No bids for Santa Cruz

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce insists there have been no enquiries about striker Roque Santa Cruz as the Premier League's January transfer window opens.

Manchester City are thought to be keen to reunite manager Mark Hughes with the Paraguayan, who had an impressive season last term, but Allardyce is adamant no offers had yet been forthcoming.

"There have been no bids whatsoever for Roque Santa Cruz," Allardyce said. "At the moment I'm more focused on getting him fit because I haven't seen him play since I've been here.

"I'm looking to getting him fit and producing the form that he produced last year to get us out of trouble. I'm also more focused on getting players in rather than players out.

"Certainly my focus over the last two days has been speaking to the chairman about that. We're both going to go out and try and improve our squad as quickly as possible."

Santa Cruz has made his intentions clear after claiming he would love to move on if an offer came in, but Allardyce also hit out at the transfer window, branding it "destructive".

He added: "Everybody knows that January is not positive. It's a very difficult window to work in. Generally the inflation that comes with a window as small as this is in many cases bordering on diabolical.

"But, if you don't pay the money, you don't get the player and that's why lots and lots of money changes hands at this particular period.

"It's destructive, it causes so many problems for players and managers, you just want to get it out of the way most of the time and get on with your job. Lots of speculation flies around that you can't control that can actually disrupt your squad and your preparation.

"I've never been a lover of this system. It's never really worked correctly and it never will but I don't think we'll ever get it changed."

However, the former Bolton and Newcastle boss admits he would utilise it as Rovers look to pull away from the relegation zone.

Allardyce has enjoyed a three-match unbeaten run since taking over at Ewood Park from Paul Ince but Rovers are still deep in trouble, lying next to bottom going into the New Year, and he is anxious to strengthen his squad.

"From our point of view, finding that player or two that would improve the squad immediately is important because it would lift us all.

"There are fewer and fewer bargains now than ever before and, if there are bargains, there are more clubs chasing them than ever before.

"It becomes quite difficult and I think targeting a player is probably a little easier than clinching it now, certainly if he is considered to be a bargain.

"We will try and get players than can make an impact on the team, otherwise I would prefer to go with the squad that I've got now, not lose anybody and make sure that we get out of trouble."

Blackburn Back To Winning Ways

Blackburn 3-0 Stoke

Rovers reign got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against Stoke City.

Benni McCarthy's penalty, awarded after Ibrahima Sonko fouled Morten Gamst Pedersen, opened the scoring in the ninth minute.

Jason Roberts bundled home the second from close range and McCarthy turned in a third before half-time.

Roberts was denied by Stoke keeper Steve Simonsen after the break and McCarthy also shot against the post.

Allardyce will have been delighted by the endeavour and cutting edge displayed by his new team, while Stoke City's display was the perfect illustration of why they have not won away from home in the Premier League this season.

Stoke did manage a revival of sorts in the second half, but Blackburn were never in serious danger of seeing their lead clawed back.

New boss Allardyce was given a rousing reception when he was introduced to the Blackburn fans prior to kick-off - and they were rapturous again after a dream first 45 minutes for Paul Ince's successor.

Roque Santa Cruz was ruled out with a calf strain sustained in training on Friday, but McCarthy and Roberts hinted that life will go on at Blackburn if the striker, who is again being linked with a move to Manchester City, leaves Ewood Park in January.

Stoke lost keeper Thomas Sorensen with a finger injury in the warm-up, and deputy Simonsen soon found himself picking the ball out of the net.

Referee Peter Walton had a simple decision when Sonko's horribly mistimed tackle felled Pedersen, and McCarthy blasted home the spot-kick.

Blackburn doubled their lead after 18 minutes, Roberts scrambling home from close range after Brett Emerton's cross rebounded into his path off Ryan Shawcross.

Allardyce's new charges were out of sight nine minutes later when McCarthy slotted in from 12 yards after Simonsen had saved from the former Porto striker.

Stoke pressed to try and gain a foothold in the game after the break and almost succeeded, with Amdy Faye heading over from inside the six-yard area and Glenn Whelan curling a 20-yard free-kick just wide.

Roberts should have added his second and Blackburn's fourth with 15 minutes left, but Simonsen plunged at his feet to save as he raced clear.

McCarthy almost grabbed his hat-trick from the resulting corner but his powerful low drive bounced away off the outside of an upright.

Stoke had at least threatened after the interval, and Seyi Olifinjana's 20-yard shot brought a fine save from Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson, with Ricardo Fuller steering the rebound wide.

Richard Cresswell then saw his shot strike the woodwork but Blackburn were in control and Allardyce's mission to save them from the drop is up and running.

Blackburn Appoints Allardyce as Manager

Blackburn Rovers have appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager on a three-year contract.

The Lancashire club sacked Paul Ince on Tuesday and said they wanted a new boss for Saturday's home game against Stoke.

Neil McDonald, who was at Bolton with Allardyce, is the new assistant boss, while former assistant Ray Mathias and first-team coach Archie Knox make way.

Allardyce, 54, had been out of work since being dismissed as manager of Newcastle on 9 January.

McDonald worked with Allardyce at Bolton, but Ray Mathias and first-team coach Archie Knox have been sacked.

Allardyce has been out of work since he was dismissed as manager of Newcastle United on 9 January.

"Rovers are delighted to announce the appointment of Sam Allardyce as manager," said a club statement.

The new manager will be officially unveiled at the 1600 GMT news conference on Thursday.

"I'm very pleased indeed, I'll say more at the news conference on Thursday," said 54-year-old Allardyce.

Ince was dismissed by Rovers after only 17 Premier League games in charge.

Rovers are second from bottom of the Premier League and have not won in the league since they defeated Newcastle on 27 September.

After a winning start under Ince's tenure, Rovers have won only three of their top-flight matches this season and are on a run of 11 straight games without a victory.

Allardyce had also been linked with the managerial vacancy at Sunderland.

He was highly successful during eight years at the helm of Rovers' Lancashire rivals Bolton, establishing them in the Premier League during his time in charge at the Reebok.

The Trotters also reached the final of the Carling Cup in 2004 and qualified for the Uefa Cup for the first time in their history in 2005.

Rovers play successive Premier League fixtures against Newcastle and Bolton in January.

Former Blackburn striker Kevin Gallacher told BBC Sport: "It is not a surprise choice.

"Blackburn needs someone who can put the club back together again and I think he can do that."

Allardyce has also managed Blackpool and Notts County.

At Bolton he was renowned for innovative thinking, using scientific techniques to keep players fit.

Veteran Sheffield United midfielder Gary Speed, who played for Allardyce at Bolton, said: "He gets the best out of players, he's a very approachable, likeable man and I'm sure the players will enjoy his training and his company.

Regarding the style of football Allardyce would favour at Blackburn, Speed said: "He's clever enough to know if you haven't got the players to play direct, you don't play direct."

Graeme Souness, who managed the club from 2000-2004, had also been linked with the job but had already ruled himself out of the running.

"I'm afraid you are talking to the wrong man," Souness told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph newspaper.

"I don't know anything and have had no contact at all from Blackburn Rovers. I'm not your man, I can definitely say that."

Paul Ince Sacked as Blackburn Manager

Blackburn chairman John Williams hopes to have Paul Ince's successor in place by Saturday, but confirmed Archie Knox, Ray Mathias and Karl Robinson have been put in temporary charge of team affairs.

Ince, in his first top-flight job, has been sacked as Rovers boss after 17 matches in charge and only six months into a three-year contract.

An emergency board meeting was held on Monday, and Ince was informed of his fate on Tuesday morning.

Williams said: "Appointing a new manager is our total focus.

"We acknowledge that timelines are tight for we are in a very worrying situation concerning our Premier League status.

"We will endeavour to have a new manager in place for Saturday's game with Stoke City at Ewood Park, but there are no guarantees and we must ensure that we get the right man.

"In the meantime, the day-to-day training will be carried out by Archie Knox, Ray Mathias and Karl Robinson. Our coaching staff and all of the players fully understand the importance of this weekend's game.

"Our supporters can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to get the team climbing the Premier League table as soon as possible."

Blackburn have sacked manager Paul Ince after less than six months in charge with the club second-bottom of the Premier League.

Ince, 41, joined Rovers from MK Dons in June but Blackburn's last league win was at Newcastle on 27 September.

Chairman John Williams said: "Three wins in 17 games has seen a squad which finished seventh last season fall to 19th place.

"We are currently in danger of becoming detached from the pack."

The decision to sack Ince was taken after a Blackburn board meeting and Williams made it clear that the need to keep the club in the top flight was behind the move.

Williams said the club intends to appoint a new manager in time for Saturday's match against Stoke, with former boss Graeme Souness an early front-runner, possibly assisted by veteran Blackburn midfielder Tugay.

The former Bolton and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce, who was considered for the post in the summer before Ince got the job, and ex-Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley have also been linked.

Williams was publicly critical of Blackburn's display in what proved to be Ince's final game, the 3-0 defeat at Wigan on Saturday.

He added: "The survival of the club in the Premier League is paramount and our focus is on finding a replacement who will be able to maintain our top-division status.

"Paul will bounce back, he is a fighter and we wish him well."

A statement released on the Blackburn website said: "The board, having selected Paul Ince back in June, were desperate for him to succeed and wanted to give him as much time as possible in the unforgiving environment of the Premier League, where time is such a precious commodity."

The Blackburn squad returned to training on Tuesday after their Christmas party in Dublin and they were put through their paces by assistant manager Ray Mathias while Ince met with the board.

Mathias, first-team coach Archie Knox and assistant first-team coach Karl Robinson will take charge against Stoke, although Chairman Williams said the club hoped to appoint someone before the weekend but added there were "no guarantees".

Ince was appointed on 22 June on a three-year contract after spells with Macclesfield, who he helped avoid relegation from the Football League, and MK Dons, who he led to the League Two title and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in his first season in charge.

Despite Rovers' promising start to the campaign, the former Manchester United and England midfielder saw performances and results begin to deteriorate.

Rovers have lost their last six league games and there have been reports of dressing-room unrest.

But Mathias insisted that there was no unrest at Blackburn and that had no part to play in Ince's departure.

"It is a load of rubbish. There is no happier a dressing room than ours - you would go a long way to beat that," he said.

"It is a massive disappointment Paul has gone. Everyone is feeling it; the players, you can see it in their eyes.

He added: "At the end of the day we are professional enough. Unfortunately the decision on the gaffer has been made, and we have to go along with what the club has said.

"It is a small number of games for any person to be judged on, but we have to get on with our job now."

Following the defeat at Wigan, Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph: "After all the signs coming out of Brockhall (Blackburn's training ground) this week, I was led to believe we would get a top performance.

"Without taking anything away from Wigan I have to say I was jvery disappointed with what I saw.

"The worry is the league table is beginning to stretch out and now we need two wins just to get back among the pack at the bottom."

Blackburn's part-time defensive coach Nigel Winterburn felt Ince should have been given more time to prove himself at Ewood Park.

"I'm not surprised with all the pressure Paul has been under or been put under with the results that he has been sacked," Winterburn told BBC Sport.

"He knows and I know in the Premiership it is a cut throat world and it is a results driven industry that is run by fear.

"I would have loved for him to be given time in the transfer window in January to bring in his own players.

"I'm positive that he would have seen results improve but the board have decided that isn't the case.

"I think people were starting to panic. The results have not picked up and they've decided they need someone else in place to drive the club forward."

Winterburn though believes that Ince would soon be back in the game despite his departure from Blackburn Rovers.

He said: "I think Paul has done really well and he'll be back in the game very quickly.

"He did well at Macclesfield and also MK Dons and I'm sure there will be several clubs looking at him already."

Former Blackburn striker Kevin Gallagher told BBC Radio 5 Live that the club is desperate to avoid relegation and the resultant loss of income.

"I thought he would get a little bit more time, maybe to get into the transfer market, spend a bit of money and see how it went," said Gallagher. "But having seen the chairman's face on the TV at the weekend that told a massive story.

"The club have a trust fund and they have been trying to sell the club. If the club go down that's a lot of money lost and the valuation of the club goes down as well. I think they've been possibly putting a lot of pressure on the board.

"The board have been trying to back Paul as much as they could but the display at the weekend was the final straw - the pressure told and something had to give. Unfortunately it was Paul."

Gallagher admits the club is not currently the most attractive proposition for an incoming manager.

"Who's going to want to turn to the club now, sitting second bottom?" he added. "They're struggling a little bit, there's not a lot of finances there, there are quite a few injuries.

"Steve McClaren was mentioned but he's doing very well in Holland (at FC Twente) and I've heard a small rumour about Roberto Mancini, there'll be a lot of names brandished about.

"The CVs that were put in a cupboard six months ago when Paul got the job will be coming back out again."

Blackburn's record scorer Simon Garner thinks the club have acted at the right time, and given his successor a chance to turn things around.

Garner told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Results have gone badly and the board have acted quickly.

"You have got to admire them for trying to get it sorted out and keep Blackburn in the Premier League.

"It is a results business, especially in the Premier League. You have got to stay in that division.

"The transfer window is coming up and you can see why they have done it. They want to get someone in place to say which players have got to go and which ones have to come in."

Ince becomes the sixth Premier League manager to leave his post this season following the departures of Kevin Keegan (Newcastle), Alan Curbishley (West Ham), Juande Ramos (Tottenham), Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth) and his former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane (Sunderland) on 4 December.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes that young managers are not being given long enough to prove they can do the job.

O'Neill also felt that Ince should have been given time to build his own squad before being shown the door at Ewood Park.

"It's getting harder and harder for young managers trying to make their mark," he told BBC Sport.

"He's lost a couple of players immediately and has not had a chance to replace them and build his own side as I'm sure he would have hoped.

"It seems like he's been in the job for only three minutes, which he has been, and it is exceptionally difficult. You are getting judged so quickly."

"We are in the results business and we accept that point, but 17 games doesn't seem a lengthy period of time to be judged on."