Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has labelled his reunion with Hull's Phil Brown as 'almost a must-win'.
Allardyce crosses swords with former assistant in battle to beat the drop
Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has labelled his reunion with Hull City boss Phil Brown as 'almost a must-win' in the battle to avoid Premier League relegation.
Allardyce is set to cross managerial swords with his former Bolton Wanderers assistant Brown for the first time, but top-flight survival will take priority at the KC Stadium on Sunday lunchtime.
Rovers occupy the final spot in the drop zone, however, last season's Championship play-off final winners City - who have played a game more than their weekend opponents - sit only six points clear in 13th position.
And Allardyce is in no doubt of the importance of the fixture in East Yorkshire as he attempts to steer one-time Premier League champions Blackburn - who narrowly lost 2-1 at Manchester United last Saturday evening - clear of danger.
"We will work, as we did at Manchester United, on picking a team and about how this team should play to get a very important three points," Allardyce told
Sky Sports News.
Full strength
"We are in a situation where it is almost a must-win with a team that is close to where we are.
"A draw would not be a bad result for them, but we need to get three points again."
Allardyce expects his opposite number to revert as close as possible to a full-strength side at the weekend after a heavy fixture list forced Brown to shuffle his pack in the past week.
The Tigers lost 2-1 at home to Tottenham in the Premier League on Monday before downing Sheffield United by the same scoreline in an FA Cup fifth-round replay on Thursday.
Brown made a host of changes between his respective starting line-ups for the two fixtures, but Allardyce - who saw his players upset at Coventry in the cup on Tuesday - is anticipating a strong team on Sunday.
Fortunate
"We have obviously been fortunate to see them (City) in two games this week," added the Rovers chief. "He (Brown) made seven changes to the side he had out against Tottenham.
"We think we will get as near as we can to his starting XI."
Allardyce is full of praise for the work of Brown and is well aware of City's strengths.
"It just shows what can be done with hard work and a good ability, giving the team belief and continuing that belief into consistent performances," he said.
