Steve Round on Sam Allardyce at Blackburn

Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen is predicting Sam Allardyce to be a "big hit" at Ewood Park. Allardyce was appointed as Rovers' new manager on Wednesday just 27 hours after Paul Ince had been given the chop. And skipper Nelsen said: "I'm very excited to tell the truth - his reputation is fantastic and I think he will be a big hit at Blackburn. "He's a big character and that's definitely what we need. He's got the experience to come in and know what we need. "I'm just looking forward to getting into work, meeting him and getting some wins." Blackburn moved swiftly to sign up Allardyce - managerless Sunderland had also been linked with the 54-year-old former Bolton and Newcastle manager - and announced his appointment on a three-year contract. Allardyce had been in the running for the job before Ince was appointed in the summer but ruled himself out, and he explained that as "a misunderstanding". Asked about his decision to take a job he apparently did not want in the summer, he said: "That was all a misunderstanding. I'm just glad I'm here now." Allardyce, who will be formally unveiled at a news conference at Ewood Park later, said he would "wait and see" whether funds would be made available to him to sign new players in the transfer window. Blackburn's chairman John Williams was keen for the new manager to be in position before the weekend's visit by Stoke. He said: "You can't underestimate how much of a boost a physical presence could have for what is an absolutely mammoth game. "Everyone needs to know how big this game is as this is a time the club really has to come together."

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ITN | December 18, 2008

Tags:. .threeyear. .underestimate. .skipper. .misunderstanding. .sunderland