Brown backs big Sam

Manager Phil Brown has backed former mentor Sam Allardyce to be a success at Blackburn,the pair spent 6 years at Bolton together. Brown said "It's a great appointment. But for me it's a disaster because I think he will get a head of steam going. "It's disappointing he's in the Premier League and we're going to have to lock horns,

but he's obviously there to arrest the situation, which was becoming a bit precarious.

"There were one or two clubs that were beginning to lose touch - which was good news for everyone else - but now that Sam is at the helm things will turn around fairly quickly.

"I said when Sam was out of work whoever did get hold of him would have a very good manager at the helm.

"I'm almost convinced that Blackburn's troubles will be behind them now."

Allardyce has spent almost a year out of the game after being sacked by Newcastle in January, but Brown always expected him to come back at the highest level.

"Sam was in the front two for the England manager (job) two years ago, so he obviously wanted to come back at this level," he said.