[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[thenodrog]

You're on dodgy ground there.

I am? Why?

[LeftWinger]

Well considering we’re obviously the worst team in the entire country under Sam – Burnley, Wigan, Everton, Hull, Bolton, Wolves, West Ham and Portsmouth must just be really unlucky to be below us.

[Hughesy]

Well considering we’re obviously the worst team in the entire country under Sam – Burnley, Wigan, Everton, Hull, Bolton, Wolves, West Ham and Portsmouth must just be really unlucky to be below us.

No its just your imagination.......we are not really here....we are bottom and facing certain relegation (Just like Ince all over again) - MERRY XMAS everyone

[dillhallblue]

2 days on from the awful result & performance at St. Andrews and i'm still baffled by the team selection. If you think back to the beginning of the season Big Sam kept going on about once a player was chosen in the side, it was them then who lost their place/shirt.

After what was a decent performance at Hull on saturday, i fully understand why Kalinic was brought in to start because its just a matter of time now before he starts banging them in, i'm sure we all agree with that but i just cant get me head round Hoilett being dropped after a decent showing at Hull & good cameo performances against Chelsea & Liverpool and seeing Pedersen & Diouf re-introduced to the side !!!!!!!!

Now What message is Big Sam sending out to players & fans....... and especially to Hoilett at this moment in time because as a club we should be bending over backwards to keep him sweet. The manager is saying one thing and doing another.

[waggy]

don't forget he picks gamst and he will not offer him a new contract

[Parsonblue]

Shhh. Of course he is! Who else could have done what he did last year? Who else could manage this team to mediocrity so far this season? If we had anyone else in charge, anyone else, we would be playing League Two football right now!

So, in all seriousness, what is your solution Eddie? Sack Allardyce and then bankrupt the club paying off the manager and his staff? We went down that road with Ince and it brought the club to its knees in financial terms. Sam has a long contract that would have to be paid up. Where do we find the money to do that and find a replacement? Once that is done we then have to find money to bring in new players and a new backroom staff.

There seem to be a number of supporters who are less than delighted with the manager but nobody offers a serious alternative strategy. Once a manager is appointed he has to be allowed to manage in his own way. Happily, John Williams is quite good in giving managers the freedom to do just that. Are you suggesting that the directors should tell the manager what to do?

Sam is clearly not going to change his philosophy so what do you suggest the club do?

Personally, I have no problem with Sam's style. I believe that Premier League survival is essential for the club's long term well-being and that Sam is a guy who is well qualified to deliver that on a limited budget. With the club's finances being what they are I am quite happy with the manager's pragmatic approach to matches and team selection if it maintains Premier League football. You suggest that there are other candidates, which is fair enough. I'm sure that there are other managers who might be able to achieve the same results as Sam. But at present Sam is in post and he still has a long contract in front of him. At least another year or two after this season.

In light of that I'm genuinely interested to know how you think the club should change things.

[Kelbo]

So, in all seriousness, what is your solution Eddie? Sack Allardyce and then bankrupt the club paying off the manager and his staff? We went down that road with Ince and it brought the club to its knees in financial terms. Sam has a long contract that would have to be paid up. Where do we find the money to do that and find a replacement? Once that is done we then have to find money to bring in new players and a new backroom staff.

There seem to be a number of supporters who are less than delighted with the manager but nobody offers a serious alternative strategy. Once a manager is appointed he has to be allowed to manage in his own way. Happily, John Williams is quite good in giving managers the freedom to do just that. Are you suggesting that the directors should tell the manager what to do?

Sam is clearly not going to change his philosophy so what do you suggest the club do?

Personally, I have no problem with Sam's style. I believe that Premier League survival is essential for the club's long term well-being and that Sam is a guy who is well qualified to deliver that on a limited budget. With the club's finances being what they are I am quite happy with the manager's pragmatic approach to matches and team selection if it maintains Premier League football. You suggest that there are other candidates, which is fair enough. I'm sure that there are other managers who might be able to achieve the same results as Sam. But at present Sam is in post and he still has a long contract in front of him. At least another year or two after this season.

In light of that I'm genuinely interested to know how you think the club should change things.

Good post and true!

[Eddie]

You're totally right there, we don't have another option. I'm not advocating sacking him, I never have done. I'm just really looking forward to the day his contract runs out. All I can say is at this point there is no justification for reviewing his contract and that the board should be seriously looking at replacements for when that runs out. I don't at the moment think we'll go down, but I don't think he'll take the club anywhere. He hasn't got us playing good football. He hasn't taken the club forward. He hasn't done that brilliantly in the transfer market. No reason to get rid of him, but as much as we can't afford to get rid of him, I don't think we can afford to keep him that long either.

Why does the club suddenly have to switch to this? Once Hughes had levelled the ship he tried to get us to play. Souness did the same. Hodgson is doing it at Fulham. You can even point to Coyle at Burnley. Martinez at Wigan. I think we're actually in a minority at the moment in trying to play this football by numbers and we don't appear to be better off for it. If Allardyce is such a footballing genius then why hasn't football evolved as a result of him? It appears to me that football has evolved without him. Phil Brown is the only one who does anything even remotely similar and even then his team has only ever gone on runs when a creative spark that plays out of that system has got involved.

We have to keep him for now, I just don't want to see the club have it's expectations lowered so much that we think he is the best that we can do. That we can't play decent football. I loved Hughes because he came in and made the club look up and I started to despise him when he grew tired of the job and gave up caring. Yes, Ewood Park is not the best place to be as a manager. I know that. In my view we have to accept that we can bring in talented managers and that they will move on, much like our players do. That isn't a problem. Four good years under Hughes is better than eight stagnant years under Allardyce for me. Give me a bit of amibtion anyday.

[Amo]

I can understand your frustrations, Eddie. I've been incredulous at some of Sam's decisions this season, and we're all aware of his foibles, but I do, however, think you are pursuing a vendetta against Sam and refuse to give him his due. The guy saved us last year, and if this season so far is any indicator, he'll consolidate us with mid-table security. So he is taking the club forward, and let's not forget he is working on one of the tightest budgets in the Premiership. I know some fans feel any Tom, Dick or Harry could have kept us up last season, but that's an easy statement to make when you can't back it up. The team was a shambles, still deflated after Ince's calamitous regime. It was by no means an easy task, but Sam steered the ship to safety.

While the likes of Burnley & Wigan play open stuff, they're also below us in the table (marginally) which is hardly a testament to their football. Would I want adventurous football if it exposed us to 9-1 demolitions against Spurs or 4-0 defeats at Fratton Park!? I don't think I would. I could easily see Burnley & Wigan falling out of this league, yet with Sam here I'm confident of our PL future - even if it isn't easy on the eye. And that's Sam's job: to secure this team's position and ensure it doesn't plummet into oblivion.

[Eddie]

He did save us and he deserves credit for that. You can say it's easy to say when you can't back it up, but the reality that you can't disprove it either. I don't think just anyone could have kept us up, but I don't buy that "only Allardyce could have".

Those teams are below us in the table with what I think everyone would agree are inferior squads. I wouldn't swap our team for Burnley's or Wigan's, I wouldn't even take very many of their players. Remember that we've shipped 4+ a few times this season.

[broadsword]

Was Avram Grant available last December? can't remember.

[bob fleming]

Was Avram Grant available last December? can't remember.

Not sure but at least he always has a smile on his face.

[John]

Good interview on Sky recently with Sam, said he needs time to make us better and improve (some on here are obviously very impatient). He also highlighted that these days managers are not given time by anyone unfortunately.

I have not agreed with some of his decisions, but it is a very difficult job, particularly when you have one of the lowest budgets in the league. The financial gap is getting wider but we are still doing OK - try and keep some perspective if possible.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

I am? Why?

Oh, come on!

Ask Waggy

[47er]

You're totally right there, we don't have another option. I'm not advocating sacking him, I never have done. I'm just really looking forward to the day his contract runs out. All I can say is at this point there is no justification for reviewing his contract and that the board should be seriously looking at replacements for when that runs out. I don't at the moment think we'll go down, but I don't think he'll take the club anywhere. He hasn't got us playing good football. He hasn't taken the club forward. He hasn't done that brilliantly in the transfer market. No reason to get rid of him, but as much as we can't afford to get rid of him, I don't think we can afford to keep him that long either.

Why does the club suddenly have to switch to this? Once Hughes had levelled the ship he tried to get us to play. Souness did the same. Hodgson is doing it at Fulham. You can even point to Coyle at Burnley. Martinez at Wigan. I think we're actually in a minority at the moment in trying to play this football by numbers and we don't appear to be better off for it. If Allardyce is such a footballing genius then why hasn't football evolved as a result of him? It appears to me that football has evolved without him. Phil Brown is the only one who does anything even remotely similar and even then his team has only ever gone on runs when a creative spark that plays out of that system has got involved.

We have to keep him for now, I just don't want to see the club have it's expectations lowered so much that we think he is the best that we can do. That we can't play decent football. I loved Hughes because he came in and made the club look up and I started to despise him when he grew tired of the job and gave up caring. Yes, Ewood Park is not the best place to be as a manager. I know that. In my view we have to accept that we can bring in talented managers and that they will move on, much like our players do. That isn't a problem. Four good years under Hughes is better than eight stagnant years under Allardyce for me. Give me a bit of amibtion anyday.

You're not advocating sacking him? You're just going to spend the nest few years continually undermining him. We all loved Hughes but he's gone.

[Tom]

The funny thing is if you don't like the way we are playing football then ou are branded as anti Allardyce, in fact I'm not against him at all I'm just pro Rovers and at the best I don't think we are making the best use of our resources available.

My posting history over the course of the season will have gone from very pro Allardyce and defending things over the top to one oftones dismay at times recently.

I think Sam can get us playing decent but he must ship out the deadwood as soon as possible.

[imy9]

What I have noticed is that when our two midfield players who can pass the ball and retain the ball- Grella and Dunn are missing we resort to "hoofball", surely it is no coincidence that we failed to score in 5 games when Dunn was missing in the majority/all of them?

I can happily accept 12-13th position with a semi final in Carling Cup, safe in the knowledge that MGP and Reid who are combined eating away at £70K a week will not be here in the summer, as well as some others (I hope!) like Andrews, Zurab and Roberts. Rome was not built in a day and I do recall some awful stuff under Hughes in the first 2 years of his reign- and look what happened there.

I find it interesting that Bruce having spent millions is what a few points ahead of us? Martinez (who a few people are championing) has been getting battered away from home and is below us.

Sams signings have been good so far and in Nzonzi we have unearthed a little gem who will no doubt be sold for a mass profit at a later date. Lots of positives- keep the faith

[Miker]

The funny thing is if you don't like the way we are playing football then ou are branded as anti Allardyce, in fact I'm not against him at all I'm just pro Rovers and at the best I don't think we are making the best use of our resources available.

My posting history over the course of the season will have gone from very pro Allardyce and defending things over the top to one oftones dismay at times recently.

I think Sam can get us playing decent but he must ship out the deadwood as soon as possible.

How would you use our resources better? I think we can all agree that there are a number of players currently in the squad who we should get rid of, and I'm sure Sam realises this too. There are things that he has to consider as a manager though, such as replacements. Pedersen, Diouf, Andrews, Roberts and McCarthy have all proven themselves at some point in the Premier League, whether coming in with a number of assists or goals, they have offered the club something at a point in time. So to replace them isn't that simple because if we get someone unknown or unfamiliar with the league they may flop.

The thing is I trust Sam completely to sign unknown players and turn them into solid Premier League players for us based on the players he's bought so far. So I definitely expect players to leave and new ones to come in and for us to progress slowly as a team.

[thenodrog]

Oh, come on!

Ask Waggy

Why should waggy have anything to do with it?....... I'm asking you.

[Tom]

How would you use our resources better? I think we can all agree that there are a number of players currently in the squad who we should get rid of, and I'm sure Sam realises this too. There are things that he has to consider as a manager though, such as replacements. Pedersen, Diouf, Andrews, Roberts and McCarthy have all proven themselves at some point in the Premier League, whether coming in with a number of assists or goals, they have offered the club something at a point in time. So to replace them isn't that simple because if we get someone unknown or unfamiliar with the league they may flop.

The thing is I trust Sam completely to sign unknown players and turn them into solid Premier League players for us based on the players he's bought so far. So I definitely expect players to leave and new ones to come in and for us to progress slowly as a team.

Not starting games with Diouf and Roberts in the team? Playing to our attackers strengths instead of high balls up to them constantly would help as well.

The tactics on Tuesday were non existent

[JAL]

So, in all seriousness, what is your solution Eddie? Sack Allardyce and then bankrupt the club paying off the manager and his staff? We went down that road with Ince and it brought the club to its knees in financial terms. Sam has a long contract that would have to be paid up. Where do we find the money to do that and find a replacement? Once that is done we then have to find money to bring in new players and a new backroom staff.

There seem to be a number of supporters who are less than delighted with the manager but nobody offers a serious alternative strategy. Once a manager is appointed he has to be allowed to manage in his own way. Happily, John Williams is quite good in giving managers the freedom to do just that. Are you suggesting that the directors should tell the manager what to do?

Sam is clearly not going to change his philosophy so what do you suggest the club do?

Personally, I have no problem with Sam's style. I believe that Premier League survival is essential for the club's long term well-being and that Sam is a guy who is well qualified to deliver that on a limited budget. With the club's finances being what they are I am quite happy with the manager's pragmatic approach to matches and team selection if it maintains Premier League football. You suggest that there are other candidates, which is fair enough. I'm sure that there are other managers who might be able to achieve the same results as Sam. But at present Sam is in post and he still has a long contract in front of him. At least another year or two after this season.

In light of that I'm genuinely interested to know how you think the club should change things.

Would another audience with Sam be a possibility after the January window. Think it would be beneficial allround to clarify a few things and keep many a fan including myself onside.

[jw_]

So, in all seriousness, what is your solution Eddie? Sack Allardyce and then bankrupt the club paying off the manager and his staff? We went down that road with Ince and it brought the club to its knees in financial terms. Sam has a long contract that would have to be paid up. Where do we find the money to do that and find a replacement? Once that is done we then have to find money to bring in new players and a new backroom staff.

There seem to be a number of supporters who are less than delighted with the manager but nobody offers a serious alternative strategy. Once a manager is appointed he has to be allowed to manage in his own way. Happily, John Williams is quite good in giving managers the freedom to do just that. Are you suggesting that the directors should tell the manager what to do?

Sam is clearly not going to change his philosophy so what do you suggest the club do?

Personally, I have no problem with Sam's style. I believe that Premier League survival is essential for the club's long term well-being and that Sam is a guy who is well qualified to deliver that on a limited budget. With the club's finances being what they are I am quite happy with the manager's pragmatic approach to matches and team selection if it maintains Premier League football. You suggest that there are other candidates, which is fair enough. I'm sure that there are other managers who might be able to achieve the same results as Sam. But at present Sam is in post and he still has a long contract in front of him. At least another year or two after this season.

In light of that I'm genuinely interested to know how you think the club should change things.

Personally Sam's "style" makes me cringe,swear,rant and just about everything else to try to ease the frustration. Apart from that good post

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Why should waggy have anything to do with it?....... I'm asking you.

You seem a bit upset?

[T4E]

That qualifies as "upset"?

You must be a woman.

[only2garners]

Good interview on Sky recently with Sam, said he needs time to make us better and improve (some on here are obviously very impatient). He also highlighted that these days managers are not given time by anyone unfortunately.

I have not agreed with some of his decisions, but it is a very difficult job, particularly when you have one of the lowest budgets in the league. The financial gap is getting wider but we are still doing OK - try and keep some perspective if possible.

Perspective! You're on the wrong messageboard John.