[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[CrazyIvan]

Only a tool wouldn't see that we do play hoofball every so often.

Chelsea away.

Brum away.

City away.

To name just three games where we couldn't string two passes together and resorted to "hoofball".

It's been evident a lot more than that this season too.

I think the point is that we DON'T play hoofball all of the time. Waggy et al would have us believe that every single touch is a lump into the air. Yes, we have played hoofball and occasionally, even against Hull, someone lumps an aimless ball to no-one. Nelsen did it on Wednesday and Hull dealt with it by heading it sideways out of touch from the middle of the park. Against better sides we are under more pressure more often and hence lump it more often. Having said that, I've seen every team in the Premier League lump the ball up to no-one in particular and also every single side bang fairly aimless balls into the box. Yes, that includes Arsenal. Hoofball is a state of mind of a number of people on this board and it's used as a weapon to bash Sam all of the time.

[G Somerset Rover]

I think the point is that we DON'T play hoofball all of the time. Waggy et al would have us believe that every single touch is a lump into the air. Yes, we have played hoofball and occasionally, even against Hull, someone lumps an aimless ball to no-one. Nelsen did it on Wednesday and Hull dealt with it by heading it sideways out of touch from the middle of the park. Against better sides we are under more pressure more often and hence lump it more often. Having said that, I've seen every team in the Premier League lump the ball up to no-one in particular and also every single side bang fairly aimless balls into the box. Yes, that includes Arsenal. Hoofball is a state of mind of a number of people on this board and it's used as a weapon to bash Sam all of the time.

I agree with most of what you say CI.

I just feel that there are times - with those 3 games the first that spring to mind - where we continuously lumped it forward for the majority of the game to no avail and more importantly to nobody (Roberts' head also classes as nobody). More frustratingly there wasn't a change in tactics during the games where it wasn't working.

Fortunately we've seen slightly less of this as the season has progressed whilst albeit still adopting a direct approach. My point was that we have played hoofball a fair amount this season, and worringly for whole games at a time.

[waggy]

we have the cheapest season tickets in the premier,what if lardarse is in charge next season and the season tickets go up by 20%.how many season ticket holders will renew,we will still have cheap season tickets but will we still have the same number of season ticket holders

[ABBEY]

I won't renew if they go up and I know a couple more who arnt if the expert is still here...twist away

[S15]

There won't be much twisting Abbey, we couldn't give a sh*t.

[unluckymorton]

we have the cheapest season tickets in the premier,what if lardarse is in charge next season and the season tickets go up by 20%.how many season ticket holders will renew,we will still have cheap season tickets but will we still have the same number of season ticket holders

If season tickets went on sale tomorrow I'd renew. I will renew my season ticket no matter what.

Whatever the decision on price freezing or increase, if we get anywhere near the same amount of ST holders we will have done well. If the season tickets go up by 20% at £240 they will still be cheaper than last season so it's pretty good going.

The hard core supporters will always be there, fair weather supporters will sit at home and bitch about Big Sam.

I won't renew if they go up and I know a couple more who arnt if the expert is still here...twist away

It looks like people are starting to show their true colours already and this season isn't over yet!!!

I had a feeling this would happen, Rovers as good as give away ST's then before even announcing what may happen to ST prices next season people are saying 'I'm not renewing if prices go up'.

Unbelievable.

Can I add - I just wish we sometimes took a quick short throw in - remember them?

And taking advantage of no offside from a throw? Like getting to the byline and whipping a cross in?

[waggy]

ah what a suprise lardarses two diciples bite 1st

[CrazyIvan]

ah what a suprise lardarses two diciples bite 1st

You really are getting boring Waggy.

[unluckymorton]

ah what a suprise lardarses two diciples bite 1st

Stop talking cr@p then wagster. I support him because he's the best man for the job and he is managing us well. The formations and tactics may not be pretty but it's got us to 11th in the table and gives us a platform to build on. You'll not see that though just sitting in the pub watching it on Arab TV and reading the News of the World to see what those muppets have got to say on a Sunday and taking it as gospel.

[S15]

ah what a suprise lardarses two diciples bite 1st

Disciple?

After the City game I said that if Allardyce didn't turn things around in the next couple of games it would be time to seriously consider his position.

However, 5 league games later we are 10 points better off. End, he's proved his worth after a difficult patch.

[ABBEY]

True colours? Let's see..39 years season ticket holder, jobs lost following the team time and away ,3rd div,blackburn end when we had 3 and 4000 gates on...aye true f colours ....this year has been truly awful to watch and if they put prices up and serve that crap again then I'm afraid there will be lots not renewing.

[mellison24]

If season tickets went on sale tomorrow I'd renew. I will renew my season ticket no matter what.

Whatever the decision on price freezing or increase, if we get anywhere near the same amount of ST holders we will have done well. If the season tickets go up by 20% at £240 they will still be cheaper than last season so it's pretty good going.

The hard core supporters will always be there, fair weather supporters will sit at home and bitch about Big Sam.

It looks like people are starting to show their true colours already and this season isn't over yet!!!

I had a feeling this would happen, Rovers as good as give away ST's then before even announcing what may happen to ST prices next season people are saying 'I'm not renewing if prices go up'.

Unbelievable.

And taking advantage of no offside from a throw? Like getting to the byline and whipping a cross in?

Same here. I'll be renewing every season for the forseeable future (unless personal circumstances mean I can't, for whatever reason). As long as I am within a 20/30mile radius, I will renew my season ticket every chance I get, no matter the cost.

People talk about the style of play as if it is the be all and end all of football. No, it isn't. What matters is your love for the club (and indeed it is like relationship!) If you don't renew on the basis of style of play, or who's in charge, HOW can you claim to love the club? It's BS reasoning by anybody's standards! Even MINE!

[deryck guyler's spoon]

A 1-0 thrashing of the mighty 10 man Hull City and Big Sam's internet army have got their dander up again. Almost as if the depressing debacle at Stoke didn't happen and the soul destroying "style" of "football" dosn't exist. Seems as though you aren't allowed to express an opinion about the manager unless it is that he is the messiah.

[S15]

A 1-0 thrashing of the mighty 10 man Hull City and Big Sam's internet army have got their dander up again. Almost as if the depressing debacle at Stoke didn't happen and the soul destroying "style" of "football" dosn't exist. Seems as though you aren't allowed to express an opinion about the manager unless it is that he is the messiah.

If you don't like the man, if you don't like his tactics and/or if you don't like his style of football, fine. Moan, don't turn up, whatever, that's fine, you are entitled to your opinion.

However, guiding a team who were 5 points adrift in the bottom three when he took over to 11th place and 8 points clear of the drop zone (and closer to the top half than the bottom three) just over 12 months later isn't the performance of a man who is inadequate of his job or a man who should be losing his job.

Especially when we have one of the lowest three budgets in the league.

You can all say you dislike the way Allardyce goes about his job, however, you can't say he isn't good at it.

[mellison24]

A 1-0 thrashing of the mighty 10 man Hull City and Big Sam's internet army have got their dander up again. Almost as if the depressing debacle at Stoke didn't happen and the soul destroying "style" of "football" dosn't exist. Seems as though you aren't allowed to express an opinion about the manager unless it is that he is the messiah.

So we aren't allowed to enjoy the turn around after the Citeh game, just because of one bad game at Stoke? I understand that we played pretty damned awful most of this season, but why can't we enjoy the recent up-turn in form? It appears that Sam is beginning to mix up our play a bit and we are playing better. Let's enjoy it while we have it. It could be FAR worse and it looks as though things will still get better.

[Parsonblue]

True colours? Let's see..39 years season ticket holder, jobs lost following the team time and away ,3rd div,blackburn end when we had 3 and 4000 gates on...aye true f colours ....this year has been truly awful to watch and if they put prices up and serve that crap again then I'm afraid there will be lots not renewing.

Like you, I'm a long time season ticket holder - 50 years up next year as an Ewood regular. However, I still hope to be at all home and away games next season. During the past 50 years there have been far worse periods than now but you stick with your club. For me it's about supporting the club rather than being influenced by the personalities involved. If Sam can continue to maintain Premier League football on the limited budget available he will continue to have my support. However, Blackburn Rovers will ALWAYS have my support irrespective of who the manager is or how badly we are doing. At the moment I don't think we are doing all that badly considering the financial situation at the club.

[rigger]

Like you, I'm a long time season ticket holder - 50 years up next year as an Ewood regular. However, I still hope to be at all home and away games next season. During the past 50 years there have been far worse periods than now but you stick with your club. For me it's about supporting the club rather than being influenced by the personalities involved. If Sam can continue to maintain Premier League football on the limited budget available he will continue to have my support. However, Blackburn Rovers will ALWAYS have my support irrespective of who the manager is or how badly we are doing. At the moment I don't think we are doing all that badly considering the financial situation at the club.

Totally agree. We were the faithful few.

[unluckymorton]

True colours? Let's see..39 years season ticket holder, jobs lost following the team time and away ,3rd div,blackburn end when we had 3 and 4000 gates on...aye true f colours ....this year has been truly awful to watch and if they put prices up and serve that crap again then I'm afraid there will be lots not renewing.

If you're a 39yr ST holder then you should appreciate the position you are in. 39yrs supporting the club home and away then to pack it in because Rovers decide not to break even at best on ST's and you don't like the style of play is beyond me, but everybody is different and you'll obviously choose to walk away.

I'm not Sam's biggest fan and never have been, but I'll not turn my back on the Rovers for the style of play and who the manager is. I will always follow my club and will always renew my season ticket.

Sam is the best man for the job. I too said that if things didn't improve after the City game he had to go, but it has improved and we are 11th. That's some doing for a club of our stature.

[ABBEY]

If your local pub started selling cheap watered down ale and become boring would you still go if the beer was crap?

[S15]

If your local pub started selling cheap watered down ale and become boring would you still go if the beer was crap?

Great analogy.

[mellison24]

If your local pub started selling cheap watered down ale and become boring would you still go if the beer was crap?

The difference being thatn footy is a results business and 'results' from drinking vary wildly. Some want to get ######, some just want to chill and some just want a good stiff drink. We ALL want the same results for the Rovers, a WIN.

Try again

[garnersfags]

I agree with the posters who stress that we are doing well for a 'small' club.

I agree with the posters who are extremely disappointed with the style of play and the apparent lack of attacking ambition on the pitch. Whatever the 'Rovers 'til I die' posters (of which I'm one) say, it is not enjoyable to watch, even when we are winning.

I do not think it would be a good idea to ditch Sam and his team.

I pray, for the sake of season tickets, that Basturk and Dunny ignore Sam's instructions to ping it to the corners etc., and bring a mixture of direct football and neat, skillful passing back to Ewood.

Whatever anyone says or thinks, it is not only about winning. A mixture of grit and grace will keep the 5000 'floating' fans on board to keep us afloat financially.

So, we might not want Sam out but I think it is important to voice our opinion in a considered way on his style of play and tactics etc.

These views must be allowed and encouraged.

We must ALL keep supporting and attending the club we will always love.

[den]

If your local pub started selling cheap watered down ale and become boring would you still go if the beer was crap?

Most of us do.

[JAL]

If your local pub started selling cheap watered down ale and become boring would you still go if the beer was crap?

The players are the ingredients and for me one or two are'nt right or fit for purpose but big Sam HAS tried to find a solution with his limited budget by bringing in Basturk and Linganzi to hopefully improve the quality.

IF, these two guys prove to be hits, then Rovers and big Sams fortunes will surely improve so we all hope and pray they are good enough.

[FourLaneBlue]

the problem is there's a lot more rovers fans than me who want him out,winning 3 games at home against teams below us in the league ain't nowt special.the football is dire,and the fans won't stand for it

You are right that there are a lot of fans who don´t like Sam much. If he keeps us winning however I think quite a few will grudgingly accept him.

You are wrong however that winning three home games in a row "in the league ain´t nowt special". As it is...isn´t it? Obviously. It would stupid to argue otherwise. Whether they are below us in the league - and Fulham aren´t - or not isn´t relevant. Nine points from nine is excellent.

The football is dire at times. Will it improve slowly but surely? Hope so. As it isn´t going to do it anytime soon and Sam doesn´t seem likely to be going anywhere.

Wonder where we would be if our away form wasn´t so bloody awful?