[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[gumboots]

Blame that one on just waking up gumboots.

Not too sharp after a night of watching the ashes until 4am

i didn't really think you wouldn't know but teachers find it hard to switch off even on Saturdays. I was more sensible than you - I watched the first 10 overs, went to bed, got up in time to watch Cook get his hundred and Pietersen start scoring then dropped off and woke to see the end of day score.

[Majiball]

We've only trained on grass once this week

[RevidgeBlue]

We've only trained on grass once this week

The only comment I would make on that is that the indoor artificial surface at Brockhall is unbelievably good so I can't see that being without the outdoor training pitches for a short period of time should be a problem.

Sounds like excuses being wheeled out in advance. Stop whinging and get on with it.

[ABBEY]

SPOT ON REV!!!... EXCUSE AT THE READY.

QUALITY OF FOOTBALL WILL BE AFFECTED ,BEST QUOTE OF THE YEAR!!!! QUALITY SAM? WHAT BLOODY QUALITY?

surely if we train on ewood and knacker the pitch up and make it lumpy bumpy and threadbare then that makes it MORE of tool for the hit and hope?

Tell you what mr A ,come with me and see what its like working,on footpaths, in roads and driving a wagon round in these snowy conditions .They are struggling to get in ? WHY????? I BET 90% of people in /around Blackburn managed to get into work this week!

All the money spent on brockhall and you cant train inside ?

PAMPERED POOCHES!!!!!!

i WOULDNT MIND BUT THE WEATHER AROUND HERE HASNT EVEN BEEN CLOSE TO MATCHING A LOT OF OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY FFS!!

[yoda]

SPOT ON REV!!!... EXCUSE AT THE READY.

QUALITY OF FOOTBALL WILL BE AFFECTED ,BEST QUOTE OF THE YEAR!!!! QUALITY SAM? WHAT BLOODY QUALITY?

surely if we train on ewood and knacker the pitch up and make it lumpy bumpy and threadbare then that makes it MORE of tool for the hit and hope?

Tell you what mr A ,come with me and see what its like working,on footpaths, in roads and driving a wagon round in these snowy conditions .They are struggling to get in ? WHY????? I BET 90% of people in /around Blackburn managed to get into work this week!

All the money spent on brockhall and you cant train inside ?

PAMPERED POOCHES!!!!!!

i WOULDNT MIND BUT THE WEATHER AROUND HERE HASNT EVEN BEEN CLOSE TO MATCHING A LOT OF OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY FFS!!

Come on ABBEY, don't hold back, just say what you mean

I agree with you by the way

[Gav]

The only comment I would make on that is that the indoor artificial surface at Brockhall is unbelievably good so I can't see that being without the outdoor training pitches for a short period of time should be a problem.

Sounds like excuses being wheeled out in advance. Stop whinging and get on with it.

I didn’t hear any other manager moaning about the weather from the premiership interviews yesterday.

Just get on with Allardyce, under soil heating on training pitches is a luxury we just can’t afford at the moment.

I think we’ll win today, but if we don’t he’s made his excuses already, god forbid it would ever be his fault that the team loses.

[FourLaneBlue]

It's starting to grate that Sam is completely above criticism because of what he did last season and the season before.

He isn't above criticism at all, and nobody is suggesting that. Which makes it strange that something that doesn't exist and isn't happening is "starting to grate" on you.

I don't think think even his biggest supporter would suggest that the quality of football isn't woeful at times. Nor that he is a self-promoting, big-headed prat. He does not come across as a likeable man and some of the things that leave his mouth are truly cringe-worthy.

What his past actions do show, however, is that it would be stupid to sack him in the middle of a season. Sam will leave, but yes, it should be on our terms, and that has to be when we are safe and, whichever new person comes on, that successor will have time to settle in.

[MarkBRFC71]

What on earth are you blathering on about??? We are categorically NOT "just as likely to go down with him in charge as not." That's just rubbish, isn't it? This is the same manager that has NEVER been relegated, isn't it? That kept up a weak Bolton side, and also us after Ince. Can you back up your statement with any reasonable arguments? It doesn't make sense one iota.

No manager can guarantee we always avoid relegation. I think, however, that in our situation Sam is as likely as anyone. It won't be pretty mind I would never say that...

We're thirteenth in the table with the next three games against Wolves, Bolton and West Ham. This after once again spending the least money in the league. We are four points clear of relegation, whereas when Sam came we were four points away

I'm sorry but you'd have to be gambling without need to change a successful manager mid-season. For, the truth is, that it has been a success to keep us up after the Ince debacle, and follow that up with a semi-final and a top-half (OK, only just...) finish.

If a manager is to go it should be either in dire straits (Ince), or when the team is safe.

So because he's never been relegated instantly means he can't be?

Our football is based on percentages, and ergo luck. If our luck were to run out (and we've been very fortunate for probably half of our goals this season) then we'd been in danger, no doubt.

I'm not saying I would change midway through a season (personally I would get rid at the end of the season when his contract expires) but get the feeling that Venky's are just waiting for him to slip up and wouldn't think twice about sacking him to bring their own man in. The pressure's on these next few games, especially given that they're against teams around and about us.

[broadsword]

He isn't above criticism at all, and nobody is suggesting that. Which makes it strange that something that something that doesn't exist and isn't happening is "starting to grate" on you.

I don't think think even his biggest supporter would suggest that the quality of football isn't woeful at times. Nor that he is a self-promoting, big-headed prat. He does not come across as a likeable man and some of the things that leave his mouth are truly cringe-worthy.

What his past actions do show, however, is that it would be stupid to sack him in the middle of a season. Sam will leave, but yes, it should be on our terms, and that has to be when we are safe and, whichever new person comes on, that successor will have time to settle in.

Pretty much how I feel. Some of the stuff he comes out with sometimes makes me cringe. At other times he says things that are actually insulting to the fans of the club he manages (like his assertion that Rovers fans want to see a certain style of football, rather than tippy tappy football).

At times I'm actually embarrassed that he is the manager of my club, and some of the football played under him (whatever the extenuating circumstances may have been) was ineffably bad.

But, he's kept us up with a negative transfer budget. Now that's not to say other managers out there who could do the job we want (and please no-one play the childish game of "name them then"), but we should keep hold of him until the Summer.

Whether it suits us to keep him beyond then I'm not so sure. One thing is for sure, despite keeping us up I'll have a big smile on his face when he does go, 'cos he doesn't half get on my baps.

[LeChuck]

It's starting to grate that Sam is completely above criticism because of what he did last season and the season before.

He's not above criticism at all.

What REALLY grates is when people twist and pick at everything so they can have a dig.

It wasn't hard for ANY manager to follow P*** I*** and everyone accepted the negative percentage football because we were on our knees.

It wasn't hard for a manager to improve on what Ince did, granted. But it was definitely hard for a manager to rescue the situation and keep us afloat. To make it even harder, RSC and Roberts were injured, forcing him to play Samba up front.

Sam will leave at some point. I'd prefer that point to be on our terms than Sam's. Otherwise we end up where we where when Hughes left.

What does that even mean? Hughes left us in a good position, we just completely messed up choosing his successor. We were an established top half team and we got good money for him going.

If Sam left on 'our terms' (I can only assume you mean we choose to sack him) then that costs us money, and you would have to assume we would only being doing that if things are going badly. How is that a preferable scenario to Sam leaving on his terms?

Didn't bother with the "final day luck" rubbish as Ricky already answered it perfectly.

[John]

Of course no manager is immune from criticism - fans will always moan, even Spurs fans were having a go at Harry Redknapp recently - however, on here, it borders on ridiculous sometimes.

As a team, IMO, we simply don't have quality to be consistently good and get results - even our defence, perhaps the strongest area of the team in relation to personnel, is prone to some very bad days/mistakes. Additionally when we are missing a couple of players this really does affect us - look at our current central midfield options at the moment, inspires you does it?

[Majiball]

The only comment I would make on that is that the indoor artificial surface at Brockhall is unbelievably good so I can't see that being without the outdoor training pitches for a short period of time should be a problem.

Sounds like excuses being wheeled out in advance. Stop whinging and get on with it.

I didn't want to say it but agree completely.

One can only assume that during training the balls either hit the roof whilst practising and the high bounces on the 3G surface made life difficult for the players.

[Gav]

What REALLY grates is when people twist and pick at everything so they can have a dig.

Proof? examples?

[FourLaneBlue]

So because he's never been relegated instantly means he can't be?

No, but it does mean that he isn't just as likely to take us down as keep us up. Quite the opposite, in fact. Anyway, it shows that sacking a manager mid-way through a season (and let's face it, you would be happy whenever he was sacked) when they are a good 4 points away from the relegation spots would be a daft thing to do. There are a time and a place for these things, and right now is not the time.

Our football is based on percentages, and ergo luck. If our luck were to run out (and we've been very fortunate for probably half of our goals this season) then we'd been in danger, no doubt.

Things in football change. However, I don't think randomly sacking a manager on the off-chance "our luck were to run out" is much of an argument to send him packing right here, right now. Do you?

I'm not saying I would change midway through a season (personally I would get rid at the end of the season when his contract expires) but get the feeling that Venky's are just waiting for him to slip up and wouldn't think twice about sacking him to bring their own man in. The pressure's on these next few games, especially given that they're against teams around and about us.

You said "Granted changing manager mid-season is not the best idea but then again we did it with Ince and survived from a far worse position." That was what I was reacting to. A manager should be changed when the club is safe, and to allow the new man as much time as possible before the next season. We should only be potting a competent manager (and let's be honest, nobody can suggest he is anything otherwise, regardless of his many faults) unless we are in an Ince-type situation. We are nowhere near that.

[thenodrog]

It wasn't hard for ANY manager to follow P*** I*** and everyone accepted the negative percentage football because we were on our knees.

Not sure about that. A weakened and demoralised squad and little money to wheel and deal. Not as easy a job as you suggest and imo well beyond a lot of manager's capability.

[tony gale's mic]

Our football is based on percentages, and ergo luck. If our luck were to run out (and we've been very fortunate for probably half of our goals this season) then we'd been in danger, no doubt.

What a load of utter dross.

You won't stop at any old rubbish to slag off the manager will you?

Has our luck been carrying on these last two years? Because that's how long people like you have been whinging about percentage football? When Bolton repeatedly achieved excellent finishes, was that due to his luck too, or was that in fact due to the fact he's a very good football manager?

With this luck carrying on over so long, maybe Big Sam should buy the lottery ticket every week!

[Bobby G]

People have been raving about the job Owen Coyle has done at Bolton. They are 2 points ahead of us. How much has Coyle spent including signing on fees for free transfers since he joined them and how much have we?

The positives have been far more than the negatives this season and I feel we have taken a half-step forward. Quality is what is missing now, and that's where the new owners come in.

Where do we stand compared to this time last season? IIRC its the same time when we began our horrendous 11 game no-wins run, right?

[tony gale's mic]

People have been raving about the job Owen Coyle has done at Bolton. They are 2 points ahead of us. How much has Coyle spent including signing on fees for free transfers since he joined them and how much have we?

Yep, Coyle's a very good manager and may well end up being one of the greats.

But he's still got a lot to prove before he can be matched up to Allardyce, even though he may end up being better than him.

[LeftWinger]

How much has Coyle spent including signing on fees for free transfers since he joined them and how much have we?

Coyle has hardly spent a penny - couldn't possibly comment on signing on fees. We spent nearly 10m on Kalinic and Givet.

[imy9]

Leftwinger- I think the comparison could be made if say coyle had to sell Cahill and Elmander and was given little to no money to spend to replace them.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Carry on as you are Sam but please stop 'throwing one in' against the BIG CLUBS.

We are a steady Premierleague side with the big fella at the helm.

[Stuart]

What does that even mean? Hughes left us in a good position, we just completely messed up choosing his successor. We were an established top half team and we got good money for him going.

If Sam left on 'our terms' (I can only assume you mean we choose to sack him) then that costs us money, and you would have to assume we would only being doing that if things are going badly. How is that a preferable scenario to Sam leaving on his terms?

Didn't bother with the "final day luck" rubbish as Ricky already answered it perfectly.

It means that when Hughes left we made a bad choice of replacing him and ended up with Ince. I want to make sure that when Sam does leave we are a bit better prepared. Sacked, no. Which I did say.

"Final day luck" was in reference to the other results which went our way for us to finish 10th. The league was so tight last season that the final day results meant 10th not 13th and this has been used as the reason to have a go at those who criticise Sam.

If I dont agree with something Sam has done I'll say so - regardless of what he did last year, and regardless of whether you or Ricky think it's rubbish.

[Tom]

Good win today, not convinced he got it all right but who bloody cares?

December is a huge month for us and we've got it under way pretty perfectly.

[John]

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce reveals he allowed his players extra days off in midweek rather than forcing them to come in and train in the snow, and singles out goalkeeper Paul Robinson for praise after his side's 3-0 win over Wolves.

[ABBEY]

Credit for the win but 3-0? Another awful boring game and as for the negativity from Sam actually stopping an attack and making us turn a genuune attack into a backpass buggers belief. And before anyone accuses me of booing ..it wasn't me !