SAM ALLARDYCE’S sustained attack on Benni McCarthy continued today as the Blackburn manager put the boot into his South African striker before the Premier League clash against Wigan at Ewood Park tonight.
No-nonsense Allarydyce is furious Cape Town-born McCarthy, 32, “went on strike” once problems over his move to West Ham surfaced. McCarthy, desperate to play first team football before the World Cup kicks off in his home country in June, has work permit problems and both clubs are still haggling over the price tag, believed to be around £2.25m (R2.5bn).
With the deal set to go through today (Wednesday) Allardyce said: “It will be the size of the contract and the size of the money that Benni will go for.
“I’ve never had a player go on strike before. If I was guessing I’d say he was in London. We don’t like the situation, it’s very difficult but he’s been badly advised.
“We just had to make sure the situation gets resolved for the best of Blackburn Rovers.. If you’re at a club you have to play for your place – World Cup or not. If you’re not consistent enough then you don’t get in the side. Simple as that.”
Ironically, McCarthy could make his debut against Blackburn at West Ham's Upton Park on Saturday with the January transfer window closing on Monday.
Allardyce, who yesterday accused McCarthy of being “unprofessional” said today: “The players haven't mentioned Benni. Everything surrounding him is not important, were are concentrating on football.
“It's up to the players to go out and show that we don't need Benni McCarthy. That we can do it without him. That would be great.
“We have a good squad, we have a very talented squad. It has not fulfilled its expectation in results. But it is getting gradually better and better and it is not going to harm us too much if Benni leaves.”
Monaco’s former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, Stoke City’s experienced James Beattie or Stuttgart’s Turkish midfielder Yildiray Bastürk are all rumoured to be McCarthy’s replacements, though West Ham and their new owners are also after Gudjohnsen.
Allardyce insists: “I believe if Benni goes, we will sign at least one player. It might be a better player to what we have got but it might not be on the front line.
“I don’t really believe that it has to be one in one out in that position.
"If a big player turns up that we believe can make a big difference in whatever position then that should be the replacement for Benni McCarthy.”
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