Source: Team_Talk
Big Sam begins search for striker
Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Birmingham means Rovers are 14 points clear of the relegation zone, and in a relative position of safety.[LNB]It would now take a season-ending catastrophe for Blackburn to be sucked into the bottom three, leaving Allardyce free to turn his eye towards the next transfer window, knowing he needs another forward.[LNB]Allardyce attempted but failed to sign Aruna Dindane and Benjani at the end of the January window after allowing Benni McCarthy to move to West Ham for around £2.5million.[LNB]Although Nikola Kalinic has progressed admirably in his first year following a £6million move from Hadjuk Split last summer, the 22-year-old has only managed seven goals and is still green.[LNB]It means Allardyce will now look to secure a seasoned striker, with the lure the club are almost certainly playing top-flight football again next season.[LNB]"Yes, the priority is another striker," confirmed Allardyce.[LNB]"We've always been short of one thing this season, and that's goals.[LNB]"Had we got more goals, it would have been the final element to an absolutely outstanding season, although up until now it's still a very good one.[LNB]"So we are doing some planning, yes, even though mathematically we're not safe.[LNB]"After beating Bolton 3-0 we were all talking about the fact we had put a 10-point gap between ourselves and third from bottom.[LNB]"Four games have gone on and we're 14 points clear now, which means we are highly unlikely - although there's still a possibility - of losing seven games on the trot.[LNB]"Equally it's highly unlikely - but again a possibility - that some other team will win six or seven games on the trot to drag us into the bottom three."[LNB]Allardyce's immediate over-riding priority, however, is Sunday's derby with bitter rivals Burnley, at which there is likely to be a caustic atmosphere given the animosity between the two sides.[LNB]It is the kind of game Allardyce loathes, admitting: "I don't like them, I never have done.[LNB]"I've always said the pleasure of my job is Monday to Friday, not a match day, and when derbies come around there's less of a pleasure for fear of losing.[LNB]"That's the last thing you want because it makes the rest of the week so much more depressing, so much miserable.[LNB]"Local derbies are also always more intense, ferocious, and this one is obviously that.[LNB]"We all know that from the first game at Ewood Park quite a few months ago now.[LNB]"Local derbies for a manager mean the feelings when you wake up in the morning, and the tension in your stomach, are not the best.[LNB]"You are apprehensive, and you want to make sure your team goes out and plays its very, very best in an attempt to win for the fans.[LNB]"So it's about controlling that tension and using it in a positive manner."[LNB]Another concern for Allardyce is his team's away record as Rovers have taken just six points on their travels this season, losing 11 of 15 games.[LNB]"Hopefully we can start getting a result away, rather than just producing a good performance," added Allardyce.[LNB]"There would be no better place for our fans to see us do that than at Turf Moor on Sunday."[LNB]Allardyce has four players back in contention as captain Ryan Nelsen, Gael Givet, Lars Jacobsen and Vince Grella have all recovered from their recent injury problems.[LNB]Allardyce, though, is still without goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a calf injury, while January signing Yildiray Basturk - who has yet to figure since his arrival - is out with a hamstring problem.[LNB][LNB][LNB] Burnley v Blackburn. Click here to bet.
