Source: Team_Talk
Allardyce keeping spirits high
The Gunners triumphed over Roma on Wednesday via a penalty shoot-out to move on to the next stage of the Champions League.[LNB]But Rovers also savoured victory that night, with their 2-1 win at Fulham taking them out of the Premier League relegation zone.[LNB]The two sides meet at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and Allardyce made it clear he intended to improve a run that has seen Rovers beaten just twice in their last 11 league outings.[LNB]He said: "It was a great week for English football in the Champions League but also a great week for Blackburn by taking advantage of that extra game we had to catch up on and getting all three points.[LNB]"It gives us extra confidence and the Emirates is an excellent venue to play in but one where you must recognise what the opposition have in their locker.[LNB]"You must set out a game plan and make sure they don't enjoy what they want to do, which is retaining possession and moving it around if and when they feel like it.[LNB]"If we can manage that side of it then we should have the opportunity to get a result, which would be a massive bonus after the Fulham result."[LNB]Blackburn remained in the Home Counties after the Fulham game and Allardyce was hopeful Arsenal's extended Italian Job would leave them short of energy on Saturday.[LNB]He said: "They will be right up for it so if there is any fatigue in their side it will happen late on. We will have to make sure to stay in the game and see if they do.[LNB]"It does help if you catch a team after a European game although Arsene (Wenger) might rest a few players. But I don't think he will because he needs the points to get into that fourth spot."[LNB]Rovers spent two days at the Champneys health spa in Hertfordshire where Allardyce introduced them to a technique he had used at Bolton, who regularly gave Arsenal problems at the Reebok Stadium.[LNB]The players were sent into the resort's cryotherapy chamber for three minute spells where the temperature was a decidedly chilly minus 130 degrees.[LNB]The chamber is designed to speed the body's recovery following exercise so Allardyce was hopeful this would also give his players the edge tomorrow.[LNB]He said: "We felt it was much more important to give the lads a couple of days in the chamber to help them recover as quickly as possible for a massive game.[LNB]"We thought it was better to stay down here than travel all the way back and then come back down again.[LNB]"If we are to get anything from the Arsenal game our physical output has to be as good if not greater than theirs."[LNB]Striker Roque Santa Cruz will not feature but may be able to make his recovery from a knee injury in time for next week's clash with West Ham.[LNB][LNB]
