Sam Allardyce is to replace Paul Ince as Blackburn Rovers new manager in time for their home game against Stoke on Saturday. Having initially shown an interest in the vacancy at Sunderland, Allardyce has now signed a three year contract with Blackburn.

It will be his first management position since his dismissal from Newcastle United in January. Big Sam previously had much success with Rovers rivals Bolton, where under his supervision the team qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history.

Ince started his management career at lowly Macclesfield, where he kept the team from being relegated from the League. He also had huge success with the MK Dons, winning the League Two title in his first year in charge. His position at Blackburn, however brief, was a piece of history – he was the first black man to become a Premier League manager.

The contrast between the two men couldn’t be starker however– Ince is a young, inexperienced manager, whose successes all came with relatively small teams. Allardyce is older and has much more experience at Premiership level – at this moment in time probably exactly what Blackburn need.

Having said that, I’m sad to see Ince go, and I think it’s a real shame he wasn’t given a chance to prove himself – he was only in charge for 17 Premier League matches. But, we must look ahead now. I think that Rovers fans will have faith in Allardyce and his strong track record, but with that comes expectation. Lots of it. Fans and critics alike will be looking for nothing less than a complete change of fortune and some well-needed victories. With the Rovers precarious position in the premiership, Allardyce will certainly inspire confidence in the players, but can he deliver the results?