All Change For Rovers

Perhaps it isn’t “all change” for Blackburn, however, we’ve seen a number of changes in the dugout with a new manager and first team coaches appointed with players coming and going.

When the list of players being released was revealed with Rovers not having a manager at the time my hearts sank!! When Owen Coyle was appointed it hardly steadied my nerves as I worried seriously about the season ahead and how we could struggle.

That could still be the case, however, Coyle is now the Rovers manager and I’ll back him as I would any manager with him saying all the right things and bringing in some good footballers to leave the squad in a good position. It needs adding to before the Transfer Deadline at the end of August, however, I’d say we’re in much better shape than I thought we’d be.

I’m sure some would’ve been disappointed that Coyle’s made coaching changes but I’ve not been surprised to see him bring in the coaches he wanted even after all the talk of Alan Irvine and Rob Kelly being retained.

Why make such a big deal about that being wanted if it hasn’t happened!! However, what is said and what actually happens is often completely different with Rovers and football in general.

Coyle’s bound to want to work with people he knows and trust, I’m sure he would’ve trusted Irvine and Kelly but his history with Sandy Steward and John Henry, who came in on Wednesday, is a long one so it makes sense he works with them doesn’t it?? I wish Kelly, and Irvine, well though and they’ve both found new jobs soon enough so no doubt these were in the pipeline anyway.

Rovers lost some players I’d personally have kept, others I was happy to see leave. The loss of Grant Hanley is a disappointment but for that money on offer from Newcastle United we couldn’t say no and those Coyle has brought in will all offer something at Ewood Park with them having the right mix of experience and ability with Gordon Greer the one I’m most pleased with in some ways.

I can’t remember too much of him from his first spell with Rovers, few would’ve after managing just one League Cup match, but we all know he’s been impressive with Brighton & Hove Albion for the past six years with him having plenty of experience and quality and he’ll help plug the Hanley gap.

At thirty five years old, and with some injury problems last season, I’m not sure he’ll play every match but his experience will benefit the younger players at Rovers. Good leadership qualities so I’m very happy to have him back at Ewood.

I’m not entirely sure what to expect from Rovers this season but I’m not worried by the prospect of a relegation battle, which I was when last season ended and (admittedly) feared when Coyle was first appointed. Hopefully it’ll be a season we can enjoy with the football on display at Ewood enjoyable on the eye and seeing us get results, if it doesn’t we’ll get an honest assessment of what was served up.