BRFC Articles

Gary Flitcroft Previews The New Season

How will Blackburn fare this year?

"I think we will build on last year, go for a place in Europe and hopefully finish in the top six. We had a good start last year, which we need to repeat, and our first game is Derby again, so maybe that's a lucky omen!"

What has your manager been telling you in pre-season?

"Last year, after Christmas, our form dipped and we dropped down the table. So we've been told to work on the quality of our football and we've got an Italian fitness trainer that comes in and makes sure we're all in good shape. I don't think we'll slip up after the holidays this year."

Were you impressed with Roy's buys this summer?

"Yes, I was. Kevin Davies is a young lad, but he holds the ball up well and is happy to run at defence. I reckon he will do well for us. Darren Peacock is a clever buy and Sebastien Perez looks good so far."

Did you need many new players?

"Now we are competing in Europe we've had to bring in more players because the squad just wasn't big enough. Last time we were in Europe we had teenagers on the bench who hadn't played first team football before so it was important to bring in some more experienced campaigners."

Who will emerge as a star from the Rovers camp this year?

"I know he has already played a lot but I think Damien Duff will really come into his own season. He has tasted Premiership football now and this should be the season where he shows us exactly what he can do. There's also a young winger with a lot of talent called Damien Johnson. He's coming through the ranks at the moment."

Will the European campaign affect your league chances?

"Obviously it's more games and that means the season is longer, but we now have enough players to give people a rest when they need it. And if you want to win things, which is why we're all here, you have to play a lot of games."