[Archived] BIG SAM GONE

[Exiled in Toronto]

They are professionals, not kids. Would you tell any outsider of how you feel about your work just like that?

And yet you seem to know for a fact that they are unhappy!

IT's always the same - managers change so often they are well used to it once they get over the surprise. His favourites will be upset e.g. Diouf; his enemies and the subs will be ecstatic e.g Roberts, Junior etc and everyone else will be somewhat apprehensive, just as we all are when we hear we're getting a new boss. Look at how many managers Salgado has seen come and go at the Real merry-go-round.

There'll be no players strike over Sam going.

[Miker]

I just hope that Venky's haven't sacked Sam with some deluded notion that we'll start playing exciting football all of a sudden as a result. Or at least playing it with any degree of success. Presumably, Sam was sacked so they could start their job of marketing the club straight away, which I would guess would involve bringing new, exciting players in, a big name manager and exciting football.

Unless they're planning on spending a decent amount of money on this, I don't see how they're going to achieve it. At most we'll be an average club like Sunderland, footballing-wise and I'm not sure how well that would sell.

[den]

We will see at 5pm on Saturday how unhappy they are.

Until then we don't have much of a clue

You're going to make a judgement at 5pm on Saturday? That says a lot Bucky.

I feel sorry for Kean. The way things have unfolded this week, the crowd will turn PDQ on Venky's if results start to fail, - mark my words. It's obvious from the comments on this site and the LT how the fans are unhappy. It's a massive ask for Kean - and it's unfair on him.

[Miker]

Yep cos things were totally awesome after we got tanked 7-1 at Old Trafford.

And it was all tickite boo after being done by 10 man Bolton.

Also, Dunny was quite happy when I talked to him last night - can't say how MGP felt as he wasn't there. Or maybe that's why he wasn't there? Yep, he boycotted the xmas party because of Sam getting potted..you may have something there.

There was also a 3-0 win against Wolves between them.

Honestly, I love how the 7-1 loss against Man Utd has been blown out of propotion. It's not like other teams haven't suffered massive losses this season. If everything just turned to ###### after a big loss then a lot of teams must be in big trouble right now.

[jim mk2]

No you can't.

How on earth does that do Sam's reputation any good?

Winning proves he isn't needed. Lose and it points to him being missed. Good luck trying to spin that on Saturday

Or the players play out of their skins because they want to prove a point for their old boss.

Or the players play out of their skins because they want to prove they don't miss their old boss.

As I said, you can twist it either way.

One thing's certain: victory on Saturday doesn't mean we're out of the poo long term

And defeat would prove the old manager is being missed.

[philipl]

As I have had today to think on this at work, When I heard Sam had been sacked I was shocked at first but deep down I knew that an owner who says they want to see exiting football sometime soon his cards would be up.

My real problem is WHO is running this club? All the interviews I have heard and things I have read leaves me without a shadow of doubt that the owners are totally clueless and that would be kind, we have heard so many different things from each member of the family that in my opinion not a single one of them knows anything and they are asking for us to trust them

I dont blame them and I really dont, the real villain here is the guy sat whispering sweet nothings into the brothers ear in the stands, the guy who job it is to ADVISE Venky's in the best way to run a Premiership club, the guy who has told Venky's that:

We could be a top 5 club by taking players like Geovanni and Boyd.

We dont need a manager to bring players into the club it will be fine.

We can run for 3 months without signing a manager.

We sack a manager without having another one to replace him.

We dont contact senior players at the club to reassure them.

We dont discuss Transfer dealings with the chairman or manager

Does all of this look like someone who is advising owners of a football club for the betterment of Blackburn Rovers or does it look like someone who is lining his pocket because he knows how to spot a few del boys when he sees them.

Venky's need to Ditch the bad advisors and Ditch them fast and listen to a man who has had years of knowledge in the premiership and is one of the most respected chairmen around.

Absolutely hit the nail on the head.

[AggyBlue]

Errr.........How did Sam do in his two home games against West Ham again?

er.....were West Ham bottom of the league and as dire as they are this season

[BuckyRover]

I will raise a glass to Sam in the evening should we take three points.

[Scotty]

Just had this pointed out to me on that F***wit365 site.

How do you feel now, ladies?

Have a word, Scotty...

Best Of British

Daily Mirror 'exclusive' by friend of Mediawatch Alan Nixon: 'Blackburn Rovers want Diego Maradona to replace Sam Allardyce.'

Venky's chairman Anuradha Desai: "Our thinking now is that it will be a British manager."

Tell us Alan, is Buenos Aires now in Norfolk?

Can I just say that I don't have, nor have I ever had, any link to Football365 other than occasionally reading the site during my lunch break at work. Pure paranoia on your part Nicko. And I only quote their digs at you because your reaction to them makes me laugh.

[OhmiBRFC]

There was also a 3-0 win against Wolves between them.

Honestly, I love how the 7-1 loss against Man Utd has been blown out of propotion. It's not like other teams haven't suffered massive losses this season. If everything just turned to ###### after a big loss then a lot of teams must be in big trouble right now.

MGP is in Norway for a funeral.

[BuckyRover]

It's based in Leeds I think. I hope that narrows it down for you nicko.

(It's not me)

[LDRover]

There was also a 3-0 win against Wolves between them.

Honestly, I love how the 7-1 loss against Man Utd has been blown out of propotion. It's not like other teams haven't suffered massive losses this season. If everything just turned to ###### after a big loss then a lot of teams must be in big trouble right now.

Sorry mate you're right, the fact that it was the biggest defeat that the majority of fans can remember and that the performance was one of abject surrender is irrelevant.

Anyway, back on topic, those Venky's - what a set of #####

[tony gale's mic]

Sorry mate you're right, the fact that it was the biggest defeat that the majority of fans can remember and that the performance was one of abject surrender is irrelevant.

Yes, 90 minutes, and a few other bad performances are relatively irrelevant when put into the context of the rest of Sam's reign.

As a club we've been lucky we haven't had any more defeats like that over the last 20 years or so.

But then I don't think at any point over the last 20 years or so we've been putting out a team which on paper is so inferior to so many of the other teams in the league. Even when we went down, our team on paper wasn't as bad compared to the top teams as it is now.

And there's been plenty of clubs our size getting tonked in the PL recently. Our time was surely going to come too.

But no, many people on here seemed to see it as a greater indicator of Sams reign than all the sterling work he's done with us.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Venkatesh Rao said:

"There's nothing personal against Sam," he added. "He's a very sweet and nice person, but we want a younger and more energetic appointment."

Whats the rules on age descrimination?

[LDRover]

Yes, 90 minutes, and a few other bad performances are relatively irrelevant when put into the context of the rest of Sam's reign.

As a club we've been lucky we haven't had any more defeats like that over the last 20 years or so.

But then I don't think at any point over the last 20 years or so we've been putting out a team which on paper is so inferior to so many of the other teams in the league. Even when we went down, our team on paper wasn't as bad compared to the top teams as it is now.

And there's been plenty of clubs our size getting tonked in the PL recently. Our time was surely going to come too.

But no, many people on here seemed to see it as a greater indicator of Sams reign than all the sterling work he's done with us.

I could debate on this team being better than the Dickov led side or even the Ashley Ward, Nathan Blake days but I won't bother. I could also say that the current United side is immeasurably weaker than the heyday of Scholes , Keane, Cantona, Ronaldo but again I won't bother.

(back on topic again)

No point arguing really, even now he's gone the Pro/Anti Sam divide is still as strong as ever.

And can I just say that I think that his sacking was untimely, especially with no replacement apparently lined up - however, it was inevitable.

[den]

And can I just say that I think that his sacking was untimely stupid and dangerous, especially with no replacement apparently lined up - however, it was inevitable.

is that what you meant LD?

[jim mk2]

, it was inevitable.

It wasn't inevitable owing to results on the field or the overall performances of the team.

Perhaps it was inevitable because new owners want to make their mark and have their own man in charge.

But that does not make them good or wise owners.

[Ewood Spark]

The Daily Mash's take on events!

[Exiled in Toronto]

I've never liked him, going back to the 70's when he was a player. However, he did keep us up in trying circumstannces and that will always be in the record books, so credit where it's due.

But I'm glad he's gone, because I was losing interest in watching us play. I PVR'd the Bolton game and still haven't watched it, and not for the first time. Unlike some on here who have orgasms over any kind of psoitive result, my love of the Rovers has been fed for over 40 years by excitement and heroes. Frankly, I couldn't care less if, out of 15 goes at it, someone gets a head on the ball, someone scuffs at the 2nd ball, and it hits someone's knee to go in. Keep doing it enought times and it'll happen.

I want to see Ken Knighton smack in a screamer; Tony Field beat 5 players and walk it in; Sir Roger dribble to the halfway line; beat Plymouth 5-2; watch Waggy hit 50 yarders that stop on a sixpence; see Garner hit a sweet volley on the turn; watch Speedie taunt the opposition fans; see Shearer do anything; see Tugay's volley against Fulham. Watching Allardyce's Rovers bored me; hopefully the next guy's Rovers will have more excitement.

No doubt I'll be labelled as naive and unrealistic, but hey ho, that's why I love the Rovers - great memories, and I want more of them.

[LDRover]

It wasn't inevitable owing to results on the field or the overall performances of the team.

Perhaps it was inevitable because new owners want to make their mark and have their own man in charge.

But that does not make them good or wise owners.

Proof of the pudding and all that...we'll soon know.

[tony gale's mic]

I've never liked him, going back to the 70's when he was a player. However, he did keep us up in trying circumstannces and that will always be in the record books, so credit where it's due.

But I'm glad he's gone, because I was losing interest in watching us play. I PVR'd the Bolton game and still haven't watched it, and not for the first time. Unlike some on here who have orgasms over any kind of psoitive result, my love of the Rovers has been fed for over 40 years by excitement and heroes. Frankly, I couldn't care less if, out of 15 goes at it, someone gets a head on the ball, someone scuffs at the 2nd ball, and it hits someone's knee to go in. Keep doing it enought times and it'll happen.

I want to see Ken Knighton smack in a screamer; Tony Field beat 5 players and walk it in; Sir Roger dribble to the halfway line; beat Plymouth 5-2; watch Waggy hit 50 yarders that stop on a sixpence; see Garner hit a sweet volley on the turn; watch Speedie taunt the opposition fans; see Shearer do anything; see Tugay's volley against Fulham. Watching Allardyce's Rovers bored me; hopefully the next guy's Rovers will have more excitement.

No doubt I'll be labelled as naive and unrealistic, but hey ho, that's why I love the Rovers - great memories, and I want more of them.

And no one says you won't have those memories again.

Just maybe not in the Premier League, the way things are going.

[jim mk2]

hopefully the next guy's Rovers will have more excitement.

The coming relegation battle should prove very exciting, if that's what turns you on.

I prefer safety in mid-table thank you, which is what the owners tossed away yesterday.

[Scotty]

The latest blog from the Marple Leaf sums up my feelings pretty well: The Marple Leaf

The site features an interesting link to BiffBifferson's blog too.

[47er]

Sorry mate you're right, the fact that it was the biggest defeat that the majority of fans can remember and that the performance was one of abject surrender is irrelevant.

Anyway, back on topic, those Venky's - what a set of #####

You are remarkably sanguine LD Rover. Congratulations to you--I just can't feel that way, because:

We are about to embark on a run of winnable games. Before Sam's sacking I was confident we 'd go into the New Year with a good safety margin between us and the relegation zone. I'm not so confident now--are you?

We have an untried caretaker manager for an unspecified period but it could be till the end of the season! And he won't have Sam or Neil MacDonald's know-how to help him. A step-up too far?

The January transfer window is nearly on us. There is no chance of Kean being able to stand up to the Venky's. He will get whomever is foisted on him and the new manager will inherit them. Have you heard anything about the Venky's transfer market intention to make you happy?

In summary what is there to base your optimism on? Are you just happy to be rid of Allardyce and not thinking it through beyond that?

It looks that way. Same applies to you Bucky.

I sincerely hope your confidence is not misplaced because, like you, I love this club but on balance I feel I have every reason to be concerned by recent events.

[RevidgeBlue]

The latest blog from the Marple Leaf sums up my feelings pretty well: The Marple Leaf

Some very good points in there there although I really don't think appointing Tugay would be a masterstroke.

I'd also be more inclined to say Sam never made a really good signing as opposed to saying he never made a duff one.