Source: Team_Talk
Allardyce happy to show creative side
When the former Bolton and Newcastle boss took over from the sacked Paul Ince in December Rovers were mired in relegation trouble and his sole priority was to guide them to safety.
With that in mind he implemented a survival plan which involved playing a certain way to maximise their points return.
Now, even though Blackburn only registered their first win of the season last weekend at home to Wolves, Allardyce is happy to give his players more freedom.
"They hadn't had the sort of direction they were wanting and had lost their way a little bit," said Allardyce, referring to how he found the squad when he took over.
"It was a difficult situation so I was determined to get the players used to playing one way as playing in that way consistently would get them out of trouble.
"Now we are more flexible, we are not in a position of being threatened by relegation and we want to be more expressive and showing the ability we have in our locker.
"We have some very clever and creative players and we have been improving that side over the games we have had.
"The indicators are good, we just have to improving and keep a consistent level of performances up which then brings us more results.
"But we have to make sure, after all that, we are solid and determined when we lose possession."
Allardyce admitted the three points against Wolves last weekend had made a noticeable impact on the players, even though he felt their performances this season warranted more than their four-point tally from four matches.
"We have all been a lot happier and it has been more pleasant around the place," he said.
"But we've got our feet firmly on the ground hopefully and we are improving yet again to get ready for a difficult fixture at Everton.
"We are going there with a lot more confidence having got three points.
"We want to keep up the good performances while cutting out the elementary mistakes. That should hopefully get us a result."
Blackburn find themselves in the unusual position of being above Everton in the table, with David Moyes' side having won just once in four games.
However, Allardyce feels - like Rovers - the Toffees' position does not truly reflect their season so far.
"I watched them last week against Fulham and I think they were extremely unfortunate to lose," he said.
"Their overall play deserved to get more out of the game. But me and Moyesey are realists and we understand if you don't take your chances, don't do the right things and make silly mistakes you will get punished in the Premier League.
"But we know if we play well and are consistent with our defending we can get something out of the game."
The Rovers boss also has a fully-fit squad to choose from with midfielder Steven Nzonzi, striker Benni McCarthy and defender Ryan Nelsen all fully recovered from injuries.
"Now there is really stiff competition for places and that then puts everyone on the edge of their seat," said Allardyce.
"Benni and Ryan are not walking straight back into the side - that is difficult to manage from my point of view but a good thing for the team.
"We can then hopefully demand the best out of the players who get in the starting XI.
"It is a good situation at the moment and hopefully it stays like that for a long period.
"But I don't want to get too carried away because at any given time it may change."
