Blackburn vs Stoke

Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge was a stroll in the park after Blackburn took a three-goal lead within thirty minutes. An easy winning tip for us just before Christmas

Much is made of the new manager factor and Sam Allardyce makes his Premier League return at Ewood Park this weekend. ‘Big Sam’ has been appointed following the dismissal of Paul Ince and I think he can start life as Blackburn boss in the best possible manner.

Rovers may be second bottom of the table at present but I actually don’t think they have been playing too badly. Ince can count himself unlucky to lose his job, in my view, and I don’t think Allardyce has to change too much. Their recent dropped points have been down to individual errors rather than collectively poor team performances and that, in my opinion, is a positive.

One thing that Blackburn do have in their make-up is goals and keeping hold of Roque Santa Cruz in January will be crucial to their survival chances. One thing is for certain, however, and that’s that he’ll be in the team on Saturday versus Stoke and Sam will be looking to the Paraguayan for inspiration.

While Santa Cruz is the undoubted star at Ewood Park they do have goals throughout their side, eleven different scorers in the Premier League already this season, and I expect them to find the net at least once on Saturday. Stoke have been terrific at the Britannia this season but awful on their travels and I don’t imagine Tony Pulis’ side will fancy it much, despite their opponents poor run of form.

Stoke have failed to win away from home so far this season, picking up three points along the way and scoring just five goals, and they are a different proposition entirely than when playing the host.

Blackburn, in contrast, have found life tough on their own patch but importantly have been set some very difficult tasks to date, facing all of the ‘Big Four’ in front of their own fans already, and the bare statistics are probably misleading.

I had my eye on this match early in the week in anticipation that a new manger would in place by Saturday and unfortunately, on the back of the appointment, all of the even money about on Tuesday has disappeared. That said, 1.91 looks more than far, even in such a big game, and Rovers are sure to be up for it.

Rumours of dressing room unrest while Ince was in charge had circulated for some time but Sam is sure to demand an instant reaction and I think he’ll probably get one.