Source: SKY_Sports
Big Sam - Rovers are safe
Sam Allardyce is confident Blackburn Rovers are safe from relegation after hitting the 'magic' 40-point mark after a 2-0 win over Portsmouth.
Goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen and Benni McCarthy secured a third consecutive home victory for Rovers and leaves them on the brink of Premier League survival.
With Blackburn having been deep in trouble when Allardyce replaced Paul Ince last December, the Rovers boss was delighted to lead the club away from danger.
"Mathematically we might not be safe, but I think we are," said Allardyce.
"With two games to go I expect us to pick up some more points as well, I don't expect us to switch off.
"Where we have got to in our quest to get out of trouble is magnificent and it was topped off by today's performance by a group of players that are committed and determined to make sure they're going to play in the best league in the world next season again.
"All credit goes to them. Over the 19 games I've been here, the achievements and efforts they've given have been well rewarded by getting to this magic 40-point mark.
"We have achieved 27 points in 19 games - that's half a season - so it shows you just how well we've done.
"We've clocked up a home record of five wins, four draws and only one defeat and we've just now finished with three home wins on the trot for the first time in three or four years, so we've done an unbelievable job."
When asked for one of the key things he has brought to the job since replacing Ince, Allardyce replied: "Man management.
"I think that you assess the situation in the very difficult circumstances that we were in and you try and understand the players, what they're feeling and try and alleviate their fears.
"You try to bring the positive mental side of them out and try and get them back to using their ability under the pressure that they're under.
"I think we've done very well and I think that, obviously, the backroom staff who have worked with me have worked exceptionally hard to get the players prepared.
"The players have gone out on the pitch and it has been a team effort on and off the field.
"And, for me, the fans have never been anything but supportive, over the last two games filling both ends and the players have responded to that."
