Old Blackburnian's View - Pt 17 - Where To Source A Footballing Fix ?

[Herbie6590]

A slightly longer version of this week's Accrington Observer column

Where To Source A Footballing Fix ?

Yet another international break brings some light relief from Rovers’ current Championship tribulations; a chance to pause, reflect, re-set and look elsewhere for a footballing fix...but where exactly to find it? Let’s explore the options further...

 

England

This last week saw England play their 1,000^th international fixture and secure qualification for next year’s Euros with a comfortable win over Montenegro; themselves without the services of the now-retired Rovers “legend”, Simon Vukcevic. In the course of those 1,000 matches Blackburn Rovers have contributed 48 players to the nation’s cause – the ninth highest contributing club to date - Spurs lead the way with 78. 

Without resorting to Google, can you name the last Rovers England international to date? (Answer lower down in the column).

Those 48 players won 321 caps in total whilst also representing Rovers and contributing 41 of those is club legend Bob Crompton; ahead of Bryan Douglas on 36 and Ronnie Clayton with 35. Bob Crompton actually passed away following a heart attack suffered watching his beloved Rovers play Burnley during a war-time match in 1941. 

The 1995 title-winning team not entirely surprisingly, was something of a bedrock of modern Rovers England representation, providing seven internationals during the 1990’s halcyon days.

In keeping with social media themes circulating last week, here is an England team of Blackburn Rovers internationals, fit to take on any other club representative England team in my biased viewpoint (and yes, please forgive the recency bias..!) :-

 

                                                                    Flowers

                                                 Newton Clayton Eckersley Le Saux

                                                    Douglas  Batty  Dunn Wilcox

                                                               Sutton  Shearer

The problem position of second centre back would have to be resolved by playing say Bob Crompton inside at centre back, Bill Eckersley inside or more radically; Chris Sutton could drop back and make room for say, David Bentley to play the “Number 10” role behind Shearer.

The substitute’s bench could accommodate such luminaries as the aforementioned Bob Crompton, Bobby Langton, Stuart Ripley and Stephen Warnock – yes, he was the most recent England international capped whilst on the staff at Ewood. Not a bad contribution from a town club and ahead of the likes of Newcastle, Leeds, Wolves, 1966 World Cup Winners West Ham Utd and...well, Burnley.

 

League One

Tried it, surprisingly enjoyed the enforced break, but don’t particularly want to go back again if I’m being scrupulously honest. But on a blank weekend for Rovers, I am not averse to undertaking a bit of ad-hoc scouting “just in case” you might say (!). 

“Surely both Rotherham and Stanley aren’t going up?” Well, no, they aren’t...but...

With Accrington Stanley visiting my patch in South Yorkshire, the opportunity to drop into the exotically named New York Stadium once again, was too much to resist last weekend. It’s one of my favourite away grounds and one of the best examples of a club relocation in recent years. The Millmoor floodlights are still visible from outside but the new stadium is even closer to the town centre. You can easily park nearby, there are town centre pubs welcoming away fans, the view once you are in your seat is excellent, the sound is contained within the ground, generating decent atmosphere and most importantly, I can be home within twenty minutes or so of the final whistle.

Both of these teams might be in different divisions next season based upon what I evidenced on Saturday. Rotherham seem tidy, well-organised and move the ball quickly to feet, making them tricky opponents. Stanley sadly, on Saturday’s first half evidence at least, look like they might have a bit of a battle on their hands this season. They were insipid in the opening forty-five minutes but at least made “a right good go of it” in the second half as Gary Bowyer would have it. It was too little too late and a single goal reverse does nothing for their confidence. Once again, a team I was supporting, wearing blue, came a cropper at the hands of the Millers.

 

Rovers Return

Back to the Ewood beat, Rovers next visitors are Barnsley in what is already in danger of taking on the mantle of a relegation six-pointer, even at this embryonic point of the season. Tony Mowbray’s expression and voice tone tend towards the world-weary at the best of times, but the last few weeks have given him particular cause to furrow his brow. Another reverse against the side currently bottom, with just a single victory so far - and that on the season’s opening day, against one of the favourites for promotion, Fulham - really would light up the forums you suspect. 

Since then, it’s been a tough old journey for Barnsley, but they have taken a point each off Derby, Swansea, West Brom and Bristol City so they need to be respected. Joey Barton’s best friend Daniel Stendel quit last month after a 5-1 defeat at Preston, capping a run of what was at that point 10 games without a win. That run has now stretched to 15 and playing a team on that sort of a run brings out the fatalist in my character.

Radio advertisement voiceover:

“Is your team struggling to find form? Without a win in 15 games you say? Why, come on down to our Ewood Park rehabilitation facility forthwith and receive the warmest of welcomes from the local back four...”

Defeat here really would be ugly and deeply concerning. Just five points separate Rovers from the drop zone and of the teams currently beneath Rovers, Huddersfield seem to be on the up with new manager Danny Cowley and Stoke similarly with Michael O’Neill now in situ. This is no time for a slip up, unless Mauricio Pochettino really fancies a new challenge.

Tony Mowbray knows that football is a results business and he will be fully aware that this is the second poor run in the calendar year. He has lost two key defenders to injury of course in Cunningham and Lenihan, but he has also constantly tinkered with the midfielders and forwards in front of his back four, much like a chef trying to conjure up some culinary magic by adding familiar ingredients and spices somewhat randomly to his dishes.

“Bolognese...ummm...but what if we added curry powder or used prawns instead of mince...?”

The opening twenty minutes at Deepdale demonstrated that when this side plays at pace, with courage and determination, they can be a match for the division’s best. However, the second half at Deepdale served only to emphasise that confidence is a brittle commodity and once lost, much like Prince Andrew’s credibility, is terrifically difficult to regain. 

After Barnsley comes Brentford at Ewood and then another “six-pointer” away at Stoke. The fixtures come thick and fast in the Championship and yes, it is definitely a results business. Right now, Rovers need to dig deep and find at least a couple from somewhere, fast. 

Or kidnap Mauricio Pochettino.