The assistant boss speaks

Rovers assistant boss Eric Black has spoken today of the job in hand at Blackburn Rovers.

Black was appointed as assistant manager last Friday prior to the weekend draw with Everton and in his first interview he was realistic but optimistic about the job.

Black told the LT – “I am excited about the project that Steve has outlined and obviously a big part will be down to if we manage to stay in the division.

“Hopefully that is the first hurdle I can help them across and then who knows what happens from there.

“I am not going to jump up and down and promise this and that but I was extremely encouraged by what I saw on Saturday. I have looked at the stats for the previous games as well and I am very encouraged.

“Make no mistake it is a hard challenge, as it is for five or six other clubs. But three will go down out of probably six that will be in it.

“So we have a 50/50 chance of staying up (I thought Kean said there was no chance of us being relegated?!) and I am hopeful we will be one of those sides that do stay up.”

Black though is encouraged by what he has seen so far even if that familiar feeling of doing well in games but not getting the deserved outcome can only be a bad omen.

Black continued – “It does make you wonder a little bit why Rovers are in the bottom three having seen the performances against Fulham and Everton.”

“But unfortunately I have been in those situations before when you are not doing an awful lot wrong but the outcome does not come your way.

“I have been there before and seen it but I was extremely encouraged by the performance, we have a lot of young players with the confidence and bravery to take the ball.

“I thought that was exceptional and if we continue to do it it should ensure we get more outcomes and more positive results.”

Eric also clarified his own situation and explained that he is more than ready for the challenge ahead and couldn’t turn down the offer to work in the Premier League.

He clarified – “It is great to be back. An opportunity to work at a Premier League club does not come around too often, when Steve approached me I was more than delighted to take up the challenge.

“Obviously it is going to be a challenge but to work in the Premier League at any level is fantastic and I hope I can bring something to it.”