Big Sam : steady as she goes is the way forward

Big Sam Allardyce feels that Blackburn will feel the benefit of a settled team next season.

Last summer was a bit of a mad one as mass change kicked in, the need to sell high and buy low not helping matters either.

But Big Sam is aiming for just a couple of new boys (a striker being the obvious addition) and to keep the nucleus of the Blue and White Army together.

But by all means, don't take my word for it...

Sam told the Lancashire Telegraph - 'It is just about one or two players in the summer at the moment. Everyone is tied down to contracts here and that is great for us as a club looking ahead to next season.

'I am looking forward to better preparation than I have ever had before ahead of a Premier League season. It will be nice to get nearly everyone back as soon as possible, with the exception of the World Cup players, and get going for the new season.

'You can see the value of preparation by looking at what Fulham have done this season. This is their third season in together and you can the effect it has had on them. They are a team who know each other and play for each other and I think we are building that here.'

Last summer the departure of Roque Santa Cruz, who was totally value for money City (cough) and the excellent Stephen Warnock could not be helped.

But with the departures of Matt Derbyshire, Aaron Mokoena and the retirement of Tugay, Rovers needed to totally freshen things up.

Allardyce admits this did not help matters at all.

Allardyce continued - 'A reality is we don't have to sell our players this summer like we did last year. We had to sell one for £18million and one for a lot of money as well.

'That is the heartening side of our situation this summer. I am really looking forward to securing our pre season as it is only on securing that one player, or maybe two maximum.

'That means I don't need 10 like I needed last year. That was the reason why life was so difficult at the start of last season in the integration of all these players into the football club from other countries and then getting used to playing in the Premier League.'

So basically after the World Cup starts it is going to be one hell of a boring summer?!

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