[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[Seedstral]

Some people will never be happy as all i read this morning was i'm not bothered about the result as long as we attack from the off, play football, 4-4-2 formation etc then i'll be happy but if we sit back and play the long ball i'll not be happy and will call for his head again. Then after performing like we did from the 1st minute to the last and played some great stuff scored 4 goals these same folk are now blaming him for being too gung ho and having no plan to alter anything. I also notice most of these negative comments were made straight after the game hence them not being there in person to support our beloved team. As for Big Sam himself i think you only have to look at his reactions after going 1 and 2 up to realise he does care about our club despite what many of you think!!

[thenodrog]

Samba is 90% to blame for tonight's scoreline. A stupid tackle that has let down the entire team and every fan that came to watch a competitive match.

Sam is certainly not to blame. The only people blaming him are those on here, everybody knows who they are, who have an unrelenting, life-consuming vendetta against Allardyce.

It's time Samba was outed. He stands 6ft 5" and when he jumps he is 5ft 6". He is the main reason that MGP's throws and whoevers corners and Robbo's 'hoofballs' fail so dramatically.

[Grabbi Graeme]

This is a look at what manager signed which player.

Robinson- Ince

Jacobsen - Sam

Chimbonda- Sam

Givet- Sam

Nelsen- Hughes

Samba-Hughes

Emerton-Souness

Pedersen-Souness

Nzonzi-Sam

Andrews-Ince

Grella-Ince

Dunn-a Rovers original but resigned by Hughes

MCcarthy-Hughes

Roberts-Hughes

Kalanic-Sam

Olsson-Hughes

Di Santo-Sam but only on loan

So 6 players out of that list that Sam has signed, I do feel that we are at this level because that it is how good we are, we punched so far above our weight when Hughes was here and the days of a top 8 finish and Euro qualification are gone. We are now a mid to lower table team, thats not to do with the manager that is where we are as a club.

Many sides have invested which is something that we cant seem to do, we could have Mourino in charge and I dont think it would make any difference to us, the anti Sam brigade on here may not like it , but the fact is that he is the best that we can have at the moment, if we get rid we would regret it.

The alternatives out there are not really worth thinking about

[DaveyB]

Sam has to take some of the blame for tonights result - although you can't put it all on him. Once Samba had been sent off we were always going to be up against it - and even I can't blame Sam for Samba's ridiculous challenge.

However, even if you discount the 2nd half, it wasn't quite good enough - which is a massive shame after the way we started. At 2-0 up we had a great chance to really take control of the game and make it incredibly hard for Villa to get back into the game - instead we moved Dunn out to the wing, left Kalinic completely isolated up front and consistently gave the ball back to Villa with aimless hoofs upfield. You can't keep conceding possession to decent teams like Villa without suffering for it and so it proved.

When was the last time we dominated possession in a game? I can't remember it. And it's soul destroying to watch. We have to work so hard to get possession back from other teams, and then give it away so cheaply with our 'percentage' balls. Well it's costing us - it's cost us tonight, and if we carry on like this it may well cost us our Premiership status by the end of the season. For a manager who is so obessed by stats and percentages, you'd think he'd realise that the more possession we have the more chance of winning a game we have - because it means we have the ball, and the opposition don't. Ever wondered why our players look so knackered after about 70 mins? It's because we have to work that much harder because we play most of the game without the ball.

Anyway, very disappointed tonight - but ultimately never really believed that we would beat Villa over 2 legs anyway. The most important game for us now is Wigan next week - and if we give possession away cheaply against them they will make us pay - because they do know how to keep hold of the ball!!

[saxo1man30]

Sam has to take some of the blame for tonights result - although you can't put it all on him. Once Samba had been sent off we were always going to be up against it - and even I can't blame Sam for Samba's ridiculous challenge.

However, even if you discount the 2nd half, it wasn't quite good enough - which is a massive shame after the way we started. At 2-0 up we had a great chance to really take control of the game and make it incredibly hard for Villa to get back into the game - instead we moved Dunn out to the wing, left Kalinic completely isolated up front and consistently gave the ball back to Villa with aimless hoofs upfield. You can't keep conceding possession to decent teams like Villa without suffering for it and so it proved.

When was the last time we dominated possession in a game? I can't remember it. And it's soul destroying to watch. We have to work so hard to get possession back from other teams, and then give it away so cheaply with our 'percentage' balls. Well it's costing us - it's cost us tonight, and if we carry on like this it may well cost us our Premiership status by the end of the season. For a manager who is so obessed by stats and percentages, you'd think he'd realise that the more possession we have the more chance of winning a game we have - because it means we have the ball, and the opposition don't. Ever wondered why our players look so knackered after about 70 mins? It's because we have to work that much harder because we play most of the game without the ball.

Anyway, very disappointed tonight - but ultimately never really believed that we would beat Villa over 2 legs anyway. The most important game for us now is Wigan next week - and if we give possession away cheaply against them they will make us pay - because they do know how to keep hold of the ball!!

OH I`M SORRY, I DON`T AGREE WITH YOU. YOUR TALKING `DRIBBLE`

[Tris]

Well as entertainment, tonight was amazing.

The problem with Allardyce's Rovers is this - it's all hail and farewell. No middle ground. The dire defensive normality gets distorted by the occasional foray into the delightful feast of proper attacking play.

I was actually proud to be a Rovers fan at Villa Park tonight, and I think we came out of the tie on national tv with some credit thanks to the amazing support from the depleted ranks in the away section ... and the two 2nd half Rovers goals did at least prevent an embarassing annihalation.

But us Rovers fans now have to get back to the grind. As exciting as tonight was, it was a defeat rooted in the failure to play football in the 1st leg last Thursday, and in the dozen preceding league games.

The man in charge needs to apply the learnings from tonight and from the more expansive tactics last Sunday against Fulham, and make sure he keeps the punters happy at the next two home fixtures - again available for a tenner a game.

The season is over now - no more fun, no more expectation. Just bloody entertain the natives, otherwise the season ticket price cut is going to backfire in the most horrible way imaginable.

[unluckymorton]

Sam has to take some of the blame for tonights result - although you can't put it all on him. Once Samba had been sent off we were always going to be up against it - and even I can't blame Sam for Samba's ridiculous challenge.

However, even if you discount the 2nd half, it wasn't quite good enough - which is a massive shame after the way we started. At 2-0 up we had a great chance to really take control of the game and make it incredibly hard for Villa to get back into the game - instead we moved Dunn out to the wing, left Kalinic completely isolated up front and consistently gave the ball back to Villa with aimless hoofs upfield. You can't keep conceding possession to decent teams like Villa without suffering for it and so it proved.

When was the last time we dominated possession in a game? I can't remember it. And it's soul destroying to watch. We have to work so hard to get possession back from other teams, and then give it away so cheaply with our 'percentage' balls. Well it's costing us - it's cost us tonight, and if we carry on like this it may well cost us our Premiership status by the end of the season. For a manager who is so obessed by stats and percentages, you'd think he'd realise that the more possession we have the more chance of winning a game we have - because it means we have the ball, and the opposition don't. Ever wondered why our players look so knackered after about 70 mins? It's because we have to work that much harder because we play most of the game without the ball.

Anyway, very disappointed tonight - but ultimately never really believed that we would beat Villa over 2 legs anyway. The most important game for us now is Wigan next week - and if we give possession away cheaply against them they will make us pay - because they do know how to keep hold of the ball!!

So what planet are you on pal? A fantastic performance by all last night. You 'ultimately never really believed that we would beat Villa over 2 legs' yet you blame Big Sam for exactly what last night? Having a go?

If we carry on the way we played last night we'll finish to half.

Credit to Sam and credit to the lads for doing us proud last night.

It's time Samba was outed. He stands 6ft 5" and when he jumps he is 5ft 6". He is the main reason that MGP's throws and whoevers corners and Robbo's 'hoofballs' fail so dramatically.

You want Samba out? Were you drunk when you posted that?

The main reason MGP's long throws are ineffective is that there is no pace on them and they are usually aimed at the opposition! Delap's long throws have pace and are thrown into the danger area, MGP lofts his throws over and hopes for the best.

[Hughesy]

The main reason MGP's long throws are ineffective is that there is no pace on them and they are usually aimed at the opposition! Delap's long throws have pace and are thrown into the danger area, MGP lofts his throws over and hopes for the best.

The main reason is because they loop down - Delaps & Gunnarson's (Coventry) are quite low & flat and just require a simple flick on.

[unluckymorton]

The main reason is because they loop down - Delaps & Gunnarson's (Coventry) are quite low & flat and just require a simple flick on.

That's what I mean mate, just worded different... The long throws require pace otherwise we gain no advantage.

It does seem that Sam has had MGP working on his corners though. His corners were an improvement last night.

Maybe things are starting to come together? I always said it would take time but maybe things are starting to click. I'll no doubt get slated for suggesting Sam could possibly be doing something right or we could possibly be turning the corner though...

[Parsonblue]

What next, with Allardyce? Surviving in the league, holding on to 13th-14th place if we're lucky? Is this the future some people want us to have? Cause BFS will more than happily settle for that, because it's "realistic for a club our size" and everything.

Mr E you obviously don't go to matches or have any knowledge or understanding of the history of Blackburn Rovers. Prior to Jack Walker taking over, the Rovers had spent the majority of the years between 1936 and 1991 OUTSIDE of the the top flight. The top division was NOT our natural home. Thanks to Jack's investment we have had two great decades. However, Jack is no longer with us and our financial situation is not the same. WE are a small town club with limited attendances and low ticket prices. We simply can't compete on the same financial terms as the likes of Birmingham City or Fulham - who have spent over £23 million since Roy Hodgson arrived.

Success for Blackburn Rovers is surviving in the Premier League. Anything above the relegation places is success. You and other glory hunters may not like it but that is the reality of the situation. As a supporter of almost 50 years standing I'm more than happy to see my club survive in the top flight. I've witnessed the fall from top division to third division in the past and have no wish to witness it again. Survival will be me just fine at the moment until the club can attract some new investment.

[Hughesy]

Last nights corners were much improved - and if we continue to put them into that area of the box then we will score alot more goals from corners.

Our link up play down the left with MGP, Kalinic & Pedersen was also superb.

[Mr. E]

Mr E you obviously don't go to matches or have any knowledge or understanding of the history of Blackburn Rovers. Prior to Jack Walker taking over, the Rovers had spent the majority of the years between 1936 and 1991 OUTSIDE of the the top flight. The top division was NOT our natural home. Thanks to Jack's investment we have had two great decades. However, Jack is no longer with us and our financial situation is not the same. WE are a small town club with limited attendances and low ticket prices. We simply can't compete on the same financial terms as the likes of Birmingham City or Fulham - who have spent over £23 million since Roy Hodgson arrived.

Success for Blackburn Rovers is surviving in the Premier League. Anything above the relegation places is success. You and other glory hunters may not like it but that is the reality of the situation. As a supporter of almost 50 years standing I'm more than happy to see my club survive in the top flight. I've witnessed the fall from top division to third division in the past and have no wish to witness it again. Survival will be me just fine at the moment until the club can attract some new investment.

Same old post, same old excuse.

No one is denying that the club is doing great for its size, but it is a PROVEN fact that the top-of-the-roof limit is NOT 17th place. Souness and Hughes finished above much, much, richer clubs, and in some cases even thought we could have achieved more. We haven't had any money for a long time now, everyone knows that - and although that may have stopped us from challenging for the very top honors, it hasn't stopped us from having exciting seasons where we competed for European places. We may lack in money, but we have usually found ways to compensate for that. In past seasons we had a formula for success which worked - even if for a short while. Allardyce has no such formula anywhere in sight - unless this last game proves to be a HUGE turning point, but I for one won't hold my breath.

It is bewildering to me that some people refuse to allow the club any ambition besides survival, and go on about bygone decades despite proven success just a couple of years ago. What kind of message would this send to the players? "Don't bother trying to achieve anything or aim for any glory, just focus on winning a few games per season to get that 17th place or 40-point mark, everything else is just a bonus". Not exactly motivational, is it?

[Hughesy]

Our 1st target is to stay up

Our ambition has to be to finish as high as possible, with realistically 8th probably being the limit whilst teams like Villa, Spurs & City are on form.

17th is not ambition, its just the 1st target we must hit.

[unluckymorton]

Same old post, same old excuse.

No one is denying that the club is doing great for its size, but it is a PROVEN fact that the top-of-the-roof limit is NOT 17th place. Souness and Hughes finished above much, much, richer clubs, and in some cases even thought we could have achieved more. We haven't had any money for a long time now, everyone knows that - and although that may have stopped us from challenging for the very top honors, it hasn't stopped us from having exciting seasons where we competed for European places. We may lack in money, but we have usually found ways to compensate for that. In past seasons we had a formula for success which worked - even if for a short while. Allardyce has no such formula anywhere in sight - unless this last game proves to be a HUGE turning point, but I for one won't hold my breath.

It is bewildering to me that some people refuse to allow the club any ambition besides survival, and go on about bygone decades despite proven success just a couple of years ago. What kind of message would this send to the players? "Don't bother trying to achieve anything or aim for any glory, just focus on winning a few games per season to get that 17th place or 40-point mark, everything else is just a bonus". Not exactly motivational, is it?

We currently sit in 12th position, above and right up the backside of richer clubs. We have also just been knocked out of the semi final of the League cup, better than Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea could do, also either Man Utd or Man City are going to be eliminated at the same stage.

I'm not sure if you've ever taken your blinkers off to realise that the management at the club set REALISTIC targets throughout the season, Sam has already stated that we have not yet hit our targets, therefore we are aiming higher than where we actually are, so sitting in 12th place our targets seem pretty high for a club of our stature, therefore the club may actually be doing exactly the opposite of aiming for 17th spot as you put it.

Don't aim for glory??? we just scored 4 goals away at Villa Park and put in a great performance in the semi final!!!

[philipl]

Sam would appear to be safe for now but the questions remain massive:

- can a squad of players clearly good enough to stay up, stay up?

- Dunn looks like he has now lost his desire and fitness under Sam and has an expiring contract

- Reid and MGP have shown glimpses of being OK but have expiring contracts as well

- Hoillet hasn't changed his mind about going as far as we know

- McCarthy, the only other flair player is being forced out

- Samba will surely go in the summer if any larger club comes in for him

- the fans have had the most awful football inflicted on them and are abandonning the club by the thousands judging by recent turn-outs

- we have played the most unappealing football to keep it tight but have conceded 50 goals so far this season and it is only 21 January today

- even the biggest Sam fan acknowledges he gets his tactics and team selection wrong horribly often. Nobody has a clue what Rovers' strongest line-up is.

At the moment, this looks like crisis postponed not crisis averted. But the last two games have bought Sam and the club time to sort things out.

[CrazyIvan]

Sam would appear to be safe for now but the questions remain massive:

- can a squad of players clearly good enough to stay up, stay up?

- Dunn looks like he has now lost his desire and fitness under Sam and has an expiring contract

- Reid and MGP have shown glimpses of being OK but have expiring contracts as well

- Hoillet hasn't changed his mind about going as far as we know

- McCarthy, the only other flair player is being forced out

- Samba will surely go in the summer if any larger club comes in for him

- the fans have had the most awful football inflicted on them and are abandonning the club by the thousands judging by recent turn-outs

- we have played the most unappealing football to keep it tight but have conceded 50 goals so far this season and it is only 21 January today

- even the biggest Sam fan acknowledges he gets his tactics and team selection wrong horribly often. Nobody has a clue what Rovers' strongest line-up is.

At the moment, this looks like crisis postponed not crisis averted. But the last two games have bought Sam and the club time to sort things out.

Mr E no.2

[Silencio]

Sam would appear to be safe for now but the questions remain massive:

- can a squad of players clearly good enough to stay up, stay up?

I think so provided Sam plays Kalinic and doesn't do anything stupid in this window.

- Dunn looks like he has now lost his desire and fitness under Sam and has an expiring contract

Not an issue, if that's the case then let the contract expire and he can go elsewhere. How many good games has he had in his 3 years here?

- Reid and MGP have shown glimpses of being OK but have expiring contracts as well

Not an issue, why should we offer either of them one now? They have been poor/injured for 3 years. They are unlikely to get a better offer than what we could give them and if they get a good offer and want to go then we should let them.

- Hoillet hasn't changed his mind about going as far as we know

Fingers crossed with that one.

- McCarthy, the only other flair player is being forced out

Seems so, disappointing. I hope we don't bring Beattie in.

- Samba will surely go in the summer if any larger club comes in for him

Possibly, so what? That would be the case even if Sam was not manager.

- the fans have had the most awful football inflicted on them and are abandonning the club by the thousands judging by recent turn-outs

Seems so, disappointing but they will come back if Sam continues picking a young side and Kalinic starts scoring.

- we have played the most unappealing football to keep it tight but have conceded 50 goals so far this season and it is only 21 January today

But we are 12th in the league. Sam needs to stop trying to contain teams and start attacking more.

- even the biggest Sam fan acknowledges he gets his tactics and team selection wrong horribly often. Nobody has a clue what Rovers' strongest line-up is.

Sam does need to settle the team down IMO. It looks like he might stick with Kalinic and Olssen and that would be a positive. Let's hope he signs a midfielder to play with N'zonzi and drops Diouf.

At the moment, this looks like crisis postponed not crisis averted. But the last two games have bought Sam and the club time to sort things out.

[philipl]

Mr E no.2

Thank you Paul Ince's alter ego. Do you disagree with any points made?

[Jackson]

Sam would appear to be safe for now but the questions remain massive:

- Dunn looks like he has now lost his desire and fitness under Sam and has an expiring contract

- Reid and MGP have shown glimpses of being OK but have expiring contracts as well

Bad things?

[Amo]

Reid has looked alright, until he gets injured again. I'd let him go - but then this club enjoys wasting money. I'd also wave goodbye to Pedersen - although I'm sure after last night people will be campaigning for him to stay.

[waggy]

well the cc cup run comes to a end,now survival is the aim.the sooner lardarse goes the better,just shows last night when we play football we are a match for a very good premier league team.ollson who was slated on here when picked by ince was superb last night,i would sell samba and buy a striker and midfielder.it was his ridiculous challenge that lost us the game,and his behaviour on sunday proves he wants out,just hope lardarse follows him out the door

[47er]

well the cc cup run comes to a end,now survival is the aim.the sooner lardarse goes the better,just shows last night when we play football we are a match for a very good premier league team.ollson who was slated on here when picked by ince was superb last night,i would sell samba and buy a striker and midfielder.it was his ridiculous challenge that lost us the game,and his behaviour on sunday proves he wants out,just hope lardarse follows him out the door

Good thing that you are well away from the Club then eh?

[Heinz]

Sam would appear to be safe for now but the questions remain massive:

- can a squad of players clearly good enough to stay up, stay up?

The next matches are crucial in my opinion. That said, there is no reason for panic at the moment.

- Dunn looks like he has now lost his desire and fitness under Sam and has an expiring contract

Just over a month ago he was scoring for fun?

- Reid and MGP have shown glimpses of being OK but have expiring contracts as well

Besides yesterday's match there is no defending MGP. Reid however showed some good signs since being back to fitness.

- Hoillet hasn't changed his mind about going as far as we know

If he stays he will become one of our best players, as he has shown glimpses of good football in the past.

- McCarthy, the only other flair player is being forced out

Flair player, but shows it to little in to few games.

- Samba will surely go in the summer if any larger club comes in for him

That is just speculation.

[MCMC1875]

Send for Messrs Parkes, Faz, Hendry, Furnell and Saxton.

Where are you Bob Fleming?

[47er]

Sam would appear to be safe for now but the questions remain massive:

- can a squad of players clearly good enough to stay up, stay up?

- Dunn looks like he has now lost his desire and fitness under Sam and has an expiring contract

- Reid and MGP have shown glimpses of being OK but have expiring contracts as well

- Hoillet hasn't changed his mind about going as far as we know

- McCarthy, the only other flair player is being forced out

- Samba will surely go in the summer if any larger club comes in for him

- the fans have had the most awful football inflicted on them and are abandonning the club by the thousands judging by recent turn-outs

- we have played the most unappealing football to keep it tight but have conceded 50 goals so far this season and it is only 21 January today

- even the biggest Sam fan acknowledges he gets his tactics and team selection wrong horribly often. Nobody has a clue what Rovers' strongest line-up is.

At the moment, this looks like crisis postponed not crisis averted. But the last two games have bought Sam and the club time to sort things out.

Yes we are definitely in crisis. Best not to enjoy our form in the last 2 games. Thanks for reminding us how grim it is to be a Rover's supporter right now.

Hang on! I don't feel like that at all!