Source: Team_Talk
Allardyce: Rovers deserve a break
Rovers have not tasted victory since their Carling Cup quarter-final triumph over Chelsea at the start of December and last night they were beaten in the first leg of the semi-final by Aston Villa at Ewood Park.[LNB]After James Milner had given Villa a first-half lead, Blackburn looked spirited in the second period, with Nikola Kalinic unlucky to hit the woodwork twice.[LNB]But, as has been the case so often this season, Allardyce's team were unable to find the net and eventually succumbed 1-0, a result that now makes it nine games without a win in all competitions.[LNB]That sequence has left Blackburn only three points above the relegation zone in the Premier League and, with Fulham the visitors on Sunday, Allardyce is anxious to see his players finish their chances and secure that elusive victory.[LNB]"I'm bitterly disappointed that we have not got an even plain to go down to Aston Villa with after the woodwork cost us a goal or two on the night," Allardyce said.[LNB]"It very much repeated what has been happening over the league results in recent weeks.[LNB]"It's obviously a concern for us all but we have to take the second-half performance, put it all together again on Sunday and keep making the chances. I do believe that eventually it will convert into goals and then victories.[LNB]"We're all desperate for one now. We're all worrying where the next win is coming from and it has got to start very quickly because it has been a long time since we experienced the joy of winning.[LNB]"We want to get that feeling back again, feel what that feeling is like and hang on to it for as long as we can."[LNB]Lars Jacobsen suffered a thigh problem against Villa and is now unlikely to feature in Sunday's match.[LNB]The defender joins a list of sidelined players that also includes the injured Vince Grella (thigh) and Jason Roberts (knee) and the suspended El-Hadji Diouf, although Allardyce is hopeful Gael Givet will be fit for selection.[LNB]In terms of new personnel, Allardyce has hinted he may be interested in signing Middlesbrough winger Gary O'Neil.[LNB]It has been a quiet transfer window so far for Rovers, with striker Benni McCarthy heavily linked with a move away from Ewood Park but little happening in terms of actual movement in or out of the club.[LNB]Allardyce has repeatedly stressed he will have to sell before he can buy any new players but indicated O'Neil could be an option if some money did become available.[LNB]"We're aware of the availability of Gary O'Neil from Middlesbrough," Allardyce said.[LNB]"But at the moment we don't have any finances in place to move for any players.[LNB]"If that changes and the board tells me there is, then we'll have a look in the market.[LNB]"If it doesn't, then we stay with what we've got."[LNB]Asked if any player looked set to make way in order to create funds, Allardyce said: "Not at the moment because we haven't had a bid for anybody.[LNB]"We will have to just wait and see what progresses in that area."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
