Blackburn Rovers Squad/Gossip/Rumours

eagle eye

Chairman
John Williams

Manager
Sam Allardyce

Senior Squad
[|Name|Pos.|Age
1.|Paul Robinson(England)|GK|30
2.|Lars Jacobsen(Denmark)|DEF|30
4.|Chris Samba(Rep. of Congo)|DEF|26
5.|Gael Givet(France)|DEF|28
6.|Ryan Nelsen(New Zealand)|DEF|32
7.|Brett Emerton(Australia)|MF|31
8.|David Dunn(England)|MF|30
9.|Jason Roberts(Grenada)|FW|32
11.|Vince Grella(Australia)|MF|30
12.|Morten Gamst Pedersen(Norway)|MF|28
13.|Zurab Khizanishvilli(Georgia)|DEF|28
14.|Amine Liganzi(France)|MF|20
15.|Steven N'Zonzi(France)|MF|21
17.|Keith Andrews(Rep. of Ireland)|MF|29
18.|El Hadji Diouf(Senegal)|MF|29
19.|Aaron Doran(Rep. of Ireland)|MF|19
20.|Yildiray Basturk(Turkey)|MF|31
21.|Martin Olsson(Sweden)|DEF|22
22.|Nikola Kalinic(Croatia)|FW|22
23.|David Hoilett(Canada)|FW|19
25.|Alan Judge(Rep. of Ireland)|MF|21
27.|Michel Salgado(Spain)|DEF|34
28.|Phil Jones(England)|DEF|18
29.|Gavin Gunning(Rep. of Ireland)|DEF|19
30.|Maceo Rigters(Netherlands)|FW|26
31.|Grant Hanley(Scotland)|DEF|18
32.|Jason Brown(Wales)|GK|27
34.|Frank Fielding(England)|GK|22
38.|Mark Bunn(England)|GK|25
39.|Pascal Chimbonda(France)|DEF|31
41.|Andy Haworth(England)|MF|21
--.|Osahon 'Macky' Eboigbe(Nigeria)|FW|20

eagle eye

Thats the current Blackburn Rovers squad, no doubt there will be a couple of changes in the summer although I don't expect too many.

I left out Morten Gamst Pedersen as he is a free agent at the moment. Hopefully he resigns but its gone on too long now to have any confidence in that happening.

eagle eye

The Chairman speaks

Blackburn Rovers chairman issues warning to West Ham over Sam


BLACKBURN Rovers chairman John Williams has issued a hands-off warning to West Ham following speculation linking Sam Allardyce to the vacant managerial post at Upton Park.
It was reported by Sky Sports News yesterday that Allardyce was part of a four-man shortlist drawn up by the Hammers hierarchy as they look to replace Gianfranco Zola.
The national sports broadcaster further claimed that West Ham were set to seek permission from Rovers to speak to Allardyce, while it is reported they also want to interview Portsmouth boss Avram Grant, Blackpool’s Ian Holloway and Cardiff manager Dave Jones.
But Williams yesterday confirmed that no approach has been made by the Londoners, and made clear his position that Allardyce is not available.
“There’s been no approach and we wouldn’t welcome any approach,” said the Rovers chairman.
Grant has been the hot favourite to take charge of West Ham since Zola was sacked following the club’s survival from Premier League relegation on the final weekend of the season.
But Allardyce’s ability to work wonders on a shoestring budget, at first with Bolton and now at Blackburn, may be a principal reason for attracting the Hammers, who are believed to be saddled with debts of around £95 million.
After taking over the helm at Ewood Park 18 months ago, ‘Big Sam’ steered Rovers to safety in his first season before shrugging off some early critics this time round to guide the club to an excellent 10th place finish.
He is now looking to build on the progress made at Blackburn since replacing Paul Ince in December 2008, and look to make a push for European qualification next season by strengthening his squad in the summer transfer market.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/8170880.Williams_issues_a_hands_off_warning_over_boss_Sam/

Fink Goddie

Ah a Blackburn thread.
Honest question, do the blackburn fans agree that Blackburn are the dirtiest players in the league?


....................no Chelsea being the dirtiest 'players' jokes

eagle eye

Well the dirtiest team usually ends up with more cards than others. Considering we finished the season with less cards than 12 other teams I think its quite clear that we are not a dirty team. We had 58 yellow cards and 2 red cards over the season. Sunderland had 82 yellow cards and 9 red cards. Bolton Wanderers had 75 yellow cards and 5 red cards, Stoke had 65 and 5, Birmingham had 74 and 1. There are others too but I think there is enough there to show that you are talking sh1te.

Fink Goddie

eagle eye wrote: »

Well the dirtiest team usually ends up with more cards than others. Considering we finished the season with less cards than 12 other teams I think its quite clear that we are not a dirty team. We had 58 yellow cards and 2 red cards over the season. Sunderland had 82 yellow cards and 9 red cards. Bolton Wanderers had 75 yellow cards and 5 red cards, Stoke had 65 and 5, Birmingham had 74 and 1. There are others too but I think there is enough there to show that you are talking sh1te.

If Blackburn had got booked for every dirty tackle, off the ball incident against Liverpool this season they might have got another 12.

L'prof

eagle eye wrote: »

Chairman
John Williams

Manager
Sam Allardyce

Senior Squad
Name Pos. Age
1. Paul Robinson(England) GK 30
2. Lars Jacobsen(Denmark) DEF 30
4. Chris Samba(Rep. of Congo) DEF 26
5. Gael Givet(France) DEF 28
6. Ryan Nelsen(New Zealand) DEF 32
7. Brett Emerton(Australia) MF 31
8. David Dunn(England) MF 30
9. Jason Roberts(Grenada) FW 32
11. Vince Grella(Australia) MF 30
13. Zurab Khizanishvilli(Georgia) DEF 28
14. Amine Liganzi(France) MF 20
15. Steven N'Zonzi(France) MF 21
17. Keith Andrews(Rep. of Ireland) MF 29
18. El Hadji Diouf(Senegal) MF 29
19. Aaron Doran(Rep. of Ireland) MF 19
20. Yildiray Basturk(Turkey) MF 31
21. Martin Olsson(Sweden) DEF 22
22. Nikola Kalinic(Croatia) FW 22
23. David Hoilett(Canada) FW 19
25. Alan Judge(Rep. of Ireland) MF 21
27. Michel Salgado(Spain) DEF 34
28. Phil Jones(England) DEF 18
29. Gavin Gunning(Rep. of Ireland) DEF 19
30. Maceo Rigters(Netherlands) FW 26
31. Grant Hanley(Scotland) DEF 18
32. Jason Brown(Wales) GK 27
34. Frank Fielding(England) GK 22
38. Mark Bunn(England) GK 25
39. Pascal Chimbonda(France) DEF 31
41. Andy Haworth(England) MF 21
--. Osahon 'Macky' Eboigbe(Nigeria) FW 20

Ewwwww, try this:

|Name|Pos.|Age
1.|Paul Robinson(England)|GK|30
2.|Lars Jacobsen(Denmark)|DEF|30
4.|Chris Samba(Rep. of Congo)|DEF|26
5.|Gael Givet(France)|DEF|28
6.|Ryan Nelsen(New Zealand)|DEF|32
7.|Brett Emerton(Australia)|MF|31
8.|David Dunn(England)|MF|30
9.|Jason Roberts(Grenada)|FW|32
11.|Vince Grella(Australia)|MF|30
13.|Zurab Khizanishvilli(Georgia)|DEF|28
14.|Amine Liganzi(France)|MF|20
15.|Steven N'Zonzi(France)|MF|21
17.|Keith Andrews(Rep. of Ireland)|MF|29
18.|El Hadji Diouf(Senegal)|MF|29
19.|Aaron Doran(Rep. of Ireland)|MF|19
20.|Yildiray Basturk(Turkey)|MF|31
21.|Martin Olsson(Sweden)|DEF|22
22.|Nikola Kalinic(Croatia)|FW|22
23.|David Hoilett(Canada)|FW|19
25.|Alan Judge(Rep. of Ireland)|MF|21
27.|Michel Salgado(Spain)|DEF|34
28.|Phil Jones(England)|DEF|18
29.|Gavin Gunning(Rep. of Ireland)|DEF|19
30.|Maceo Rigters(Netherlands)|FW|26
31.|Grant Hanley(Scotland)|DEF|18
32.|Jason Brown(Wales)|GK|27
34.|Frank Fielding(England)|GK|22
38.|Mark Bunn(England)|GK|25
39.|Pascal Chimbonda(France)|DEF|31
41.|Andy Haworth(England)|MF|21
--.|Osahon 'Macky' Eboigbe(Nigeria)|FW|20

eagle eye

Fink Goddie wrote: »

If Blackburn had got booked for every dirty tackle, off the ball incident against Liverpool this season they might have got another 12.

Oh please, one match is what makes up your mind on something. Should we decide who wins the Premier League over one game too? Should we decide who the best player is based on one game? What about the best manager?

eagle eye

Ty L'prof.

L'prof

eagle eye wrote: »

Ty L'prof.

No problem.

Fink Goddie

eagle eye wrote: »

Oh please, one match is what makes up your mind on something. Should we decide who wins the Premier League over one game too? Should we decide who the best player is based on one game? What about the best manager?

That was just one example Blackburn gave away more free kicks than any other side in any Premiership game all season. 25 fouls and one offside means Liverpool won 26 free-kicks throughout the game. Plus the injuries the players suffered.

Was it the season before last they had the worst displinary record?

Anyway here's a nice article for ya to read about their unsporting approach to football
http://www.sport.co.uk/features/Football/1015/Is_an_unsporting_approach_from_the_likes_of_Allardyces_Blackbur
[/SIZE][/SIZE]

delta_bravo

Fink Goddie wrote: »

That was just one example Blackburn gave away more free kicks than any other side in any Premiership game all season. 25 fouls and one offside means Liverpool won 26 free-kicks throughout the game. Plus the injuries the players suffered.

Was it the season before last they had the worst displinary record?

Anyway here's a nice article for ya to read about their unsporting approach to football
http://www.sport.co.uk/features/Football/1015/Is_an_unsporting_approach_from_the_likes_of_Allardyces_Blackbur
[/SIZE][/SIZE]

Do you mind creating your own thread about your dislike towards Blackburn? This is discussion of the team. Anyway back to business. So Pedersen is a free agent. Did rovers not want to extend the contract or did he want to leave? His value is much less than it was in the heady days of sparkys reign. I'd say there will be a few lads leaving the squad: Zurab will be out anyway. N'Zonzi was a good buy this year by Sam I think, he has performed well and I am looking forward to see Jones get more gametime

eagle eye

delta_bravo wrote: »

Do you mind creating your own thread about your dislike towards Blackburn? This is discussion of the team. Anyway back to business. So Pedersen is a free agent. Did rovers not want to extend the contract or did he want to leave? His value is much less than it was in the heady days of sparkys reign. I'd say there will be a few lads leaving the squad: Zurab will be out anyway. N'Zonzi was a good buy this year by Sam I think, he has performed well and I am looking forward to see Jones get more gametime

John Williams has just said that he expects Morten to sign a new contract so thats really good news.
I think Pedersen has been there through troubled times, firstly we lost Hughes and all his staff, then we lost Friedel and Bentley. Then Ince came along and Pedersen said at the time that he was unhappy at not knowing whether he would be playing or not even in the squad for matchdays. Then these boo boys turned up this year giving loads to both Morten and Keith Andrews. He lost his place on the left too but came back in and has played very well in the centre. I think this all lead to him backing off signing an extension but I think the way things have went in the second half of this season both for Morten personally and for the club that he now is happy to stay by the sounds of things.
Zurab is definitely gone I'd say with young Jones pushing for a starting spot and now Grant Hanley also making a hugely impressive debut. Two big 18 year old centrebacks with bright futures.
N'Zonzi was such a bargain, I thought when we bought him that he was a project but he went straight in and made a name for himself.
Junior Hoilett is another guy I'm expecting big things from next year, I felt he improved everytime he played. He has incredible pace and good close control.
Olsson is another guy who really stepped up, I think he is better in left midfield but he is good cover for Givet at left back also.
And Diouf finished the season very well too.
I'm really looking forward to next season, I will be happy if we can add somebody in midfield, preferably get rid of Grella and add two and then we need to add somebody up front.
Kalinic, Hoilett and Roberts is all we really have. We need to bring in somebody who can score goals and maybe a young project as well.
I was hoping Aaron Doran would break through but he had a bad season, hopefully he can get back on track now. I know that Big Sam really likes him.

happydayz182

Were def needing someone upfront....thought Dindane was a cert but it appears its gone cold...Id love a player like Kevin Doyle but thats fantasy talk really.

Hope Big Sam does once what hughes did 3 times bringing in 15 + goals a season strikers.....mcarthy,bellamy and santa cruz!

That_Guy

Pedersen on a free transfer you say? Yoink.

delta_bravo

eagle eye wrote: »

I was hoping Aaron Doran would break through but he had a bad season, hopefully he can get back on track now. I know that Big Sam really likes him.

Hopefully he doesnt follow in the footsteps of Eddie Nolan and Keith Treacy and we hang on to him. Always had high hopes for Nolan and Treacy but they never made an impact really

eagle eye

Well when John Williams says something you better believe it. This is awesome news.:D I'm over the moon, this has made my day.

Morten signs new deal

Blackburn Rovers are delighted to announce that Norwegian international Morten Gamst Pedersen has signed a new four-year contract with the football club.

The 28-year-old has committed his future to Rovers with a deal that sees him contracted until the summer of 2014.

On completing the deal Rovers Chairman John Williams said: "I'm delighted that Morten has signed a new four-year contract.

"What appeared to be a lengthy negotiation was always carried out in a positive constructive manner with Morten making it clear that he wanted to stay.

"Sam is currently on holiday but he'll be delighted, he made this, together with finding a striker, our summer priority.

"He regards Morten as a key member of the squad and his future at Ewood Park is now secure."

Signed by former manager Graeme Souness in August 2004 for a fee of £1.5m, Pedersen has made over 240 appearances for Rovers scoring 38 goals to date.

http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~2055479,00.html

happydayz182

Nice to see pederson sign.Hopefully this will settle him down and hel get back to his best form consistently..ie back to when he was linked with manyoo the yeaar we got to the fa cup semi's

eagle eye

He has been excellent since he was moved in to the centre of midfield. His free kicks and corners have been hugely improved too since Big Sam took over.

ctrl-alt-delete

eagle eye wrote: »

He has been excellent since he was moved in to the centre of midfield. His free kicks and corners have been hugely improved too since Big Sam took over.

I actually think they have suffered in recent times.....

Ever since Pedersen started producing that long throw i feel the quality of his free kicks and corners have gone downhill,

I will say they were better near the end of the season, but i remember watching some games and being so frustrated with his delivery from his feet.


In response to him signing, i'm delighted he has signed a new deal. If he walked away we would have got nothing and would have had to replace him. With him signing on the dotted line again it means we can focus more of our resources on a good striker.

eagle eye

His corners were brilliant toward the end of the season and his free kicks, the indirect ones that is.

eagle eye

Nice to hear the Chairman confirm that we don't have to sell. I think we could be in very good shape going into next season with money to spend and a lot of youngsters who you would expect natural progression from with a years experience behind them.

Blackburn chairman John Williams claims the club will not have to sell their prized assets as they have done in the past.
Rovers had an excellent season in the Premier League and managed a 10th placed finish in the top-flight, having been stuck in and around the relegation zone for some of the campaign.
They managed to achieve this despite selling the likes of Roque Santa Cruz, Stephen Warnock and Matt Derbyshire last summer.
Williams claims Blackburn are no longer a 'selling club', and insists Rovers will have some money to play with in the transfer market.
"We have, through the Premier League, managed to secure some attractive rises in overseas television revenues," he said.
"Those differences effectively mean we can return to being a trading club rather than a selling club.
"It is a fact that we had to sell Roque Santa Cruz and Stephen Warnock in order to balance the books and maintain wage levels that were necessary for us to be competitive.
"The difference going forward is that within reason we can maintain our wage bill without the need to sell.
"It means that the 10th-place money has protected the fund started by the sale of Benni McCarthy to West Ham (in January), so we have got some spending power in this close season."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11676_6164853,00.html

happydayz182

It is nice to see alright but in fairness who do we have to sell really? maybe Samba would have recieved a couple of bids at a push ?Phil Jones is the only player really getting attention. At least we have a settled squad! Big Sam reckons this is his first summer since hes been a premier league manager that he doesnt feel the need to overhaul the playing staff!

eagle eye

Samba, Jones, Olsson, N'Zonzi and Givet would all be on other clubs radars. Last year Roy Hodgson wanted Keith Andrews. There are many who like Ryan Nelsen too and he will be monitored by clubs if he has lost the armband and with the possibility of Jones taking his place. Samba had the armband at the end of the seaon in case you don't know.

delta_bravo

The late season climb up the table earned us about 2 or 3 million extra in prize money so hopefully it keeps us on a good financial footing for the year.

eagle eye

Olsson sings for five years which is brilliant news. For those who haven't heard of him, watch out for him next year, this kid is really, really exciting and has been very impressive over the second half of last season.

SWEDISH starlet Martin Olsson has committed his future to Blackburn Rovers for a further five years.
The 22-year-old, who emerged as a key figure for Sam Allardyce's side last season as Rovers clinched 10th place in the Premier League, has signed a new contract which will keep him at Ewood Park until the summer of 2015.
The deal comes hot on the heels of Martin making his senior international debut for Sweden after a string of under-21 appearances - scoring twice on his debut in a recent 4-2 home win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

And Martin is the second top young prospect to pledge his long-term future to Rovers, with teenage defender Phil Jones also having signed a five-year deal earlier this close season.

Martin, who originally arrived at Ewood in January 2006 on a trial from Hogaborgs BK with his identical twin brother Marcus, was voted the club's young player of the season in 2007-8 after making his debut as a substitute in December 2007.
But he really emerged as a key figure in Big Sam's team last season as the manager switched him from left back to left side midfield to great effect, with a string of memorable performances as well as some key goals.
His stunning strike in the 6-4 defeat at Aston Villa on the Carling Cup semi-finals was judged Rovers' 'Goal of the Season' by supporters.
Martin also hit the winner in a key 1-0 success against Hull City as Rovers launched on a run of eight unbeaten home games to surge towards the top half of the table.
"Signing a new contract is easy for me after the enjoyment of last season," said Martin. "I gained a lot of confidence, through both the management and my team-mates, and I thought I improved game by game.

"I got my chance and I felt I took it and it doesn't matter to me whether I am seen as a left winger or a left back, as long as I am playing and contributing then I am happy. But I must say that I have enjoyed the forward role and the chance to get in among the goals.

"I have relaxed more and I am already looking forward to next season for I feel I can get better."

Big Sam added: "Martin was outstanding for us last season, a young player who came in and made a magnificent contribution. He has really started to understand the game and now knows how best to use his talents to the team's advantage.

"I am absolutely delighted that another of our young starlets has pledged his long-term future to the Rovers - that can only be good news, very good news indeed."

http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~2074093,00.html

eagle eye

In other news, the Guti rumours just will not die. I won't believe anything until the club confirm he has signed, I just think its highly unlikely that he would come to Ewood Park even though Salgado has been raving to him and Raul about how much he is enjoying it here.

And of course our self-proclaimed no.1 North Korean fan is on the radar too. Jong Tae-Se is being linked with various clubs, he was here on a trial in February and we are after a striker so this would be awesome of it happened.

Chucky the tree

Pederson has really dropped off. I remember when he was linked to a big money move to United and as a free agent he still ends up with Blackburn. Whats the aims for next season eagle?

eagle eye

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Pederson has really dropped off. I remember when he was linked to a big money move to United and as a free agent he still ends up with Blackburn. Whats the aims for next season eagle?

He was really impressive after Christmas, he was switched to a central midfield role and he has really impressed there. He never wanted to leave but Paul Ince wouldn't play him and he was unhappy with that, like he wasn't even making the bench. Then Big Sam came along and in the early part of the season he struggled, but Allardyce took him out of the team for a couple of weeks and then brought him back in the central role and he really was impressive. At that stage though it was the end of his contract and I'm sure his agent was telling him to keep his options open and hoping for a nice payday but Peds decided to stay. I'm delighted as he has been brilliant in CM and his set pieces are hugely important to us.

eagle eye

Stunning display for the second game running in the World Cup from the Club Captain Ryan Nelsen.

eagle eye

The fixtures for the season. Not the easiest opening with Everton home, followed by Birmingham away, then Arsenal at home and Citeh away.

Blackburn Rovers Premier League fixture list 2010/2011
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Blackburn v Everton, 15:00

Saturday, 21 August 2010
Birmingham v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 28 August 2010
Blackburn v Arsenal, 12:45

Saturday, 11 September 2010
Man City v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 18 September 2010
Blackburn v Fulham, 15:00

Saturday, 25 September 2010
Blackpool v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 2 October 2010
Stoke v Blackburn, 15:00

Monday, 18 October 2010
Blackburn v Sunderland, 20:00

Saturday, 23 October 2010
Liverpool v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 30 October 2010
Blackburn v Chelsea, 15:00

Saturday, 6 November 2010
Blackburn v Wigan, 15:00

Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Newcastle v Blackburn, 19:45

Saturday, 13 November 2010
Tottenham v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 20 November 2010
Blackburn v Aston Villa, 15:00

Saturday, 27 November 2010
Man Utd v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 4 December 2010
Blackburn v Wolverhampton, 15:00

Saturday, 11 December 2010
Bolton v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 18 December 2010
Blackburn v West Ham, 15:00

Sunday, 26 December 2010
Blackburn v Stoke, 15:00

Tuesday, 28 December 2010
West Brom v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 1 January 2011
Sunderland v Blackburn, 15:00

Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Blackburn v Liverpool, 20:00

Saturday, 15 January 2011
Chelsea v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 22 January 2011
Blackburn v West Brom, 15:00

Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Blackburn v Tottenham, 20:00

Saturday, 5 February 2011
Wigan v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 12 February 2011
Blackburn v Newcastle, 15:00

Saturday, 26 February 2011
Aston Villa v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 5 March 2011
Fulham v Blackburn, 15:00
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Blackburn v Blackpool, 15:00

Saturday, 2 April 2011
Arsenal v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 9 April 2011
Blackburn v Birmingham, 15:00

Saturday, 16 April 2011
Everton v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 23 April 2011
Blackburn v Man City, 15:00

Saturday, 30 April 2011
Blackburn v Bolton, 15:00

Saturday, 7 May 2011
West Ham v Blackburn, 15:00

Saturday, 14 May 2011
Blackburn v Man Utd, 15:00

Sunday, 22 May 2011
Wolverhampton v Blackburn, 16:00

ctrl-alt-delete

eagle eye wrote: »

The fixtures for the season. Not the easiest opening with Everton home, followed by Birmingham away, then Arsenal at home and Citeh away.

It is a very tough start isn't it.

If Birmingham continue with the same form as last season especially.

Hopefully we retain our Home form from the off, I reckon we could get a win from the Everton game, Arsenal always seem to stuff us especially now Van is back in action, i know we beat them on the tailend of last season but still.

City away will be a tough ask, considering the names they are adding to the sqaud list.

Realistically the best we can hope for is 6 points, be it from 2 wins, or 1 win and 3 draws. I can't see us being unbeaten though. If we do go through that unbeaten it will be a big boost!

I hope Kalinic is in good form from the off, He was excellent last season. All depends on who we get in to partner him. Hope Sam pulls off an unexpected big name like he done the odd time at Bolton.

ctrl-alt-delete

In players heading out news Haworth has moved on

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bury/8794382.stm

Never really got a run out in the first team, I saw him play against Sunderland and he looked pacey, hope he peforms well for his new club.

eagle eye

Yeah Haworth never really made it and with the emergence of Jason Lowe he was always likely to go this season. Lowe is being touted as a David Dunn by all accounts, really exciting talent from the same youth team as Jones and Hanley. There is a young right back in that team too called Jackson Ramm who is being highly touted too. He just turned 17.
The list of young players coming through is amazing.

hitman79

eagle eye wrote: »

The fixtures for the season. Not the easiest opening with Everton home, followed by Birmingham away, then Arsenal at home and Citeh away.



Nearly sure you can get in trouble for putting up fixtures without a licence.

L'prof

hitman79 wrote: »

Nearly sure you can get in trouble for putting up fixtures without a licence.

Ah here...

ctrl-alt-delete

L'prof wrote: »

Ah here...

I was thinking the same, i think they are more interested in people who are using it to make money as seems to be with the current cases Marketing Fixtures Limited have taken.

hitman79

L'prof wrote: »

Ah here...

Was only giving the guy a heads up. There pretty strict about there fixtures
http://www.inbrief.co.uk/reproduce-fa-fixtures-on-website.htm

L'prof

hitman79 wrote: »

Was only giving the guy a heads up. There pretty strict about there fixtures
http://www.inbrief.co.uk/reproduce-fa-fixtures-on-website.htm

I wouldn't be too worried about it to be honest, maybe the mods will see it differently though.

ctrl-alt-delete

hitman79 wrote: »

Was only giving the guy a heads up. There pretty strict about there fixtures
http://www.inbrief.co.uk/reproduce-fa-fixtures-on-website.htm

You are guilty too quick remove the quote

ctrl-alt-delete

First pre-season game today,

Drew 0-0 in Austria with Sturm Graz

Just having a look at the team:

ROVERS: Robinson (sub Fielding 46 mins), Chimbonda, Gunning, Samba (sub Judge 35 mins), Jones (sub Hanley 46 mins), Givet (sub Olsson 46 mins), Andrews (sub Linganzi 46 mins), Dunn (sub Nzonzi 46 mins), Roberts (sub Kalinic 46 mins), Hoilett (sub Diouf 46 mins), Rigters (sub Andrews 70 mins).

Good to see Judge,Jones,Hanley, Gunning and Linganzi getting a run out. Rigters never made an impression, Is Sam considering him again?

eagle eye

Ugh:( poor Jason, my heart goes out to the lad. Very unfortunate.

A freak training ground injury has robbed Rovers midfielder Jason Lowe of representing England under 19s in the forthcoming UEFA under 19 Championship finals in France.

The 18-year-old midfielder was a late call-up to Noel Blake's squad for the tournament that starts this weekend, but after joining up with the England training camp at Warwick University, he went over on his ankle during a training session on Tuesday.

After being assessed by the England physios it was decided that unfortunately Lowe wouldn't be able to recover in time to represent the Three Lions and has returned to Brockhall for treatment by Rovers staff.

http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~2092201,00.html#continue

eagle eye

So negotiations are still going on. With John Williams admitting that, then its quite likely the club is going to be sold. I don't know if I'm happy about this or not. On the one hand we have no money but a great chairman and the club will never be in any trouble with debt. Clearly we would love to have some money and with a squad brimming with young talent one or two decent signings could make a huge difference.
I suppose as long as they leave John Williams in charge I'll be happy. I would just hate to see some guy come in and make a mess of the club financially. We have seen it all too often in recent times at Premier League clubs.

JOHN Williams insists it is ‘business as usual’ at Ewood Park as he and Sam Allardyce weigh up Blackburn Rovers’ different striking options.
The Rovers chairman met with boss Allardyce yesterday to further discuss their transfer strategy, with Williams adamant funds are not frozen until the takeover saga is sorted.
Negotiations continue behind the scenes about the potential sale of Rovers, with Indian businessman Saurin Shah having already made his interest public, but Rovers won’t allow any uncertainty to put them off their Premier League objectives.
Rovers’ complete inactivity in the transfer market so far this summer has led to claims all business has been put on hold until a conclusion in the sale either way – but Williams is insistent that is not the case.
He admits they have drawn up an alternative list of targets should the club receive new investment but revealed, for the moment, they will not be distracted in the task ahead.
Williams said: “Obviously we are aware of fresh impetus with regards the potential sale of the club, with at least one potential new buyer being identified.
“In the event of a successful sale, and money being made available, we do have a list of players available in the back of our minds.
“But in the meantime we have a job of work to do and we are not allowing any talk regarding potential new ownership put us off that.
“We will continue to go on as we are and we are still weighing up different options we have available to us.”
While there remains real interest in the sale of Blackburn Rovers, the Lancashire Telegraph understands no bid has been accepted and no period of due diligence reached.
Even if significant progress was made in the next few days there would still be a lengthy process ahead to seal the deal and, with the transfer window slamming shut at the end of August, no guarantee it would be finalised in time – even if extra cash was available.
The Lancashire Telegraph understand Rovers are weighing up whether to move now in their pursuit of a striker with their limited funds, believed to be in the region of £2.5million, or to wait to see if there any Ewood Park departures.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/8270346.It_s_business_as_usual_for_Rovers_chief_Williams/?ref=rss

ctrl-alt-delete

eagle eye wrote: »

So negotiations are still going on. With John Williams admitting that, then its quite likely the club is going to be sold. I don't know if I'm happy about this or not. On the one hand we have no money but a great chairman and the club will never be in any trouble with debt. Clearly we would love to have some money and with a squad brimming with young talent one or two decent signings could make a huge difference.
I suppose as long as they leave John Williams in charge I'll be happy. I would just hate to see some guy come in and make a mess of the club financially. We have seen it all too often in recent times at Premier League clubs.



http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/8270346.It_s_business_as_usual_for_Rovers_chief_Williams/?ref=rss

I would agree with you totally, I would much rather see the club stay as they are and continue with the current set up. I think we are reaching a stage where we are putting most of our eggs into the youth basket, and as you highlighted previously on the forum we have a lot of fruits to call upon now. I wouldn't like to see us reach the stage where we have to continually sell our best players, but we have never taken gambles and are not a club that would break the wage structure of the club either so i think that is a long way off. In saying that i still have an anger at the sale of Derbyshire when he is exactly what we need this year and we would not get a player of his quality and youth for 3 million.

Following on from the U-19 England news you posted, i was happy to see that Phil Jones was promoted to u-21 status so there was no need for him to be a part of the U-19 set up which would have robbed him from us for the start of the season.

Any strong rumours on players we might be in for Eagle Eye?

eagle eye

ctrl-alt-delete wrote: »

Any strong rumours on players we might be in for Eagle Eye?

Its all just rumours. I don't buy into any of them until I hear a quote from Big Sam or the Chairman.

There has been a rumour about Guti for quite a while but I read somewhere that he is likely to sign for Besiktas I think it was.

I would rather see us sign some young players tbh. The Mirror is saying we are set to sell Jason Roberts and I don't believe that for one second. We need strikers now not the other way around.

There was a rumour about Dos Santos on loan, I don't believe it and I wouldn't like it either tbh. He sounds like trouble, drinking and partying a lot according to Harry Redknapp, and with a lot of promising young players I just don't think that Sam would be willing to take a chance and bring in a player who might just cause problems.
The guy has talent, no doubt about that and if its true and he comes in then I'm sure Big Sam will handle him but I just think its highly unlikely.
N'Gog on loan was mentioned too and then all the usuals James Beattie, Eidur Gudjohnnsen, Benjani. David Nugent was also mentioned.

But to give you the short answer which I maybe should have done originally instead of all that much. No strong rumours yet.

ctrl-alt-delete

eagle eye wrote: »

I would rather see us sign some young players tbh. The Mirror is saying we are set to sell Jason Roberts and I don't believe that for one second. We need strikers now not the other way around.

As much as he is pushing on now, at least he put more effort in than McCarthy to get up to scratch with Sams fitness demands. I don't think we have a better player on the ball, he is unreal at holding up the ball and moving it on. I remember seeing him at Sunderland and he had a great game, totally dominated the big lads in Sunderlands defense - we were robbed that day though.

eagle eye wrote: »

There was a rumour about Dos Santos on loan, I don't believe it and I wouldn't like it either tbh. He sounds like trouble, drinking and partying a lot according to Harry Redknapp, and with a lot of promising young players I just don't think that Sam would be willing to take a chance and bring in a player who might just cause problems.
The guy has talent, no doubt about that and if its true and he comes in then I'm sure Big Sam will handle him but I just think its highly unlikely.
N'Gog on loan was mentioned too and then all the usuals James Beattie, Eidur Gudjohnnsen, Benjani. David Nugent was also mentioned.

But to give you the short answer which I maybe should have done originally instead of all that much. No strong rumours yet.

Of the others you mentioned, I wouldn't mind if we got a loan of N'Gog i think he is a good player and might do well in a team without the pressure of being up front for Liverpool. Not too pushed on the rest, Beattie although i wanted to see him develop at the club has had his best days, that too can be said of Gudjohnnsen (who i think others can offer the type of wage he wants) and Benjani. I didn't like what i saw of Benjani at Sunderland, although in fairness i only saw a few run outs he got in the final 1/4's of a few games. Nugent has had his chance in the Premiership - i think he is one of many who are great in the Championship and can't make the shift to the Premier League.

As you said, i'd like to see us go with youth too - but as you know good quality youth is expensive and if that article is to be believed, without moving anyone on we have £2.5million. I'm trying to think of a couple of players who fall into that category, with it being a bit early yet i can't think of one!

I won't mention the Guti thing, in case there is a bit of truth in it and i jinx it!

eagle eye

A lot of sh1te talk going on in the papers claiming that we are close to being sold. It does now seem likely that we will be sold at some stage in the next couple of months though.

SAURIN Shah is not on the brink of completing a Blackburn Rovers takeover, contrary to widespread reports today.
The Lancashire Telegraph can reveal negotiations are ongoing with the little-known Mumbai entrepreneur but the process of due diligence – opening up the accounts – has not been reached.
Sources close to Mr Shah and close to Blackburn Rovers have both confirmed today's reports were premature as talks continue over the club’s future.
While Mr Shah remains interested in purchasing the club from the Walker Trust, the Telegraph understand they are not the only interested party as all options are explored.
Neither Mr Shah nor Rovers can comment on the ongoing process though due to the signing of a Non Disclosure Agreement.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/8280466.Shah_takeover_of_Blackburn_Rovers_is_not__on_the_brink_/?ref=rss

eagle eye

Very interesting thoughts from Phil Cannon. No PE in schools has to be a bad thing for kids regardless of whether they play football or not.

BLACKBURN Rovers’ youth supremo Phil Cannon insists clubs are doing everything in their powers to produce England’s ‘stars of the future’ after rubbishing recent criticisms of football’s academy system.
Rovers’ academy manager has just seen two of their products given international recognition by England and is adamant the youth set-up at Ewood Park - and around the country - would be admired world wide.
Hot on the heels of the news that home-grown 18-year-old defender Phil Jones is set to break into next month’s England under 21 squad, team mate Jason Lowe was called up for England under 19’s European Championship campaign in France - before pulling out through injury.
Rovers’ Brockhall academy has also seen a number of their other youngsters selected by other countries with Cannon angered at the blame for England’s World Cup failure being laid firmly at their door.
He said: “I have been very disappointed with some of the comments about academies in recent weeks, because all the stuff being said are just cheap shots that don’t deal in facts.
“You can rest assured when the Dutch and the Spanish see our academies, their structure and organisiation, they are impressed. People who say their academies are miles ahead of us are frankly talking rubbish.
“You can’t just put all the blame at the door of the academies. There are deeper rooted problems that some choose to ignore.
“One of those we have is contact time with youngsters. They say you need 10,000 hours to produce an elite sportsman.
“Years ago at school you had PE every day and that counted in that contact time because that would keep the youngsters fit. Now we have to keep them fit as well and that eats into valuable contact hours we could be spending actually coaching them.
“Now at schools they are sitting in front of computers rather than getting outside and staying fit. People don’t mention that though, they just blame the academies.”
One of the biggest criticisms Premier League clubs are being faced with is their failure to produce home grown talent at the top level.
Having seen the likes of Jones and Scottish defender Grant Hanley already make their Premier League debuts at age of just 18 though, Cannon insists the talent is still coming through.
He said: “I was sitting down the other night and thinking of how many English managers we have got in the Premier League and thus how many potential England managers we have that are English. There aren’t many there are there? So maybe that is another problem we have to look at.
“I think every club will have two players come through the ranks. Perhaps we should take the top players out of each academy and get them all together to train and play once a month. It would be like an elite academy squad.
“Maybe we could also get the best coaches to coach them and bring them through together, surely that would make them better players? That used to happen at Lilleshall and I think it is the way forward.”
Cannon has also echoed Sam Allardyce’s sentiments that Jones will one day play for England’s first team as he calls for the national side to look more of a balance in the future.
“You don’t have many young defenders coming through in the country who can defend like Phil Jones,” he said. “He is the sort who would die for the cause and you need that sort of player as well as someone who can sit behind and sweep things up. Maybe we as a country forget about the blend sometimes.
“That is what we don’t do well at national level. You have to have those water carrier players, those warriors that teams from abroad have.
“Some of the comments I have heard have frustrated me. The moment we went out I knew we would get the blame. We are an easy target aren’t we.”

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburnrovers/news/8277272.Rovers__Don___t_blame_our_Academies_for_the_game___s_ills/?ref=rss

everdead.ie

There are a lot of rumours about Phil Jones(?) the young Cb signing for Spurs but being loaned back to Blackburn for another season as part of the deal.

eagle eye

Another thing that has to be noted is that in all our friendlies so far we have been playing with a 3-5-2 formation. It will be interesting to see if this continues in Australia. With the amount of talent we have at centre back I can understand it. We have Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Jones, Hanley, Chimbonda, Gunning, Liganzi and Khizanishvilli(who won't leave because he is on such good money with us:mad:) who can all play in a back 3.

eagle eye

everdead.ie wrote: »

There are a lot of rumours about Phil Jones(?) the young Cb signing for Spurs but being loaned back to Blackburn for another season as part of the deal.

Thats just muck tbh, he just signed a new deal and is only interested in fighting for a first team place at the moment. He even said so himself in a recent interview like less than 3 weeks ago. He is a Rovers fan too so I don't expect to see him go anywhere for at least a couple of years.

Phil Jones is relishing the fight for places as Blackburn begin their pre-season preparations.
The 18-year-old defender caught the eye after making the first-team breakthrough towards the end of last season.
He is part of Rovers' travelling party bound for Austria on Friday for a week of training then a friendly against Sturm Graz on July 10.
And Jones is then expecting a battle with New Zealand World Cup star Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba to gain a regular starting role next term.
"It isn't going to be easy, no-one said it was going to be easy," he told the club's official website.
Top quality

"They are both top quality players - in training not just in games - so I've got to fight for my position.
"I'll look forward to that and it's something I will relish.
"Grant Hamley is another really good defender so the competition is good all over in every position this year so I'm really looking forward to it."
Last summer Jones was promoted from the Academy to the reserves squad and he is eager to keep his feet on the ground after earning 10 first-team starts last season.
"I'm proud of what I've done but time doesn't stand still, you move on," he added. "That is in the past now and that's football for you.

Exciting

"You've got to take everything that comes along and hope for the best.
"It is different than last year, it's a better position to be in. I'm enjoying my time and I hope to get a good pre-season under my belt, get fit and get playing again.
"Once you've tasted first-team football you want more of it and hopefully I can do that.
"It is really exciting but I've got to keep my head down and keep doing the right things."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6244906,00.html