BRFC Articles

Rover and out!

What's gone wrong? SHOOT investigated further to find the reasons why Rovers are Nationwide bound.

Daglish departs

The rot at Ewood Park set in just a few months after Rovers had won the title in May 1995. Kenny Daglish decided to quit his manager's role at the club for a lower profile job as Director Of Football. Daglish's assistant, coach Ray Harford, was named successor. But, in truth, did anyone seriously expect him to be able to fill the miserable, but successful, Scotsman's shoes.

No more cash

That summer, instead of making money available to strengthen the squad for Blackburn's assault on the Champions League the following season, owner Jack Walker, actually tightened the purse strings. The club invested in the likes of Matty Holmes (�1 million from West Ham) when, in the same summer, stars such as Dennis Bergkamp and Ruud Gullit made big-money moves to the UK.

Too many bosses

Since Daglish 'moved upstairs' in 1995 Rovers have had 4 managers - that's one a year. Hartford was dismissed in 1997 as manager after a terrible start to the season which saw them bottom of the Prem come October without a win to their name. First-team coach Tony Parkes stepped into the breach and was able to save the club from relegation. Sadly, Parkes wasn't given the job full-time (owner Jack Walker wanted a 'big name' to attract 'big players') and Inter Milan coach Roy Hodgson was installed in the Ewood Park hot seat instead. After a promising first season it went very badly wrong. He lost the confidence of senior players such as Tim Sherwood and was dumped after losing at home to Southampton. Brian Kidd was eventually brought on board from Man United to try and save the sinking Rovers ship.

Losing Super Al

With Rovers on the slide it was no surprise when top-scorer Alan Shearer opted to further his career with Newcastle, his home-town club. Blackburn have suffered badly in front of goal ever since.

Poor signings

Blackburn have done themselves no favours in the last few seasons in the transfer market. Teenager Kevin Davies was snapped-up from Southampton for �7.5 million last summer and is widely regarded as this season's biggest flop. Other Hodgson buys such as Martin Dahlin, Anders Andersson, Patrick Valery and Darren Peacock have similarly failed to impress. Even Brian Kidd has taken flak for purchasing the likes of Keith Gillespie, Jason McAteer and Lee Carsley - well paid stars that have hardly had the crowd dancing in their seats!

Player exodus

To lose a player of Shearer's quality was always likely, but Blackburn have let many top stars slip through their fingers in the last few years without finding adequate replacements. They off-loaded Colin Hendry to Rangers, Graeme Le Saux to Chelsea, Tim Sherwood to Spurs and the promising youngster James Beattie, moved to Southampton as part of the deal which took Kevin Davies to Ewood Park.

Injury hell

They say the league table never lies and Rovers deserve to be in Division One next season - but they've certainly had no help with injuries. Their best bet of avoiding the drop was relying on their experienced players like Sutton, Gallacher, McKinlay and Flitcroft. But all of them have been out for lengthy periods during and their absences have left huge gaps in vital areas all over the pitch.

You're kidding

Brian Kidd has loads of experience and is still heralded as one of the best coaches in the land. But he lacked knowledge and experience in the two areas where Blackburn needed them most. Firstly, he'd never managed a top-flight team before and as many other coaches who've become managers will tell you, it certainly isn't easy. Secondly, Kiddo's experience of football has been with Man United, the most successful team in the country. He had no experience of a struggling side and maybe this is why he couldn't understand the terrible lack of spirit within his team.

Rovers return

Cool coaching

Kidd is one of the best coaches in the business. Once he's got to know the players better he's bound to turn them into a winning outfit.

Quality counts

When all the players are injury free, they'll have the best team in the Nationwide. On top form, no team in the division will be able to handle them.

Kev's nightmare

Kev Davies has had an absolute 'mare since his mega-buck signing from Southampton. There must be a silver lining in sight for the player who showed so much potential with Saints.

A new Hendry?

Losing Colin Hendry was a major blow to the side. Once they've got an experienced central defender, they're bound to stop silly goals going in.

Goodbye bottlers

The players Kiddo calls the 'Rubber-Dingy Men' will soon find themselves out of a job. The manager has made it clear he's got no time for them and they'll be out on their ear very quickly.

Pots of cash

They may have lost their position in the Prem but they haven't lost money-bags owner Jack Walker. His tears when united sent them crashing out of the top-flight show his heart and wallet are still with Rovers.

Kiddology

Kidd will have a psychological advantage over the rest of the bosses. He has a bag of tricks up his sleeve learnt from the master of mind games - Fergie. The rest of the club bosses won't know what's hit 'em!!

The opposition

Lets face it, there's not many teams in Division One who'll bother a side like Blackburn. Most of Rovers players are used to life in a much tougher league - they should cope easily.

Spirit of the fans

The true Rovers fans won't let the side stay down. They've seen their team win the Premiership crown four seasons ago and Lancashire pride will give the team a tremendous boost on the way back to the top.

One boss

Over the past couple of years there's been frequent changes of manager and it's had a negative effect on team morale. Kiddo will be around for ages and that will help the players.