Rovers 2017-18 Season Preview
So... I haven't written one of these in quite some time. Especially not a football-related one, because of the seemingly never-ending downward spiral events at Ewood have continued to unfold. Fatigue of just repeating what I'd said seasons previous had just drained away any sense of enjoyment I got out of writing them in the first place.
That is until the appointment of Tony Mowbray. Gone are the empty cliches (for the most part, anyway) and in comes concise well thought-out well-spoken interviews. I honestly thought at the end of last season, we'd see a repeat of the Lambert situation. Mowbray would walk, head held high after coming so close to getting us out of the inevitable mire the previous manager had managed to get us in. The start of last season, the opener against Norwich, Sky's Jeff Stelling uttered the words "It could well be a tough season for Blackburn this season"; and any fellow Rovers fan was well aware of the situation we were in.
Fast forward to the week of the opening of the following season, and there is now an optimism around Ewood Park. An optimism that hasn't existed since the pre-Venkys days. There is now a manager in place that the fans believe can restore some pride into the club. Recruitment has been positive, and it appears Mowbray has been allowed to bring in the players he wants (that is to say within a club with a League One budget); many of these he has worked with previously and as such, knows exactly what he's getting out of them.
The additions made so far are ones that will have a positive effect in the season, and the much desired refresh in midfield should assist the forward and back lines more efficiently. Worryingly though, our final pre season friendly against Carlisle indicated one or possibly two more centre-backs are required, along with another striker.
Prospects? - I think Rovers have enough to win the division outright. I do see challengers from among others Wigan, Rotherham and newly promoted and upwardly mobile Portsmouth. Fleetwood should be strong again after narrowly missing out on promotion last season.
For a change, I might just actually be looking forward to the season.
Tony Mowbray's Blue 'n' White Army!
That is until the appointment of Tony Mowbray. Gone are the empty cliches (for the most part, anyway) and in comes concise well thought-out well-spoken interviews. I honestly thought at the end of last season, we'd see a repeat of the Lambert situation. Mowbray would walk, head held high after coming so close to getting us out of the inevitable mire the previous manager had managed to get us in. The start of last season, the opener against Norwich, Sky's Jeff Stelling uttered the words "It could well be a tough season for Blackburn this season"; and any fellow Rovers fan was well aware of the situation we were in.
Fast forward to the week of the opening of the following season, and there is now an optimism around Ewood Park. An optimism that hasn't existed since the pre-Venkys days. There is now a manager in place that the fans believe can restore some pride into the club. Recruitment has been positive, and it appears Mowbray has been allowed to bring in the players he wants (that is to say within a club with a League One budget); many of these he has worked with previously and as such, knows exactly what he's getting out of them.
The additions made so far are ones that will have a positive effect in the season, and the much desired refresh in midfield should assist the forward and back lines more efficiently. Worryingly though, our final pre season friendly against Carlisle indicated one or possibly two more centre-backs are required, along with another striker.
Prospects? - I think Rovers have enough to win the division outright. I do see challengers from among others Wigan, Rotherham and newly promoted and upwardly mobile Portsmouth. Fleetwood should be strong again after narrowly missing out on promotion last season.
For a change, I might just actually be looking forward to the season.
Tony Mowbray's Blue 'n' White Army!
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