Promises of free flowing football along with a top four finish when Steve Kean took over, now a charity – the prince’s trust as a shirt sponsor – should we next be expecting to see the slogan ‘mes que un club’ plastered across the seats at Ewood Park? Are Blackburn trying to become the EPL’s answer to Barca? Of course not, but a couple of light hearted comparisons will do no harm before the real analysis into just what we can expect from Rovers this term takes place.
As Newcastle and nearly Blackburn both found out, sacking Sam Allardyce is never the cleverest move to make – even if new owners have come in and are given promises by other backroom staff offering ridiculously over exaggerated results that, in reality will not happen. Allardyce may play the long ball game more often than not, but in him comes a good and solid manager who will offer a mid-table finish and build up a team, much like he did with Bolton and as time goes on, work their way further and further up the table.
Without him Newcastle may have played more attacking football, but they also had a season in the Championship – a fate which very nearly befell Blackburn last season and could well do so again.
With the investment the Venky’s provide, some supporters feel that a top half of the table finish is a realistic aim. When everyone’s favourite chicken manufacturers took over, they clearly felt that more than a top half finish was capable, and when Allardyce made it obvious this would be a struggle, whereas Kean offered more, the choice was made that former coach and Scot with no managerial experience Steve Kean would take the reins at Ewood. His first season did not go as well as he had prophesised, and Blackburn struggled to stay up – some more realistic supporters would say this is an achievement in itself, and would take finishing 17th come May right now.
Even the money of the owners could not prevent the inevitable loss of talent Phil Jones to Manchester United, and this will be a huge loss for Blackburn, with the youngster able to play at centre half, right back and as a defensive midfielder – and excel in all of the afore mentioned roles. Jones is also a natural born leader and organiser of the back four, and again Blackburn will miss this.
Niko Kalinic is another big name whose future at Ewood came to an end this summer. His transfer to Dnipro completed, the case can be made that the big striker did not get enough playing time or support to acclimatise to the premier league, and for someone dubbed the ‘future of Croatian football’ it is sad to see him depart with what can only be described as a whimper.
Steve Keans stats show he is clueless. Blackburn need to sack him ASAP if they hope to remain in the Prem League.