[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[Gav]

My opinion of the manager hasn’t changed just because we scored 3 goals against a Bolton side who gave up at 1-0 down. The performance in the second half was encouraging to say the least, but I’m afraid the poor displays far outweigh the good displays during Allardyces reign as manager.

The reason I personally have been quiet about the manager is because it serves no purpose at all to keep banging on about him on her. We have 3 camps, the ones who love him, the ones who hate him, and the ones that go with the general opinion on that day, so no point trying to sway people one way of the other.

I think the next 2 games will show how far we’ve come under Allardyce. Anyone who went to Anfiled last season for that pathetic, gutless display will be looking for much better this time around. Not saying we’ll win either game but I do expect us to have a go, now we’ve a few points in the bag.

We’ll see…..

[Hughesy]

I didn't say that. All I said was that things should be put into perspective.

Perspective?! –

At this stage last season we had 27 points – compared to 34 from 27 games this time (Just 7 behind our total last season).

Last Season we had 10 wins and ended 15th…..this season won 9 and currently 9 points clear of 15th.

Last season we reached the Q finals of the Carling Cup, this time we reached the Semi’s

Last season we took 2 points off Bolton, this season 6. We also got our 1st point at West Ham this season for 10 years! And we didn’t lose at Wigan – so signs of progression against our rivals in there too!

[bobsterbrfc]

I honestly find some of the criticisms of Allardyce's tenure at Rovers so far to be absolutely mind-boggling.

The man has worked miracles in my view.

Sam >>>> Hughes.

*Waits for people to bite...

[mellison24]

My opinion of the manager hasn’t changed just because we scored 3 goals against a Bolton side who gave up at 1-0 down. The performance in the second half was encouraging to say the least, but I’m afraid the poor displays far outweigh the good displays during Allardyces reign as manager.

The reason I personally have been quiet about the manager is because it serves no purpose at all to keep banging on about him on her. We have 3 camps, the ones who love him, the ones who hate him, and the ones that go with the general opinion on that day, so no point trying to sway people one way of the other.

I think the next 2 games will show how far we’ve come under Allardyce. Anyone who went to Anfiled last season for that pathetic, gutless display will be looking for much better this time around. Not saying we’ll win either game but I do expect us to have a go, now we’ve a few points in the bag.

We’ll see…..

I think this is the opinion of the majority on this board, tbh. I'll hold my hands up to sticking up for Sam (perhaps too much) but don't forget I was more than willing to get rid if he was losing far too often, with non-performances from the squad too.

While I am much happier to have Sam as manager and have seen a vast improvement in performance/result recently, he still has a way to go to get me fully on his side. Still a bit on the fence with him (but that's probably the pre-rovers prejudice).

[Montfort]

I honestly find some of the criticisms of Allardyce's tenure at Rovers so far to be absolutely mind-boggling.

The man has worked miracles in my view.

And mine

[Harry Balls]

Perspective?! –

At this stage last season we had 27 points – compared to 34 from 27 games this time (Just 7 behind our total last season).

Last Season we had 10 wins and ended 15th…..this season won 9 and currently 9 points clear of 15th.

Last season we reached the Q finals of the Carling Cup, this time we reached the Semi’s

Last season we took 2 points off Bolton, this season 6. We also got our 1st point at West Ham this season for 10 years! And we didn’t lose at Wigan – so signs of progression against our rivals in there too!

Complete tosh! If you really want to play that game, then two seasons ago we were challenging for Europe.

Anyway, that wasn't my even point. You should really try to read what people write before you come out all guns blazing to defend Sam from the mean men who dare to question his ways...

[Hughesy]

Complete tosh! If you really want to play that game, then two seasons ago we were challenging for Europe.

DOH = Let me introduce you to Paul Ince

Hoilett has just signed up to more time with Sam anyway - Great news!

[Harry Balls]

...in your opinion.

You've just spent two posts trying to find ways to question the ability of the manager (yawn). Look at our squad, it is no stronger than the likes of Sunderland, Fulham, West Ham etc (which is actually pretty miraculous considering how much less we have to spend). We're well clear of two of those and on the tails of an excellent Fulham team.

That is how we should measure our manager, not some bizarre yardstick against the top teams. Games against teams at our level are the most important (see: Man Utd vs. Wolves). If we can get things against the top teams that's a bonus. I do agree that it's not acceptable if we roll over and give them an easy game though, I think we all expect better than what we've had so far.

To each their own. The way I'm looking at it is that our team current squad is not so different to what Hughes had to work with and a lot of people would even argue that big boys are substantially weaker than they were a couple of seasons ago. So I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be able to give them a run for their money now if we could then back then.

I'm not saying this is the yardstick by which Sam's performance should be measured. All I'm saying is that I don't think that much has changed in the last few games. We won games we should be winning and even in doing so we haven't been overly convincing.

I'm still on the fence with Sam, as I have been ever since he's been appointed. To be honest, I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to make my mind up about him. He seems to strive for mediocrity and I think this is what bugs me about him the most. Although in my heart of hearts I know that as a Blackburn fan it's probably the best I can hope for, I miss the days not so long ago when we had a manager who'd stick two fingers up at the best in the business and made you feel like there was no game you couldn't win.

[braddock]

I'm not saying this is the yardstick by which Sam's performance should be measured

you pretty much have been doing

[gumboots]

Complete tosh! If you really want to play that game, then two seasons ago we were challenging for Europe.

Anyway, that wasn't my even point. You should really try to read what people write before you come out all guns blazing to defend Sam from the mean men who dare to question his ways...

And 2 seasons ago we had a manager who had his own team, who bought into his way of doing things. This year we have a manager who has had to clear up the mistakes of his predecessor, and begin to rebuild an ageing and inadequate squad. Now I'm not going over board shouting we're worldbeaters and everything in the Rovers' garden is wonderful. We still look fragile at times and I'm still not enamoured of some of our play. However, credit where it's due. We have pulled ourselves clear of the relegation zone by winning games we ought to have won, but often in the past have not. We have won what are effectively 6 pointers and so have not only got ourselves points but kept a good number of clubs below us thus giving us relative safety however the rest of the season goes. Many teams who we have previously thought of as around our level have spent far more than we have and we are above them, and from looking like a bunch of strangers our team have found some togetherness and some who were not playing well have picked up recently, for whatever reason. Obviously there will be blips, days when the team fails because individuals get things wrong or play below par. I'm not an allardyce fan, but I try to be fairminded as far as the football is concerned regardless of my dislike of the manager. It was better on sunday. It could be better still. We need to get some performances if not results against the bigger teams, and we need to continue to beat those we should beat. However, we have improved and hopefully, with the return of some more creative players like Dunn and the upturn in Kalinic's form, we might just do that.

[jim mk2]

. Contrary to what some may argue, we do have a good enough squad to do just that. The question is, do we have a good enough manager?

Wrong. The squad has alot of inexperienced players, some who are getting a little old and some who aren't good enough and taken as a whole is not strong enough at present to challenge seriously the top teams. Where we are at present in mid table is about right and reflects the current strength of the team.

The manager has proved his credentials at Bolton and is one of the best in the country. We are lucky to have him. End of story.

You're right about the Allardyce critics going quiet lately but they have never been in the majority and there have always been plenty of us backing the manager ever since he was appointed. We've some tough games coming up some of which we will lose, possibly quite heavily. The brainless anti-Allardyce twerps will no doubt be back on here then.

[waggy]

The manager has proved his credentials at Bolton and is one of the best in the country. We are lucky to have him. End of story.

You're right about the Allardyce critics going quiet lately but they have never been in the majority and there have always been plenty of us backing the manager ever since he was appointed. We've some tough games coming up some of which we will lose, possibly quite heavily. The brainless anti-Allardyce twerps will no doubt be back on here then.

absolute tosh,lard@rse has more doubters than supporters amongst rovers fans

[jim mk2]

absolute tosh,lard@rse has more doubters than supporters amongst rovers fans

Evidence please.

[super_arran]

absolute tosh,lard@rse has more doubters than supporters amongst rovers fans

even if this was true......so?

as long as he keeps us on the up, I couldn't care less if 3 or 30,000 people doubt him.

[S15]

absolute tosh,lard@rse has more doubters than supporters amongst rovers fans

Anyone who think Sam should be doing a better job than safety in february whilst sitting closer to europe than relegation is an idiot.

[Hughesy]

absolute tosh,lard@rse has more doubters than supporters amongst rovers fans

Or is that Dingles?!

I think Sam must be winning the battle with a large number of fans now....1 or 2 good results against the bigger teams and that support will only grow further.

[LeChuck]

I seem to recall people saying that Dunn and Hoilett stalling on signing contracts was evidence that the players didn't like the team style?

I think that theory has been well and truly shat over, especially given the team spirit in recent games (oddly, since McCarthy left...).

[gumboots]

I seem to recall people saying that Dunn and Hoilett stalling on signing contracts was evidence that the players didn't like the team style?

I think that theory has been well and truly shat over, especially given the team spirit in recent games (oddly, since McCarthy left...).

The McCarthy idea had occured to me too.

[mellison24]

The McCarthy idea had occured to me too.

And me, but I'd thought spirit improved straight after the Citeh game. However I have no doubt that McCarthy's departure has further aided that. Maybe the others saw that he was trying to get away and it was disheartening to have a top player wanting to leave and this made the squad feel inadequate. They have therefore upped their game a bit to show McCarthy what he's missing OR they've had something of a squad burden disappear.

[Dufflite]

absolute tosh,lard@rse has more doubters than supporters amongst rovers fans

This kind of comment is ridiculous.

You are trying to give creedence to your bias by claiming the majority are with you. In reality this is purely conjecture - you are either wishful thinking or deluded as you have absolutely no facts at all to back up your spurious claim.

I have talked to around 20 regular supporters (in t'pub and around me at the ground) and the vast majority of those 20 think Sam is actually doing a good job. I would also suggest that there has been a groundswell of support for Sam on here recently which must really, really naff you off.

[BuckyRover]

He is doing a very good job at the moment. He has got his mojo back.

[sambo]

For me, the Villa game was the turning point. Left Villa Park with an overwhelming sense of pride, whereas before I was starting to doubt Sam. Since then I've seen a much improved Rovers, and my attitude has improved.

[Dufflite]

And me, but I'd thought spirit improved straight after the Citeh game. However I have no doubt that McCarthy's departure has further aided that. Maybe the others saw that he was trying to get away and it was disheartening to have a top player wanting to leave and this made the squad feel inadequate. They have therefore upped their game a bit to show McCarthy what he's missing OR they've had something of a squad burden disappear.

I bumped into one of our senior players in Manchester recently on a night out. I asked him if Benny was missed and he said that the Benny of the last two years wasnt missed at all. He said that he had really ###### everyone off with his shenanigans before he actually left and laughed about where he had ended up. It seems that Benjamin thought he was heading to a much bigger club!

[mellison24]

I bumped into one of our senior players in Manchester recently on a night out. I asked him if Benny was missed and he said that the Benny of the last two years wasnt missed at all. He said that he had really ###### everyone off with his shenanigans before he actually left and laughed about where he had ended up. It seems that Benjamin thought he was heading to a much bigger club!

Nice info. I'll pretend you meant it as a deliberately ironic put-down, but he was called 'Benedict' not Benjamin

[thenodrog]

Three points against Bolton has the same value as three points against ManU. As long as we're better than the 'relegation scrappers' we'll stay up.

Indeed. It appears to me that SA has decided that the Prem league has 12 teams and a few super teams, and that he currently just wants us to be top of that mini league.

A difficult concept to argue with if we are to employ pure logic over passion.