[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[Kelbo]

you spotted that all by yourself did you? Not just parrotting sams post match comments?

So yes Pompy played narrow, so why didnt our wide players take advantage, why didnt Hoillett come on? and O'hara did a fair job makinglife hard for Chimbonda, though Chombonda did Ok!!

O'hara is a player who would do OK at Ewood!!

[GiddyGoat]

I was disgusted by Sam "Sam Allardyce" Allardyces smug, self congratulatory post match interview.

Lets not forget that the first half performance was his plan A, the result of a full weeks expert thought, analysis and preparation. His picks and his tactics for a home game against the bottom of the table side where obviously wrong and floored.

Given the performance and the opposition I would expect him to be relieved that the desperate measure he was forced in to at half time came off for him, relieved yes, triumphant no.

Having said that ... the second half performance was great to see and I really hope that we see more creative players on the pitch more often. I really hope Sam stops patting himself on the back for long enough to reflect on yesterdays game.

But hey, what do I know, I'm no expert.....

[thenodrog]

But being a good footballer and a good coach is about rolling with the punches and adapting your style to overcome the obstacle which you face. Big Sam did exactly that. He was bold enough to make the changes very early on and it paid dividends. I recall Souness saying that its almost impossible to express yourself to the players during playing time. The message is lost in translation. Big Sam used half time to implement new ideas and yesterday, as he said, he earned his money.

He shamelessly milked it for all he was worth on MoTD! Modesty is not in his book. I think that he really believes that he is a football messiah. Worse still apparently he's not just an 'expert' now he's been elevated to 'genius' level by Alan Hanson.

Credit for turning it around but a managerial genius would not have sent out a team like we did in the 1st half. I wonder if SA knows what his best formation is now cos I'm afraid that I haven't a clue. 3 strikers and no wingers? Just like 1966. Where's eddie when we need expert analysis and comment?

[thenodrog]

But hey, what do I know, I'm no expert.....

Maybe not but you might be an undiscovered 'genius' though GG.

[thenodrog]

Either way, I hope 4-5-1 will never be seen again at Ewood Park this season. It's been a disaster for the manager, the players detest it, and so do the fans.

The game we follow is all about scoring goals, and in the second half today - finally - we were equipped to do just that.

'Disaster'at Ewood? 'All about scoring goals'?

Tris just reading your post again and in the cold light of day the last two sentences are massively incorrect. From the time of your post and like my initial respose I can only assume that your post was influenced by a sherbert or two. But as to disasters and scoring..... We've scored 16 goals in 7 home matches. We've won 4 drawn 1 lost 1 at home and we've collected 13 points from 6 Prem matches? No one can deny that problems exist and must be addressed but our problems are the opposite of what you are suggesting, chiefly 1. Our form away from Ewood. and 2. Stopping goals.

[RovertheHill]

Were you at the match yesterday, mate? What did you think of the first half?

I don't think it's a coincidence that the players looked more comfortable in the second half formation than in the first.

I was, and the first half was the worst I have seen at Ewood under Sam. And the second was much better.

However, the way he has been playing Dunn recently at Ewood (the so-called negative formation) has seen us score 8 goals in the last 3 home prem games and get 9 points. So why would he change it? That said, we were sh*t in the first half and it needed a change. The change was made and lo and behold we won. Yet apparently the manager played no part in that as far as some are concerned.

Frankly, I'd prefer Di Santo to have a striking partner myself and I'd drop Dunn into the middle with NZonzi. But if it doesn't happen, and we win, I'm not going to be frothing at the mouth about it

[Tony Diamond Inc]

Well done????? Superb????? More like you f**ked up the first half so badly you couldn't do worse after the break? Why did it need 45 minutes of nonsense to trigger the correct approach to this game??????

I wonder ... what was the catalyst for such a drastic mid-match change?

Was it the biggest chorus of half-time booing I've ever heard at Ewood Park?

Was it the fact that the first half was without any doubt the most, drab, depressing load of @#/? ever to be served up since the new stands were built?

Was it Allardyce fearing for his job?? I've never seen John Williams looking more grumpy before half time.

Football is a simple game, even at Premier League level. Play strikers, give them the ball, and goals will be scored.

Play talented players (like Benni M) and the ball will find its way into good positions from where other players will score for the Rovers.

It's taken a discredited and on-the-ropes BFS at 0-1 down against the worst club in the division to finally make proper use of the players he has on Rovers books. Was it desperation or was it calculation?

Either way, I hope 4-5-1 will never be seen again at Ewood Park this season. It's been a disaster for the manager, the players detest it, and so do the fans.

The game we follow is all about scoring goals, and in the second half today - finally - we were equipped to do just that.

100% accurate, the fans made the decision for Sam. The players looked shackled by the negative tactics in the first half, and free to express themselves in the second.

Learn your lesson Sam!

[Stuart]

I was, and the first half was the worst I have seen at Ewood under Sam. And the second was much better.

However, the way he has been playing Dunn recently at Ewood (the so-called negative formation) has seen us score 8 goals in the last 3 home prem games and get 9 points. So why would he change it? That said, we were sh*t in the first half and it needed a change. The change was made and lo and behold we won. Yet apparently the manager played no part in that as far as some are concerned.

Frankly, I'd prefer Di Santo to have a striking partner myself and I'd drop Dunn into the middle with NZonzi. But if it doesn't happen, and we win, I'm not going to be frothing at the mouth about it

I'm not saying that he had nothing to do with it. I'm just suggesting that it was less genius and more forced to go after a result because of a(nother) bad start.

By Sam's own admission he wants us to be tight in defence and nick a game one nil. But it's interesting that this tactic has had to change in every home game since we went a goal down in each before getting going.

The one home game that we didn't go a goal down in was West Ham - and that finished 0-0. We could all see that they were there for the taking, yet Sam didn't or wouldn't.

Next time we get to half time at 0-0, it'll be very interesting to see how Sam changes things - if at all.

[RovertheHill]

I don't think that even the most ardent supporter of Allardyce would try to argue that he is a genius when he patently isn't!

What will be interesting is if he picks an attacking side for Bolton and goes at them. I have a suspicion that it will be Di Santo and Roberts up top. What will people complain about then I wonder?

[T4E]

Sam should be criticised and praised in equal measure for yesterday. His plan A didnt work, his plan B did. How often are managers criticised for not having a plan B? Credit where it's due.

Will be very interesting to see what he does at Bolton. 4-5-1 I'm betting.

[LDRover]

He shamelessly milked it for all he was worth on MoTD! Modesty is not in his book. I think that he really believes that he is a football messiah. Worse still apparently he's not just an 'expert' now he's been elevated to 'genius' level by Alan Hanson.

Credit for turning it around but a managerial genius would not have sent out a team like we did in the 1st half. I wonder if SA knows what his best formation is now cos I'm afraid that I haven't a clue. 3 strikers and no wingers? Just like 1966. Where's eddie when we need expert analysis and comment?

Do I detect a subtle change in your Allardyce stance drog?

Must say I was astounded by the MOTD interview as well.

[Parsonblue]

100% accurate, the fans made the decision for Sam. The players looked shackled by the negative tactics in the first half, and free to express themselves in the second.

Learn your lesson Sam!

I think you are overvaluing the importance of supporters if you think that a professional manager is going to be influenced by the shouts of fans in the crowd. I was pleased that he adopted a plan B - which certainly wasn't the 4-4-2 that the fans had been shouting for - which changed the course of the game. I think it illustrated that Sam can be totally flexible in his thinking when he believes that changes can influence the final outcome of a game.

[1864roverite]

The constant referral by some of our fans to the supposed 4-5-1 is just plain stupid, can you not realise we DONT nor EVER play 4-5-1 its 4-4-1-1.

Once you digest that you can then perhaps criticise then llok at the potential remendy, graps that notion and then you can look at an alternative.

Once the subs had been made we were effectively 4-3-3, a bit of 3-5-2 and a bit of 4-4-2.

Benni played alongside Roberts and di Santo = 4-3-3

Benni dropping to the wing = 4-4-2

Benni dropping back and both Chimbonda and Givet moving up = 3-5-2.

Now then, take a long hard look and try and find this supposed 4-5-1 formation so may of you muppets are referring to. I cant see it, I cant find it and I didnt see it on the pitch.

Sam dropped a big one with a formation too easy for Pompy to cope with, it didnt help with 2 out of form and idling players in mgp and ehd. He changed it, it worked, we scored 3 goals and took 3 points.

Get over it, accept it and be grateful we have moved up the table and are out of the bottom 3.

We move on to Bolton.

[CrazyIvan]

The constant referral by some of our fans to the supposed 4-5-1 is just plain stupid, can you not realise we DONT nor EVER play 4-5-1 its 4-4-1-1.

Once you digest that you can then perhaps criticise then llok at the potential remendy, graps that notion and then you can look at an alternative.

Once the subs had been made we were effectively 4-3-3, a bit of 3-5-2 and a bit of 4-4-2.

Benni played alongside Roberts and di Santo = 4-3-3

Benni dropping to the wing = 4-4-2

Benni dropping back and both Chimbonda and Givet moving up = 3-5-2.

Now then, take a long hard look and try and find this supposed 4-5-1 formation so may of you muppets are referring to. I cant see it, I cant find it and I didnt see it on the pitch.

Sam dropped a big one with a formation too easy for Pompy to cope with, it didnt help with 2 out of form and idling players in mgp and ehd. He changed it, it worked, we scored 3 goals and took 3 points.

Get over it, accept it and be grateful we have moved up the table and are out of the bottom 3.

We move on to Bolton.

Spot on.

[thenodrog]

Do I detect a subtle change in your Allardyce stance drog?

No not really but he is not helping himself is he? He'll hardly endear himself to anyone gobbing off like that never mind the Jury that sits on the Blackburn End. I don't like anybody crowing and much less when they have nothing to crow about. Even RFW and Wenger display a certain modesty.

100% accurate, the fans made the decision for Sam. The players looked shackled by the negative tactics in the first half, and free to express themselves in the second.

Learn your lesson Sam!

Read my post just 2 above yours. Tris is totally wrong in saying SA's tactice have been a disaster at Ewood.

[FourLaneBlue]

Excellent post 1864. Spot on.

As for our tactics at home being a disaster...only 4 sides have picked up more points at home than us. Chelsea, Arsenal, Man U and...er...Burnley.

Both are better funded than us though. The trust have completely cut us off with regards to investment, whereas Bolton and Wigan still have owners who are willing to put money into the club.

We are now above Bolton and only one point behind Wigan with a game in hand. Are Wigan really that much better funded than us? They have had to sell all their best players whereas at least we only lose one a season.

Bolton...they have Gary Megson. Looking through the side I do not see a huge amount of quality. Do you?

So..in time...I expect us to be above them both.

[American]

We are now above Bolton and only one point behind Wigan with a game in hand. Are Wigan really that much better funded than us? They have had to sell all their best players whereas at least we only lose one a season.

I think the difference is that they don't hide the fact that they will let players move and they will spend the money to replace them with equally talented and hungry younger players (not using the money for a 3rd right back who's lost a few steps). Becomes a good selling point to a Valencia-type.

[Miker]

How people can continue to complain about Sam and his tactics and our "disastrous situation" baffles me. We're equal 5th in form both at Home and Overall, so what's the real problem here?

[Iceman]

The constant referral by some of our fans to the supposed 4-5-1 is just plain stupid, can you not realise we DONT nor EVER play 4-5-1 its 4-4-1-1.

Once you digest that you can then perhaps criticise then llok at the potential remendy, graps that notion and then you can look at an alternative.

Once the subs had been made we were effectively 4-3-3, a bit of 3-5-2 and a bit of 4-4-2.

Benni played alongside Roberts and di Santo = 4-3-3

Benni dropping to the wing = 4-4-2

Benni dropping back and both Chimbonda and Givet moving up = 3-5-2.

Now then, take a long hard look and try and find this supposed 4-5-1 formation so may of you muppets are referring to. I cant see it, I cant find it and I didnt see it on the pitch.

Sam dropped a big one with a formation too easy for Pompy to cope with, it didnt help with 2 out of form and idling players in mgp and ehd. He changed it, it worked, we scored 3 goals and took 3 points.

Get over it, accept it and be grateful we have moved up the table and are out of the bottom 3.

We move on to Bolton.

I dont understand this, as a 4-4-1-1 is either 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 depending if we play a midfielder behind the lone striker. If we play 2 strikers, its 4-4-2, with the 2nd striker just dropping off the shoulder of the 1st striker. Dunn if he plays as a 2nd striker, he should be higher up the field, and not dropping deep. Everytime he drops deep, he forms a 5 man midfield, and when he pushes up to support the striker he becomes the so called 2nd striker. As far as im concerned, you hardly ever see a 4-4-1-1 formation materialise during a game, because it switches to 4-4-2 or 4-5-1

[ABBEY]

How people can continue to complain about Sam and his tactics and our "disastrous situation" baffles me. We're equal 5th in form both at Home and Overall, so what's the real problem here?

so the first half was good enough for you was it...?

[Parsonblue]

so the first half was good enough for you was it...?

A game lasts 90 minutes, not 45 minutes. Sam changed his formation around, got the players to up their game and we won. I would have thought that both manager and players deserve praise for the second half improvement which resulted in another home win.

[S15]

so the first half was good enough for you was it...?

Abbey, if you've attended every home game this season, especially the last 5, then throwing your ticket down with the intentions of cancelling your direct debit is pathetic. We went on to win the game 3-1, and we've gone on to win every game at home recently.

You, like many others, are allowing your hatred of a manager who has done well for us to make you look like a silly, bitter person. People dislike him for such petty reasons, but nothing will change the fact that he was more successful at Bolton than Hughes was with us, so however much it bites at you, he has nothing to prove to us. Rovers fans just have to stop being so bleeding pathetic, as it was THEM who started this bitterness with RIDICULOUS/EMBARRASSING Facebook groups, which meant him not being appointed when he should have been.

Thought fans would have learnt their lesson for being such babies, as Ince was surely punishment enough.

Obviously not.

[thenodrog]

so the first half was good enough for you was it...?

We were poor granted but you are not giving portsmouth who were on a hot streak any credit at all abbs. Also how many Prem league matches can you rem us dominating totally for all 90 mins since we were promoted? It just doesn't happen.

[ABBEY]

aye everything is rosy .we are about to equal our worst ever run of away defeats and oll over and take it on the road.

[Parsonblue]

aye everything is rosy .we are about to equal our worst ever run of away defeats and oll over and take it on the road.

Everything might not be rosy but it's not as bleak as you would have people believe. We have an experienced manager who gives us our best chance of staying in a League which is becoming increasingly difficult for smaller clubs like ourselves to operate in. John Williams and co appointed Big Sam because they know that relegation could well spell the end of the club as a top flight outfit and therefore opted for a man who has the experience of keeping a smaller club in the Premier League.

I've experienced the club slipping from the top division to the bottom of the third division once before and have no wish to experience it again. At times the football might not be pretty but as long as it keeps us at this level that is a price I'm quite happy to pay. There is nothing 'rosy' watching your club slip down the leagues while trying to play attractive football.