[Archived] Henning Berg - Rovers Manager

[briansol]

Don't buy this excuse that Berg's got a mediocre squad to work with. Kean was an awful manager and he had it in 2nd, so doesn't it stand to reason a decent manager should have it in 1st? The general consensus a week ago was that we had the best squad in the league, and while Kean has made it quite unbalanced, I would probably agree with that on the individual quality we have. Anything but promotion is total failure in my opinion, and you can guarantee our squad won't be as good next year if we stay in this league, financial pressures will make that inevitable.

Well, everybody claimed that because Kean took them to 2nd that the squad should walk this division. If you saw any of the matches you would see the another picture. While in general there is quality there for this level, it's highly unbalanced. Game after game we've been overrun in midfield due to oppositions high-energy pressure. There is simply a lot more direct and physical approach in the Championship which mean people like Murphy will struggle to get time on the ball.

We only have Etuhu and Lowe physical capable of playing central in midfield. Our wingplay is not effective, although if Nunes and Vukcevic could help if they get a chance. With Best out, there is no foil for Rhodes to play off.

That said there is still a lot of unforfilled potential in guys like Nunes, Vukcevic, Rochina, Formica but they need a steady backbone to play which we don't have. A target man and a proper box-to-box midfielder is needed.

[BigBar]

On paper i do believe we have the best squad in the league...if berg is any sort of manager he should be whippin them into shape and settin them up to win this league! Rhodes, CKR, Gomes, Best(when he returns), Rochina are quality attacking options to have, Simon and Mn Olsson on the wings, could do with a decent CM and the introduction on Henley is what most fans want including myself...get Dann/Hanley/Givet/Orr sorted out and organised and we should be winning the majority of our games...

[Parsonblue]

Don't buy this excuse that Berg's got a mediocre squad to work with. Kean was an awful manager and he had it in 2nd, so doesn't it stand to reason a decent manager should have it in 1st? The general consensus a week ago was that we had the best squad in the league, and while Kean has made it quite unbalanced, I would probably agree with that on the individual quality we have. Anything but promotion is total failure in my opinion, and you can guarantee our squad won't be as good next year if we stay in this league, financial pressures will make that inevitable.

I'm not sure where this myth of having the best squad in the league comes from. I watch every game and most reserve games and I've yet to be convinced we have anything other than a decent squad. It may look good on paper, but football isn't played on paper or on a computer. On the pitch these players don't look all that convincing. We have been extremely fortunate that we haven't dropped more points and this has been due to the failings of the opposition rather than anything the Rovers have done. We don't have a decent box to box midfielder, we don't have wingers with pace, we are lacking a centre-forward to play as a target man - I know we have Best but his injury record is not brilliant and who knows when he will be match fit again. We have many areas of the team that need attention but because of the way in which we have signed players over the past two years we have a squad full of players who are on decent wages but who contribute very little on the pitch.

Coming back from Palace on Saturday we were discussing the merits of this squad and the one that won promotion in 2000-01 and the general feeling was that none of the present squad would have got in the Souness team. We then talked about the teams that had won promotion in the past under Kenny, Kendall and Gordon Lee and once again the feeling was that they were all better than what's on view now. Kendall and Lee may not have had the international players we have now but they had a much better "team" in terms of everyone giving 100 per cent and working with and for each other.

If Berg wins promotion he will have done an excellent job. Personally, I wouldn't view it as a failure if we don't go up this year because of what has gone on over the past two years. I would hope that Berg will be given time to build a team and improve on what we have.

[Mercer]

Good article on the Championship's new managers:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2227696/Dougie-Freedman-Ian-Holloway-Sean-Dyche-Mick-McCarthy-seal-opening-wins.html

[tonyoz]

None of those managers will want to join Rovers. Not a chance in hell.

Saying that is just as ridiculous as saying Berg is doomed to failure. In fact more so, I'm prepared to give Berg a chance but he hasn't exactly had a brilliant career so far.

None of those managers will want to join Rovers. Not a chance in hell.

I agree. Those suggestions were my poor attempt at irony.

[Kelbo]

I'm not sure where this myth of having the best squad in the league comes from. I watch every game and most reserve games and I've yet to be convinced we have anything other than a decent squad. It may look good on paper, but football isn't played on paper or on a computer. On the pitch these players don't look all that convincing. We have been extremely fortunate that we haven't dropped more points and this has been due to the failings of the opposition rather than anything the Rovers have done. We don't have a decent box to box midfielder, we don't have wingers with pace, we are lacking a centre-forward to play as a target man - I know we have Best but his injury record is not brilliant and who knows when he will be match fit again. We have many areas of the team that need attention but because of the way in which we have signed players over the past two years we have a squad full of players who are on decent wages but who contribute very little on the pitch.

Coming back from Palace on Saturday we were discussing the merits of this squad and the one that won promotion in 2000-01 and the general feeling was that none of the present squad would have got in the Souness team. We then talked about the teams that had won promotion in the past under Kenny, Kendall and Gordon Lee and once again the feeling was that they were all better than what's on view now. Kendall and Lee may not have had the international players we have now but they had a much better "team" in terms of everyone giving 100 per cent and working with and for each other.

If Berg wins promotion he will have done an excellent job. Personally, I wouldn't view it as a failure if we don't go up this year because of what has gone on over the past two years. I would hope that Berg will be given time to build a team and improve on what we have.

Common sense at last, I did think Murphy would have been an excellent signing, maybe not at £34k per week but I really did think he would have added good experience to midfield, its not worked out at all. Givet coming back will be a a big plus but we are not getting behind defences due to lack of pace and guille in midfield, whatever people say about Jason Lowe, he puts in a shift and presses the ball well but, whilst I agree in most of what Parson has written here, however good a player you are, if you are not fit, you wont be able to put in proper performances, none of the squad look as fit as they should and Martin Ollson looks a yard slower than last year, there is a reason for that and its not that he's suddenly got slower, its down to fitness, even Robbo, looked mean and lean when Allardyce was here, now he looks at least a stone overweight. Berg will be asking questions but as I have always maintained, unless you are fit, you will never keep a good shape and will be slower to react and to the ball! This fitness issue is where I think the problems are and I am sure Berg will be seeing that and reacting, would not surprise me to see a couple of loan signings in the next week to freshen up the squad!

[Oslo Rover]

Take a look at Readings start to last season. In the first 15 games they won 4 drew 6 and lost 5. Still they finished nr.1 in the Championship. We have now played 14 won 6 drew 5 and lost 3. We can still win this league, but the supporters have to be the 12th man from now on.

[Fife Rover]

I will give him the benefit of the doubt, at least he has been a manager, that is a step in the right direction....

What's with all the bald heads though, maybe this means we are moving closer to Pep

What has being bald got to do with anything that matters? It's what's IN the head not what's ON it that matters.

[chaddyrovers]

I'm not sure where this myth of having the best squad in the league comes from. I watch every game and most reserve games and I've yet to be convinced we have anything other than a decent squad. It may look good on paper, but football isn't played on paper or on a computer. On the pitch these players don't look all that convincing. We have been extremely fortunate that we haven't dropped more points and this has been due to the failings of the opposition rather than anything the Rovers have done. We don't have a decent box to box midfielder, we don't have wingers with pace, we are lacking a centre-forward to play as a target man - I know we have Best but his injury record is not brilliant and who knows when he will be match fit again. We have many areas of the team that need attention but because of the way in which we have signed players over the past two years we have a squad full of players who are on decent wages but who contribute very little on the pitch.

Coming back from Palace on Saturday we were discussing the merits of this squad and the one that won promotion in 2000-01 and the general feeling was that none of the present squad would have got in the Souness team. We then talked about the teams that had won promotion in the past under Kenny, Kendall and Gordon Lee and once again the feeling was that they were all better than what's on view now. Kendall and Lee may not have had the international players we have now but they had a much better "team" in terms of everyone giving 100 per cent and working with and for each other.

If Berg wins promotion he will have done an excellent job. Personally, I wouldn't view it as a failure if we don't go up this year because of what has gone on over the past two years. I would hope that Berg will be given time to build a team and improve on what we have.

Great post and Agree 100%.

we have a goodish squad but not a great squad.

we are lacking a quality right winger, box to box midfielder and a striker who can play as target man. we need to address these areas now and in January.

Berg need to be given time to build a squad to challenge for promotion.

Some players need to be sold in January or at least loan out.

[tonyoz]

I'm not sure where this myth of having the best squad in the league comes from. I watch every game and most reserve games and I've yet to be convinced we have anything other than a decent squad. It may look good on paper, but football isn't played on paper or on a computer. On the pitch these players don't look all that convincing. We have been extremely fortunate that we haven't dropped more points and this has been due to the failings of the opposition rather than anything the Rovers have done. We don't have a decent box to box midfielder, we don't have wingers with pace, we are lacking a centre-forward to play as a target man - I know we have Best but his injury record is not brilliant and who knows when he will be match fit again. We have many areas of the team that need attention but because of the way in which we have signed players over the past two years we have a squad full of players who are on decent wages but who contribute very little on the pitch.

Coming back from Palace on Saturday we were discussing the merits of this squad and the one that won promotion in 2000-01 and the general feeling was that none of the present squad would have got in the Souness team. We then talked about the teams that had won promotion in the past under Kenny, Kendall and Gordon Lee and once again the feeling was that they were all better than what's on view now. Kendall and Lee may not have had the international players we have now but they had a much better "team" in terms of everyone giving 100 per cent and working with and for each other.

If Berg wins promotion he will have done an excellent job. Personally, I wouldn't view it as a failure if we don't go up this year because of what has gone on over the past two years. I would hope that Berg will be given time to build a team and improve on what we have.

Another excellent post PB.

[chaddyrovers]

This fitness issue is where I think the problems are and I am sure Berg will be seeing that and reacting, would not surprise me to see a couple of loan signings in the next week to freshen up the squad!

That is a major problem with the rovers squad. they dont look fit enough.

I expect to see a Striker and midfielder in the next week or so.

[47er]

I am amazed that Berg is under the pressure of gaining promotion before he even had chance to sit down - if Kean had not walked, did they really expect him to achieve it?!

Absolutely right. If they wanted promotion so much how could they retain the man at the end of the season who said we'd never be relegated "NO WAY"?

Means team started unfit and buys were usual bunch of possibly OK and downright rubbish.

And Berg is under pressure to gain promotion in less than a season with Kean's unfit, crap squad? Makes no sense at all, which can be said for anything to do with Venkys.

PS------Not crap maybe but not promotion material!

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Common sense at last, I did think Murphy would have been an excellent signing, maybe not at £34k per week but I really did think he would have added good experience to midfield, its not worked out at all. Givet coming back will be a a big plus but we are not getting behind defences due to lack of pace and guille in midfield, whatever people say about Jason Lowe, he puts in a shift and presses the ball well but, whilst I agree in most of what Parson has written here, however good a player you are, if you are not fit, you wont be able to put in proper performances, none of the squad look as fit as they should and Martin Ollson looks a yard slower than last year, there is a reason for that and its not that he's suddenly got slower, its down to fitness, even Robbo, looked mean and lean when Allardyce was here, now he looks at least a stone overweight. Berg will be asking questions but as I have always maintained, unless you are fit, you will never keep a good shape and will be slower to react and to the ball! This fitness issue is where I think the problems are and I am sure Berg will be seeing that and reacting, would not surprise me to see a couple of loan signings in the next week to freshen up the squad!

Could not agree more. If we go back to the beginning of the Hughes era, we were badly organised and as a squad we were unfit thanks to the 4th division 70s style the team had been subjected to. It took several months of hard work in training before the benefits were felt.

Allied to this he signed a midfield who by his own admission had limited ability. The ability he did have however was harry and get in the face of the opposotion. Step forward Robbie Savage. We have a championship standard version in Jason Lowe and missed him Saturday by all accounts.

At present we still have time to work on the training side of things.

Thinking about it I agree with ParsonBlue that none of the present 11 would walk into 2001 side but lets not forget that side was struggling to gel before Christmas. The signing of Berg and Friedal signalled the real development of the side.

[rhodie]

Has anyone seen Rosado play yet ? ,he is supposed to be the box to box midfielder we have been looking for.

[True Blue & White]

I'm not sure where this myth of having the best squad in the league comes from. I watch every game and most reserve games and I've yet to be convinced we have anything other than a decent squad. It may look good on paper, but football isn't played on paper or on a computer. On the pitch these players don't look all that convincing. We have been extremely fortunate that we haven't dropped more points and this has been due to the failings of the opposition rather than anything the Rovers have done. We don't have a decent box to box midfielder, we don't have wingers with pace, we are lacking a centre-forward to play as a target man - I know we have Best but his injury record is not brilliant and who knows when he will be match fit again. We have many areas of the team that need attention but because of the way in which we have signed players over the past two years we have a squad full of players who are on decent wages but who contribute very little on the pitch.

Coming back from Palace on Saturday we were discussing the merits of this squad and the one that won promotion in 2000-01 and the general feeling was that none of the present squad would have got in the Souness team. We then talked about the teams that had won promotion in the past under Kenny, Kendall and Gordon Lee and once again the feeling was that they were all better than what's on view now. Kendall and Lee may not have had the international players we have now but they had a much better "team" in terms of everyone giving 100 per cent and working with and for each other.

If Berg wins promotion he will have done an excellent job. Personally, I wouldn't view it as a failure if we don't go up this year because of what has gone on over the past two years. I would hope that Berg will be given time to build a team and improve on what we have.

You have argued why our squad aren't as good as they look on paper, you've compared them to previous Rovers promotion squads but you've yet to actually rebuff the notion that we have one of the best squads in the league.

To do that, you'll have to tell us of the other teams who have better squads and why.

Proving our teams isn't as good as people think doesn't still mean it isn't one of the league's finest teams.

[tonyoz]

What has being bald got to do with anything that matters? It's what's IN the head not what's ON it that matters.

I agree Fife - but there's something not quite right about that stubble - don't you agree?

[thenodrog]

Pathetic over reaction by certain fans re Berg!!

Not his fault he's inherited a very unfit (mental/physical) squad of players, thanks largely to Mr Kean.

It will take time to improve this, time which Henning would have had if he got the job as soon as we were relegated back in May!

God only knows why Kean wasn't sacked.

Will the truth ever come out!

Lets concentrate on the future now, and after hearing Bergs comments after defeat Yesterday, i feel much more optimistic regarding what Berg can bring to our club.

The most glaringly obvious thing is lack of effort from majority of our players, no pace in squad, poor concentration, seemingly no gameplan, unfit (2nd half in most games are terrible), all these stem from almost 2 years of bad management from the one and only Mr Steve Kean!

Virtually the same situation that Mark Hughes found himself after Graeme Souness left, a poor and unfit squad devoid of any confidence and self belief (and apart from benefitting from better players thanks to Hughes not massively different to the car crash of a club that Paul Ince handed over to Allardyce). Amazes me why quite a few seemed to want Souness back as manager.

[thenodrog]

Don't buy this excuse that Berg's got a mediocre squad to work with. Kean was an awful manager and he had it in 2nd, so doesn't it stand to reason a decent manager should have it in 1st? The general consensus a week ago was that we had the best squad in the league, and while Kean has made it quite unbalanced, I would probably agree with that on the individual quality we have. Anything but promotion is total failure in my opinion, and you can guarantee our squad won't be as good next year if we stay in this league, financial pressures will make that inevitable.

Not by me it wasn't! How the hell anyone would think that is unbelievable. There is not enough heart, determination or self belief in the players for a start but as I have pointed out previously how many of todays squad (Dunny excepted for obvious reasons) would even have made the bench never mind the staring line up for the BRFC squad that got promoted 11 years ago?

Personally I can't even think of anybody other than possibly Gael Givet and Rhodes.

*apologies Parson Blue.... I've just read your follow up post to SKH..

[bypass06]

Berg insists it is a fresh start for all at Blackburn Rovers

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/10026317.Berg_insists_it_is_a_fresh_start_for_all_at_Blackburn_Rovers/

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Not by me it wasn't! How the hell anyone would think that is unbelievable. There is not enough heart, determination or self belief in the players for a start but as I have pointed out previously how many of todays squad (Dunny excepted for obvious reasons) would even have made the bench never mind the staring line up for the BRFC squad that got promoted 11 years ago?

Personally I can't even think of anybody other than possibly Gael Givet and Rhodes.

Probably Robbo on the bench instead of Kelly or Filan but its close on that one. I don't think Givet would make the bench, Rhodes not seen enough of yet.

[The Rover of Finland]

Can we still sign players on loan before January??

[alexanders]

Good article on the Championship's new managers:

http://www.dailymail...ening-wins.html

Many faults. They ignore the fact that Berg was AWAY against Crystal Palace who are on top-form. Also I dont think Holloway was very influential in the win.

The real test will be against Birmingham. That is a must win.

[True Blue & White]

but as I have pointed out previously how many of todays squad (Dunny excepted for obvious reasons) would even have made the bench never mind the staring line up for the BRFC squad that got promoted 11 years ago?

Why is that relevant? We're not playing in the Championship 11 years ago we're playing in it today. You can't make the assumption that the all the teams in the Championship are of exactly the same level as they were 11 years ago.

[thenodrog]

Common sense at last, I did think Murphy would have been an excellent signing,

You have contradicted yourself completely in one sentence Kelbo. Truth is Murphy was at best moderate when he was 26 never mind 36. He's here simply cos no one else would pay him what Kean would...... for whatever reason.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Many faults. They ignore the fact that Berg was AWAY against Crystal Palace who are on top-form. Also I dont think Holloway was very influential in the win.

The real test will be against Birmingham. That is a must win.

Its OK Mercerman will only read the first 3 lines only!