Season Preview - Blackburn Rovers

Manager – Steve Kean

Stadium – Ewood Park 31,367

2010/2011 – 15^th

Long gone seem the days of 1995, when Ewood Park witnessed Alan Shearer and co lift the Premier League title; since those glory days, Blackburn have faced a consistent spell amongst mid table mediocrity. Despite relegation in 1999, the club also managed three spells in the ‘Uefa Cup’, as late as 2006. Since then however the club has finished between 7^th and 15^th despite always being tipped as possible relegation candidates. Last year proved no expectation. Despite beginning the season with Sam Allardyce at the helm, the former Bolton manager was sacked after less than two years in charge in December. The men behind this abrupt decision were the new Indian owners, who took over Blackburn Rovers on October 26^th, for a fee of approximately £23million. The Indian company, ‘Venkey’s London Limited’ were seen to bring a new sense of prosperity and hope to the Lancashire club, as they appointed first team coach Steve Kean as caretaker manager, and eventually full time. After Kean’s appointment, a relatively inconsistent season ensued, the highlight coming less than a month into his reign, with a 3-1 home win against Liverpool, thanks to a Benjani brace. After this game however, the club went on an eleven game run, in which they failed to win. This left them in the relegation zone, and amongst favourites for the drop. A 1-1 draw with Man Utd gave Kean's side valuable points, before a 3-2 victory away at Wolves saw them secure there Premier league status for another season.

Highlights of 2010/2011 – Takeover by ‘Venkeys London Limited’, injecting money and hope into the club. Emergence of Phil Jones.

Lowlights of 2010/2011 – Yet another inconsistent mediocre season in which relegation was a real possibility.

What to expect in 2011/2012.

Without depressing Blackburn fans too much, a lack of investment over the summer really seems to have left Steve Kean facing an uphill task, in maintaining his side’s Premier League status. The sale of Phil Jones to Man Utd was thought to have added to the millions already provided by the Venkey brothers. However, to date, this has failed to materialise. Despite being linked with Ronaldinho, David Beckham and Ruud Van Nistelrooy in January, the club only signed Mauro Formica from Newells Old Boys and Ruben Rochina from the Barcelona Reserve side. These signings failed to deliver, as Rovers just survived. This upcoming season seems to hinge on the same lacklustre displays Blackburn have become associated with, with survival, once again the main target. If they are to surge up the table whatsoever, the new owners will have to show their backing to Steve Kean and provide him with the funds to improve his squad, and attract big name players back to Ewood Park. One player already linked with a move up North is Real Betis striker Mariano Pavone. It is reported that the free agent who brought his contract out at his current club, after spending last seaon on loan at relegated giants River Plate, is set to sign a 3 year contract with the club. Another player on the verge of sealing a future at Ewood Park is Partizan Belgrade midfielder Radosav Petrovic, subject to a work permit. Whether or not he will be lining up next to Chris Samba next season remains to be seen, as Steve Kean admits he hasn’t received a single offer for his skipper.

Signings –

David Goodwillie, Dundee United - £2.8million

Other potential signings – 

Mariano Pavone – Free Agent
Radosav Patrovic, Partzan Belgrade -Undisclosed fee

Nedum Onuoha, Man City - £5million

Thomas Hitzlesperger, West Ham - Free

Robbie Keane, Tottenham Hotspur - £5million

Jermain Defoe, Tottenham Hotspur - £7million

Roque Santa Cruz, Man City - £6million

Papiss Cisse, Freiburg - £12million

Departures –

Phil Jones, Man Utd - £16million

Zurab Khizanishvili, Kayserispor – Undisclosed

Benjani – Released

Jason Brown – Released

Other potential departures –

Chris Samba, Arsenal/Tottenham Hotspur - £8million

El Hadj Diouf, West Ham - £2million

Nikola Kalinic, Dynami Kiev/Dnipro - £5million

Possible Starting XI’s

4-2-3-1

Robinson

Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson

Andrews, Nzonzi

Hoilett, Dunn, Pedersen

Roberts/Goodwillie

If Pavone and Petrovic sign

4-2-3-1

Robinson

Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson

Petrovic, Nzonzi

Hoilett, Dunn, Pedersen/Goodwillie

Pavone

Formation change, If Samba leaves

4-4-2

Robinson

Salgado, Hanley/Givet, Nelsen, Olsson

Hoilett, Dunn, N’Zonzi/Petrovic, Pedersen

Roberts, Goodwillie

Prediction

17^th

Blackburn’s squad looks similar to last seasons, with a lack of transfer activity both in January and so far this summer, the side has failed to be improved and as a result, a consecutive season fighting relegation beckons. With transfer funds failing to materialise, Blackburn are in serious threat of falling behind their relegation rivals, as a result of not strengthening their squad. Pipping Rangers to Dundee striker David Goodwillie could prove a smart move by Steve Kean, if the Scotland international can adapt to the Premier League, he could prove a important player for the club. Despite my views that they will, once again escape the drop, it doesn’t help Blackburn fans as they face another season at the wrong side of the table, fighting in a relegation battle.