[Archived] Sam Allardyce

[PAFELL]

Since when was Dudley in the North?

Its far North from me on the south coast of the UK.

[joey_big_nose]

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.

Cruz is not amazing int he air, but he has in the past been decent, and if you play him wide on the right he will beat the fullback most times which is i guess how BFS will use him. You are right that if Sam does go down his traditional route we do not have anyone who can win enough balls down the middle, that is why I see a new physical striker as an absolute shoo-in for a January purchase.

I think Benni, Derbs and Roberts are all going to struggle under Allardyce, unless he gets something new out of them or he surprises us all with his tactics.

[Majiball]

Cruz is not amazing int he air, but he has in the past been decent, and if you play him wide on the right he will beat the fullback most times which is i guess how BFS will use him. You are right that if Sam does go down his traditional route we do not have anyone who can win enough balls down the middle, that is why I see a new physical striker as an absolute shoo-in for a January purchase.

I think Benni, Derbs and Roberts are all going to struggle under Allardyce, unless he gets something new out of them or he surprises us all with his tactics.

Cruz will walk in January if he is played out there, if its true he's been playing in pain and is fed up with that how will he take becoming a winger. He is a centre forward, he is good in the air when attacking the ball on the move. It worked well against United, but I'm just not convinced we should be forcing square pegs in round holes, you'd just play a full back who's strong in the air.

Derb's is more likely to get stuck out there for me. He would be further forward than in a 4 man midfield, but I'm beginning to think he's not going to progress as I'd hoped.

McCarthy could be our gem, Sam has a history of turning careers round of difficult footballers, Diouf? Perhaps he can get the best out of Benni.

I am hoping for a surprise tactically, it would re-present development of Sam's blueprint and show that he reflects on his methods. This would be a positive sign for me, as its one of my worries. It would also show he will develop a plan based on our strenghts.

[PAFELL]

Why? If Cruz goes then Davies would be in my top 3 affordable targets to replace him.

There have been two stories I have heard today with regards to RSC

1/ It is BFS contract that he is not to sell RSC - that was the BBC this morning

2/ That BFS insisted that before he signed the contract that RSC was not to be sold.

If either are true than RSC is going nowhere. I would be quite happy to have Davies in the squad as well as RSC.

[PAFELL]

Beattie and Davies in the top 3 of suitable replacements?? Get real... that would be awful.

We need players who are capable of at least 15 goals a season and we also need some pace up there. Martins would win that one for me - he is seriously under-rated.

Yep conference at 4pm on SSN.

Martins comes with something Rovers cannot meet - a hefty price tag. so Rovers have to go with what they can afford and get the best out of them. I really believe that both Bennie and Pederson will benefit and regain their form with BFS in charge. If that happens that will be like have two new signings. Rovers do not have bad players - but they have good players who are currently playing below par, confidence shot to pieces (just the appointment of Big Sam will address that bit) I expect Rovers not only to survive the drop but to finish in the top 10. There are quite a few teams who have worst players / squads than Rovers. The biggest hurdle that concerns me is not only the points needed - but that horrible goal average. But if Rovers concentrate on getting the points - especially off the teams in and around them - the goal adverage will not matter - because the points tally will carry them over. It might not be good looking football, the bully boy tag will come back, - better than softy incey boys - and crash helmets will be required in the stands - who cares as long as it achieves succsess.

[joey_big_nose]

Cruz will walk in January if he is played out there, if its true he's been playing in pain and is fed up with that how will he take becoming a winger. He is a centre forward, he is good in the air when attacking the ball on the move. It worked well against United, but I'm just not convinced we should be forcing square pegs in round holes, you'd just play a full back who's strong in the air.

Derb's is more likely to get stuck out there for me. He would be further forward than in a 4 man midfield, but I'm beginning to think he's not going to progress as I'd hoped.

McCarthy could be our gem, Sam has a history of turning careers round of difficult footballers, Diouf? Perhaps he can get the best out of Benni.

I am hoping for a surprise tactically, it would re-present development of Sam's blueprint and show that he reflects on his methods. This would be a positive sign for me, as its one of my worries. It would also show he will develop a plan based on our strenghts.

Well we shall wait and see, but I think the right wing is just where Cruz will go. He won't be stuck there all the time, he will be expected to come inside but the principle will be for him to attack the full back initially.

Derbs is a great goal poacher but that is all he does. Can't see how he is really going to add a lot to our team.

McCarthy's main issue is that he does not cover much of the pitch. Far far less than anyone Allardyce has seriously worked with. Diouf on the other hand might be an annoying little git but he would cover a decent amount of ground. Maybe Allardyce can convince him to move a bit more but I will think Benni is another person moving towards the exit door.

Anyway, I think that is enough specualtion for me today!

[RibbleValleyRover]

Interesting to read some comments made by JW on why he appointed Sam:

"Sam Allardyce was always the man I wanted once the sad decision to let go of Paul was made," said Williams.

"He was the man we wanted and he was the man we went and got.

"He is under no illusions as to the size of the task ahead but I believe he is the right man for this job and if he didn't believe he could turn things round he would not have come."

and

"It did help that we had interviewed Sam before and he gave us a very impressive interview in the summer," Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"We knew what he was all about and had no hesitation in going for him once we made the decision to part company with Paul Ince.

"He was actually very close to getting the job in the summer. He made the shortlist and in the end it was him who withdrew from the process. We have never turned him down.

"We are just delighted to have sorted it all out so quickly. Sam is chomping at the bit to get back in the game and we had a big chat about the way forward."

on Paul Ince:

"Of course I feel for Paul Ince. I can't quite put my finger on what went wrong but in the end the table told the story.

"People have criticised me for not giving him enough time but he did have the best part of half a season and the gap between us and the rest of the Premier League was growing all the time."

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ers/7789977.stm

[BRFCBOY]

anyone know if press confernce will be available online ??????? seem to remember watching inces on setanta

[Pugg]

anyone know if press confernce will be available online ??????? seem to remember watching inces on setanta

Can't find it anywhere. I'll be watching the telly!

[salford trotter]

Trotter in peace

So you've finally got your man eh. It's going to be interesting Derby in January to say the least! Tbh I was sorry to see the big fella leave the Bok but I guess all good things come to an end and the last 6 months under the fat lad wasn't pretty but then again his mind was elsewhere, supposedly on having a break...oh right yeah. He'll sort you out, it won't be pretty but i guess you'll take that right now. see you at your place next month!

[jonv]

...that would be great actually!

[philipl]

To be fair although I made this thread, I still maintain he wasn't the best choice in the summer, although I shouldn't have been so against him. HTC and Laudrup would have been the best men to take us forward from there, and going from this appointment Mancini would have been the better candidate here had we not been in serious danger of relegation.

But in this instance we needed a man who had methods, could knock the players into shape, had a proven track record and would represent the lowest risk, and Allardyce is perfect for that.

Absolutely bang on with that comment.

[jrabrfc]

First off - Sam says he said he didn't want the Blackburn job in July, too early for him

Second - Sam said the players are good enough, he needs to get them playing to their maximum.

Chairman - Easy to pick Sam, no need for interviews this time. Confident of Sam keeping us up

Chairman - Sam needs to evaluate squad. We will try and back the manager as far as possible

[jrabrfc]

Sam - New backroom staff added. Only one more to come. He knows the backroom staff at Ewood already. Just needs to give the players the chance to play better on a Saturday.

[RibbleValleyRover]

First off - Sam says he said he didn't want the Blackburn job in July, too early for him

Second - Sam said the players are good enough, he needs to get them playing to their maximum.

Chairman - Easy to pick Sam, no need for interviews this time. Confident of Sam keeping us up

Chairman - Sam needs to evaluate squad. We will try and back the manager as far as possible

Yep, he was also asked about Roque and said we don't need to sell players, certainly not our best ones. Big emphasis on evaluating what we currently have got before we make decisions in terms of transfers.

[jrabrfc]

Sam - did't have a good time at Newcastle. Didn't really get time... results are essential. He wants to come back stronger, knowing it's a results based game. Recharged batteries.

[jonv]

thanks!!

[jrabrfc]

Happy to be back - adrenaline rush is now there. Bouncing around this morning he was that happy.

thinks the players are good enough - need to get their confidence back to battle out of the position they are in. It's hard in the bottom 3, loads of pressure and they need to play their best. Confidence is the key.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Physically Sam reckons the players look fine, but he reckons mental fatigue could be there. Building confidence is key.

[jrabrfc]

Sam - needs to get the team playing as a team, and stop other teams exposing weaknesses.

Edit - sorry RVR - stepping on your toes there!

Questions now about Newcastle - outside pressures, not there long enough......

[brfcshabba]

Compare this press conference to Ince's, just shows how uncomfortable Ince was

[RibbleValleyRover]

Huge difference in the body language between Ince and Sam in this conference.

[jrabrfc]

Asked about strenghtening. Sam: not had the chance to look at the squad so I can't comment. By the sounds of things that will mean looking until Jan 1st and then probably strengthening. Not really dealt with the players today, just the backroom staff.

[Brownie]

Best facilities he has ever worked with !

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

I noticed that as well. He also said it was the most professional set up he'd been at, just needed "tweaking".