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Behind Enemy Lines: A Blackburn Rovers
Fans' View
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Here we go behind enemy lines to get you the pre-match views of Blackburn
Rovers fan Steve Birtwell, who helps run the BRFCS.com
Rovers fans website. Steve gives us the lowdown on his team and his
thoughts on Newcastle ahead of Saturday's match.
Q: Firstly, can we have our money back for Souness please...
Seriously, was he really that close to the sack before a big
gobbed Geordie decided to rob your club of his services? What
were your initial thoughts on the whole thing? |
At the time I was a little disappointed he was going, as after all
he led us to promotion, a cup win and a place in Europe. He'd brought
top players like Friedal, Tugay, Cole, Pedersen, Neill in, so he had
certainly left his mark on the club. Unfortunately he had wasted much
of the money he was given on players like Ferguson, Amoruso, Unsal,
and Yorke. However once it sunk in that he was going it was obvious
that he was well past his sell by date and the club needed a new direction.
The compensation was nice as well, but I imagine that ended up paying
the welsh FA for Hughesy
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Q: As an outsider, what are your thoughts on his management
of NUFC (if you have any)? Your honest opinions please? |
Souness always was one to blame lady luck for most of his problems,
and its true that the injury list hasn't exactly helped. However,
your defence is an absolute shambles and there is no organisation
at all. Much the same happened at Rovers where before Hughes came
in and tightened things with much the same players. He'll do ok, but
unlike Rovers under Hughes or say Spurs with Jol he doesnt seem to
be creating any thing for the long term. He still likes over paying
his old club Rangers for useless defenders as well it appears.
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Q: Newcastle have had many injury/fitness problems since he
took over, I also understand this was quite common at Blackburn,
bad luck or the Scot's training/coaching methods? Or maybe a
bit of both. |
We did have that sort of problem, but I think it tends to be a fairly
common problems with players like Duff/Owen/Bellamy. I'm sure Souness
doesnt concentrate on fitness enough, Hughes on the other hand saw
this as a major issue early on and we must be one of the fittest teams
in the league.
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Q: Where did it go wrong for Souness at Blackburn? |
Taking on the comedy double act of Saunders and Murray. Very much
jobs for the boys rather than finding the best coaching staff. I think
he had also run out of people to fall out with, after Cole, Yorke,
Dunn, Todd, Flitcroft.
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Q: Since we stole Souness, you went on to appoint Mark Hughes,
what areas of the club/team have improved under the Welshman,
if any? |
Fitness, Organisation and Attitude. The management wont just accept
survival now, whereas the Souness era was all about 40 points by May
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Q: Craig Bellamy, what was your initial reaction when you signed
him and how has he performed since the move? |
Excellent signing, glad Souness fell out with him really. Hughes can
handle him, but he still has a recurring hamstring problem.
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Q: Alan Shearer got a canny enough reception when coming off
at Ewood Park earlier in the season, have the Rovers fans forgiving
him? Is he a legend at Blackburn? |
Time's a great healer, and Shearer's the best player I've ever seen
in a Rovers shirt. Without him we would not have won the League in
1995, legend is probably a fair description.
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Q: What are Blackburn's strengths and weaknesses and how will
you play/lineup on Saturday? |
Very organised, players like Pedersen can turn a game with one piece
of skill. I imagine it we will play 4-5-1 as Bellamys suspended, but
try and get the likes of Reid, Pedersen and Bentley up quick to support.
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Q: What are your honest thoughts of Newcastle as a club, as
a City and as fans? |
Newcastle is a good night out and always had good banter with the
Newcastle fans whenever we have played. Can't say I've got any time
for the club whilst Freddy Shepherd is around as he seems to have
contempt for the normal paying fan.
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Q: And your thoughts on St. James' Park? |
Great looking ground, top facilities in it, but I hate the place because
from where the away fans sit you may as well watch it on TV.
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Q: Any future starlets at Rovers we should be keeping an eye
out for? |
Sergio Peter. He made his debut in the cup against QPR and was involved
in all 3 goals. He may get a game tomorrow.
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Q: Where do you think Blackburn and Newcastle will finish come
May? |
Both teams will finish around 8-10th.
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Q: And finally, a prediction for Saturday? |
Shearer WILL score, but I fancy rovers to sneak it 2-1
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In... Did you enjoy this article? Did you disagree/agree
with this article? Write in to Newcastle-Online.com and we will publish
your views.
Notes: We read all e-mails but cannot promise that
we will respond, however all e-mails sent in regarding NUFC related
issues, get published on our pages. |
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