[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[Lurid Coat]

It doesn't. However it does say we are looking for a goalkeeping specailist, I highly doubt we require two Goalkeeper coaches for the first team.

I'm pretty sure that those McDonald quotes are old, probably dating back to when he was appointed Carlisle manager.

[Majiball]

This is fantastic, coaches with qualifications!!

OK yes they have their driving licences its not a bad thing. However as I said they are driving licences, which by the way employ methods of learning that are almost twenty years behind the times. What we need are coaches like we had under Hughes. Bowen and Roden both keep themselves right up to date, christ Roden has even pioneered a technique for when you are chasing a player that works and can counter act the traditional accelaration model of sprinting.

They may have there licences but so do most of the guys in the premiership nowadays, its not stand out imo. Bolton where well renowned for being forward thinking, perhaps it was more a case of them embracing it first. Most clubs in the premiership have sports scientist teams its the norm nowadays.

[The Gull]

A bit more on the New Man McDonald................

"But while he may be a managerial novice, 40-year-old Neil McDonald comes with an impressive pedigree. His last job was as assistant to Iain Dowie at Charlton Athletic and before that he was reserve team coach at Bolton Wanderers.

It was recommendations from Trotters' manager Sam Allardyce and Simpson himself, who studied his Uefa Pro Licence alongside the former Wallsend Boys Club midfielder, that swayed the Carlisle board behind McDonald in spite of competition from the likes of David Platt, Gary Megson, John Ward and former Newcastle assistant manager John Carver.

His work alongside Dowie and Allardyce - two of the English game's most forward-thinking young managers - and a string of qualifications (as well as his Pro Licence, McDonald also holds FA A, B and C licences) mark him out as a very modern coach. A new fitness coach and a goalkeeping specialist are both high on his list of priorities and McDonald has already made clear he sees physical conditioning as crucial.

"We might not have the best players in the division but we should have some of the fittest," he said.

This article is an old one from when he was appointed Carlisle manager I believe so does not mean that Bobby has been relieved of his duties. That is what I have assumed from reading the FULL article.

I could be wrong and this bite me back, but please read things fully before making what are at this moment incorrect statements.

Bobby may not stay, but I trust Allardyce to make this decision not his new assistant.

[Majiball]

I'm pretty sure that those McDonald quotes are old, probably dating back to when he was appointed Carlisle manager.

You may well be right his last job was at leeds.

Nice of the original poster to let us know these things, quite misleading!

[Guest Kamy100]

Prior to leaving Ince had secured the services of the Leicester City Fitness coach, he was due to join once Leicester had appointed a replacement, don't know if this going to happen now.

[Majiball]

Prior to leaving Ince had secured the services of the Leicester City Fitness coach, he was due to join once Leicester had appointed a replacement, don't know if this going to happen now.

So who is in charge now? was this leciester chap replacing GI Joe or Howard?

[Pugg]

sorry guys, can someone just summarise whos left and whos come in?

No.

As far as I am aware we now have:

McDonald as assistant.

Ray and Archie have gone.

Karl robinson is staying.

[bennyboyt11]

No.

As far as I am aware we now have:

McDonald as assistant.

Ray and Archie have gone.

Karl robinson is staying.

cheers pal. seems an improvement already

[Bennisfromheaven]

Havent posted since Inces sacking but i must say i couldnt be happier with this appointment! I was completely against Sam (formally BFS, im taking the respectful view now!) in the summer mostly because i wanted a change in style of football but now i realise that i actually liked the bully boy tag!

Blackburn are not going to win the league any time soon but I do expect to be tough to beat, challenge for europe & do well in the cups, I want to see us give the top four a game, i want to have players every other club in the league want in their side!

This was the way under souness & more so Hughes, Unfortunately it wasnt the case with Ince but i have a good feeling about this appointment, the same feeling i had when Hughes was appointed.

Its gonna be hard with alot of ups & downs but i cannot wait for the next chapter in the Blackburn rovers epic!

BIG SAMs BLUE & WHITE ARMY!!!

COME ON YOU ROVERS!!!!!

[Mc Love]

Cant wait to see what he does, having learnt his trade at Limerick FC, now Limerick 37!

[Plastic Head]

I had him in the 3 and more than useful if we go down...... But he's definitely some way behind Davies and especially with his 1st touch.

If Santa moves on we should NOT be looking for a like for like replacement.

We would still have plenty of forwards but our midfield is in a disastrous state and that's where the money needs to go.

[Wild Irish Rover]

New Assistant Manager - Neil McDonald

Is Neil likely to become the new TV face of Rovers, on the BBC at least?

Or has Sam made up with Aunty?

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

It'll be Neil it seems since Sam still doesn't like them.

[Hughesy]

Whilst I agree our midfield needs work, I also think it is vital that we replace Roque if he is to go. It would be crazy to not try and replace him with a 15+ goals a season man.

[Majiball]

Whilst I agree our midfield needs work, I also think it is vital that we replace Roque if he is to go. It would be crazy to not try and replace him with a 15+ goals a season man.

I could be persuaded to see how Bellamy and McCarthy work together should RSC go.

[benlloninho]

To be fair, frank, AND honest, I'm relieved that we've got Sam Allardyce in charge now. Good luck pal. Up the Rovers.

[Hughesy]

I could be persuaded to see how Bellamy and McCarthy work together should RSC go.

That has the making of a cracking partnership. McCarthy is very clever on the ball and can usually pick his pass, add to that Bellamys pace running in the channels and it could be a very good partnership. Not sure if he would come back though!

One thing that we really, really need to add into our attack is pace and finishing ability.

[T4E]

RSC and Bellamy would be a cracking partnership, and McCarthy and Derbyshire would compliment them well. Roberts needs to get off the wage bill asap.

[Majiball]

That has the making of a cracking partnership. McCarthy is very clever on the ball and can usually pick his pass, add to that Bellamy's pace running in the channels and it could be a very good partnership. Not sure if he would come back though!

One thing that we really, really need to add into our attack is pace and finishing ability.

I always felt that RSC and Benni's games are too similar for it to work, Hughes wanted to partner them together and at the time I was impressed I think it has serious potential.

Is he not up for sale? I do wonder though if Neill's on a squillion, zillion roubles or whatever how much is Beller's on?

His best year in the prem came with us he must remember?

But would he a right forward or a striker under Sam, Beller's will not want to be a winger.

I do hope Sam has a method of playing in mind for us and not making us fit his model, keep the principals but change the model?

[Majiball]

RSC and Bellamy would be a cracking partnership, and McCarthy and Derbyshire would compliment them well. Roberts needs to get off the wage bill asap.

Bellamy and either has potential both are very good at dropping and playing in the space between midfield and defence, bellamy will run the line.

Roberts, I agree is a tramps version of Heskey, but he has a new contract 3 years. If we could any money for him he should go he's awful, although him and McCarthy did well together at one point and that should have been explored more.

Unfortunatly if Sam does mould us into a one up team, then Roberts strenght makes him the better candidate, he is a bit like Davies.

[joey_big_nose]

I always felt that RSC and Benni's games are too similar for it to work, Hughes wanted to partner them together and at the time I was impressed I think it has serious potential.

Is he not up for sale? I do wonder though if Neill's on a squillion, zillion roubles or whatever how much is Beller's on?

His best year in the prem came with us he must remember?

But would he a right forward or a striker under Sam, Beller's will not want to be a winger.

I do hope Sam has a method of playing in mind for us and not making us fit his model, keep the principals but change the model?

I am sure if Bellamy was here under Sam he would find himself on the right wing. He would be very decent out there and coming inside, with him and Cruz swapping to change things up for the defenders.

Academic though as I can never ever see Bellamy coming. I am sure we will be going after a big aggressive centre forward who is very capable in the air and maybe a very quick right winger if Cruz goes. If Cruz stays I can see Roque reprising his role on the right wing as he did under Hughes towards the end of last season, playing off a big guy up front.

Bellamy and either has potential both are very good at dropping and playing in the space between midfield and defence, bellamy will run the line.

Roberts, I agree is a tramps version of Heskey, but he has a new contract 3 years. If we could any money for him he should go he's awful, although him and McCarthy did well together at one point and that should have been explored more.

Unfortunatly if Sam does mould us into a one up team, then Roberts strenght makes him the better candidate, he is a bit like Davies.

I am unsure how any player who is as poor a header of the ball as Roberts can survive under Allardyce. The man has no chance, has to be gone in January.

[Martin]

Welcome aboard Sam.

He has the organisation and detail needed to save us.

And, without wishing to be negative, he has the lower league experience to handle that situation should it arrive. Let's hope not.

There is little point in debating now but why was this decision not made either a) in the summer or b)after the United cup defeat is beyond me.

Anyway, onwards and upwards.

[speeeeeeedie]

It seems like the appointment has already given everyone a boost. No more pro/anti-Ince digs at each other. I think one of Ince's biggest failures was his choice of support staff, and it looks like Allardyce has already gone about rectifying that problem which will hopefully help.

The Stoke game should be a good gauge of if the team is up for it. Stoke are tough long ball merchants, if we can mix it it shows that there is some flight there.

When will we get the official Winterburn is gone notice. He really cannot think he has a chance; most goals conceded, never there, loves punditry.

[chris]

I agree totally with what you are saying. I saw Ince as a gamble - that would either pay off massively or back fire. Unfortunately it was the latter - interesting comments coming from the players seem to confirm what I always felt - Ince is actually a good man manager of players, where he fell over was his choice of backroom staff.

top managers don't need huge budgets, infact a poor manager would probably waste a good budget.

I think if sam is smart in the transfer window with limited funds, we should be ok.

I just would not trust Ince with any money, and I think he was tactically poor aswell, he needs to work in the Championship for a while, maybe get promotion with a club like Burnley and then have another crack at the PL with less pressure.

[Majiball]

I am unsure how any player who is as poor a header of the ball as Roberts can survive under Allardyce. The man has no chance, has to be gone in January.

RSC, wins nothing up front Robbo alway pumps the ball up to him and it comes straight back, Benni is no better and derb's well he needs to eat his weetabix.

Roberts is s scrapper, Davies is a scrapper they do have similarities. But yes he is not strong in the air, none of our strikers are.

I don't disagree he should be sold, giving him a new deal baffled me.