[Archived] Venky's 'Off Their Heads' says Sir Alex

[jim mk2]

FERGUSON CAN'T UNDERSTAND ALLARDYCE AXE

By Simon Stone, Press Association Sport Chief Football Writer

Sir Alex Ferguson has branded the Blackburn owners as ``off their heads'' for getting rid of Sam Allardyce.

Manchester United entertain Rovers at Old Trafford tomorrow knowing victory will see them end 2011 at the Premier League summit, whilst at the same time consigning their opponents to the foot of the table.

It hardly seems credible that just 14 months ago, Blackburn were safe in mid-table, even if they were about to suffer a 7-1 mauling at United's hands.

Within weeks, Allardyce was gone, part of Venky's attempts to reshape the club.

Before long, chairman John Williams had left as well, creating a power vacuum that still has not been filled.

So, whilst Ferguson has been fully supportive of Allardyce's replacement Steve Kean, who has come in for so much abuse from his own fans, he cannot comprehend why Venky's acted as they did.

``For anyone to sack Sam Allardyce, you would think they were off their head,'' said Ferguson.

``He is such an influential and big personality. He was perfect for Blackburn.

``He is an outstanding manager. You can see that with the job he is doing at West Ham.

``Why did they do it? I couldn't possibly give you an answer. But a lot of experience went out of the door when they did.''

And that was compounded by Williams' exit in February after 14 years with the Ewood Park outfit.

``John Williams was very experienced in the job,'' said Ferguson.

``He was a Blackburn man. He looked after the Jack Walker Trust and was responsible for the running of the club. That was a loss as well.''

So, whilst United are hardly at strength ahead of tomorrow's game, they are in a much healthier state than Blackburn.

Ferguson might he sifting through his injury list to work out who to play in defence and midfield, where the shortages are at their most acute. He will bring back Spain Under-21 keeper David de Gea, even though deputy Anders Lindegaard has just kept clean sheets against Fulham and Wigan, taking his overall tally to six on the trot.

It proves what confidence the United boss has in the two players signed to compensate for Edwin van der Sar's retirement, and suggests the trials that accompanied Peter Schmeichel's exit in 1999 will be avoided this time around.

``We are very lucky. We have got two good young goalkeepers with good ability and who work really hard at their training,'' said Ferguson.

``They are both very professional. That is the key to it.

``If they are professional they understand, particularly Anders, who is dealing with a younger keeper in De Gea. He has been terrific so it has been easy to manage.''

Less straightforward are the problems at the back, which may require Michael Carrick to partner Patrice Evra tomorrow, and midfield, where Tom Cleverley and Anderson are long-term absentees.

The defensive consolation is that Chris Smalling does not have glandular fever, as had been reported, and Ferguson believes he could shake off tonsillitis in time to either face Newcastle next Wednesday, or Manchester City in the FA Cup third round at the Etihad Stadium on January 8.

Further forward, Anderson has at least started training again after two months out with a knee injury.

However, Ferguson can offer no date for the return of Cleverley, who has appeared just twice since the beginning of September.

Although the 21-year-old boasts just seven senior appearances, including the Community Shield, he did enough to earn a call-up to Fabio Capello's England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers with Bulgaria and Wales.

And Ferguson has no doubt Cleverley could make a massive difference to United's season as a whole when he eventually recovers from an ankle injury.

``Tom Cleverley is a big loss,'' he said.``Potentially, he is the best midfield player in Britain. He has great promise.''

[Tom]

Edit: Second thought's lets let it run and see how it goes but I expect the same back and forth comments we have had for a year

[broadsword]

"Off with Their Heads" would've been better.

[canuckroversfan]

"Off with Their Heads" would've been better.

EPIC POST +1 million

[modes98]

This article is used to resolve Kean of blame in a tabloid. "Kean not to blame - says Fergie". The article then says we shouldn't have sacked Big Sam which kind of points to the fact that Kean is to blame and that under Sam we wouldn't be here now, that mixed with Venky's being asset stripping ££££££££££££££

[den]

"Sir Alex Ferguson has branded the Blackburn owners as ``off their heads'' for getting rid of Sam Allardyce".

Noticeably he didn't say the mistake was in appointing Kean. So does this mean that MarkBRFC71, Gav, Topman, Abbey etc were off their heads as well?

Don't get angry lads, it's just a question.

[92er]

"Sir Alex Ferguson has branded the Blackburn owners as ``off their heads'' for getting rid of Sam Allardyce".

Noticeably he didn't say the mistake was in appointing Kean. So does this mean that MarkBRFC71, Gav, Topman, Abbey etc were off their heads as well?

Don't get angry lads, it's just a question.

I listened to some of the Ferguson interview on Radio Lancs last night which journalists might have used as a sign of support for Kean, along with Kean's reference to the phone call they had.

However, Ferguson didn't refer at all to Kean's success in the role as a reason to get behind him, or his potential or how he will turn things round. He talked about the abuse from the fans,about how there should be a better way of going about things and about how Kean was being positive in pressers.

The "off their heads" comment should be read at the same time as the comments Kean has uttered about the support he has been getting from Ferguson, amongst others.

Ferguson is appalled by the sacking of Allardyce and the way the Venky's have run the club since they've owned it, but he isn't saying Kean is doing a good job.

[ABBEY]

"Sir Alex Ferguson has branded the Blackburn owners as ``off their heads'' for getting rid of Sam Allardyce".

Noticeably he didn't say the mistake was in appointing Kean. So does this mean that MarkBRFC71, Gav, Topman, Abbey etc were off their heads as well?

Don't get angry lads, it's just a question.

No it means fergie is a two faced, whisky nosed arrogant tosspot!

[dingles staying down 4ever]

No it means fergie is a two faced, whisky nosed arrogant tosspot!

Or it is someone still supporting his mate Sam!

[den]

No it means fergie is a two faced, whisky nosed arrogant tosspot!

Plenty of people on here Abbey, would tell you that for any fan to claim they know more about football than even Kean, - never mind Ferguson - is unbelievably pretentious.

[Paul Mellelieu]

Can't see this than anything other than Fergie sticking the boot in after Kean had used him to defend his position.

[ABBEY]

Plenty of people on here Abbey, would tell you that for any fan to claim they know more about football than even Kean, - never mind Ferguson - is unbelievably pretentious.

But noone had heard of let alone making kean manager.

[yorkblue]

Oh dear Steve. Your new best mate Sir Alex is making it clear that Mrs D doesn't have a clue and made a monumental cock-up when she sacked Big Sam ( and by implication appointing you). A couple of days ago you said that you would listen to people like him as they knew what they were talking about. Wriggle out of this one you pr*ck.

[thenodrog]

Can't see this than anything other than Fergie sticking the boot in after Kean had used him to defend his position.

Taking liberties I'd call it. Kean's been bubbled. Fergy's friends are friends on his terms and his terms only.

[thenodrog]

But noone had heard of let alone making kean manager.

Abbey there were few managers better suited to us than Sam Allardyce. Maybe his brand of football wasn't great but it was necessary and more than matched our finances and our situation. Under SA we were punching above our weight which is a concept which you will well understand and one that you cannot help but agree with too.

Rem I did ask you to name somebody better and your best shot was Holloway (not as good as SA by a distance but I'd take him in a heartbeat now) and ludicrously Tugay bit like MU sacking Fergy a decade ago and replacing him with George Best.

[den]

But noone had heard of let alone making kean manager.

But you keep mentioning Kean Abbey. Ferguson didn't mention Kean, he said the mistake was in sacking Sam.

You know - as in "if you don't sack Sam, you don't get Kean".

[Tom]

I bet he wishes Sam was still in the job now, he'll be fondly remembering this fixture last season.

(But he has a point)