Having finished 10th just a year ago, the 2010-11 season proved much harder going. A season of upheaval on and off the pitch saw the arrival of the Indian Venkys group, a 7-1 loss to Manchester United, the departure of Sam Allardyce and the appointment of Steve Kean all in rapid succession. Come the January transfer window the new owners were keen to splash the cash but their enthusiasm came in tandem with a naivety meaning little of substance was achieved. Reported moves for Ronaldino and Kaka all floundered.
Blackburn boast a core squad that is solid although largely uninspiring. Having only just escaped the drop to the Championship, the Venky group are sure to make funds for investment available, possibly in excess of 30-35mil.
Blackburn boast a core squad that is solid although largely uninspiring. Having only just escaped the drop to the Championship, the Venky group are sure to make funds for investment available, possibly in excess of 30-35mil.
Goalkeepers
Robinson is a dependable and solid shot-stopper with a huge level of experience at this level. Second choice Mark Bunn has not appeared many times for the Rovers, a season-long loan spell at Sheffield United will have aided his development. As long as Robinson is kept fit and the club can retain his services Blackburn have no immediate concerns in this department.
Defence
Blackburn has already sold promising young centre-back Phil Jones for a reported 16mil to Manchester United. Fellow centre-back, Man Mountain and dying seconds target man Christopher Samba has been linked with a move to Arsenal who could certainly do with an injection of steel in their backline. Whilst club captain Ryan Nelsen is a talented defender, although he'll be turning 34 this October. Whilst the club has been linked with the young Aberdeen defender Myles Anderson, this must be seen as a signing for the future, if Samba follows Jones out of Ewood Park then this is going to leave Rovers in dire need of investment in this area. A potential solution could be Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha who is thought to be keen to leave Eastlands in order for regular first team football. For Steve Kean this would be a solid piece of business.
Midfield
Blackburn’s midfield trio of Dunn, Emerton and Pedersen have been at the club for some time and form an effective partnership. However there lacks an enforcer and there is little by the way of creative spark. This is presumably why Rovers have been linked with Joe Cole and Bentley, the latter having had successful spell with the club a few years ago.
Strikers
The seemingly evergreen Jason Roberts is still a mainstay and formed some degree of partnership with Mame Biram Diouf last season. However the latter’s loan spell has now come to an end and he has returned to parent club Manchester United. Whilst Junior Hoilett is quick and undoubtedly talented, his strike rate is unimpressive. Investment in their strike force is certainly a priority. The club has been linked with Roque Santa Cruz who was very good in his last spell with the club; having spent the past couple of seasons keeping an Eastlands bench warm, his best days are arguably behind him. Investment is needed in order to advance last year’s final position. There were talks of Blackburn making approaches for Roma Montenegrin forward Mirko Vučinic, however this has been quashed by the players agent who stated that Rover were not a 'prestige' side; a problem they are going to face when attempting to attract the big name signings their new board appear keen on. The acquisition of the quick and hard working DJ Campbell could proved a shrewd piece of business, however Blackburn are unlikely to be the only suitors for the Blackpool striker.
Blackburn Rovers are a club in the middle of transition; rich owners and the impatience for success could make Kean rather uncomfortable if early results don't go his way come the new season. Investment is needed throughout the squad and Blackburn could be a force to be reckoned with the acquisition of maybe four, but probably five, solid first-team players.
Robinson is a dependable and solid shot-stopper with a huge level of experience at this level. Second choice Mark Bunn has not appeared many times for the Rovers, a season-long loan spell at Sheffield United will have aided his development. As long as Robinson is kept fit and the club can retain his services Blackburn have no immediate concerns in this department.
Defence
Blackburn has already sold promising young centre-back Phil Jones for a reported 16mil to Manchester United. Fellow centre-back, Man Mountain and dying seconds target man Christopher Samba has been linked with a move to Arsenal who could certainly do with an injection of steel in their backline. Whilst club captain Ryan Nelsen is a talented defender, although he'll be turning 34 this October. Whilst the club has been linked with the young Aberdeen defender Myles Anderson, this must be seen as a signing for the future, if Samba follows Jones out of Ewood Park then this is going to leave Rovers in dire need of investment in this area. A potential solution could be Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha who is thought to be keen to leave Eastlands in order for regular first team football. For Steve Kean this would be a solid piece of business.
Midfield
Blackburn’s midfield trio of Dunn, Emerton and Pedersen have been at the club for some time and form an effective partnership. However there lacks an enforcer and there is little by the way of creative spark. This is presumably why Rovers have been linked with Joe Cole and Bentley, the latter having had successful spell with the club a few years ago.
Strikers
The seemingly evergreen Jason Roberts is still a mainstay and formed some degree of partnership with Mame Biram Diouf last season. However the latter’s loan spell has now come to an end and he has returned to parent club Manchester United. Whilst Junior Hoilett is quick and undoubtedly talented, his strike rate is unimpressive. Investment in their strike force is certainly a priority. The club has been linked with Roque Santa Cruz who was very good in his last spell with the club; having spent the past couple of seasons keeping an Eastlands bench warm, his best days are arguably behind him. Investment is needed in order to advance last year’s final position. There were talks of Blackburn making approaches for Roma Montenegrin forward Mirko Vučinic, however this has been quashed by the players agent who stated that Rover were not a 'prestige' side; a problem they are going to face when attempting to attract the big name signings their new board appear keen on. The acquisition of the quick and hard working DJ Campbell could proved a shrewd piece of business, however Blackburn are unlikely to be the only suitors for the Blackpool striker.
Blackburn Rovers are a club in the middle of transition; rich owners and the impatience for success could make Kean rather uncomfortable if early results don't go his way come the new season. Investment is needed throughout the squad and Blackburn could be a force to be reckoned with the acquisition of maybe four, but probably five, solid first-team players.
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