Source: Team_Talk
Big Sam: Rovers must get tough
Allardyce has called on his squad to point out each other's mistakes to boost the squad's togetherness as they seek Premier League survival.
Blackburn have pulled themselves out of the bottom three and face in-form Everton at Ewood Park on Wednesday as they seek to inch further away from the relegation zone.
For Allardyce, team spirit will be a crucial part of the relegation fight.
He said: "We have a good team spirit. Sometimes when it's not going so well that can be tested but I've seen these lads stick together and enjoy their own company for a long period of time.
"If I had a slight criticism, they are probably too nice to each other.
"Strangely enough, I think sometimes team spirit is about sorting it out between yourselves and that means digging each other out, and not ignoring it if your team-mate does something wrong. You've got to tell him.
"Team spirit is about accepting that, using it as a positive and improving your own performance.
"Encouragement is very good when you have done the right thing but pointing it out when a team-mate has does the wrong thing, especially on the field, is very, very important."
Everton, in sixth place in the table and pushing Arsenal for fifth, are daunting opponents, especially as their away form is better than their record at home this season.
Allardyce is relieved he does not have to make plans for dealing with Mikel Arteta, who is out for the rest of the season, but says David Moyes has built a strong side at Everton over several years.
"Over a long period of time he has put a very, very good team and squad together and he has done an exceptionally good job," said Allardyce.
"The overall cost of the side is quite considerable but it has not been an instant formula, it has been meticulous planning over several years in spending the money he has got on very good players. That's why he's now reaping the success he deserves."
Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson is a major doubt after playing only half the match at Hull on Sunday due to a shoulder injury so Jason Brown is set to keep his place for another Premier League game.
David Dunn is back in training after a hamstring problem and could step in to left midfield to replace the suspended Morten Gamst Pedersen.
Allardyce added: "It's going to be touch and go with Paul, we'll give it until the morning but it's doubtful. Jason did well on Sunday so he may get another chance."
Brown, a confident 26-year-old Londoner, is relishing the prospect - and admits he even prefers relegation scraps to meaningless games in mid-table.
He said: "This might sound silly but being stuck in mid-table you don't have anything to play for. Being at the top or in a relegation fight is what's exciting.
"The pressure that's on us is fantastic and that's what it's all about. I was saying to the boys yesterday there's nothing better than going away and beating teams like Hull and their fans are going mad at you.
"Feeling the buzz and the nervousness is great, playing in the pressure of the Premier League is what it's all about."
His manager however was not in agreement.
Allardyce said: "A strong mentality should stand him in good stead but I for one would settle for mid-table obscurity right now - but we are a long way from that at the moment."
