[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[Exiled_Rover]

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.

I've met him in passing, seemed alright. Sadly the majority can only judge him based off his sometimes ridiculous pre and post match interviews. "I'm the expert" will live long in the memory.

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.

I'd put money on it we paid something for Di Santo's services.

[gumboots]

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

Many at that stage felt that if he didn't find some results and/or performances from somehwere his job was on the line. Some didn't want it to be like that but there were many who felt he'd lost the players, that the atmosphere around the club was one of a manager and team who didn't seem to have any real connection, particularly when we lost to City. Since then, when things seem to have come to a head, it's been better. It's noticeably better since McCarthy moved on, and I think his departure probably made things easier for Allardyce and for the players too. It can't help any manager to have a senior pro who won't do as he's told about fitness and then whinges about it to the press when the manager gets him in for extra training. I still don't like what I know of the guy but the manager is doing ok. there are still plenty of things I think he could do better and his interviews are often ill-advised in that he gives the impression of always whingeing, but some things he does well, and for those he deserves credit.

[LeChuck]

I'd put money on it we paid something for Di Santo's services.

Nicko mentioned a few times it was a 'wages only' deal, I think there was no fee because it was deemed at the time to be mutually beneficial.

[jim mk2]

his interviews are often ill-advised in that he gives the impression of always whingeing,

Allardyce sticks up for Rovers in his interviews, which of course he should do. If he feels the referee has made the wrong decision he says so, and in that respect he is no different to any other manager. I think Allardyce comes across very well in interviews; he is articulate, answers questions honestly and accurately and generally gives the impression of being a good ambassador for Blackburn Rovers. Ince by contrast, was a total embarrassment. The only caveat with Allardyce is that I wish he would stop referring to his time at Bolton which of course irritates many Rovers supporters. Quiet word in his ear please, Mr Williams.

[47er]

Many at that stage felt that if he didn't find some results and/or performances from somehwere his job was on the line. Some didn't want it to be like that but there were many who felt he'd lost the players, that the atmosphere around the club was one of a manager and team who didn't seem to have any real connection, particularly when we lost to City. Since then, when things seem to have come to a head, it's been better. It's noticeably better since McCarthy moved on, and I think his departure probably made things easier for Allardyce and for the players too. It can't help any manager to have a senior pro who won't do as he's told about fitness and then whinges about it to the press when the manager gets him in for extra training. I still don't like what I know of the guy but the manager is doing ok. there are still plenty of things I think he could do better and his interviews are often ill-advised in that he gives the impression of always whingeing, but some things he does well, and for those he deserves credit.

We are not talking about the "many" who held that view all along. We're talking about Hughsey! Don't spoil my fun!

[gumboots]

We are not talking about the "many" who held that view all along. We're talking about Hughsey! Don't spoil my fun!

If you're going to wind him up though it's better to find things where he is out on his own (I'm sure there are plenty!) than beat him with the stick of wanting to see change earlier in the season when things were going so badly that reasonably well-respected posters were also calling the manager's position into question

[47er]

If you're going to wind him up though it's better to find things where he is out on his own (I'm sure there are plenty!) than beat him with the stick of wanting to see change earlier in the season when things were going so badly that reasonably well-respected posters were also calling the manager's position into question

He's out on his own alright in one particular respect which you're overlooking! Anyhow I'm trying to wind HIM up and you're getting in the way!

[LeChuck]

I've met him in passing, seemed alright. Sadly the majority can only judge him based off his sometimes ridiculous pre and post match interviews. "I'm the expert" will live long in the memory.

My uncle shared a long journey to Dubai with him years ago. He said he was far more jovial in person than he appears on TV, also said he was very passionate and knowledgeable about the game, spending a lot of time travelling from place to place trying to unearth cheap, talented players. There's a good picture of them sharing a whisky on the plane (looking slightly worse for wear!), I should try and dig that out really.

[Hughesy]

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

As did many others....as did the board & review meetings that took place - dont believe they did? Ask your boss - he will tell you that they did!

We are not talking about the "many" who held that view all along. We're talking about Hughsey! Don't spoil my fun!

Some of the "Many" actually worked in your office!

[Exiled_Rover]

Nicko mentioned a few times it was a 'wages only' deal, I think there was no fee because it was deemed at the time to be mutually beneficial.

Oh really? Fair enough then.

[LeChuck]

Oh really? Fair enough then.

I can't tell if that's sarcastic or not!

[broadsword]

think Allardyce comes across very well in interviews; he is articulate, ...

It doesn't really bother me, I'm just interested in how he manages Rovers, but as far as being articulate is concerned ... pull the other one!

[waggy]

i'll be having a word with david dunn

[Kelbo]

I can tell you the players certainly enjoy going to work now a certain player has gone.

Thats all I am going to say, but we all work or have worked and it only needs one person who is discontent and it will start to 'breed', Rovers, Sam and the players etc look much better and seem a closer unit completely since he left.

i'll be having a word with david dunn

Waggy, you are consistant mate, I am not keen on route one football but it works, he is doing the job he was brought here to do, no one could do it better with our resources, I am sorry you cant find your way to returning to Ewood and cheering the lads on!

[Exiled in Toronto]

I had a good chuckle at his latest boast in Tues LT about how he had to quickly rebuild an ageing team, conveniently forgetting that, while he has admittedly given existing staff from the youth set-up a chance this season and bought Nzonzi and Nico, he has also signed 6 players age 28 or more - average age 30.5 counting Diouf at 29 which I find highly dubious - and that includes 3 right backs with an combined age of 95!

And I didn't think we were particularly ageing anyway, our Turkish Delight aside.

[tony gale's mic]

I had a good chuckle at his latest boast in Tues LT about how he had to quickly rebuild an ageing team, conveniently forgetting that, while he has admittedly given existing staff from the youth set-up a chance this season and bought Nzonzi and Nico, he has also signed 6 players age 28 or more - average age 30.5 counting Diouf at 29 which I find highly dubious - and that includes 3 right backs with an combined age of 95!

And I didn't think we were particularly ageing anyway, our Turkish Delight aside.

Forget average ages - the fact is now we have a core group of exciting young players either brought in by Sam or blooded through by Sam which we didnt have before. How many young prospects did we have under Hughes or Ince?

[imy9]

I had a good chuckle at his latest boast in Tues LT about how he had to quickly rebuild an ageing team, conveniently forgetting that, while he has admittedly given existing staff from the youth set-up a chance this season and bought Nzonzi and Nico, he has also signed 6 players age 28 or more - average age 30.5 counting Diouf at 29 which I find highly dubious - and that includes 3 right backs with an combined age of 95!

And I didn't think we were particularly ageing anyway, our Turkish Delight aside.

Phil Jones- 18 years old

Martin Olsson- 22 years old

Kalinic- 21 years old

Franco- 21 years old

Nzonzi- 20 years old

Linganzi- 20 years old

Givet- 28 years old

Hoilett- 20 years old

Salgado- 33 years old

Chimbonda- 30 years old

Jacobsen- 30 years old

Diouf- 29 years old

Basturk 31 years old (3 month deal)

That to me is drastically favoring youth to age- apologies if I have missed any player out!

[Exiled in Toronto]

Phil Jones- 18 years old

Martin Olsson- 22 years old

Kalinic- 21 years old

Franco- 21 years old

Nzonzi- 20 years old

Linganzi- 20 years old

Givet- 28 years old

Hoilett- 20 years old

Salgado- 33 years old

Chimbonda- 30 years old

Jacobsen- 30 years old

Diouf- 29 years old

Basturk 31 years old (3 month deal)

That to me is drastically favoring youth to age- apologies if I have missed any player out!

I wasn't including the players who were already ours when he arrived. Yes, he has played then but them most other managers probably would have done at some stage this season.

The reality is he has signed a mix of youth and experience, because that's what we can afford, not because we had an ancient squad that rapidly needed rebuilding. Six of his signings increased the average age of the squad. I don't know why he says these things.

[Miker]

I wasn't including the players who were already ours when he arrived. Yes, he has played then but them most other managers probably would have done at some stage this season.

The reality is he has signed a mix of youth and experience, because that's what we can afford, not because we had an ancient squad that rapidly needed rebuilding. Six of his signings increased the average age of the squad. I don't know why he says these things.

We got rid of:

Tugay -39 years old

Ooijer -35 years old

Vogel - 33 years old

Mokoena -29 years old (not old, just ######)

McCarthy - 32 years old

I think I might be missing someone else, but it doesn't look to me like he "increased the average age of the squad".

Basturk is on a short deal and Chimbonda, Diouf and Jacobsen are 30 but not exactly ageing, especially for defenders. The only ageing player he's really brought in is Salgado.

The fact stands that he has put his reliance on the younger members of the squad and they have done very well and not looked out of place.

[tony gale's mic]

I wasn't including the players who were already ours when he arrived. Yes, he has played then but them most other managers probably would have done at some stage this season.

The reality is he has signed a mix of youth and experience, because that's what we can afford, not because we had an ancient squad that rapidly needed rebuilding. Six of his signings increased the average age of the squad. I don't know why he says these things.

Sorry, he should clearly get a calculator out and statistically analyse everything before he comes out with it.

I don't care about average ages, this is the most young talent playing regularly we've had in ages - dare I say since our promotion season, and this is what he's getting at.

[47er]

As did many others....as did the board & review meetings that took place - dont believe they did? Ask your boss - he will tell you that they did!

Some of the "Many" actually worked in your office!

MY boss? I don't have a boss (other than my wife!).

My office? I don't have an office!

What you did Hughesey was to support Sam to the hilt and blast anyone on the board who attacked him. Then we had a sequence of bad results and you were writing him off just like loads of others on here. "2 games to save his job'. Once those 2 games were won and the crisis was over you went back to being an enthusiastic supporter of the manager and berating those who were not as if nothing had happened! Anyway, only writing it in fun, I agree with you much more often than I don't.

[OscarRaven]

Blackburn Rovers & Sam Allardyce have been charged with a breach of Rule L section b relating to fair play in football. Given seven days to respond to the charge. Possible points deduction?

Thefa.com

Stoke also charged.

[Exiled_Rover]

What?

[JAL]

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.

I'd go with that Kamy. The future now looks alot lot brighter than it did, say just three months ago.

[thenodrog]

The reality is he has signed a mix of youth and experience, because that's what we can afford, not because we had an ancient squad that rapidly needed rebuilding. Six of his signings increased the average age of the squad. I don't know why he says these things.

I don't know why you say such stuff like that when you freely admit that he has rigid financial constraints. Like it or not we are improving and time will see us improve more I am sure as contracts run out, are not renewed and more 'suitable' players moved in.

What is your agenda really?