get Laudrup, get Ranieri.. Ancillotti…Fergurson….. " (Spencey7 moving to group 4 on request! )

10. The Financially and Analytical Hypothetically Correct Group. “What this number this means for you people is….” (PhillipL, Jan)

11. The I Know All Group “If I have not said it it’s wrong –plain and simple (Gord that’s your group)

Any other groups I’ve missed?

Expect someone thinks I belong in a group too!

12. The Daft as Brush Group - Me (Thanks Fife)

[spencey7]

I'm also not a fan of the messages he is sending out. I know that both Souness and Hughes always used to say that we had no money to spend, but they did so whilst still putting the club in a decent light. Allardyce seems to want to portray himself as a victim whilst making the club out to be this pitiful thing that he is doing his best to help out. To look at the Sky Sports headlines tonight as they showed the clips of Allardyce struggling with the small-town club did the club no good.

This is an excellent point.

Whenever Souness and Hughes encountered financial restrictions they were quick to acknowledge them while at the same time pointing out that this was a club that is "run in the right way", and that the togetherness of everyone employed at Blackburn Rovers would pull us through. Possibly even to a domestic trophy or UEFA Cup qualification.

Contrast that with Allardyce.

Defeatism in the extreme. Just moaning, whinging, self-pity and - as Eddie rightly points out - "playing the victim". It's basic football management to play hardball over transfers like Stephen Warnock's (look up "Moyes, David"), but rather than that he would prefer to just capitulate to the demands of that HUGE club Aston Villa and basically say "you can have him". This literally days after he gets the Salgado signing he cared so deeply about - despite the fact that right-back is nowhere near a priority position for the club.

Pathetic. Don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out you fat clown.

[Guest TuGays One Cup]

were just a small TIME club

SMALL TIME

Sam needs to look were he was before we took him out of the dole queue

Sorry sam when Madrid come calling for you or any team in europe want to offer you employement then i wont mind one iota

small time go back to Limerick and take your brand of de-generate skyball with you.

For everyone who'd rather have points than style/passing. we are getting neither points nor style, if we'd have played football would we still have nil pois ?......

[The Prof.]

Quality - Id say im more part of the 2nd group though. I dont for one minute think everything is perfect, but im not in a state of depression about our current situation.

What he says and what happens are 2 different things. NZonzi has played 2 full games, Kalinic has played 75 mins already + more to follow tonight. NZonzi wont take long to make it so that its difficult to leave him out....

Adjusted! Need someone for the first group now - Nicko?

[Fife Rover]

There are no none selling clubs Gord. (Possibly Chelsea and City). But there are few club managers who have the sense to say they are not a selliing club to keep a little esteem amongst there fans and make sure other clubs know they will be paying top dollar for players.

Reading this board has cheered me up though. Clear division of fan groupings.

1. The Fantastic, Super, Smashing Group - "everything is rosy - we'll turn Clarrots over 6-0, bring it on!" How about leading this group -Hughsey?

2. The Sam Can Overcome Group - "Remember last year - we were in a much worse situation simply 'cos Ince has was here then.” Any guesses?

3. The It'll Be Alright on the Night Group - "Look the board won't let us go down - it'll be a disaster for them - relax." -Kelbo!

4. The I Don't Want Neck Ache Group. = "The ball has to be on the ground or I won't go, fat slug fat…!" (see Waggy)

5. The They Don't Like it Up 'Em Group - "Win at all costs, kill the opposition, hoofball is a means to an end" (Scotsrover!)

6. The We're Doooomed Group. "It's the boards fault, it's the players fault, it's the managers fault, its the fans, the bus service, that bus lane in Darwen.... (sorry Fife)

7. The Suicide Group “ The end of the world really is nigh, No money, no brains, no hope, going dowwwnnnnn. “(Ribble Valley Rover?)

8. The More Interested in Burnley Group "Claroots are above us, claroots are above us claroots are above us...etc. (Hi Mack! Ihateburnley. Duffs Minder)

9. The Completely Detatched from Reality Group. "Get Laudrup, get Ranieri.. Ancillotti…Fergurson….. " (Spencey7)

10. The Financially and Analytical Hypothetically Correct Group. “What this number this means for you people is….” (PhillipL, Jan)

11. The I Know All Group “If I have not said it it’s wrong –plain and simple (Gord that’s your group)

Any other groups I’ve missed?

Expect someone thinks I belong in a group too!

How about the "daft as a brush" group for you Prof? Oh and incidentally I plead not guilty to ANY of the above charges against me.....especially the "Bus Lane In Darwen" one....where on Earth did that come from?

[The Prof.]

How about the "daft as a brush" group for you Prof? Oh and incidentally I plead not guilty to ANY of the above charges against me.....especially the "Bus Lane In Darwen" one....were on Earth did that come from?

Just kidding!

How about the "daft as a brush" group for you Prof? Oh and incidentally I plead not guilty to ANY of the above charges against me.....especially the "Bus Lane In Darwen" one....where on Earth did that come from?

Adjusted!