• Premier League

Nelsen 'devastated' by Allardyce exit

ESPN staff
December 13, 2010
Ryan Nelsen is the Blackburn Rovers captain © Getty Images
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Blackburn Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen admitted he was "devastated" to learn of Sam Allardyce's dramatic exit from the club.

Allardyce, who took the reins at Blackburn in December 2008, departs with the club lying in 13th in the Premier League table, having inherited a squad deep in relegation danger.

"Just absolutely shocked and devastated for him," Nelsen told Sky Sports News. "He had a fantastic relationship with all the players and he took the club out of the doldrums - we were in massive trouble - and with no money he's solidified us.

Asked if the players saw it coming, Nelsen said: "Not at all. It completely came out of the blue."

Meanwhile, striker Jason Roberts, who found it hard to break into the first team, revealed that he had been unhappy at the club during Allardyce's reign. "When you're not playing, you're never happy and I was certainly not happy to be not playing," he said. "There was no doubt that me and the manager had our share of fallouts but I certainly wouldn't have wished this on him.

"I don't know how to feel about it, it could change my circumstances, but even though we never got on I certainly wouldn't have wished him to get the sack."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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