Blackburn Rovers manager targets a week to remember (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Blackburn Rovers manager targets a week to remember
8:59am Monday 22nd March 2010 in
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- By Andy Cryer » Blackburn Rovers reporter
A JUBILANT SAM Allardyce is hoping to make it a week to remember for Rovers fans.
El-Hadji Diouf’s second-half header earned Rovers a point against high-flying Chelsea yesterday afternoon, and Allardyce now has guaranteed survival in his sights.
Rovers are 11 points clear of safety, sitting on 35 points in 12th, but he believes Wednesday’s visit of Birmingham and Sunday’s trip to Burnley could make the end to the season even less pressurised.
He said: “That draw was great from our point of view because it is such a big week for us.
"This is a great start, we have got Burnley and Birmingham to play and if we play like we did in the second half we could almost secure our Premier League status by the end of this week.
“We are a long way off the bottom three but of course there is still a niggling doubt in your mind that someone could have a very good run like they have in the past.
“Someone could do that and we want to get to 38, and we want to get that as soon as possible.
"And that would be very nice to finish the season off with less pressure and to win more points to get further up the league.”
Ewood Park was already getting ready for next weekend’s East Lancashire derby, with several chants about their claret and blue neighbours, but Allardyce admits Birmingham have to be their immediate priority.
Rovers will have the Blues in their sights as they look to climb into the top half of the table between now and the end of the season – with Allardyce adamant Burnley will be forgotten until Thursday.
He said: “Birmingham is a big game, a difficult game.
"They have had a terrific season and they are well versed in what they do.
“Perform like we have in the second half and we will get the chance to win the game.
“We have only had two defeats all season at Ewood, which will give everyone a little bit of fear who come and we have to keep that up and maintain that Wednesday.
“Then we can look forward to the big derby after that.”
Just minutes before Diouf’s equaliser Allardyce’s decision to withdraw Nikola Kalinic for Jason Roberts brought vocal jeers from the Ewood Park crowd – who wanted the Rovers boss to play with two conventional strikers.
Allardyce though was proved right as Rovers earned a priceless Premier League point and he insisted sometimes you can’t afford to chase games.
He said: “Sometimes you can’t go gung-ho. We had to be patient and keep working at them and in the end we got the result.
“I think we deserved it in the end. Our second half performance merited the equaliser we got and it is a big week for us and this is a very good start.
“Everyone thought Chelsea would come here and take the points and move on to try and win the tile and gladly we have produced a performance with a result this time.”
Comments(18)
French Rover
says...
9:47am Mon 22 Mar 10
I have criticised Allardyce many times over the last twelve months or so, and he will never be my (or many others) favourite type of manager, but to be fair to the man - he is proving to be a lot better manager than I ever thought he could be.
His overall stubborness and defensive minded mentality are almost likeable traits now, and his joyful jigs on the touchline when we score are definately those of someone who feels strongly about the club.
He has certainly earned his right to another season (at least) as Rovers manager, as we look forward this week to confirming our prem place for next season.
Lets hope that he gets some cash from the Board to spend this close season - in reward for his efforts (amid much controversy and adversity) in retaining our position.
We really dont need to sell anyone this close season, (unless its moving on the constantly injured midfielders) so he can concentrate on some of the key areas that he knows he needs to strengthen - a new striker, and at least one new midfielder (Dependant on how Basturk works out) and maybe a versatile defender?
Around 10 million should cover those needs.....which is not a lot really in terms of modern football - but an enormous amount for the Rovers.
If we are to push-on at all next season and keep out of the dog fight of relegation, then surely we need to speculate in order to accumulate.
I trust Allardyces judegemnt to spend wisely, lets hope the board feel the same!
jeppo
says...
11:12am Mon 22 Mar 10
Morst
says...
11:34am Mon 22 Mar 10
.
Big Sam - make sure you allow for the energy levels required on Sunday because Burnley's main chance is if we turn up not fully ready and we MUST be ready for this one! I would rest Dunny on Wed and perhaps use Di Santo and Roberts for part of the game. Hope Givet is fit for Sunday also.
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31st...
jeppo
says...
11:54am Mon 22 Mar 10
I take your point re the club finances, and agree...although I would still expect reducing the wage bill to be high on the agenda.
Even the Sam detractors would admit that Sam will know the importance of the Dingle game to the fans, and that he will know the value of it, in terms of his own profile - he will be going all out to win on Sunday!
Morst
says...
12:18pm Mon 22 Mar 10
.
Birmingham can never be more important than Burnley and we are safe now if truth be told as neither Hull or Burnley will get to 35 points and we can't lose every game - come on relax your nerves a bit!
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31st....
jeppo
says...
1:10pm Mon 22 Mar 10
Its not tension really, but I am;
a) trying to see it from Sams perspective and
b) excited that we can soon get beyond Marghens recent prediction of 35-37 points, so that I can REALLY give him some stick!!
holly2007
says...
2:05pm Mon 22 Mar 10
Morst
says...
2:11pm Mon 22 Mar 10
.
I am going to my first "live" game since Fulham on Wed and I think how we perform then and vs Burnley is more of a indication of progress.
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31st......
SusieF
says...
4:21pm Mon 22 Mar 10
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Was great to see those Chelski fans going home without the 3 points they had thought they were going to take away easily!
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Looking forward to Weds night, if we can come away with a win (ever the optimistic or maybe a draw) and take 3 points from Sunday at Turd Moor then it will be a good week for us defo!
Forever Blue
says...
6:07pm Mon 22 Mar 10
The reporters on the Clarets page Suzanne Geldard & photo -fit that is you is it Andrew Greaves should look to a different profession in life now because you will never get past junior reporters the comments are so amateurish & un - professional dont how they get away with it trying to justify why ( M Duff forearm to a Wigan players face was a storm in a teacup when he retired hurt & the Clarets having the last laugh ?? from photo -fit man ) when Rovers are 11 points above them at the present moment whats your tipple you two bet its BITTER !!
31 YEARS
says...
10:54pm Mon 22 Mar 10
We need to rest a couple on Wednesday especially if it keeps raining.
I just hope we turn up on from the start on Sunday.
jogalot
says...
11:07pm Mon 22 Mar 10
NickH1982
says...
11:18am Tue 23 Mar 10
eddie the eagle
says...
11:38am Tue 23 Mar 10
NickH1982 wrote:Basturk has hardly played for 3yrs on what form guide to you think he should be picked.
Basturk should start on wednesday sureley he is ready now
Lamp it!
says...
11:13pm Tue 23 Mar 10
jeppo wrote:steady on! roberts to leave - why? he always gives 100% and does actually do a good job for the team. he is always available and gets on with it.
steady on, French Rover, the reality is that we have some good young lads coming through, and a relatively solid financial position - there is no benefit whatsoever in 'speculating to accumulate' at this stage. Priority No 1 in the Summer has to be clearing out 2 or 3 senior players that are not in the starting eleven (Zurab, maybe Reid maybe Roberts, maybe one surprise), then using their salaries plus the McCarthy money to let Sam further evolve the squad to his liking, along the lines as per your post. We will look to finish next season in that 9/10 spot, and have at least one cup run, which leaves us in a position then from where we can look at how best to get into Europe the season after. I know that may not sound too exciting to you, but it is the reality...Rovers is a business, we cannot afford to make mistakes and we have to look to reduce the wage bill.
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grella and reid may as well play for my under... junior team! they'd never get a game though due to them being injured all the time. that could also be said of another lad but at least dunny has a touch of class and is exciting when he gets the ball. i mean - grella can't pass wind and reid is a championship player.
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we need to keep roberts, get shut of the crocks and add a quality midfielder. i know i've said it before but if this doesnt happen it's money down the drain!
Roverthere
says...
7:22am Wed 24 Mar 10
eddie the eagle
says...
11:25am Wed 24 Mar 10
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kevin e says...
9:28am Mon 22 Mar 10