Source: Daily_Mail
I'm not facing the Blackburn axe, insists defiant boss Sam Allardyce
Under no pressure: Blackburn boss Sam AllardyceIt is two years this month since Sam Allardyce escaped to Barbados to contemplate life away from football after his sacking at Newcastle.He saw the warning signs and knew the axe was falling. But he insists he is not picking up the same signals despite Blackburn going nine Premier League games without a win five more than the run that cost him the Newcastle job.Taking Blackburn to Wembley in the Carling Cup would be a big step to silencing his critics, and he is determined to get the first half of the job done tonight when they entertain Aston Villa in their semi-final first leg.He said: 'Do I look like I'm under pressure? No. My feeling is that I will sense it if things are not working and I don't sense that whatsoever. I felt it at Newcastle. I know the signs.'I do feel under pressure by the fact that we haven't got results, because we're in the results business. We've had four draws that could have been wins. I'm not panicking too much because of the close calls we've had, but it's a very big concern that it is nine games without a win and we have got to turn the corner sooner rather than later.'Blackburn dismissed speculation over Allardyce's future out of hand yesterday, and the boss denied his heart operation has had an impact, though his side have not won since his return.Allardyce kept his players back for an hour after Monday's 4-1 defeat at Manchester City which led to suggestions of unrest. But he said: 'I feel we're still together.'Blackburn have reached six semi-finals in the last eight years but reached only one final. However, Allardyce's Bolton beat Villa in a two-legged semi to reach the 2004 Carling Cup final. Sam Allardyce struggling with injuries for Blackburn's Carling Cup clash with Aston VillaDavid Dunn wants to stay at Blackburn, insists Rovers chairman as contract talks confirmedManchester City 4 Blackburn 1: Don't look now Sir Alex. Manchester United old boy Carlos Tevez fires City into title raceBLAKCBURN FC