BRFC Articles

Emergency Ward

Wanted man

"It was quite flattering to know that a few clubs were after me. It gives you a major confidence boost knowing people in the game think you are good enough to play for their teams. I just tried to make sure I didn't get carried away with it and continue concentrating on playing and scoring as many goals as I could. Mind you, with a number of clubs interested, it certainly pushed my tranfer fee up. But I can't worry about things like that."

Another challenge

"Joining Rovers has been different to what I've been used to. Training has been tougher that when I was at Barnsley so I have been working really hard. Having said that the manager has kept it very enjoyable and the atmosphere has been right. I know a couple of the lads like Christian Dailly and Garry Flitcroft from previous clubs so they have helped me settle in as well."

Bad boy business

"I was sent off twice in two games prior to my move and a lot of people put that down to all the transfer specualtion, I'd been sent off only once in my career before that and never had a suspension, so maybe it was out of character but it wasn't because I was thinking about moving. It was just something that happened at the wrong time and I don't think you'll see the same indiscipline from me at Rovers."

Back among the best

"It's great to be back in the Premiership, it's one of the top leagues in the world. The excitement of playing in front of big crowds is something you miss in the First Division. At Barnsley, all our best results this season have come at big clubs like Sunderland. When we went to smaller grounds, with less atmosphere, we didn't play as well."

Beating the drop

"With Barnsley, just staying up was our aim last season but it is different at Blackburn - our sights are set a lot higher. I think we will have no problems getting out of trouble. We have a lot of class players here and we have strength in depth in all positions. We should be moving up the table and looking for a big year next season."

He's not Kidding

"Over the years Brian Kidd and Brian McClair have worked with and played alongside some great players at Man United and they've learnt so much about the game as a result. And they're putting all that experience to good use on the training pitch. Both of them are making sure we work hard but keeping it enjoyable at the same time

- I think that's the key. People in the game all say the manager is magnificent and he has already got some good results for the work he has put in at Rovers.

As for Brian McClair, he has been at one of the best clubs in Europe for ten years and I can only benefit from learning things from him."

Looking to the future

"When you look at my recent record, I've moved from club to club quite frequently but now I'm looking forward for some stability in my football. I now feel I've reached the peak of my career, so, hopefully, Blackburn will be the beneficiaries of that and I won't be on the move again soon. I was born and bred in the north-west area, so, hopefully, it won't be too difficult for me to settle back into the area."

Come on you Tykes!

"I hope Barnsley will be joining me in the Premiership next season but their start has made it tough for them. Expectations for a quick return were high because we had some decent results towards the end of last season and people thought we would mount a strong challenge. But John Hendrie took over and it is a hard job following Danny Wilson. Now they are putting some good results together and there is no reason to rule them out of a play-off spot yet."