Source: Team_Talk
Rovers enjoying Highland fling
lackburn boss Sam Allardyce is hoping a Highland holiday will spark an end-of-season flourish.[LNB] The players are currently on a golfing break at Gleneagles ahead of the final two matches against Arsenal at Ewood Park on Monday and at Aston Villa on the final day of the campaign next weekend.[LNB]It is a few days away Allardyce's squad enjoyed at around the same point last year, even though he faced criticism for giving players time off when they were embroiled in a relegation battle.[LNB]But Allardyce had the last laugh as his team came back rejuvenated, winning home games against Wigan and Portsmouth that helped Rovers to survive in the Premier League.[LNB]Although there is nothing on the line against Arsenal and Villa, as Blackburn guaranteed their safety a few weeks ago, Allardyce believes the players have earned the time to relax.[LNB]"They enjoyed it so much last year, so they asked to do it again," said Allardyce, who has remained behind in Blackburn.[LNB]"They've had a long, hard season and deserve this mini-break to get themselves ready for these final two games.[LNB]"With this next match on a Monday, rather than boring the pants off them and bringing them in for training, which they're sick to death of anyway, we thought taking a break would be better for them.[LNB]"For me, at this time of the season, relaxing, enjoying the company of one another and playing a little bit of golf together is more important than training.[LNB]"We've no more training to do. We're as fit as we can be, and there are also one or two players looking at the World Cup, so some rest and relaxation will do them the world of good.[LNB]"It was also a trip that worked well last year as we won a couple of games off the back of it, so I hope it does the same again.[LNB]"Earlier this year we went to Dubai and that also worked as we had another surge of results, which was very important after the long, arduous winter we suffered.[LNB]"That came at the right time, so I hope we get the same response on Monday and for the final game at Aston Villa."[LNB]Injured duo Chris Samba and Brett Emerton did not travel due to groin and hamstring problems respectively, but should be fit to face the Gunners.[LNB]El-Hadji Diouf and Vince Grella also come into contention after missing last weekend's draw at Wolves with tonsilitis and a stomach bug respectively.
