Ince under renewed pressure at Rovers
December 18, 2008
There is much talk both on the television and within the newspapers about the future of Paul Ince. The former Manchester United and England general has hit tough times in his Premier League managerial debut and many people are suggesting that the time is right for him to be relieved of his duties.
Ince began his managerial career at League Two side Macclesfield Town – many people were surprised that one of Fergie’s fledglings should take up such a lowly role, particularly when so many team mates have debuted at a much higher level.
His stay at the Moss Rose lasted just eight months however, and in that time he saved the Cheshire club from almost certain relegation and took them on a dream FA Cup trip to Stamford Bridge.
Following this, the former England captain moved to the MK Dons where again he tasted success, taking the club to the League Two championship and also triumph in the Johnstone’s Paints trophy.
But is this really the ideal grooming for taking over a Premier League Club? Many believe that his exit from the MK Dons was too quick and that he would have been better staying at the helm and trying to take them in to the Championship himself.
However, if a Premier League team comes in for you then I guess it is hard to turn it down. My own feeling is however that Ince has not made the transition successfully but he could well be a force to be reckoned with in the future. As a result, I think that it would be much more beneficial for Blackburn to bring in a wise old head as Director of Football to work with Ince than to sack him outright.
What are the odds on a reunion with a certain Mr Keane?
Let us know your thoughts.
David Bentley on verge of joining Spurs?
July 30, 2008
Tottenham have just lost Robbie Keane to Liverpool, and the position of Berbatov looks questionable, but they’re still looking to strengthen and shake their image of being a selling club. With that, they’re rumoured to be in talks with Blackburn and England winger David Bentley.
Bentley of course is a former Gunner, having joined Blackburn from Arsenal in 2005.
According to Blackburn, they are negotiating with Tottenham over the sale of Bentley, however they haven’t accepted a bid for the player.
Bentley is just 23, and wants to emulate former England captain David Beckham and make the England right flank position his own, and he believes to do that he needs to leave Ewood Park and join a ‘bigger club’.
Blackburn value Bentley somewhere in the region of £17 million, which is a price that no club has yet met.
Brad’s a Villain now
July 28, 2008
Former Liverpool and USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel has completed his move to Aston Villa in the summer’s big goalkeeper merry-go-round. Scott Carson, who was in goal for Villa last season (on loan from Liverpool), has signed for West Brom. Meanwhile Paul Robinson has left Tottenham and signed for Blackburn.
This was to cover for the fact that Blackburn’s Brad Friedel wanted to leave, and has now signed for Villa for a reported £2 million, although the actual price is undisclosed.
Manchester City were also chasing Friedel, as naturally their new manager Mark Hughes knew what a great keeper Brad was last season with Blackburn.
Friedel spoke of his move to Villa:
I’ve really got the feeling this club is going places and that’s the main reason why I’m here.
I know there was a lot going on in the press about Manchester City but from day one it was always Aston Villa.
Friedel has been an excellent goalkeeper in his 8 years at Blackburn, making 287 appearances for the club.
Friedel wanted to move to Villa largely because of Martin O’Neill:
The fans and everyone at the club have been terrific with me.
In saying that I’m really excited to be here at Aston Villa. Being able to work with these players, with Martin O’Neill and with Mr (Randy) Lerner (club owner) is exciting for me.
Martin was the main factor in my moving to Villa. I know a lot has been said about my Cleveland connection and my United States connection with Mr Lerner. I have spoken to him and he’s a fantastic guy.
But it was all down to Martin and the ambition of the club, also Martin’s relationship with his chairman, the tremendous players here and the other players they want to bring in to make the squad bigger, stronger and better.
Aston Villa were ever so professional in the manner that they dealt with everything and I couldn’t be happier. I’m very pleased to be here.
Robinson signs for Blackburn
July 26, 2008
England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has put an end to his awful year by signing a five-year contract with Blackburn Rovers, who have paid his former club Tottenham Hotspur £3.5 million for his signature.
Robinson’s form last season was a constant source of worry as he lost his place in the England side and in the Spurs team. A series of errors not only cost him dear, but also cost England dear in qualification for Euro 2008. The signing of Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes by Tottenham from PSV Eindhoven marked the end of Robinson’s Spurs career.
Robinson looks set to be Blackburn’s number one, as Brad Friedel seems destined to sign for Aston Villa in the summer goalkeeper merry-go-round. Robinson becomes the first signing for new Rovers boss Paul Ince.
It all started so well for Robinson when he signed for Spurs from Leeds in 2004 for £1.5m (as Leeds lost their place in the Premiership) and then made in his England debut just a few weeks later. He played in the 2006 World Cup for England, keeping 4 clean sheets in England’s 5 games.
It all started to go wrong for Robinson in Croatia as England lost 2-0, with Robinson conceding an own goal to Gary Neville.
Stoke City pull out of Carson hunt
July 17, 2008
Premiership newboys Stoke City have dropped out of the hunt for Liverpool’s goalkeeper Scott Carson. The two clubs had agreed a fee of £4 million for the player, but the deal now appears to have collapsed.
There are two other clubs looking at Carson however, Blackburn Rovers and West Brom. Blackburn will most likely need a replacement for rad Friedel, who looks bound for Aston Villa, who Carson was on loan with last season… this is getting complicated.
The deal between Stoke and Liverpool appears to have collapsed over personal terms with the player.
Stoke announced to the media:
Stoke City can announce that we are no longer pursuing Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.
The club will continue to look to improve the squad and remain hopeful of closing in on several new signings ahead of the Barclays Premier League campaign.
Villa were expected to sign Carson themelves, but now look to be targeting Tottenham’s Paul Robinson and Blackburn’s Brad Friedel.
Tugay to stay
May 19, 2008
Rovers golden oldie Tugay has agreed a one-year extension to his contract at Blackburn Rovers. The Turk is 37-year-old and the coming season will be his eighth for Rovers. He’s currently the oldest outdeild player in the Premiership but he does have this in his locker.
WHAMMY
Bentley wants more
April 1, 2008
Blackburn and England midfielder David Bentley says he has not ruled out leaving Blackburn in order to push for a regular starting place for England.At 23, Bentley is in talks with Rovers over a new contract. However he wants regular European football and it may be a case of wait-and-see as to whether he signs. Certainly don’t expect anything until the summer, after Uefa Cup spots have been finalized.
“You never know in football. Sometimes you have to make strong decisions.”
Bentley has shown that he will. In 2005 he handed in a transfer request at Arsenal in order to get first-team football. He also pulled out of the England Under-21s last year because he wanted to be considered for the seniors for as long as possible.
“I want to play European football, I want to play at the top of my game. I want to go to the World Cup in two years and I want to be starting.”
Mark Hughes will believe that Bentley can achieve all this at Blackburn but will he be able to convince the man himself.
West Ham 2 – 1 Blackburn
March 15, 2008
After some heavy defeats in recent weeks West Ham managed a win at home. Rovers took the lead when Roque Santa Cruz headed in a Gamst Pedersen’s from a counter attack. Dean Ashton grabbed a goal to make it all level a turn and then slotted past Friedal.
In the second half a home grown player Fred Sears came on to make his debut and what an impact he made. His shot was saved by Fiedal but he flung himself at the rebound to head in the winner.
Blackburn charged after “Battle of St James Park”
March 10, 2008
Blackburn Rovers have been charged by the FA for failing to control their players following a brawl during the victory at Newcastle United last weekend.
Central to the charge was Morten Gamst Pedersen’s altercation with Habib Beye which elicited a lengthy fracas which saw players and staff from both sides become involved.
Exciting viewing yes but the FA don’t like it so it is bad.
Rovers have until March 25th to respond to the charge and Winning is Everything understand that they are likely to appeal against it.
Boss Mark Hughes has stated –
“At the end of the day, it was our throw-in and we wanted to take it quickly, but the lad stopped us from doing that and then took exception to us trying to get the ball off him,”
Fair play Sparky – action surely should be taken against Newcastle as well as Blackburn for their part in the incident – it takes two to tango!
Winning is Everything will keep you informed of any further developments…..
Arsenal move 5 points clear
February 12, 2008
After a interesting weekend of action Arsenal managed to move five points clear of Manchester Untied thanks to a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers tonight at the Emirates. It was always going to be tough for Blackburn who lost 6-2 last season at the Emirates, it didn’t take long for the home side to break the deadlock with defender Philippe Senderos heading home from a corner on 4 minuets.
The home side did have to wait till late in the second half to seal the points when Emmanuel Adebayor fired in, Adebayor had been denied several goals in the game due to some great saves form Brad Friedel. The goal did move Adebayor level top of the top scorer in the Premiership with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Overall it was Adebayor’s 22nd goal of the season, he’s scored in the last 9 games on the trot.
