Allardyce's Arrival Has All But Staved Off Relegation

Who else could have saved Blackburn so effortlessly? Sat second bottom of the Premier League, five points from safety with just 13 points from 17 games, Sam Allardyce succeeded Paul Ince as Blackburn Rovers’ manager, and in less than 20 games he has made them all but safe – almost in second gear.

He took Bolton up, took them into Europe and developed them into a club so stable that even Gary Megson can keep them afloat with ease. His over-eagerness to join Newcastle perhaps has meant that he probably will be firefighting with clubs like Blackburn forever, but even that “marriage made in hell” was not as bad as first seemed: Mike Ashley sacked Allardyce with the Toon in the heady heights of 12th place, and subsequent failings have shown that Big Sam’s performance - in the cold, hard textbook of results – was in fact a relative success as he seemed - initially at least – to be able to wring the best of Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins (the latter’s brace at Bolton on opening day the highest peak of his short managership). Ashley’s happiness to jump into bed with the fans meant that he immediately replaced Sam with Kevin Keegan – a man who, even four years previously had looked to sign a host of ageing nineties’ superstars for Manchester City (Robbie Fowler, Peter Schmeichel, David Seaman, Michael Tarnat, need I go on? ) and whose work in football for three years amounted to running a childrens’ “Soccer Circus” in Glasgow. It was like replacing Fabio Capello as England manager with Glenn Hoddle – and it was shabby treatment for a manager who, whilst not putting any trees up was definitely not going to make Newcastle relegation candidates.

Of course there are mitigating factors: Newcastle were in a shocking run of form, and the “brand of football” issue raised its ugly head once the results started to turn. He is oft-mocked for his “agricultural” style at Bolton, but with signings like Youri Djorkaeff, Ivan Campo, Nicolas Anelka and Jay-Jay Okocha, can you play completely long-ball football? His football tends to be direct, of course, but his organisation and motivation of players is second to none – at Bolton he came away with two draws from three games at Stamford Bridge during the José era, and with consecutive wins at Old Trafford in his first two seasons in the Premier League, surely he was the man to take Newcastle to the level they had slipped from since Bobby Robson left in 2005. I guess Mr Ashley had other ideas.

So Sam ended up at Blackburn. What had become (under Ince) a gung-ho football team with a brittle underbelly, became a drilled, structured outfit with an underbelly made of titanium. Benni McCarthy went from the outskirts of the side to a prolific Premier League goalscorer, Jason Roberts went from an Ade Akinbiyi impression to a spirited strike partner, and Ryan Nelsen has remembered how to defend: In other words, Blackburn are now a worthy Premier League side, who, with Big Sam at the helm can perhaps look towards Europe next season – after all, since Allardyce’s arrival, they have taken 27 points from 19 games, which is European form and would place them comfortably in seventh if taken over a whole season. He is no Mourinho, no Benitez, no Ferguson, but he has sparked a remarkable revival from a team on it’s knees, and – this becoming an increasing Big Sam trademark - has got the best out of a (relatively) small Premier League club.

When the final whistle went and those West Ham fans who’d spent most of Saturdays game against Chelsea abusing former old boys, Frank Lampard and John Terry, had disappeared to the pubs around and about, I bet they never thought they’d ever see either player back at Upton Park that soon. Obviously they were unaware that both players have agreed in principle to play for West Ham in a testimonial match for the Hammers’ academy director, Tony Carr as a celebration of his 36 years working for West Ham.

Now the West Ham fans have to swallow their pride after Saturday and think about how their actions toward those two former players reflects on Tony Carr’s night. Here’s a guy who’s given years of service to West Ham United and brought through countless players since he took over the role as Director Of Youth Development in 1973.There’s no doubt if Chelsea had played anywhere that weekend, they’d have got a lot of stick, especially Lampard and Terry and the chants weren’t that bad in the context of some of the things that are sung at football matches.

Yet, Lampard hasn’t helped himself before, with some comments about how his time was at West Ham, that he didn’t enjoy it as well, his family was badly treated by the club, he also said in a Chelsea supporters meeting he’d love to score the goal that sent West Ham down as well as the allegation that when he broke his leg playing for West Ham, some fans were cheering. I’d hate to think that was true, in fact I find it very hard to believe that West Ham fans would do that at all.So the abuse he got on Saturday was to be expected really.

People forget that Lampard has a history of slating West Ham whenever he seems to be interviewed but to say Lampard had a tough week last week would be an understatement, with the anniversary of his mothers death, an on air argument with a sad little shock jock and then the gauntlet of abuse he ran at Upton Park.

West Ham fans didn’t sing anything about his mother, but they did about the rant with the DJ and splitting up with his girlfriend, Terry got the same about his mother’s shopping indiscretion. That’s what happens at football matches, away players get rude songs sang at them, always have done, always will do. Some of the criticism the West Ham fans have received seems to be rather calculated in my opinion and I don;t think the stick they got was any worse than they would have received at Arsenal, Tottenham and Fulham.

I’m sure the majority of  West Ham fans that attend Tony Carr’s testimonial remember it’s a celebration of someone that has brought through the calibre of  Joe Cole, Lampard, Carrick, The Ferdinand brothers, Glen Johnson, Mark Noble,Tony Cottee, Paul Ince and the latest batch of Collinson, Tomkins, Sears and Stanislas. Let’s hope the minority don’t spoil a celebration of a man who would bleed claret and blue if you cut him, a more humble and proud Hammers fan you’d be hard pressed to find. Save all your singing for the next time you play Chelsea and give them the stick you feel they deserve, just don’t overstep the mark or spoil Tony Carr’s night.

Buoyed by Mark Hughes’ overachievement and shrewd signings, Blackburn had been living in a fantasyland of consistent contention for Europe.  Paul Ince transported them rudely back to small city reality.  Blackburn took an admirable risk, hiring the Premier League’s first black manager, but, in this instance, it clearly backfired.  You know things are dreary when Sam Allardyce becomes Midas.

Form: Sam Allardyce has revolutionized Blackburn.  Since he took over Dec. 17, the club has won or drawn ten of their thirteen matches, a noticeable improvement from Ince’s brief reign.  Of the three losses, two came in no shame affairs away to a resurgent Arsenal and Manchester United.  Aston Villa gave them their only home defeat.  Characteristic of an Allardyce team, they will battle in every match.

Schedule: Blackburn have a reasonable run of games to get points.  Their home ties against Tottenham, Wigan, Portsmouth and West Brom are all winnable.  Their away fixtures are a bit tougher, traveling to Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Stoke City.  Though, given the Allardyce style, it’s not inconceivable they trip up a similarly physical Liverpool or Chelsea side.

Injuries: Injuries could play a role for Blackburn, where they need help, scoring goals.  Benny McCarthy is probably questionable with his hamstring injury.  Roque Santa Cruz seems keen to return against Tottenham, with just four goals in 17 appearances leaves much to be desired when he is fit.  Diouf could help out, so could Morten Gamst-Pedersen, if he rouses from his season-long doze.

Prognosis: Blackburn will not go down.  They are a comfortably mid-table team placed in a whole because of Ince.  Cynical Sam’s style evokes neither beauty nor romanticism, but it’s effective.  For Blackburn this season, it will also be lucrative, keeping them in the league.  Newcastle may climb out, but not at Blackburn’s expense.

Just when we thought this Saturday was going to be a bit of a snoozer in the Premier League, Paul Ince gets sacked and Blackburn Rovers have now appointed Sam Allardyce as the club’s new manager. His first match in charge will be this Saturday at Ewood Park against Stoke City.

In some ways, Big Sam was made for the Blackburn Rovers job. They’re a tough northern side that, like Bolton, were once great. Importantly for Big Sam, Blackburn is not a Newcastle United. There won’t be the immense pressure from supporters that a manager feels on Tyneside. But Allardyce definitely has a big task ahead of him. Avoiding relegation will be the one and only goal for Rovers this season, so the Allardyce can rebuild the squad in the summer.

Love him to hate him, Sam Allardyce was made to be an English Premier League manager. He’s the type of gaffer you always imagine standing on the touchline barking orders as the rain pours down. For Big Sam, this is a true challenge to see if he show his managerial prowess and turn Blackburn back into a force to be reckoned with. He did it at Bolton, failed at Newcastle, but can he succeed at Blackburn?

Welcome back Big Sam. We missed you, and your sharp suits.

Blackburn Rovers announced this morning that Paul Ince has been sacked. The move was a smart decision by Rovers who can’t afford for the club to get relegated. But who will Blackburn put in charge to replace Incey? Vote now.

Paul Ince has been sacked as manager of Blackburn Rovers. It’s not much of a surprise, especially after their convincing loss away to Wigan on Saturday, but they need to move quickly to replace Ince. Blackburn face Stoke on Saturday in a must-win relegation battle.

I believe the perfect replacement for Paul Ince is Roy Keane. Sure, he’s volatile and unpredictable but he’s the perfect spark that Blackburn needs to reignite their season.

In August 2006, Roy Keane joined Sunderland as manager of the club when they were second from bottom in the Championship table. By April 2007, Keane had completely turned the club around and helped Sunderland secure promotion to the Premier League.

While life in the Premier League had been rocky for Keane this season, Ewood Park would be an ideal environment for Keane. First, it’s not too far from his Cheshire home. Second, Keane has a lot to prove. By keeping Blackburn in the Premier League, Keane’s failure at Sunderland will be a distant memory. Third, the Blackburn squad are a decent side that are capable of moving up the table. But they need a manager who can turnaround the side, change its tactics and give the players a self belief that they can win matches. That person is Roy Keane.

If you were the Blackburn Rovers board, would you sack Paul Ince or keep him? Blackburn currently sits second from bottom. And the last time they won in the league was September 27th when they beat Newcastle. Vote now and express your opinion.

The English Premier League provides the biggest stage in the world for players, managers, and coaches alike to showcase their various skills and talents.  Audiences in the millions around the world watch teams and players, as fans tune into whatever TV or Internet coverage is available on a daily basis.  An EPL managerial position is one of the most sought after jobs in football.

The successful veteran managers are well known and leaders like Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have become iconic symbols of their respective clubs.  In addition, other EPL battle hardened leaders with several years in the English top flight to add to their CVs include coaches such as Rafa Benitez, Martin O’Neill, Harry Redknapp, Mark Hughes, and Steve Bruce.

With the astronomically high stakes and the pressure cooker that is the managerial hot seat of an EPL team, we’re going to take a look at the newcomers – the EPL “rookie” managers.  Seven of the 20 teams are coached by managers in their first year of leading an English club in the top flight.  For the most part, they are certainly not cutting their teeth in their first managerial assignment but to qualify for the list they must be in their first year as an EPL manager.  Club expectations vary quite dramatically in this group, from survival to Champions League glory, but it’s interesting to review how the new leaders are faring and what we might expect as the season progresses. 

Blackburn Rovers:  Paul Ince

Previous Managerial Positions:  Macclesfield Town (2006); MK Dons (2007)

Appointment Background:  After Mark Hughes was recruited to lead the renovation at Manchester City, Ince became somewhat of a surprise candidate to take over at Ewood Park.  Blackburn have enjoyed an extensive run in the Premier league and in recent seasons have challenged for a European qualifying spot, developing into a solid Premiership outfit under the guidance of Hughes.  Ince took a huge step up from the lower leagues and despite success in 2007 with the MK Dons, he has to quickly come to terms with learning the managerial trade at the highest level.

Expectations:  Sustain Blackburn’s status as a top 10 team and continue to push for Euro qualification.

Progress:  Right now not good.  Rovers had some early success bagging a first win under Ince over Everton on the opening day of the season.  Since then form has dipped and Blackburn sit second from bottom in the league with just 10 more points acquired since that initial victory.

Looking Forward:  Attendances seem down – at least the games I’ve seen and there doesn’t appear to be much optimism.  The squad is probably too good to be sucked into a relegation battle but it’s already been brought up enough to make Ince address the relegation issue with the media.  Ince will need to get this team to at least mid-table if he hopes to make this a long-term assignment.

Chelsea:  Phil Scolari

Previous Managerial Positions:  Numerous clubs in the Middle East, Brazil, and Asia in early career managing 15 teams in 15 years from 1982-1997, including the Kuwait national team in 1991; Palmeiros (1997); Cruzeiro (2000); Brazil (2001); Portugal (2003)

Appointment Background:  Avram Grant was never considered the replacement for Jose Mourinho and, despite a decent 2007 season in which Chelsea finished second in both the EPL and the Champions League, the search for his successor was on well before John Terry hit the post.  Big Phil was named Chelsea boss during Euro 2008.

Expectations:  Win just about everything with an exciting and attacking brand of football.

Progress:  As expected, Solari has adjusted to life in the Stamford Bridge cauldron with ease.  He is popular with the fans and press alike, and appears to have a genuine rapport with the players.  Chelsea are playing with attacking flair and style, leading the way at the top of the league.  Despite a setback in their last European Champions League match, they are in good shape to progress.

Looking Forward:  They will win something this year or at least come very close.  They are a solid team and even if Roman does not break out the cash again in January, Phil has more than he needs to work with to be successful.  Chances are he will be around for a long while as Chelsea campaign for silverware on all fronts.

Hull City:  Phil Brown

Previous Managerial Positions:  Derby (2005)

Appointment Background:  Took over in December, 2006 with Hull 22nd in the Championship.  Successfully fought off relegation and subsequently, the following season, led the Tigers to top-flight football for the first time in their history.

Expectations:  Avoid Relegation.

Progress:  The amount of material already generated on the accomplishments of Hull City and Phil Brown since starting their inaugural season speaks volumes. They are everybody’s favorite ‘other’ team (except for maybe Grimsby fans).  They have already collected over half of the 40 points usually deemed necessary to survive and have recorded some impressive wins notably at the Emirates and White Hart Lane.  It’s not all been rosy but they are the ‘feel-good’ story of the season so far.

Looking Forward:  They probably will not be able to maintain their initial early form but a solid mid-table position is more than reachable for Brown’s team.  Even if they do fall from grace, Phil Brown has established himself as a top tier managerial candidate for a few years.

Portsmouth:  Tony Adams

Previous Managerial Positions:  Wycombe (2003)

Appointment Background:  Harry wanted to go to Spurs-Spurs paid Portsmouth 5 mil-Big Tone was promoted.

Expectations:  Tough to gauge so it would be good to hear from some Pompey fans.  Portsmouth have been continuously improving over the past couple of seasons and enter the 08-09 season as FA Cup holders.  At the very least Adams will need to maintain a consistent and capable Premiership team.

Progress:  Too early to tell although Adams has been on the coaching stuff during the renaissance at Fratton Park and can be credited to contributing to their recent success.

Looking Forward:  If Adams can keep the squad around mid-table or better he should be fine for another year or two.  January could be a key month in terms of either building or dismantling the team, especially if ‘Arry comes calling with his checkbook.

Stoke City:  Tony Pulis

Previous Managerial Positions:  Bournemouth (1992); Gillingham (1995); Bristol City (1999); Portsmouth (2000); Stoke (2002); Plymouth (2005)

Appointment Background:  Returned to Stoke for his second stint after new ownership at the Britannia Stadium in 2006.  Achieved promotion in his second season back at the club to give the Potters their first top flight football in 23 years.

Expectations:  Avoid relegation.

Progress:  City are hovering around the relegation zone in a tightly packed mid to lower table clutch of clubs.  Stoke are playing a very direct style of football that has seem them record decent wins against Villa, Spurs, and Arsenal in addition to earning a very respectable draw at Anfield.  If they can avoid a spiral of successive defeats, they have a good shot at securing a second EPL season.

Looking Forward:  Fans seem happy and the players seem happy.  Unless the team go into a big slide Pulis is probably safe in his job.  Continued dedication and consistency could garner him a second season in the Premier League.

West Bromich Albion:  Tony Mowbray

Previous Managerial Positions:  Ipswich (Caretaker 2002), Hibernian (2004)

Appointment Background:  Replaced Bryan Robson in 2006 after West Brom had been relegated.  Achieved promotion back to the Premiership at the second attempt and guided the team to the FA Cup Semi-Final last season.

Expectations:  Avoid relegation

Progress:  Early returns were promising for WBA as they secured their best ever start to a Premier League campaign.  Form has since plummeted and the Baggies have just 1 point from their past 7 games while being outscored 17-3, and they currently sit at the foot of the table.

Looking forward:  If there is a bright spot, it is that the Premier is so tight this year.  A couple of wins on the trot can see any bottom club climb to mid-table.  Nevertheless, the current run of results is alarming and Mowbray will need to turn it around quickly if he wants a second Premier term to establish his top-flight managerial credentials.

West Ham United:  Gianfranco Zola

Previous Managerial Positions:  None (assistant coach for Italy U-21s in 2006)

Appointment Background:  An early season replacement for Alan Curbishly, who despite a decent record with the Hammers, fell out with ownership over transfer funds and seemed to be distanced from fans with high expectations.  The only manager with no prior experience.

Expectations:  Secure top half finish and develop a team capable of qualifying for Europe and challenging for domestic cups.

Progress:  Zola has had a bit more time than Tony Adams and it is probably still too early to see how the team will respond to the former Chelsea playmaker.  The Hammers secured their first victory in 8 games at Sunderland this past weekend, with their previous EPL victory coming in Zola’s second game in charge against Fulham on Sep. 27th.  Form does not appear to be very consistent and he still hasn’t been able to get them to fix that dodgy patch on the front of their shirts!

Looking Forward:  His current West Ham team look more like Championship material than the top 6-10 that their fans expect.  It could be a case of a champagne taste on a beer budget at Upton Park with the financial situation not likely to aid Zola in strengthening his squad.  His induction into football management could end up in disaster unless the performances improve quickly.  Zola, however, is a class act and undoubtedly a popular figure in Premiership football. Regardless of how his first term concludes, I think we are likely to see Gianfranco around top-flight English football for a while.

How do you think the managers new to the Premier League are performing?  Are you a fan of any of the seven teams discussed and if so what is the general feeling?  Of the seven coaches who has impressed you the most?

Cheers!

Football is littered with players whose careers have been curtailed before their time, sometimes through off field excesses, sometimes by the wear and tear of top level football, but Matt Jansen is certainly one of those players who certainly had more than a bit of bad luck push him to the periphery of the game. Today, Jansen has spoken to BBC Radio Lancaster as he rejoins Blackburn Rovers to give it one final push to try and regain his status as a Premiership footballer.

Jansen had been a highly rated prospect when he started out at Carlisle United and famously turned down Manchester United as he felt he wouldn’t play regularly and joined Crystal Palace in 1998, before eventually joining Blackburn Rovers for £4.1 million the following year. Jansen quickly became a favourite of the Ewood Park faithful and in Graeme Souness first full season as manager fired 23 goals to help Blackburn return to the Premier League in the 2000-2001 season.

An impressive following season saw him score the first goal in the League Cup final and he was building a reputation as a skillful striker but it was all about to go horrible wrong for the likeable Cumbrian lad. That Summer, whilst on holiday, Jansen was involved in a near fatal motorbike crash in Rome. Spending 4 days in a coma, it became clear later that he had been close to death after the accident and it took 5 months of rehabilitation to get Jansen back on to the training pitch. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for the striker, who was on the fringes of the England squad and was a serious consideration to go to the 2002 World Cup. Once he returned to Blackburn,  he was loaned out to Coventry in 2003 and played 9 games in that spell before returning to Rovers to try and recapture his place amongst Graeme Souness’ squad. The 2003-2004 season saw him get back in to the match day squad but something wasn’t quite right, there was something missing and Blackburn, giving him a extended period of leave, sent him to the US to seek out a sports psychologist to try and remove the pressure that he was putting himself under. Once again, he returned to Blackburn and continued to try and break back into the squad.

Another 2 years of struggling with his performance saw him end up at Bolton Wanderers under Sam Allardyce but still Jansen couldn’t get back to the level he felt he needed to justify his inclusion and in 2006 he called it day after ending up having an unsuccessful trial with the New York Red Bulls. His career had now reached its nadir, but Allardyce invited him back to stay with Bolton in a bid to keep himself in shape, John Ward then allowed him to return to Carlisle to continue his fitness training before today’s announcement that he was training with Rovers and determined to try and get back.

Speaking on the radio, Jansen was positive, eager and sounding like he wants to be back amongst football. “I fell out of love with the game because things weren’t going my way and I needed time away from it and I thought that was it, After the accident I couldn’t live up to what I thought I was prior to the accident, I didn’t believe I was back to my best so the doubts and lack of confidence started creeping in. ” He finished the interview with his aim. “If you ask my ultimate ambition, it would be to wear that blue and white strip again.”

It’s one of those saddening stories that may have a happy ending for the striker who is still only just turned 31 and having seemingly lost everything he had, now wants to give it one more crack. Of course, no-one needs me to point out if he had gone to the World Cup, he would never have been involved in the accident, but Jansen never spoke of what ifs and maybes, simply looking forward to the opportunity to give it another go now his hunger for the game had returned. Anyone who has been through anything similar to the mishap which befell the lad will certainly appreciate that life can never be the same again but it can be as damn close as possible. It may not take a week, a month or even a year to feel mentally right, but one day you can wake up with a sense of determination and purpose and the cobwebs feel as if they’ve been blown away.

I always rated Jansen, as a person and player. He was one of the good guys, who took time out to sign autographs, stop for a chat and a photo with his adoring fans and I truly hope that this latest twist in his career sees him return to a game that he gave so much to.  Fingers crossed Matt, you deserve it and well done to Paul Ince and the coaching staff at Blackburn Rovers, I hope it pays off for all of them.

The most impressive side I watched, by far, on Saturday was Middlesbrough. The link-up play between Tuncay, Alves, Downing, Aliadiere and, later, Mido was sensational. Wheater was also impressive. At times, it was like watching Brazil with all of the backheels and blistering attacks. Seriously.

While Spurs controlled a lot of the possession in this match and were doing a better job at passing the ball around, they were sloppy in front of goal and failed to create those pinpoint passes that could have led to goals.

The 2-1 win for Middlesbrough was deceiving. Wheater had a goal in the first half that was incorrectly disallowed, but even ignoring that, Boro was much more impressive than Spurs than the scoreline suggests. For Tottenham, it’s back to the drawing board.

Middlesbrough fans will probably be worrying that Boro will continue to do well against big opposition teams but poorly against weaker sides. Let’s hope Gareth Southgate can fix that because the initial signs from Boro this season are very encouraging. They look like a team reborn.

One more impressive thing about Middlesbrough: For the first time in ages, the Riverside sounded like a real football stadium with a cup final atmosphere and noise compared to the empty red seats and stone cold silence we’re accustomed to from Boro.

Here are my thoughts from the other matches:

• The deafening sound of boos that erupted around Goodison Park at the end of the 90 minutes against Blackburn should worry the club and its fans. They aren’t too many things to be happy with at Everton lately with the move to Kirkby on hold, no transfer signings, injury problems, boardroom problems and a dissatisfied David Moyes.

  At times, Everton’s defending was schoolboy as they let Blackburn run right through the middle of the park unopposed. The perfect example of that was David Dunn who had a lot of space to twist and turn past Phil Jagielka and slot his curving shot into the corner of the net. Joleon Lescott made a crucial mistake to let Roque Santa Cruz pass him to slot the ball into the goal. Even Jason Roberts, yes Jason Roberts, made Everton’s back four look weak by dribbling past three players and getting a shot on goal.

• New Blackburn manager Paul Ince should be impressed by the spirit shown by his side. If they can keep Santa Cruz in his side, they should do well this season up front.
• Sunderland‘s performance at their Stadium of Light against Liverpool was impressive. The team put in every morsel of energy into this match, winning many 50/50 balls and tormenting Rafa Benitez’s side. I wasn’t impressed by Liverpool’s performance at all. Too many sloppy mistakes. Hyypia looked awful. Plessis looked very unsure of himself in central midfield and his replacement Alonso played much better.This is going to be an awfully long season for Liverpool unless they can start making immediate improvement. They created more chances in the second half mostly thanks to Steven Gerrard, but what happens when Gerrard has a weak performance?
• Arsenal looked extremely comfortable and confident in their 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion, but it was classic Arsenal who failed to find a second goal to put West Brom out of reach. Tony Mowbray’s side gave Arsenal a couple of scary moments with the very impressive Ishmael Miller coming close for West Brom. Samir Nasri did well on his first Premier League debut. Chris Brunt also played well for the Baggies, whose side became more comfortable toward the end of the first half. For the first 30 minutes, they couldn’t thread more than a few passes together.Meanwhile, Emmanuel Adebayor continued his frustrating streak of missing some clear-cut chances in front of goal. When he’s off form, the Gunners will be in jeopardy in crunch games.