Source: Eurosport
Allardyce tips cap to canny Clarke
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce feels West Ham are a negative side, but in a positive way thanks to the influence of Steve Clarke.The former Chelsea assistant was appointed earlier this season to support Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola, and the rewards are now being reapedZola and Clarke head to Ewood Park on Saturday with the team pushing for a place in next season's new Europa League as they are seventh in the Premier League.Seven points from the last three matches in which they have not conceded a goal has left Zola openly dreaming of European football, an unthinkable prospect not so long ago.Allardyce believes that is primarily due to Clarke, who is having the same kind of impact on West Ham as he did under Jose Mourinho during their time together at Chelsea."If West Ham do come and attack us then that leaves them open, but I don't think they'll do that," said Allardyce on Zola's view that four more wins will guarantee his side that spot in Europe."Steve Clarke is there, and I know him really well, and they won't come and attack."They'll sit back, try and frustrate us, and make the game very, very tight because Steve, under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho, always did that at Chelsea."He was always on the negative side, rather than on the positive, so I see West Ham giving us very little space in which to play."What I'm saying is a backhanded compliment towards Steve because if you look at any team that wins the league, they've the best defensive record."It's not about how you attack, it's first about how you defend, and that allows your talented players to try and get you the goals to win you the game."Steve has been instrumental in making sure West Ham have stopped leaking goals, which at times was one of the problems faced by Alan (Curbishley)."So contrary to the perception of many people, it's not about how West Ham play with the ball, it's about how they defend without it."I think what Steve has done since he has been there is the reason why West Ham are where they are in the league."It's not for the flair football, but because of the way they've organised themselves defensively and become difficult to beat."Rovers go into the game looking to bounce back from their 4-0 loss at Arsenal last Saturday, a result that stunned Allardyce as prior to then his side had gathered enough momentum to lift them out of the bottom three.Despite that setback, Allardyce is confident of avoiding successive losses, defiantly stating: "I don't expect to get beat."If that comes around at five o'clock on Saturday, then I'll be very, very disappointed."But at this moment in time I don't think we're going to lose, and that's not bravado, that's belief."We've only lost to Aston Villa at home since I arrived, so I know we've the capabilities to beat West Ham."If we don't, then I don't think we will lose, we'll at least draw the game."[LNB]
