[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[braddock]

Hopefully he will learn something from today.

[LeChuck]

The rest of the time, in open play we do push it around quite a bit more than a lot of people think. Away from home we tend to use the long ball a little too much, but that's down to lack of quality in midfield - again, IMO.

I absolutely agree with every word there Den.

I made the point against Stoke that for the first 20 minutes we were passing it around and looking quite good. Then a few easy passes got misplaced, confidence drops and they resorted to hoofing it.

Of course, Allardyce still takes responsibility for this, but I don't think it's how he wants us to play. I know it's not that important because the end result is that we play a lot of long balls, but I do think it's worth thinking about when criticising him.

[booth]

Play like we did today and we will.

Play like we did at Pool and we'll struggle.

Well done today Sam much better.

Well done for the way we played for the most part, not well done for the substitutions, Givet excluded that couldn't be helped.

Very poor decisions.

[Hughesy]

booth - both El Hadji & Benjani were fooked when he took them off, dont forget Benjani has had very little football lately....he will get longer next week.

No less than 5 points from our next 3 games, ideally 7pts, dream world 9pts....after that we face Villa & United

Blackburn v Wigan, 15:00

Newcastle v Blackburn, 19:45

Tottenham v Blackburn, 15:00

[booth]

booth - both El Hadji & Benjani were fooked when he took them off, dont forget Benjani has had very little football lately....he will get longer next week.

Not sure about Benjani. Just going off what was said on RR. I always thought that half time was where you got your breath back for the second half. According to Benjani himself he was fine. I could have understood it if after 10 minutes of the second half he was flagging.

It was odd that two of the best players were taken off yet Peds remained and he was terrible today.

Can't see us getting anything from Spurs. Wigan is a must win. I can only see us getting a draw at the most at the barcodes, and I'm pushing myself to be optimistic there.

Depends what team shows up though, if Rovers played like that every week (minus the terrible sitter misses and dodgy defensive lulls) we could turn a few teams over.

[roversmum]

I'm sure I heard Sam say in his post match interview that Benjani felt his hamstring and was taken off as a precaution. It wasn't an injury as such but they didn't want to take the chance.

Chelsea are so annoying. Why do such talented players act like complete idiots? I will never understand.

So disappointed we didn't get a draw at least.

Saw the Venky brothers watching the pre match build up from the Premier Lounge. Got a wave from the grey suited (bearded) one.

[BuckyRover]

I think he probably realised how important Benjani and Diouf are going to be in the coming weeks. Didn't want them to get injured against the champions.

Big games coming up

[Amo]

There's some theories buzzing around here that Sam changed his tactics yesterday for the onlooking Indians. It has a ring of truth to it, I must say, and yet it would make Sam look like the biggest schmuck going. It was our best performance this season bar none; we pressed the ball with poise and purpose, and actually got men forward. And *THIS* was Sam compromising his ethics?

Makes you think...

[gumboots]

I'm sure I heard Sam say in his post match interview that Benjani felt his hamstring and was taken off as a precaution. It wasn't an injury as such but they didn't want to take the chance.

Chelsea are so annoying. Why do such talented players act like complete idiots? I will never understand.

So disappointed we didn't get a draw at least.

Saw the Venky brothers watching the pre match build up from the Premier Lounge. Got a wave from the grey suited (bearded) one.

You were quite right about Benjani's hamstring - I heard it too. He was already fading before half time anyway- obviously hasn't got his match fitness going yet. I remember Mark Hughes saying some players need ten full games to really get match sharp and be able to last a full game.

[John]

On the official site, Sam says Benjani felt his hamstring slightly so took him off.

I thought Benjani has looked decent when he has been on the pitch - has presence and the look of an experienced player, plus knows how to bring others into the game.

Interesting to note our summer signings comprimising of a free transfer (Benji) and a loan (Diouf) providing attacking impetus to the team.

[den]

There's some theories buzzing around here that Sam changed his tactics yesterday for the onlooking Indians. It has a ring of truth to it, I must say, and yet it would make Sam look like the biggest schmuck going. It was our best performance this season bar none; we pressed the ball with poise and purpose, and actually got men forward. And *THIS* was Sam compromising his ethics?

Makes you think...

[BuckyRover]

It's an explanation. There wouldn't be any anti-Sam sentiment if we played with that much heart more often. That is all I want to see anyway. Arte et Labore

[den]

It's an explanation.

and that deserves to be laughed at as well.

[adopted scouser]

On Sam's Twitter

"Been barred from our local shop. Was ###### out of my head and caused a bit of a scene when I was in there last week.

Took my cock out and pretended it was a snooker cue. Then I began to "chalk" it with a Creme Egg.

Was striding round the shop singing the 'Big Break' theme tune, potting cans of Baked Beans with my tadger. Utterly disgraceful."

:lol:

[BuckyRover]

and that deserves to be laughed at as well.

Whats your explanation? He can only be bothered in the big games?

Then again we shouldn't give Sam any credit. The improved performance is solely down to the players, like you said.

Anyway, I have found the answer:

"Using my legendary innovation to get the lads pumped up for the Chelsea game. Silently destroyed a pigeon in front of their very eyes.

Once I tossed the carcass aside, I walked casually out of the room without saying a word. They know exactly what I expect now.

I peaked in to see their reactions. Each looked both awestruck & invigorated. Except that fat whore Paul Robinson who was eating the pigeon.

I once tried to boil a live racoon to frighten Kevin Davies into scoring more. In the end we just felt sorry for the beast."

TheBig_Sam

[adopted scouser]

"Can't wait for the sunny weather. Sitting naked on a leather sofa and slowly peeling your ballbag off the seat is what summer was made for."

[den]

Whats your explanation? He can only be bothered in the big games?

Then again we shouldn't give Sam any credit. The improved performance is solely down to the players, like you said.

Anyway, I have found the answer:

"Using my legendary innovation to get the lads pumped up for the Chelsea game. Silently destroyed a pigeon in front of their very eyes.

Once I tossed the carcass aside, I walked casually out of the room without saying a word. They know exactly what I expect now.

I peaked in to see their reactions. Each looked both awestruck & invigorated. Except that fat whore Paul Robinson who was eating the pigeon.

I once tried to boil a live racoon to frighten Kevin Davies into scoring more. In the end we just felt sorry for the beast."

TheBig_Sam

Oh what a good weekend it's been, even though we lost.

[chaddyrovers]

was Big Sam hinting about his contract when talking about Chris Hughton contract and Craig Short sacking on Sky.

Think that VH Group should say to BS that you are the manager we want at the club. We will support you in the transfer for the striker and midfield you want. BS got his tactics spot on yesterday, and we pass the ball around alot more. Same tactics against wigan please and for the rest of the season!

BIG SAM BLUE AND WHITE ARMY

[hermitstool]

Liverpool winning gives the table a more realistic look, but these are worrying times at Ewood. On the basis of our performances this season we deserve to be lower than 18th- we have been appalling. I'll happily concede we played a good first half against Chelsea but after that we reverted to type and that is a worrying sign. If we can't get three points from Wigan the board, even in times of change, must be considering taking action. We have been totally feckless all season, and consistently worse in the second half- which points to problems with either the manager or the player's fitness- both of which are firmly Big Sam's responsibility.

I realise to sack Big Sam is a drastic measure, and there will inevitably be debate about who would replace him etc., but he's flying very close to the wire now in my mind- for the second time in his spell here, remember last January time?

*IF* we can play like we did against Chelsea in the first half we'll be fine, but we don't stand a chance in an exceptionally tight league where lesser teams than ourselves are getting results, playing Big Sam's standard 'direct' (hoofball?) tactics.

Direct football is fine- look at Villa under O'Neill, us under Hughes, but long ball DOES NOT WORK with the strikers we have. Benjani looked a decent target man on Sat, but injuries will always get the better of him. The two Dioufs are wide forwards, and Kalinic would work far better with the ball to feet or a partner- and as Sky & MOTD insist on drumming into us '4-4-2 is dead'.

[chaddyrovers]

4-4-2 is abit dead. Only Man utd play 4-4-2 against the lesser teams but 4-3-3 (4-5-1) against the big teams. Cheslea, Arsenal, Spurs and Man City play 4-3-3.

When playing the 4-3-3, it's about keeping the ball and pass it more and controling the tempo of the match. You have got to have the playing to play the system aswell. The two Diouf's are good in the wide position of the front line with Kalinic in middle of them. The three in Midfield you need a playmaker, box to box player and a defensive/ball winning player. If you look at arsenal, they got cesc (playmaker), diaby (box to box) and song(defensive/ball winning) and it works for them.

[DanLad]

Would it be un-PC to call people who don't like Allardyce 'anti-Sam-ites'?

There actions would, therefore, be 'anti-Sam-itic'?

[roversfan99]

I guess for us it would be Dunn(playmaker), Emerton(box to box) and Nzonzi(ball winner).

[Sparky Marky]

I'm worried.

The midfield is so lacking in experience. Jones, whilst a good player cannot be relied upon like we are doing now...He should be on the bench and coming on....not taking on all this responsibility so early in his career. We really need to invest in a top quality holding midfielder.

[Kelbo]

4-4-2 is abit dead. Only Man utd play 4-4-2 against the lesser teams but 4-3-3 (4-5-1) against the big teams. Cheslea, Arsenal, Spurs and Man City play 4-3-3.

When playing the 4-3-3, it's about keeping the ball and pass it more and controling the tempo of the match. You have got to have the playing to play the system aswell. The two Diouf's are good in the wide position of the front line with Kalinic in middle of them. The three in Midfield you need a playmaker, box to box player and a defensive/ball winning player. If you look at arsenal, they got cesc (playmaker), diaby (box to box) and song(defensive/ball winning) and it works for them.

Yes, thats a good observation and quite correct!!

[grizfoot]

4-4-2 is abit dead. Only Man utd play 4-4-2 against the lesser teams but 4-3-3 (4-5-1) against the big teams. Cheslea, Arsenal, Spurs and Man City play 4-3-3.

When playing the 4-3-3, it's about keeping the ball and pass it more and controling the tempo of the match. You have got to have the playing to play the system aswell. The two Diouf's are good in the wide position of the front line with Kalinic in middle of them. The three in Midfield you need a playmaker, box to box player and a defensive/ball winning player. If you look at arsenal, they got cesc (playmaker), diaby (box to box) and song(defensive/ball winning) and it works for them.

I wouldn't go as far to say 4-4-2 is completely dead though. Tottenham played 4-4-2 for the majority of last season when they finished 4th, it's only the emergence of Van Der Vaat that has seen them switch to 4-4-1-1 (4-5-1 variation). Newcastle have played 4-4-2 in their two games to great effect also, thought Carroll and Ameobi upfront were brilliant with Nolan supporting from midfield showing 4-4-2 can work. Bolton, Fulham and Stoke have all played 4-4-2 for the majority of this season.

Thought Big Sam was quite good as a pundit on Sky today, spoke honestly and I found myself agreeing with most of his opinions.