Source: Team_Talk
Allardyce hails glut of goals
lackburn manager Sam Allardyce has put the flood of goals in the Premier League down to the joys of the new season.[LNB] A remarkable 35 goals were scored in nine matches over Saturday and Sunday, thanks largely to 6-0 wins recorded by Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle.[LNB]With Chelsea having also won 6-0 on the opening day of the season, the competition has got off to an exhilarating start - but Allardyce does not think it will last long.[LNB]"We're all so glad to be playing football again," said Allardyce, whose side have been one of the more circumspect, involved in a 1-0 win and a 2-1 loss.[LNB]"I think we are all excited to be back on the field.[LNB]"Apart from the World Cup players, it has been a long time since last May for us.[LNB]"We were all looking forward to the season and we all think we are better than we were last season.[LNB]"You'll either start very well or you'll get caught out - generally that's the case until it levels itself out after eight or 10 games.[LNB]"As time goes on it gets tighter and tighter as we get used to who all the new players are and the new systems.[LNB]"When the pressure comes on throughout the season the results tend to level themselves out a bit.[LNB]"It is something that is exciting everyone but what you don't want as a manager is to be on the end of one."[LNB]Blackburn began their season with a hugely encouraging defeat of Everton but then slipped up at Birmingham on Saturday.[LNB]Allardyce remains perplexed by the St Andrew's result, feeling his side deserved to return home with at least a point.[LNB]He said: "Everton was a big result for us and a big performance.[LNB]"But, going away from home, Saturday was a better performance all round apart from a couple of slips defensively.[LNB]"Birmingham got two goals that overall they didn't deserve but managed to get.[LNB]"The overall performance was very good, particularly for 20 minutes in the second half but because we didn't bury the opposition - poor finishing and outstanding goalkeeping - we didn't get far enough in front to cope with the rest of the game.[LNB]"A little bit of panic set in and a couple of errors they capitalised on.[LNB]"Instead of getting at least a point we had none when we should have had three. That is the cruelty of the Premier League."[LNB]Blackburn return to action on Tuesday as they take on npower Championship side Norwich at Ewood Park in the second round of the Carling Cup.[LNB]Allardyce intends to make some changes with a tough game against Arsenal at the weekend in mind, but his options are limited by injuries to Vince Grella, Pascal Chimbonda, Keith Andrews and David Dunn.[LNB]All four are doubtful and unlikely to feature.[LNB]Allardyce said: "The side will be very experienced but there will be some of the younger element involved.[LNB]"We're looking forward to the game, I think it will be a very good match.[LNB]"Their focus will be on the league and securing their position after getting promoted but they will want to come and enjoy it and get a decent scalp if we can.[LNB]"We have to try to avoid that and be as professional as we were last year at Gillingham, when we won the game comfortably."[LNB]Meanwhile, Allardyce is hoping to sign Bulgarian striker Ivelin Popov this week.[LNB]The 22-year-old has been on trial at Ewood Park but Rovers denied claims by the player's club Litex Lovech last week that a deal had already been completed.[LNB]Allardyce said: "We had a little look at him and we are in tentative negotiations.[LNB]"He is a very good young prospect but whether all the numbers stand up is another matter."[LNB]Allardyce is anxious to recruit more firepower to supplement Niko Kalinic before the summer transfer window closes.[LNB]He added: "I don't want to be doing anything after Friday of this week - I don't want to be panicking or judging the market in the last couple of days of the window."[LNB]Former Manchester City and Portsmouth forward Benjani has also been training with Blackburn this month with a view to a possible deal.
