Source: Team_Talk
Settled squad is key for Big Sam
lackburn manager Sam Allardyce believes a stable summer will be key to Rovers' hopes of making further improvements on the pitch next season.[LNB] Allardyce is actively attempting to recruit a striker to the club's ranks, with him and the board putting all their efforts into the search for more firepower, but believes a smooth transition can only stand them in good stead.[LNB]This time last season, Allardyce faced a hectic few months with six first-team players leaving Ewood and seven arriving but this time round he expects no such activity. [LNB]He believes Fulham's run to the Europa League final this season was a product of their own stability last summer and believes Rovers are on the verge to building something similar. [LNB]He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "It is just about one or two players in the summer at the moment. Everyone is tied down to contracts here and that is great for us as a club looking ahead to next season. [LNB]"I am looking forward to better preparation than I have ever had before ahead of a Premier League season. It will be nice to get nearly everyone back as soon as possible, with the exception of the World Cup players, and get going for the new season. [LNB]"You can see the value of preparation by looking at what Fulham have done this season. This is their third season in together and you can the effect it has had on them. They are a team who know each other and play for each other and I think we are building that here."[LNB]The sales of Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City and Stephen Warnock to Aston Villa last summer, as well as the exit of Matt Derbyshire, Andre Ooijer, Tugay and Aaron Mokoena, left Allardyce facing a rebuild job in East Lancashire. [LNB]But now, with a 10th place finish behind them and a handful of youngsters emerging, Allardyce is relishing going into next campaign with a settled squad. [LNB]He said: "A reality is we don't have to sell our players this summer like we did last year. We had to sell one for £18million and one for a lot of money as well. [LNB]"That is the heartening side of our situation this summer. I am really looking forward to securing our pre season as it is only on securing that one player, or maybe two maximum. [LNB]"That means I don't need 10 like I needed last year. That was the reason why life was so difficult at the start of last season in the integration of all these players into the football club from other countries and then getting used to playing in the Premier League."
