Blackburn way ahead of schedule

Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has declared that he had a plan when he took over as manager of Blackburn Rovers 18 months ago - and his team are far, far ahead of what he had in mind.

Rovers were struggling when Big Sam took the reigns and were heading in the wrong direction with barely a pot to take a slash in.

But fast forward a year and a half and the team has improved dramatically under the ex-Newcastle and Bolton manager, there is still nothing much in the way of positive cash flow but the teams fortunes are on the rise.

Big Sam has highlighted the lack of funding but insists managers will moan whatever the circumstances.

'Like every manager you are disappointed you can't bring more in but that is a fact of life at the moment,'' Allardyce told the Lancashire Telegraph.

'But, in terms of development time, I would say we are at least 12 months ahead of where I thought we would be when I first came. The main aim then was to keep the club in the Premier League and then to resolve its financial difficulties.

'That left us in a very difficult position in terms of producing a good side for Blackburn Rovers. We have managed to do that. We have put the financial side straight by accumulating £30million plus in the transfer market.

'We have gone out and spent wisely - around £12million or £14million - and have left a massive profit for the club. To get this far in 20 months with the trials and tribulations we have had has been pretty miraculous. It is a position I am delighted to say we are way above where I considered to be.''

When the figures are laid out on the table I must say Big Sam has indeed done a sterling job... irrespective of your personal feelings for him.

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