Rovers Belong In Euro Competition

Blackburn Rovers striker Matt Derbyshire believes the club belong in European Competition so is hoping to help finish the job against VK Vetra tomorrow. He also feels that with the squad we have (as players have, or will return from injury) we can do VERY well in the UEFA Cup this season.

Rovers play at Ewood Park for the first time since the final game of the 2006-2007 season tomorrow as the Intertoto Cup fixture brings Vetra to Lancashire as we look to finish the job we started last week, following a 2-0 win in Lithuania.

Derbyshire, who was one of the goalscorers from the first leg along with Benni McCarthy, opened his European account with his strike and was VERY happy to score the goal. He is not content with this though, he is looking to play a part in killing off the tie and taking the club a step closer to the UEFA Cup proper.

Derbs told the Lancashire Telegraph (or at least the quotes used here are from it):

“I got on for the last 25 minutes, but I managed to get myself a goal – my first European goal.

“I was really pleased about that. It was superb just to be involved, but hopefully now we can finish the job.

“Rovers are a massive club and belong in European competition.

“The gaffer wants to win things and we stand a better chance.”

Last season I GENUINELY believed that Rovers could go VERY far in the UEFA Cup (even ALL the way!!!) and although we did have our best season in European Competition we still heartbreakingly fell at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen. With players returning from injury, giving us (hopefully!!!) greater variety to chose from, and also that defeat as motivation Derbs feels we can go VERY FAR this term.

He added:

“If you lose any football match it hurts. There wasn’t much in front of us, but all you can do is pick yourself up and go again.

“We have a good squad and I believe we have the players to go a long way in Europe this season.”


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