Allardyce accuses Whitehead of using his arms to keep out Blackburn goal

By Martin Spinks | Published: Monday 08 Feb 2010 |

Feb08

by Martin Spinks
martin.spinks@thesentinel.co.uk

ROVERS boss Sam Allardyce accused Dean Whitehead of using his arms to keep out a Blackburn goal, but admitted the standard of his team’s defending for Stoke two first-half goals had ultimately let them down.

“The encouraging part of our first-half performance was obviously the barrage of corners that we put into Stoke’s box, causing them untold problems,” Allardyce said.

“But with Franco Di Santo’s header from six yards out off Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross, he should have at the very least hit the target, and that’s one of the reasons why we didn’t get ourselves back in the game.

“Then Chris Samba gives us a monster header and I think it’s Whitehead whose arm has pushed the ball wide of the post and the referee hasn’t seen it, so that’s a big changing factor in the game.

“But the two goals we conceded were really poor defensively from our point of view.

“Overall, really poor defending in two situations cost us the game.”

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Vinification?

Submitted by bexhillpotter on Mon, 08/02/2010 - 11:00.

You should open a vineyard Sam, you already have loads of sour grapes!

How many times this season

Submitted by adrian on Mon, 08/02/2010 - 11:53.

How many times this season have we heard a manager moan that poor defending was the only reason little old Stoke managed to score past their super dooper team? As for the imaginary handball, Allardyce seems to be watching a different match to everyone else including his own players. Sorry Sam, but the simple fact is that the best team won and you need to start facing reality instead of inventing pathetic excuses.

saturday's game

Submitted by Savio on Mon, 08/02/2010 - 13:10.

Yes I will admit Blackburn's defending was not good enough but but if you look very carefully Whitehead's arm does divert the ball round the post with his arm that is as clear as day and you also have to look at his face after the handball to know he blatently knew he got away with it and if that decision had been given you lot should have been reduced to 10 men

Many people believe that big

Submitted by graham on Mon, 08/02/2010 - 13:13.

Many people believe that big Sam is a good manager, but really what as he ever done, well I will tell you A Big large fat nothing that is what this so called good manager has done, he talks a good football match but that's all, all he is good for is to clean the apprentices boots. More fool the chairman's that employ this person.

Savio

Submitted by ian on Mon, 08/02/2010 - 15:38.

Having watched the alleged handball incident in freezeframe from MOTD pictures, it appears to richot off Whitehead's shin unless you have edited a new version. Both referee and assistant ref appear to have good views and only chewing gum Sam can spot it sat 80 yards away.

Savio

Submitted by Rich on Mon, 08/02/2010 - 20:37.

What game were you watching?? I just watched it again and theres no contact with the arm and even if it had, they are by his side so it would have been ball to hand