[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[Parsonblue]

Not so; I've been here 14 years and lived in Birmingham the 17 before that. This is a recent change for me. Until now it's more been the case that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

My Dad, who lives 2 miles from Ewood and has been a season ticket holder for decades, has missed more matches this year than ever before, for increasingly weak excuses (raining was the last one)

I suppose everyone is different. Speaking as someone who has been to every game this season - home and away - I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the season. Ultimately, the game is about results and Sam's pragmatic style has achieved excellent results this year. I know the away form has been dreadful - you don't have to tell me as I have sat through every game - but I believe there have been signs of improvement in that area.

A final position of between 10th and 12th, a major semi-final and a host of young players breaking into the senior squad points to a successful season for me. This is still a team in transition but I feel that they are now becoming more and more Sam's team. The players seem to have bought into his methods and there appears to be an excellent spirit in the camp. It's all a far cry from the depression that enveloped the club during the final days of the Paul Ince period.

I must be honest. When Mark Hughes left it was Big Sam who I wanted to take over. I have never wavered in my belief that he is the right man for this club and I think that what he has achieved this season suggests that the future of the club is safe in his hands. He has had to watch players being sold because the club needed the money and then had to rebuild on a shoestring budget. Under the circumstances I don't think anyone could have achieved more.

[daveoftherovers]

Well I've admitted I had major reservations, I can't remember who said this, but at the time we signed him, we needed each other and he was and still is, the right man for the job. He's steadied the ship, methodically cleared out (And got good money) for those that clearly haven't cut the mustard, or who wanted away, he's sent people on loan and he's tried the youngsters.

His tactical nous is the best I've seen from a rover’s manager in a long long time.

His signings have been spot on, he can certainly spot them.

I think it's a building job now, the higher we finish, the higher the PL payout, the bigger the budget, so onwards and upwards, many, many clubs would be very jealous of our position!

He's took us to a semi, which was one of the most exciting games I've seen in a while, done the double over the dingles and has us safe, for me, he's more than paid us back and he's achieved his objectives, so I don't understand the doubters anymore, I really don't think your rational.

My uncle coaches at a championship club; he's met him quite a few times on coaching courses and seminars etc. When he signed for us, he rung me up and told me that he would be the best thing to happen to us since Dalglish, I laughed (And my uncle is a Liverpool supporter), however, and he went on to tell me what he was really like and I stopped laughing. He rung me again last night and asked me what I thought so far, so I told him he was right.

lastly, his grand kids go to my kids school, I've met him and talked to him on a number of occasions, he's a genuine down to earth guy who's passionate about his job and his family, no airs or graces, he's a top bloke in my books.

Sorry if you feel that this is a love in, it's def. not, however, I really think the future is bright and it's blue and white under Sam, so I'll be buying him a beer if I ever get the chance again.

[jim mk2]

But the bottom line is I think I resent him, maybe unfairly, for taking away my passion.

Maybe that's because you are getting older. I also generally don't enjoy watching football as half as much as I used to, and that's nothing to with Allardyce or his style of play but a comment about football in general - there's far too much of it on television and most of the time I can't be bothered to watch it any more. Fixtures such as Liverpool v Man U on the box were eagerly awaited but now I would probably find something else to do, and I haven't watched the FA Cup final for years and years.

Having said all that, there is still excitement being in a large crowd and passionate Rovers crowd, particularly away from home, and a wonderful feeling when the goals go in and the game ends in victory. There is still immense pride in Rovers being able to fight way above their weight, annoying the London media by our continuing presence in the top flight and tweaking the expensive noses of the so-called bigger clubs every so often. For that I am grateful to Sam Allardyce, because in Rovers's current straitened financial circumstances there is no better manager to be in charge of the club. I'm glad you and others are finally starting to recognise that.

[Exiled in Toronto]

For that I am grateful to Sam Allardyce, because in Rovers's current straitened financial circumstances there is no better manager to be in charge of the club. I'm glad you and others are finally starting to recognise that.

I didn't go quite that far, as it is unprovable anyway, and I have never called for him to be sacked. But I suppose he, or someone like him, is necessary until better days come around.

But I refuse to believe that his approach to the game is better than or preferable to a style that seeks to primarily score goals through open play. My worry is that we are not in a transitional phase heading towards that, but what we see now is what we are going to get more of.

[gumboots]

I don't like Allardyce the man - never have, never will, but what now looks like a solid mid-table finish a cup semi and the double over the returds is by any measure a decent outcome to a season. So why, I have been asking myself since the match finished yesterday, have I not been enjoying it more?

Firstly, league position is a rational, not an emotional benefit. I don't really care whether we finish 10th or 16th as the extra money always ends up fattening already obscene player wage packets, and also, 10th is not what it was ten years ago; we're still miles from a Euro place.

Secondly, thinking about it, I have got most of the pleasure watching Rovers for 42 years from emotional rushes, not rational satisfaction at points gained or final placing, and there have been fewer of them than I feel there should have been for what is, on paper, a very decent season. Great goals, great comebacks, games that ebb and flow, where we pile on the pressure making the anticipation of a goal almost unbearable, bits of skill I could never have done myself, hero players - these are the things I remember long after the final whistle.

Can't think of any great goals this season; Pompey at home 2nd half, Burnleh at home first half, Chelski in the cup and the first half at Villa Park were about it for me for exciting periods of games; we don't pile players forwards in periods of sustained pressure these days; we have no players who have that bit of magic except maybe Dunny very very occasionally; and our heroes are long gone.

Of course, not all this is the manager's fault, but some of it is the price we pay for his style.

Posters who equate the style under Allardyce with that of Hughes do Sam an injustice as I think he has figured out a couple of things about the game that are unique to him. Clearly he sees that set pieces level the playing field. We are as likely to score from a set piece against Arsenal as we are against Burnley or Pompey. Only United I feel are measurably superior at defending them.

This is common knowledge, but Sam takes it further by setting up his team to not win set-pieces as a by-product of trying to score goals, but to win set pieces as the primary means of then hopefully scoring a goal. Diouff hasn't got past his man since the day we signed him and he doesn't even try; but he is virtually guaranteed to win a free kick if he gets the ball to his feet in a bit of space.

Sam's next insight is to play for the second ball as his primary means of creating chances, not as a by-product of a chance-creating first ball. He recognises that 2nd balls can disrupt defenses, so players are stationed to get them. Defenders are out of position, goalie unsighted, shots can be deflected - all levellers. We rarely have a clear shot at goal and opposition keepers rarely have many saves to make; most of our shots hit someone and bounce away, but a few are deflected in or to someone to poke it in. Most of our goals are scrappy, still goals, but I've forgotten most of them already.

His stats and his experience show that you can accumulate enough points this way to do alright, but I for one find it dull to watch. Without enough emotional rushes, the passion gradually fades. There have been games this season where I have found myself doing emails or, when taped, that I didn't get round to watching for days. Unthinkable in the past.

On the plus side, I do enjoy seeing young players come through; Olsson and Jones are the most exciting for a decade. Sam deserves some credit for playing them but I was thinking just yesterday that perhaps the much-maligned Bobby Downes should be getting some posthumous credit for signing and developing them. I also think Sam is a pro-active subber, certainly better than our last few managers.

But the bottom line is I think I resent him, maybe unfairly, for taking away my passion. With his approach, the main thing to like is the points, and if he's not winning those, as in our dire 11 game run, then there is little patience or sympathy from many like me. Is it better than being relegated - of course - but then we have managed to avoid that fate in 39 of the 42 years I have been watching, so I don't think it's inevitable without him.

So let' see if things get more exciting next year. I'm dubious myself as I think his approach is designed to negate all that, but we'll see.

I agree with a large part of what you say here. There are good things happening at Ewood but somehow you don't get quite the same buzz even in games where we win because somehow we never do it convincingly. We're not going to win every game with a cracking goal or by a shedload of goals - I know that - but the excitement of doing it every now and then is something we've enjoyed in the past and I'd like to just sometimes again. I still go to Ewood and will continue to go next year and seeing young players come into the teams and have an impact has been one of the real plus points, but i've seen few games that really got me out of my seat. Portsmouth was, according to my son, a good comeback but I managed to miss that one by booking a holiday and I enjoyed the win against Villa with 10 men but I'm struggling to think of many more where the match itself, rather than the resulthas been exciting. Even our win against Burnley was only good in parts.

[jim mk2]

But I suppose he, or someone like him, is necessary until better days come around.

Considering Rovers' current league position and the lack of money available, I don't see how it can get much better. Allardyce's tactics are not as one-dimensional as you make out either: the LC semi-final away to Villa and several other matches showed his teams are capable of passing the ball and keeping possession as well as anyone. If you want a one-dimensional manager, look at Martin O'Neill.

[philipl]

Seeing that old Sam thread brought home again the tendency of Newcastle to sign violent loons. Latest being these two.

[thenodrog]

I don't like Allardyce the man - never have, never will,

1. Have you met him? Do you know him?

2. Who cares? I doubt I'd want to invite the old RFW or Arsene around for tea and scones.

[thenodrog]

But I suppose he, or someone like him, is necessary until better days come around.

Which by definition he will have played a huge part in bringing. Rather nonsensical eit.

Maybe that's because you are getting older. I also generally don't enjoy watching football as half as much as I used to, and that's nothing to with Allardyce or his style of play but a comment about football in general - there's far too much of it on television and most of the time I can't be bothered to watch it any more. Fixtures such as Liverpool v Man U on the box were eagerly awaited but now I would probably find something else to do, and I haven't watched the FA Cup final for years and years.

Having said all that, there is still excitement being in a large crowd and passionate Rovers crowd, particularly away from home, and a wonderful feeling when the goals go in and the game ends in victory. There is still immense pride in Rovers being able to fight way above their weight, annoying the London media by our continuing presence in the top flight and tweaking the expensive noses of the so-called bigger clubs every so often. For that I am grateful to Sam Allardyce, because in Rovers's current straitened financial circumstances there is no better manager to be in charge of the club. I'm glad you and others are finally starting to recognise that.

Difficult to own up to this but I will............ It was me that gave you that brownie point!

[Miker]

But I refuse to believe that his approach to the game is better than or preferable to a style that seeks to primarily score goals through open play. My worry is that we are not in a transitional phase heading towards that, but what we see now is what we are going to get more of.

I think it's interesting because you have some of the clubs at the bottom like West Ham and Wigan, who do try to play good football but are seriously struggling, but then you have Sam's approach and we are in form. If you look at other clubs like Fulham and Stoke who are also more of a long ball team like us, they are also doing a lot better than the rest.

The problem for me is the gap in class between a club like ours and a club like Chelsea who have more technical players at their disposal. We can't match them, so we have to nullify their threat instead. I still think it's a transitional phase for us and the football will get better, but maybe not by much. With players like Olsson and Hoilett coming through we have some flair players to run at defences and open things up, but I would still expect Sam to setup the team with the primary objective of stopping the other team, rather than attacking ourselves.

[sambo]

After being apprehensive about him in November (around then), I am now massively in support of Big Sam. I cannot thank the man enough for the good times this season... Villa away, Chelsea home, Burnley home & away. People will remember some of those moments for years to come.

Especially with the Dingle game, he knew what it meant to us, and has drummed it into the players.

Only 18, but at the moment I don't think I've ever been more proud to be a Rovers fan, the Burnley games have made me feel amazing!

[Seggie]

2. Who cares? I doubt I'd want to invite the old RFW or Arsene around for tea and scones.

But Gianfranco Zola would be a nice house guest.

Gianfranco doesnt win football matches though

[Guest Kamy100]

Sam's says that what the players have achieved thus far this season is great and hopes that they can push on. He also told fans not to expect many signings during the summer.

I guess that if we can get one midfielder and one striker in then that would be ok.

[Hughesy]

Sam's says that what the players have achieved thus far this season is great and hopes that they can push on. He also told fans not to expect many signings during the summer.

I guess that if we can get one midfielder and one striker in then that would be ok.

Kind of makes sense. (Although I wouldnt always believe what he says - he likes playing mind games)

We are hardly flush with cash - so we just spend what we can afford. Unless we get a stupid offer for one of our players, then we wont have masses of cash to spend.

Realistically we now have a much younger squad and we have several players that should only get better with more experience - Kalinic, Hoilett, Jones, NZonzi, Lignazi, Jones & Doran.

Hopefully next season we can also see 1 or 2 more youth players push on - maybe Ramm & Hanley

We still have players who have a thing or two to prove - I.e. Grella & Chimbonda

Id be happy with another loan signing or 2, maybe a freebie (Cacau & Joe Ledley would be great) and then maybe spend the cash on 1 main signing...

[thenodrog]

Id be happy with another loan signing or 2, maybe a freebie (Cacau & Joe Ledley would be great) and then maybe spend the cash on 1 main signing...

You appear to be forgetting natural wastage. We need to bring some in to replace the likes of....... MGP whose contract is up so he'll likely be away, Kishanishvilli and Reid are virtually gone now, Di Santo will no doubt be sent back and I'm sure I've missed a few more probable departures.

[Hughesy]

You appear to be forgetting natural wastage. We need to bring some in to replace the likes of....... MGP whose contract is up so he'll likely be away, Kishanishvilli and Reid are virtually gone now, Di Santo will no doubt be sent back and I'm sure I've missed a few more probable departures.

MGP - I agree, We have to watch that one - he might stay or go, nobody knows yet.

Reid - Dont miss him - has hardly played - not really a need to replace him

Zurab - We have Samba, Nelsen, Givet & Jones who can play centre back - so we dont need a replacement

Di Santo - replace with another Loanee Id hope!

[Shaddy]

Di Santo - replace with another Loanee Id hope!

Why a loanee? In the Jan. transfer window, getting a loanee might be a quick fix. But I think there is more value to a club like Rovers in doing permanent deals in the off season transfer window.

[LeChuck]

Why a loanee? In the Jan. transfer window, getting a loanee might be a quick fix. But I think there is more value to a club like Rovers in doing permanent deals in the off season transfer window.

Agree with that, I'm hoping we combine Benni's fee + wages with Di Santo wages and get a striker to properly challenge Kalinic, rather than stop gap.

Hughesy was right about Reid and Zurab though, absolutely no need to bring in bodies to replace those two.

[Hughesy]

No I agree we need to bring in a quality forward man that will cost money....unless we signed a freebie like Cacau!? Benni's wage space should be enough to cover that one!

The Di Santo bit - I simply meant to bring another striker in on loan as like our 3rd choice striker, to give us more options & to battle it out with Niko, new man & Roberts.

[LeChuck]

Four striker is too many, unless one of them can play in Dunn's role or out wide. Kalinic, Roberts plus a new striker can compete for one position.

Clubs aren't going to be willing to loan us a player for nothing (like Di Santo) if we just plan to sit him on the bench, so it would be difficult to get a cheap loan in as fourth choice.

[Steve Moss]

Clubs aren't going to be willing to loan us a player for nothing (like Di Santo) if we just plan to sit him on the bench, so it would be difficult to get a cheap loan in as fourth choice.

Which I think shows Sam's prudence in playing him regularly. 19 PL and 2 Cup appearances, for a total of 21 for the Rovers with 6 matches to go. If Sam tells a manager that he'll play a loanee, they have good reason to believe him based on his track record. So getting another cheap may not be outside the bounds of reason.

[AndyC]

David Dunn on Big Sam:

"It was always going to be difficult for him being associated with one of our rivals. It was always going to take a while to win the fans over.

"But I don't think there's a supporter out there who can question what he's achieved. He's achieved so much in such a short space of time.

"This club is doing really well. I've said many times that we do well competing against clubs who are spending millions of pounds when the money isn't there for us to go out and spend £10million on one player."

[Hughesy]

Big Sam deserves HUGE credit

"So enough of the sniping at Allardyce. It's time Big Sam got some credit for the fine job he is doing at Blackburn"

[unluckymorton]

Big Sam deserves HUGE credit

"So enough of the sniping at Allardyce. It's time Big Sam got some credit for the fine job he is doing at Blackburn"

Now the press seem to be seeing the good work Sam is doing at our club maybe some of our fickle fans will too....

[47er]

Big Sam deserves HUGE credit

"So enough of the sniping at Allardyce. It's time Big Sam got some credit for the fine job he is doing at Blackburn"

Don't forget you gave Sam 2 games to save his job will you?