Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 18 December 2008 )

English Premiership football News

Allardyce 'does not have to sell'
New Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce will use accessories Christmas to assess his team but did not sell his star players.

"We do not have to sell anyone in the January transfer window," said the former Bolton and Newcastle boss.

"I think it is very important from my point of view. I joined the club because I know the players.

"I know how good they are and that is one reason why I am here so why would I want to sell one of my best?"

Blackburn chairman John Williams and added: "The key is that he believes he can get the best of what we have.

"You do not go out of prison, if you sell your best players."

Rovers, which bag Paul Ince on Tuesday, are second bottom of the Fa Barclaycard Premiership with only 13 points.

Speaking as he was unveiled as the new director at Ewood Park, Allardyce also revealed that he had refused the job during the summer.

"Six months ago, it was a case to speak with John Williams, go home and talk to my better half," he said.

"After 15 years managing and coaching right, I decided it was too early to return to the mainstream.

"Now I can go in terms of my teeth are stuck in jobs and improved performance, certainly in the beginning."

And Allardyce, 54, is preparing for a tough battle as it tries to avoid relegation.

"Everyone here did not expect the club to be in this position, but I've been there before and players must respond quickly.

"You can never say you're too good to go down, but we have players out of trouble as soon as possible.

"We are some distance from safety (five points) and while some people say that only two victories, winning two on the trot is a great demand.

"It could take up to six games to catch up with those teams, but there are 21 games to go, we have a relatively good team and they are lifting their confidence and using the old adage of taking one game at a time. "

Allardyce is hoping he brings the same success at Ewood Park Harry Redknapp has done at Tottenham after his move from Portsmouth.

"I have a Harry Redknapp midas touch when it comes to Saturday," Allardyce continued.

"Things have become very rosy for him almost instantly, and I hope that works for me in a difficult match against Stoke on Saturday."

Allardyce has lost little time to stamp his mark on the club by the appointment of Neil McDonald as his assistant manager.

McDonald worked with Allardyce at Bolton and its arrival: two of the team behind Ince, Ray Mathias and Archie Knox, followed the ex-Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool and England midfielder at the door .
by bbcnews.