Sam Allardyce became the new Blackburn Rovers manager today with his first challenge being to ensure Rovers start picking up points to take them safely away from the danger zone at the wrong end of the Premiership.

Allardyce replaced Paul Ince who was fired after only six months in charge at Ewood Park. The former Bolton and Newcastle boss, who led the former into Europe and a Carling Cup Final, was clearly the first choice of the club despite a string of high profile names being linked with the position vacated on Tuesday by Ince’s departure.

The appointment of the man once seen as a potential England manager is no doubt partially influenced by the current desire of the trust that owns the club to sell its interests. Blackburn’s ability to compete with the big boys in the transfer market undoubtedly expired on the death of Jack Walker and relegation would be a major detractor to any prospective buyer.

Chairman John Williams must now hope that his swift and decisive decision pays dividends both on and off the pitch.