BRFC Articles

Sutton's golden touch

What does it mean to you to win the Golden Boot, Chris?

"It is a nice accolade. I was delighted to win the award especially when you think back to some of the previous winners. But I must say that without the help of Kevin Gallacher and my other team-mates, who created so many oppurtunities for me last season, I wouldn't have had a chance. It's vital for a striker to have a good understanding with his partner and that is something Kev and I developed last season."

Did you start to feel any added pressure when you knew you had a chance of finishing top scorer?

"Any forward will tell you that you start to worry if you are not scoring regularly, regardless of whether you can finish as top scorer or not. I wouldn't say that winning the Golden Boot was something that prayed on my mind but when I knew I was in with a chance, it did make me more determined to carry on scoring goals in the Premiership."

Do you set yourself goalscoring targets at the start of the term?

"I have confidence in my own ability, so the 20-goal mark is always the first total I aim for. You cannot compensate for injury, but if Blackburn are playing well and creating chances, I would like to think that I could surpass that total. But I don't think people realise just what an important part my team-mates play when it comes to scoring goals. You can't expect a striker to take on a defence almost single-handedly and score, so that's why the service I receive is absolutely crucial to me."

Do you think you can beat your total of last season?

"If I can avoid injury I would like to think so. I'm aiming to notch as many goals as I can in the first half of the season as every strike breeds confidence and that in turn can mean more goals. Also, once winter sets in and the pitches become harder, you will find that more and more players are forced to sit out games because of niggling injuries brought on by the extra pounding on the joints and muscles. So there is always a chance I will miss games in that time, another reason to get a good start."

Which goal gave you most pleasure last season then?

"Every goal I have scored throughout my career has been an enjoyable one, but my final goal, the winner on the last day of the season against Newcastle, was the most important as it saw Rovers qualify for Europe. Getting into the UEFA Cup had seemed a formality a couple of months earlier but we had a real bad patch which nearly cost us a place. So it was nice to get the goal that secured our European spot for this season."

How far do you think Blackburn can go in the UEFA Cup this time?

"To do well in Europe I think you need to have experience and in Roy Hodgson we have the ideal manager given the things he must have learned during his time as manager of Inter Milan and Switzerland. A few lads, including me, have played in Europe before, so we know all about the task that lies ahead. So at least we are not strangers to European football and that will help us."

Which defenders do you have trouble playing against?

"I never used to enjoy playing against Gary Pallister when he was at Man United. Not only is he physically strong and powerful in the air but he is also very quick. And as an unit, Arsenal's defence is without doubt the toughest to play against. It doesn't matter whether it is Tony Adams, Martin Keown or Steve Bould, after 90 minutes you know you have been in a game.They are so experienced and give nothing away."

Finally, can Rovers win the Premiership title this season, Chris?

"I'd like to think so, but we know that it won't be easy when you look at the clubs that you know will be up there come May. We proved for two-thirds of last season we were good enough to compete with the best. We have to make sure that if we get into a challenging position we don't let it slip like we did towards the end of last season. The good thing from our point of view is that no-one fancies us to win the Premiership so we can go out and play without the pressure sides like Arsenal and Man United are under."