New season, new correspondent and new dreams
OLD BLACKBURNIAN
THE phoney war continues throughout the summer; in the absence of any action on the field, the battles instead must take place in the transfer market; clubs vying with each other to spend astronomical sums, all fuelled by Sky Sports’ hyperbole (and cash for that matter) bolstered by the needy tabloids all with columns to fill.
Managers jostle to put themselves in the position to sign the players they hope will strengthen their team or at least their squad. Talented youngsters are often sold to balance the books, some old favourites may be released, sometimes the old favourites decide themselves that it’s time to call it a day.
So it is these days, even in the world of newspaper columns. It’s not for once as a result of any activity from the fledging online phenomenon “The Athletic”, but sharp-eyed readers will notice that the by-line on this column has changed as “Blue Eyed Boy” has decided to take a well-earned retirement.
These are big shoes to fill and I feel sure that all the regular readers of Jim’s columns online and in print would want to join me to say a well-deserved “thank you” for all of his past insights, anecdotes and opinions. This particular promotion from the bench is unexpected; but… “at the end of the day Jeff, all I can do is take the chance when it comes, give it 110% effort and hope that I can deliver where it matters on the laptop keyboard….”
Enough of the clichés, a new season, a new kit (that away kit might be a future column in its own right), some new players… not many of them defenders granted, some new opponents to confront; all possibilities at least at this juncture remain open. First up at Ewood is newly promoted Charlton Athletic; a club that like our own, has had its issues with controversial owners but finds itself currently on an upward trajectory notwithstanding.
Manager Lee Bowyer looked like leaving, then signed a new contract and at least at time of writing, will lead the Addicks back into the Championship
Owner Roland Duchâtelet has courted enough controversy during his tenure to last a lifetime. His five-year reign has been event-filled to put it mildly; fan protests have included black cabs being driven to stalk his Belgian home, plus plastic pigs and packets of crisps interrupting games when hurled from the stands by disaffected supporters. He really must love football though, owning significant stakes in four clubs across England, Germany, Hungary and Spain. PanEuropean protests ahoy…
Rovers will start the campaign having been one of the few clubs in the division to be a net spender during this window, although there are some valid questions about the destination of those funds; used as they have been largely, to strengthen midfield and forward departments, rather than the defence. All this despite Mowbray’s Fan Forum promises earlier this year, that “Defenders are coming”. Perhaps it’s Northern Rail’s fault then?
Since last season, significant departures include David Raya and Harrison Reed. Raya’s discontent was sign posted once Mowbray called him out publicly and then dropped him. It was not the action of a manager hoping to rehabilitate a talented, though errorprone keeper. Reed stated early on that he wanted to try and break through at Southampton as his loan expired. He will be missed but is hardly irreplaceable. The faithful Craig Conway has been put out to grass and is currently training with the stricken Bolton Wanderers. Jack Rodwell also left Ewood but frankly, who will notice?
Christian Walton in on loan fills the David Raya shaped-hole in goal; Bradley Johnson seems to be the designated replacement for Reed; Stewart Downing assumes the role of “vintage winger to be brought on to provide crosses and/ or fill in at full back” from the fondly remembered Craig Conway.
Sam Gallagher is the designated “contractually we must have someone from Southampton in our squad” nominee, although he still falls firmly into the category of “promising, but as yet unfulfilled”. Mowbray will certainly be hoping for a better goal return than the one in four that Gallagher achieved in his last Rovers (loan) spell or indeed the one in five & a half he produced whilst at Birmingham.
A glimpse into what might emerge as the story of this season is the extent to which the manager feels he can truly blood some of his academy protégés. The likes of Magloire, Buckley, Butterworth and Rankin-Costello have used pre-season friendlies to stake their respective claims. The old guard really should be looking over their shoulders. Hopefully, this youthful vanguard will act as a catalyst for greater achievement from the established firstteamers.
The Championship, as always, will be a difficult league in which to prosper; especially when confronted with relegated Premier League clubs armed with substantial parachute payments, city clubs with ample resources like Leeds, Bristol plus the club with possibly the best owner in the division, Middlesbrough. Rovers on their day last season went toe to toe with some of the division’s best such as Leeds, Derby, West Brom, and Aston Villa; but those (as yet) unresolved defensive frailties mean that those capitulations at Brentford, Bristol City, Preston, Sheffield Utd and Swansea continue to loom large in the memory and structure expectations accordingly.
I expect an improvement on last season’s fifteenth place finish. I hope for a top half. I dream for a play off place. The cricket, tennis and golf have been great, but welcome back football and hopefully I can welcome you dear reader, back next week and future weeks.
Finally, I feel duty bound to acknowledge the sad news that emerged just as this column was being put to bed. The passing of Kevin Stonehouse at just 59 years of age was something of a shock. Kevin was and will continue to be, fondly remembered by Rovers fans of a particular vintage. He never gave less than maximum effort and his return of a goal every three games, largely from midfield or wide roles would be incredibly highly-valued today. The thoughts of all Rovers fans will be with his nearest and dearest. RIP Kevin.