Big Sam blueprint has Rovers in the pink

SAM ALLARDYCE has re-established his Bolton blueprint a few miles up the road at Blackburn and they are reaping the richest of rewards.

When he arrived at Ewood Park in December, Rovers were lying second bottom of the table and apparently doomed. Fast forward six months and they are almost certainly safe following this routine victory against a dismal Portsmouth.

Blackburn’s progress has been built on a strong work ethic, good organisation and a manager’s obsession for clean sheets – the characteristics that made Bolton the bogey side of many an elite opponent when Allardyce was in charge.