11:20am Monday 6th September 2010
By Andy Cryer
SAM Allardyce believes Blackburn Rovers have performed miracles during his Ewood Park tenure after admitting his squad’s development has exceeded all expectations.
The Rovers boss admits he has been disappointed by the lack of funds available this summer but was quick to emphasise the huge strides he believes have been taken during the past couple of years.
Rovers were the only Premier League club not to pay a transfer fee this summer, with Mame Biram Diouf arriving on loan and free agent Benjani signing, leaving a section of supporters frustrated by the inactivity.
After leading his side to a creditable top half Premier League finish last season though, Allardyce believes there is every reason to be optimistic as they look to build on recent progress.
He said: “Like every manager you are disappointed you can’t bring more in but that is a fact of life at the moment.
"But, in terms of development time, I would say we are at least 12 months ahead of where I thought we would be when I first came.
“The main aim then was to keep the club in the Premier League and then to resolve its financial difficulties.
"That left us in a very difficult position in terms of producing a good side for Blackburn Rovers. We have managed to do that.
“We have put the financial side straight by accumulating £30million plus in the transfer market.
"We have gone out and spent wisely around £12m or £14m and have left a massive profit for the club.
“To get this far in 20 months with the trials and tribulations we have had has been pretty miraculous.
"It is a position I am delighted to say we are way, way above where I considered to be.”
A lot of Rovers’ success over the past 12 months can be put down to their youth revolution, with several of their academy starlets breaking into the first team.
They have also managed to unearth some ‘bargain signings, like French midfielder Steven Nzonzi, but Allardyce knows their task does not get any easier.
“We have promoted some very good players and we have improved the players who are already here and that has catapulted us towards being a more sound solid squad than I thought,” said Allardyce.
“What we have to do now is keep going out and proving it and keep improving by the results we get, which is always very difficult because we have spent less than anybody else.
“We have progressed so far in the last few months there are a number of sides we should be beating.
"We shouldn’t struggle so much although that doesn’t mean we don’t guard against that and guard against potential complacency."
Despite a lack of funds, Allardyce has had the luxury of picking from a strong squad so far this season, with last season’s player of the year missing out due to the strength in depth.
Allardyce said: “It is about a strong healthy squad and about me managing the squad and managing the disappointment of some of my players. That is my job.
“It is a hard job but one you have to manage. If someone can’t cope or put up with it there are two windows for that to change and you look into moving them on.
“At this moment in time it is about the players who are selected. It is their responsibility to play so well you can’t get the shirt off them.
"The responsibility of the other lads is to be patient, wait for their turn and grab that chance when they get the shirt.
“Then make sure you don’t lose it by playing well. That is healthy competition in a strong squad we have developed over 20 months."
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