Allardyce: Class acts sent us through - 7M sport

Allardyce: Class acts sent us through

Posted Tuesday, September 22, 2009 by PA

Sam Allardyce highlighted Benni McCarthy's goal and Jason Brown's penalty save as two of the many positives from Blackburn's Carling Cup third-round victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

McCarthy scored the only goal of the game after 37 minutes, curling a dangerous right-foot free-kick into the box that evaded everyone inside a crowded penalty area and nestled in the far corner.

Brown ensured Rovers would hold on for the win by producing a superb save to keep out Dexter Blackstock's well-struck spot-kick after Steven Reid clumsily handled the ball inside the box midway through the second half.

Allardyce, who made 10 changes from Sunday's dismal Barclays Premier League defeat at Everton including handing a debut to 17-year-old defender Phil Jones, dismissed suggestions that McCarthy's goal was fortuitous.

He said: "Benni meant to do that, we practice it in training all the time.

"We always practice to hit the target as the goalkeeper can't do anything about it as there's a cluster of players there that may get a touch.

"So if someone gets a touch it can go in and if someone doesn't the goalkeeper is left stranded and it goes in the back of the net.

"It's the quality of the ball from that angle to get it on target that was the difference in quality between the teams.

"That outstanding free-kick and Jason Brown's absolutely superb penalty save from a very well-taken penalty was the quality that won us the game.

"I was disappointed with the decision of the referee to give the penalty as it could have thrown us into extra-time which we wouldn't have wanted, but we overcame it I'm glad to say."

Allardyce added: "Overall I'm delighted. It was a tough match like we expected and we came through with no injury problems and gave a lot of players some really good football to catch up with match fitness.

"With a squad of our size it's important to give players some high quality time on the pitch. We made 10 changes and it disrupted the team initially as they are a group of strangers playing together, really.

"We had two exciting lads making their way in the team in Junior Hoilett and a young lad who made his debut at the back and looked like he'd played there for a number of years in Phil Jones."

Defeat was harsh on Forest as the Coca-Cola Championship club dominated for long spells and created the better chances throughout.

However, even Reds boss Billy Davies conceded that McCarthy's goal was a moment of class.

"It was a fantastic delivery as it is one of these goals where there's about six or seven bodies running across that goal and it can hit anybody and go anywhere and it has sneaked it at the far corner," said the Scot.

"It's a fantastic delivery but a stupid free-kick to give away."

Davies added: "We dominated and should have been well in front, we hit the bar, missed a penalty and outplayed a Premier division side.

"I have nothing but praise for the players. For whatever reason at the moment we are just in a very bad run of luck, not just one game, it has been a consistent run of bad luck since the start of the season.

"We are dominating games and playing well in my opinion, but such is life."

Tag:


Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.