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.

“My players have not been given as much credit as they should have,” he said. “It has been a terrific effort. “What they have done has been magnificent, considering we have lost half a team through injuries.

“We deserved this victory and I do not think we will be caught now. But we must not rest yet. What I want now is to finish in style.

“We have Chelsea next, which will be difficult, and finish against West Brom, so there are still points to be gained.”

Morten Gamst Pedersen made the breakthrough in the 30th minute with his first goal of the season.

England goalkeeper David James failed to deal with a challenge from Chris Samba following a cross from Stephen Warnock and the ball broke to Pedersen, who forced it home.

Benni McCarthy then secured the points from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after Hermann Hreidarsson had handled the ball in the area.

It means Blackburn have lost only one of 10 home league games since Allardyce took over – a formidable record.

He added: “I have not been as worried as I thought as the players have done their best. There was never any great anxiety on my part that we would go down.

“Their efforts have been rewarded as we are now on the magic 40-point mark after our third home win on the trot.”

Portsmouth were lacklustre and missed a penalty late on when John Utaka skied his effort high over the bar.

“The manager has demanded we roll our sleeves up and fight to the end,” said Richard Hughes, the midfielder.

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Robinson 6, Andrews 7, Nelsen 8, Givet 6, Warnock 7, Diouf 6, Grella 6, Tugay 6, Pedersen 6, Samba 7, McCarthy 6 (Mokoena 83, 5).

Subs Not Used: Bunn, Khizanishvili, Villanueva, Treacy, Olsson, Doran.

PORTSMOUTH (4-4-2): James 5, Kaboul 6 (Pennant 64, 6), Campbell 6, Distin 6, Hreidarsson 4, Johnson 6, Hughes 5 (Kanu 53, 5), Davis 5, Mullins 5, Belhadj 4 (Utaka 53, 2), Crouch 5.

Subs Not Used: Begovic, Nugent, Basinas, Cranie.

REFEREE: Mike Riley (Yorkshire) 5: Correctly spotted Herman Hreidarsson’s handball for Blackburn’s penalty, but Portsmouth’s was harsh in the extreme.

MATCH RATING: ** Rather like the weather – periods of brightness, but largely grey and dull.