[Archived] BIG SAM GONE

[AggyBlue]

We're not as bad as them, they do it for fun up there.

Let' see who they appoint first eh.

I was still in shock after yesterdays loss, now this.

Why the hell didn't Venky's have a statement ready, are we the fans that unimportant?

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Venkys are treating us like a shiny new toy and have acted at haste because it hasn't been as much fun as they expected so far. We the supporters will be repenting for many years to come I fear.

You can only hope they had some master plan that convinced the trust to sell...

[Oklahoma]

I can't understand all this "crying".

They bought the club and want a new manager. It's their right.

They know what Sam had to offer: unatractive football but with results.

And before they started spending big in new players for Sam, they decided to change the manager to start from scratch.

Seems logical to me.

Sorry for Sam? No way. I'm sorry for the money that he will receive and I won't.

[dr_awol]

Why the hell didn't Venky's have a statement ready, are we the fans that unimportant?

venky/brfc Press release

[Amo]

I can't understand all this "crying".

They bought the club and want a new manager. It's their right.

They know what Sam had to offer: unatractive football but with results.

And before they started spending big in new players for Sam, they decided to change the manager to start from scratch.

Seems logical to me.

Sorry for Sam? No way. I'm sorry for the money that he will receive and I won't.

I'd know if I'd ploughed millions into a football club and was preparing to spend (relatively) big money, I'd want my own man at the helm. They've made a very brave decision sacking Sam at this point, but they obviously have something in the works. Let's hold fire until then, shall we? Or is that just too much to ask?

[thenodrog]

I'm honestly not bothered Gord. There's more to life than football. It's supposed to be a past time, a hobby. Fun. Not a chore. We won the Carling Cup in a different era. Europe again would be great, but I couldn't see it happening under Sam. Not the way he surrendered certain games before they'd even started. Not with his selective ambition. Even if we got in, we wouldn't look to win it. We'd play a weakened team and moan about the fixture pile up. What's the point?

Venkys say they're ambitious. Makes a nice change. I'm interested in seeing what they've got. If it goes pear shaped then so be it, there's nothing any of us can do about it.

For the first time in absolutely ages, we're going to go in to a transfer window being linked with some decent players, with a new sense of ambition and a brand new philosophy on the way forward. I welcome it. If ever a club needed a shake up, it's Rovers.

Say what you like but everything about these new owners is all wrong imo. They are just not BRFC.

btw... See my sig. I've had it for some time and every one of the three is applicable to the current situation.

venky/brfc Press release

Oh well thats OK then.

[PAFELL]

Not one person on this site saw this coming, not one, so don't tell me I'm talking @#/?.

Even the resident hack didn't see it coming, so its you talking @#/? TGM, as usual, might I add.

Wrong. I was told via PM about a week ago that this was to happen. when I checked my PM's after reading your post. I found the date when I was told that Sam may well be sacked - it was the 6th december 2010. The same message said JW as well.

As to who told me, that is confidential as I promised the person who told me. Their choice to confirm or not.

[Ste B]

PR centred Kentaro

Oxymoron. Run by morons in my opinion.

Everything the new owners said about respecting the traditions of the clubs has lasted no more than 3 weeks. Whats next ??? Mrs Desai had better bet getting her PR experts and engaging with the fans and players asap.

[Oklahoma]

Traditions?!?!??!

Is it the first time a manager is sacked in Rovers?

[AggyBlue]

venky/brfc Press release

Yeah, WTF is that.

I want to know a damn sight more than that.

I have a feeling we're going to become a laughing stock

[bazza]

Every cloud can have a silver lining. First thing WHU should do is appoint Allardyce. Spookily it's just 2 days from the second anniversary of us sacking Ince. Allardyce would need an amount of positive PR for a perceived northener to be accepted down there but their squad is easily good enough to respond to better management and get themselves out of trouble and up the table. A good season or two there and he's bang in the frame for the England job and easily more so than if he'd stayed here. I feel the future will turn out much brighter for him than us. I'm beginning to think that I've more in common with the porn brothers than this lot...... if you know what I mean.

I can't see West Ham changing from their lifelong philosophy of trying to play football the proper way to hoofball and percentage football.

I think they would (seriously) rather get relegated.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

After an hour in the bath here's some thoughts- Sam kept us up when Ince was sacked, of that there can be no doubt and I'm very grateful for that. I thought he'd kick on the following season and league position wise we did, however the way we achieved this was not entertaining and hand on heart not in the footballing traditions of the club, we were one dimensional and predictable. The number of goals scored from or just after set pieces must have exceded the goals scored from open play ! This season we've carried on were we left off, win some lose some but the standard of football isn't great.

This brings me to the question is our mediocre form because we haven't got the players to play a more expansive game or is it because the manager has shoehorned our extremely talented squad into this negative style of play? I tend to think it's the former, our players as a squad aren't good enough and Sam was doing his best with what he had. Some of this is Sams fault, he hasn't always spent wisely re the three right backs at the club Salgado,Jacobson and Chimbonda when we had Emerton ( possibly the best of the lot ) and Reid who played there before. At the same time we were playing a centre half at left back because we hadn't got a recognised left back.

When you examine the players at the club you can see the depth of the problem-

Robinson- Probably our most consistent player at the moment

Salgado - For me not a good signing, not a great improvement on Emmo's form at right back and he's costing us a small fortune in wages. Can't see him being retained.

Samba- Our best outfield player, thank God we've got him.

Nelsen- Great club man but age and injury catching up with him, keeping Jones out of his rightful place.

Givet- Good dogged centre back. Not a full back, adds little to our go forward and makes regular costly mistakes when exposed out wide.

E H Diouf- Costly signing in Sams first season, blown hot and cold since then, currently blowing cold.

Dunn- Hasn't put in a real performance since he got injured last season, playing on memories.

Jones- A shining light at the back end of last season, currently doing his best as a defensive midfield player, wasted in my opinion.

Pedersen- Came as a winger but never convinced me he had what it takes to play out wide. Sam moved him to midfield with mixed results, not a scary proposition for any opposing midfielder.

Ollsen- Got plenty of pace and promise but flopped at full back. To me he lacks the temperament to play at the back but is he a winger ? I don't know.

Roberts- Good impact player but hasn't got the brains to realise the fact.

Reserve goalkeepers- Ok but as reserves.

Chimbonda- I used to rate this guy but he's gone backwards , could be through the door come January

Nzonzi- Another shining light last season , the invisible man this season. We need him back to last seasons form ASAP.

Grella- Next.

Kalinic- I think this lad could be the new Matty but not in this system.

Diouff the younger- Out and out striker, not a winger. Same again , no real place for him in a 4-5-1

Benjani- Roberts mark two but with added fitness problems.

Hoilett- Another one who we can't seen to provide a position for, bags of pace but not much end product up to now

Andrews- Caught the injury bug off Grella.

Sorry if I've missed any one out but you obviously haven't registered on my radar.

There we are then folks the massed ranks of our team- who would we get a fee for ? A few but not a lot. That's the sows ear that Sam and the new guy have to make into a silk purse. All the best Mr X.

I remember watching Rovers in the late 60's in the old Second Division, We had three midfielders then - Ferguson, Rogers and Hole that would walk into this team and they were in the Second Division ! I'm sure any other seasoned fans who saw that team would agree. There in lies our weakness.

[T4E]

What new philosophy is this T4E? Ignoring the manager's wishes on players and replacing them with the Kentaro portfolio?

Your post was beyond niave.

We don't know the philosophy. That's why its exciting. We're going to find out soon no doubt. There's little doubt that there is one though, and its an ambitious one. You don't sack a manager and pay up his contract unless you're striving for better.

As for being niave (sic), my posts have made it abundantly clear that I understand the implications of this, negative and positive. I would suggest that it is yourself that is naive, as you don't seem to be able to see any point of view that differs from your own.

Its only a game, Matty.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Wrong. I was told via PM about a week ago that this was to happen. when I checked my PM's after reading your post. I found the date when I was told that Sam may well be sacked - it was the 6th december 2010. The same message said JW as well.

As to who told me, that is confidential as I promised the person who told me. Their choice to confirm or not.

I think BPF posted something like "remember this post, Venky's dont like Sam". That would have been about a week to ten days ago.

[blue_and_white]

Interesting to see only 16% of fans support this decision. Either most people on here are smarter than your average Rovers fan or Sam's loudmouth critics in the ground have been the moaning minority as opposed to the majority they always liked everyone to believe.

[alexanders]

Calm down people. I have really mixed feelings about this.

At one side I am happy and enthusiased that we are getting a new manager with new ideas and maybe one who can develop olsson, hoilett, nzonzi, kalinic and play to their strengths. A manager who is able to play different formations and not be so stubborn. Even though there is clearly a risk involved I think it might be exciting times ahead.selfis

Sam Allardyce was extremely selfish, stubborn and arrogant. I really havent forgiven him for the debacle at Old Trafford either.

Some of the games we won were very boring and didnt make me as energetic as before during Mark Hughes's reign and name we shall not mention name. The games didnt make my blood boil anymore.

Give me the flames!

[alexanders]

Calm down people. I have really mixed feelings about this.

At one side I am happy and enthusiased that we are getting a new manager with new ideas and maybe one who can develop olsson, hoilett, nzonzi, kalinic and play to their strengths. A manager who is able to play different formations and not be so stubborn. Even though there is clearly a risk involved I think it might be exciting times ahead.selfis

Sam Allardyce was extremely selfish, stubborn and arrogant. I really havent forgiven him for the debacle at Old Trafford either.

Some of the games we won were very boring and didnt make me as energetic as before during Mark Hughes's reign and name we shall not mention name. The games didnt make my blood boil anymore.

Give me the flames!

Calm down people. I have really mixed feelings about this.

At one side I am happy and enthusiased that we are getting a new manager with new ideas and maybe one who can develop olsson, hoilett, nzonzi, kalinic and play to their strengths. A manager who is able to play different formations and not be so stubborn. Even though there is clearly a risk involved I think it might be exciting times ahead.selfis

Sam Allardyce was extremely selfish, stubborn and arrogant. I really havent forgiven him for the debacle at Old Trafford either.

Some of the games we won were very boring and didnt make me as energetic as before during Mark Hughes's reign and name we shall not mention name. The games didnt make my blood boil anymore.

Give me the flames!

[BuckyRover]

Interesting to see only 16% of fans support this decision. Either most people on here are smarter than your average Rovers fan or Sam's loudmouth critics in the ground have been the moaning minority as opposed to the majority they always liked everyone to believe.

I love how people twist these polls. I would argue that most people are only against the timing of the decision.

Inspired or stupid. Only time will tell.

[Bobby G]

The stats say it all. 85% of people were against Sam being sacked, and that includes a 42% cut who arguably were happy with his stewardship.

[Mattyblue]

'It's only a game' and 'there's more to life than football'

Anymore? How about 'it's only 22 blokes kicking a ball about'

I am sure noone is hanging from the rafters, but tonight a few Blues on here may feel a little worried about their football club, is that's ok with you T4E?

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Its only a game, Matty.

Its also about the stability and continuing good welfare of this age old club T4E.

Well folks its really hitting home now,we are in the hands of 'real' businessmen and some.All that is now left for Rovers fans is to hope to God this lot know what they are doing.

[alexanders]

Its only the sacking of Sam. I have to say I agree with T4E in many ways.

I can understand why Venky's are doing what they are doing. Do you think they have enjoyed the games when they have been at Ewood? Did they enjoy us losing heavily against Spurs and the drubbing against United?

They have ambitions for club and I hope they are real about it. No reason to lay down and die yet.

[cletus]

Only just gotten on-line, so haven`t read the last 15pages.

In my view.....to sack a 'proven' premiership manager who isn`t doing a bad job is a terrible terrible decision, UNLESS you already have a better 'proven' replacement lined up & ready to step in.

The only person on the market who i think could move the team on in the right direction is Martin O`Neil. I seriously doubt he`d come to Rovers though, UNLESS he get assurances he`d get money to spend & build the squad.

At this moment in time, i am a very worried Roverite who`s racking his brain trying to suss out what the new owners are trying to do

I think it could be time to HOLD ON TIGHT, cos we could be in for a rough ride!!!

[alexanders]

rather a rough ride than a wheelchair.

[T4E]

'It's only a game' and 'there's more to life than football'

Anymore? How about 'it's only 22 blokes kicking a ball about'

I am sure noone is hanging from the rafters, but tonight a few Blues on here may feel a little worried about their football club, is that's ok with you T4E?

Absolutely fine by me - but then I'm not the one quoting someones opinion and telling them they're wrong, am I Matty?

Anyone who is worried is entitled to be. As am I entitled to look on the bright side and look forward to the future. Is that ok with you Matty?