Big Sam berates wantaway Roque
Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has slammed unsettled striker Roque Santa Cruz for using underhand tactics in an attempt to manufacture a move away from Ewood Park.
The Paraguay international remains sidelined with a long-standing knee problem and is not expected to feature for Rovers again this season.
And the former Bayern Munich front-man has made no secret of his desire to move on to a 'bigger' club at the end of the season, with Santa Cruz's former boss at Blackburn, Mark Hughes, keen on taking him to Manchester City.
The 27-year-old, who had netted 23 goals in 57 league games for Rovers, was interviewed on a radio station in his homeland this week, declaring his desire to leave Blackburn in the summer.
And his latest comments have prompted an angry reaction from former Bolton and Newcastle manager Allardyce, who says he has become tired of the striker's come-and-get-me pleas.
"He has become a little bit underhand," he said.
"These kind of remarks always sneak out where we cannot control the situation. It has happened too many times for it not to be him and is disappointing.
"That is life today but Roque should really concentrate on getting himself fit and playing football for Blackburn, never mind talking about where his future may lie.
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"Without his fitness and his capability of producing more than last season, he will perhaps struggle to get the move he is looking for."
BLACKBURN FANS! Check FourFourTwo.com’s ever-expandinginterviews archivefor more stuff to read:
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Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.