SAM Allardyce admits he is resigned to being stereotyped as a ‘long-ball’ manager but insists that looking at the facts would point to a different story.

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola was the latest to pigeon-hole Rovers as a direct and physical side, after their 1-1 draw at Ewood Park a fortnight ago, but Allardyce insists his side deserve more credit.

After Zola’s post-match words, the club released their pro zone statistics at the request of Allardyce to show their total domination against the Hammer in all areas of the pitch.

Rovers know they will have similar critics ahead of today’s visit of Spurs but Allardyce insists he will not let the knockers bother him.

Allardyce said: “We didn’t do that. It was the opposite to that. It is typical of that manager who suggested we played like that.

“He didn’t actually say long ball but he tried to suggest it.

“It is common ground for me. I just look at the stats and when we battered a side like we battered them and completely out-played them in every department then he was just lucky he got away with a point so he should have been grateful for that.”