[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[Tom]

was you watching a different game course we were lucky to get the win god only knows where the next points will come from WAKE UP

Ok now I'm confused, are you perchance a split personality?

On the last page you quoted me and agreed then a bit later you quoted the same post and strongly disagreed?

[Bobby G]

We have a manager with the eye for good players.

Nzonzi is a great bargain and surely will be an asset as long as he develops here.

Id give this formation the chance, as looked so much better today compared to a few other instances. As long as Dunn plays well and we put some pace on one of the wings, in the shape of Hoillet, then it might be more dynamic.

[Stuart]

Interesting too Sam's comments to SSN that he'd have been happy with the 1-1 today. I'm sure this was pegged as a draw in Sam's big match targets.

The early goal, ironically, was probably what saved us from sitting through a battle for 0-0.

[liam]

Ok now I'm confused, are you perchance a split personality?

On the last page you quoted me and agreed then a bit later you quoted the same post and strongly disagreed?

so after todays good win where will rovers get there next 3 points

[Stuart]

so after todays good win where will rovers get there next 3 points

I'd like to believe that we'll give Arsenal a good run this time but I doubt it.

Our next 3 points will be at Ewood in 3 weeks' time.

[1864roverite]

Liam

Sunday 18th October at Home

We may just upset one of the big boys before then, especially as its Euro Champions League week and steal a point from them.

But whatever, get a positive thought behind you, sink a few beers (or oranges if your u18) and relax.

[liam]

Liam

Sunday 18th October at Home

We may just upset one of the big boys before then, especially as its Euro Champions League week and steal a point from them.

But whatever, get a positive thought behind you, sink a few beers (or oranges if your u18) and relax.

i think if we get a point off the arse i will show my arse lets get a grip.

we will beat burnley oranges have been left behind years ago our next points will be 3 off the dingles.fact

[1864roverite]

if you DO have to show your ar$e, dont do it down Mincing Lane, you might get another surprise

[jim mk2]

Where are the anti-Allardyce idiots ?

Drowning their sorrows no doubt over an unexpected and famous victory for Rovers.

Lucky penalty or not, I felt Allardyce got his formation, tactics and substitutions spot on today (even the lamentable Andrews), and succeeded in making a talented Villa side look distinctly ordinary. There is also clearly a very good spirit in this Rovers squad.

Important win for Rovers and a 5-0 tonking for Burnley; my late-night cocoa tasted particularly good tonight.

PS: Someone please wrap David Dunn in cotton wool between matches. The lad's playing his best football for years.

[Hughesy]

Still credit where credits due, it worked today and that’s a great win, but how far have we fallen to look at beating Villa at home in terms of a great win…….but that’s not Allardyces fault.

Its not so much about us falling back (which we have abit thanks to Ince), its more to do with the massive improvement in the team from Villa Park. A young squad with plenty of quality - yet we handled them easily.

I accept your point Gav but I dont think we have fallen by thinking its a success at Ewood by beating Villa.

Villa have progressed massivley, both off and on the field, and IMO have become one of the big 7 through the progressive management of MON and his staff. Look at the playing staff they have compared to yesteryear.

A solidly built team that can challenge the top 4 is what they have.

Rovers have seen Villa slam us 3 games on the bounce at Ewood, today we bucked the trend and took the points.

Spot on 1864

Interesting too Sam's comments to SSN that he'd have been happy with the 1-1 today. I'm sure this was pegged as a draw in Sam's big match targets.

The early goal, ironically, was probably what saved us from sitting through a battle for 0-0.

He said he would of been happy with 1-1 AFTER the red card....nothing wrong with that.

[Miker]

It was an excellent win last night, regardless of what people think about Sam. To be fair, I think most of our chances came from set pieces or scuffles, but that's our strength, so not using that to our advantage would be the stupidest thing in the world. What we showed though was that we can keep possession and pass it around very well against a strong Villa side that has been in superb form over the past few weeks.

Sam is completely spot on, I've seen every game so far except for the one against Wolves and Everton, and we have played well every time. Fact is that every single game, besides Everton, we have gone and dominated teams, or at the very least, have upstaged them. That is no small feat and we have Sam to thank for it, for getting in players that are proving to be shrewd acquisitions and for the first time in years getting all our players fully fit. Four of Sam's players last night showed their brilliance and ability: N'zonzi, Di Santo, Chimbonda, Jacobsen. We also know how good Givet is, who didn't play last night.

I've so far been spot on with all my predictions about our team this season and I'm sticking by my opinion that we will at least be mid-table this season (my prediction is 11th).

I'm sure throughout October the cynics will come on and slate Sam at every step each time we lose against a big team, so I hope Sam can at least get 1 win to stick it to them. October will NOT make our season, it's 3 of the 4 hardest games we'll play all season, so let's not get carried away. Just look at how badly other teams are being beaten away from home by the teams challenging for the top 4. They are being absolutely slaughtered. As long as our home run stays on track, we'll be fine.

[Mr. E]

Where are the anti-Allardyce idiots ?

Drowning their sorrows no doubt over an unexpected and famous victory for Rovers.

Lucky penalty or not, I felt Allardyce got his formation, tactics and substitutions spot on today (even the lamentable Andrews), and succeeded in making a talented Villa side look distinctly ordinary. There is also clearly a very good spirit in this Rovers squad.

Important win for Rovers and a 5-0 tonking for Burnley; my late-night cocoa tasted particularly good tonight.

PS: Someone please wrap David Dunn in cotton wool between matches. The lad's playing his best football for years.

lucky penalty or not? It was the difference between 1 and 3 points.

Allardyce got a good performance from the team today, but there are three people who absolutely should not be in the first team - Nelsen, Grella and Andrews. They do not cut it and BFS is one of the only people who fails to admit this. Furthermore - what else do Kalinic, Hoilett and McCarthy have to do to get in the team? We would be much more lethal incorporating them into the team instead of sticking to a formation that only works based on sheer luck.

[jim mk2]

Allardyce got a good performance from the team today, but there are three people who absolutely should not be in the first team - Nelsen, Grella and Andrews. They do not cut it and BFS is one of the only people who fails to admit this. Furthermore - what else do Kalinic, Hoilett and McCarthy have to do to get in the team? We would be much more lethal incorporating them into the team instead of sticking to a formation that only works based on sheer luck.

Would agree about Andrews and Nelsen is still not fully match-fit but is obviously an asset if he can recapture his best form but Grella before his sending-off had a very good game yesterday. His Rovers career does seem blighted either through bad luck or injury.

Hoilett has a case for inclusion but Kalinic from what I have seen is not ready for the Prem and at £6m could be one of the worst signings Rovers have made. McCarthy should not be in the team. He does not work hard enough.

None of those three would make the team more "lethal".

[Ricky]

I don't think grella did much wrong before his rush of blood in the second half. He made some nice passes and won the ball well. Think he will be an asset to the team.

[Kelbo]

451 is as attacking as you make it. Spain play 451 they are hardly defensive, lets give it some time and see how the players take to it with more experience and pitch time.

[/spain is a different game

Yes Liam, they murdered England and passed us of the park with the smallest side I have seen for many a year, much different game, they are better than us, Fabrigas, Torres, Alonso etc

[Exiled_Rover]

lucky penalty or not? It was the difference between 1 and 3 points.

Allardyce got a good performance from the team today, but there are three people who absolutely should not be in the first team - Nelsen, Grella and Andrews. They do not cut it and BFS is one of the only people who fails to admit this. Furthermore - what else do Kalinic, Hoilett and McCarthy have to do to get in the team? We would be much more lethal incorporating them into the team instead of sticking to a formation that only works based on sheer luck.

By first team do you mean the starting 11 or the 18 that turn up for match days? That's a bloody strong squad we have if those three don't make the cut.

Having said that Nelsen and Andrews shouldn't be starting games for Rovers - and I'd imagine they wouldn't when the entire squad is fit. Givet seems to have supplanted Nelsen at the back and Nzonzi starts over Andrews in midfield. I've no issues at all with Grella - he does his job and does it reasonably well.

Kalinic will get his chance soon enough, but it's going to take a while for him to settle. So will Hoilett, evidenced by Allardyce subbing the ineffective Pedersen (is he ever anything but?), something Saint Mark never did. McCarthy doesn't fit into the system Allardyce runs - he can't lead the line on his own and he's unlikely to play the role Dunn currently inhabits. Until Allardyce starts playing two upfront, McCarthy's going to find himself on the bench.

[Hughesy]

I agree - Grella has improved alot and is not our worst player at all - he has been quite steady in the last few games. Yesterday he got sent off but it was a fair decision and also one which I dont blame him for. The 2nd was late (we all make them) and the 1st he had to do for the team as Villa were on a quick break.

[chaddyrovers]

Grella and Nelsen are very good players for rovers. Nelsen is rovers leader and organise the defence. Grella does the dirty side of the game. that why you dont realise what he's does. Andrews is a squad player. I thought the team played well. Hoillet is a good player and will be a reguarly starter. does give him time. maybe best position for him is left winger.

[tony gale's mic]

As someone who's been behind Sam and who made this thread whilst Ince was still in charge, I was on the verge of starting to turn when we went 1-0 down so early. However today illustrated perfectly that his teams have qualities that many other teams don't have. As someone else rightly pointed out, two of the best teams we've played this season we've produced very good performances - Villa and City. If we can nick anything from the big four games it'll be a big, big bonus.

[philipl]

I don't know about anyone else, but my biggest problem with the 4-5-1 was Roberts being a lone frontman. He's one of the least gifted finishers in the professional game, so pinning so much on him was a bad move. Even his much lauded ability to unsettle defenders hasn't been on show of late, meaning that he wasn't creating a great deal of space for anyone breaking from midfield.

Today, with Di Santo up front there was a bit more about us. If there is to be a return for Roberts then he needs a partner to play off and to make room for, because even with Dunn and Diouf making runs we have too much of a gap between attack and midfield for Roberts' work-rate to be effective in a 4-5-1.

My other personal gripe with the 4-5-1 is that barring a miracle (i.e. all our midfielders being fit) it forces us to start with Andrews, Grella or both, and I can't stand either because they aren't good enough.

Those are very fair points.

Incidentally, having upset a team which had just won five league games and one cup game on the bounce, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Sam's Rovers give the next three away games a good go. It will be nice to see Rovers getting back to being a nasty pain in the rear end for the big 4 and the pundits. No reason at all for the defence not to be tight with Givet back, the midfield crowding and stifling and Rovers looking menacing on the counter.

[thenodrog]

lucky penalty or not? It was the difference between 1 and 3 points.

Allardyce got a good performance from the team today, but there are three people who absolutely should not be in the first team - Nelsen, Grella and Andrews. They do not cut it and BFS is one of the only people who fails to admit this. Furthermore - what else do Kalinic, Hoilett and McCarthy have to do to get in the team? We would be much more lethal incorporating them into the team instead of sticking to a formation that only works based on sheer luck.

So you would replace 2 defensive midfielders and a centre half with 3 out and out strikers who do not have a tackle in em. Light Brigade football tactice eh? 'C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la Premier League football'. Don't give up your day job Mr E will you?

[riverside returns]

Agreed Theno, maybe Mr E is the 'wally with the brolly' McLaren in disguise.

[Amo]

lucky penalty or not? It was the difference between 1 and 3 points.

Allardyce got a good performance from the team today, but there are three people who absolutely should not be in the first team - Nelsen, Grella and Andrews. They do not cut it and BFS is one of the only people who fails to admit this. Furthermore - what else do Kalinic, Hoilett and McCarthy have to do to get in the team? We would be much more lethal incorporating them into the team instead of sticking to a formation that only works based on sheer luck.

Can't you just enjoy a victory for once?

[Mr. E]

<!--quoteo(post=827249:date=Sep 27 2009, 06:58 :name=Mr. E)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. E @ Sep 27 2009, 06:58 ) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=827249"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->lucky penalty or not? It was the difference between 1 and 3 points.

Allardyce got a good performance from the team today, but there are three people who absolutely should not be in the first team - Nelsen, Grella and Andrews. They do not cut it and BFS is one of the only people who fails to admit this. Furthermore - what else do Kalinic, Hoilett and McCarthy have to do to get in the team? We would be much more lethal incorporating them into the team instead of sticking to a formation that only works based on sheer luck.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

So you would replace 2 defensive midfielders and a centre half with 3 out and out strikers who do not have a tackle in em. Light Brigade football tactice eh? 'C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la Premier League football'. Don't give up your day job Mr E will you? <img src="http://www.brfcs.co.uk/mb/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

The two "defensive midfielders" contribute nothing to the team, especially Andrews. Reid and Nzonzi need to be starting in their place.

<!--quoteo(post=827249:date=Sep 27 2009, 06:58 :name=Mr. E)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. E @ Sep 27 2009, 06:58 ) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=827249"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->lucky penalty or not? It was the difference between 1 and 3 points.

Allardyce got a good performance from the team today, but there are three people who absolutely should not be in the first team - Nelsen, Grella and Andrews. They do not cut it and BFS is one of the only people who fails to admit this. Furthermore - what else do Kalinic, Hoilett and McCarthy have to do to get in the team? We would be much more lethal incorporating them into the team instead of sticking to a formation that only works based on sheer luck.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Can't you just enjoy a victory for once?

Are you blind or do you not see that I am responding to a specific comment about "where are the anti-Allardyce people" ? As if a 89 minute penalty is supposed to stop all criticism directed towards him?

[gumboots]

Are you blind or do you not see that I am responding to a specific comment about "where are the anti-Allardyce people" ? As if a 89 minute penalty is supposed to stop all criticism directed towards him?

You could take a day off though and give credit where it's due? I was very sceptical when I saw the lineup and wondered if it was possible to score less than nil because I couldn't see us getting goals at all and I thought Villa would, It was worse after they scored as we were then one down and no sign of goals but then it all changed and from Samba's goal onwards we were never really troubled despite the ref doing his best to give us nothing and Villa's attempts to foul us off the park. Apart from when Ashley Young was falling over, I didn't notice him. Villa's pace didn't show at all for most of the game. We caused them more problems than they caused us and the manager must have done something right because although he thought we should and could hold out for a draw, the players wanted to do better than that and really went for it without leaving stupid gaps at the back, even when we were down to 10 men. I don't really see what the manager could have done better yesterday.