New Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce's first opponents

Sam Allardyce is taking over at Blackburn with immediate effect after signing a three year deal - and Stoke are first on the fixture list.

Here is the rundown on Big Sam's first opponents, how he got on against them last time out, and what happened on his debuts at previous clubs.

Blackburn fixtures

December 20: Stoke (H) - A 0-0 draw against Tony Pulis' side in the FA Cup 3rd round last January was Allardyce's final match as Newcastle manager before he was sacked.

December 26: Sunderland (A) - Honours ended even in Allardyce's only Tyne-Wear derby, James Milner cancelling out Danny Higginbotham's strike. Black Cats caretaker manager Ricky Sbragia joined Big Sam's Bolton coaching staff in October 2005 and was named joint caretaker manager after Allardyce's abrupt departure, before Sammy Lee was appointed as Trotters boss the following day.

Sunday 28: Manchester City (H) - A 2-0 home loss to Sven Goran Eriksson's side on January 2 heaped more pressure on Allardyce in what proved to be his penultimate game in charge. Allardyce's last encounter with City boss Mark Hughes, then at Rovers, saw him lose too - 3-1 at Ewood Park, with David Bentley scoring twice.

January 5: Blyth Spartans (A) - An FA Cup tie was Allardyce's last match in charge - and it could have been an early return to St James' Park but minnows Spartans, who beat Bournemouth in a replay last night , have elected to play at their home ground.

January 10: Fulham (A) - Allardyce's last trip to Craven Cottage saw him claim all three points with a last gasp Joey Barton penalty in Lawrie Sanchez's final game in charge.

Big Sam's managerial debuts

Newcastle: Big Sam took his new charges straight back to the Reebok and were 3-0 up inside half an hour, with Nicolas Anelka only able to pull a single goal back.

Bolton: On his 45th birthday and hours after signing a four and a half year deal with the cash-strapped Div One side, Allardyce saw Rodney Jack claim a late equaliser for a 2-2 draw.

Notts County: His Div 2 side took the lead but ended up with a 1-1 draw.

Blackpool: Allardyce's first ever game as a manager didn't go too well - his side got spanked 4-1 at home by Huddersfield.

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