Sam Allardyce pleased with tactical change against Wigan Athletic
Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce was happy with the change in tactics that resulted in a 2–1 victory away to Newcastle United on Wednesday 10 November.
Ahead of the game, Allardyce opted to change his usual 4–5–1 formation to a more defensive 5–4–1 lineup to cope with the threat posed by Newcastle strikers Shola Ameobi and Andrew Carroll, and his adjustment
paid dividends.
"It was difficult for the team today, to play the system we changed to. We coped with the attack of Newcastle United, the potent front two and the delivery from the wide men had been outstanding in the
last few games — we felt we had to stop that."
Blackburn took the lead through Morten-Gamst Pedersen after only three minutes, and though Carroll equalised for Newcastle early in the second half, Jason Roberts got the last word for the away team with
his 82nd-minute strike.
"They didn’t expect us to play like that. We caught them on the back foot early on. Not only did we start creating, we scored and that really knocked them back," added Allardyce, who was pleased with his
team's form away from home this season.
"It’s our first back to back wins. We only won three [away fixtures] last year, we’ve already won two now — at Blackpool and now here. It shows we’re progressing, we’re either drawing, losing by the odd
goal or winning by the odd goal. Nobody’s looking like they can thrash us anymore."
No comments on Barton's suspected punch
In the second half of the game, Newcastle's controversial winger Joey Barton appeared to punch Pedersen in the chest without referee Michael Jones taking notice.
After the game, Allardyce refused to comment on the incident.
"I’m not really going to talk about that, I don’t want to detract from our victory. Whoever will deal with it will deal with it."
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