Expectation, hope, disappointment, confusion.

 

The fallout of a summer of misery is almost over, and at last we can concentrate on the football again.

After signs of things beginning to settle into some supposed form of normality, things at Ewood have gotten ugly once again. The club’s global advisor Shebby Singh, made comments seemingly engineered to endear himself towards the angry Rovers faithful at King George’s Hall. Within the noteworthy of those comments were reference to Morten Gamst Pedersen (longest serving player – 8 years) having “lost his legs”, despite Prozone indicating he covers more blades of grass than any other Rovers player. The second point, was Singh indicating that Steve Kean would be relieved if Rovers lost 3 games on the bounce. Cue a couple of days later – Kean wants Shebby gone, and following a meeting with Rovers senior players (including Pedersen himself and Danny Murphy as Murphy confirmed in a press conference) the PFA have gotten involved. This, less than a week before the premier game of the season at Ipswich’s Portman Road. Just when it appeared thing’s couldn’t get more ridiculous in the looney bin.

On a different note, the ins and outs so far haven’t quite become the mass exodus many were expecting. Junior Hoillet and Yakubu have both departed as was inevitable, and at last some experience we desperately needed has come in. Danny Murphy will definitely provide a huge contribution to the team, although the question is, will he be involved in all 46 league games? His former Fulham teammate has been drafted in to add some steel to replace likely departing Steven N’Zonzi, who at times appeared disinterested last season. The man brought in to spearhead Rovers attack, Leon Best has suffered an injury expected to keep him out for six months and prompted the club to look at making a loan signing to plug the gap. Aresnal’s Morrocan Mourane Chamakh has been touted among others. Colin Kazim-Richards has also arrived and could play the withdrawn role, possibly even in the main striker role along with another out-and-out forward. Finally Rovers have acquired the Portugese quartet of Edinho Jr, Fabio Nunes, Paulo Jorge and Portugal superstar Nuno Gomes. Edinho and Jorge may well be ones for the future. There could still be a few departures yet. Martin Olsson, Scott Dann, Paul Robinson, Gael Givet and Steven N’Zonzi all being touted to go at the end of last season. Rovers have offered mid-to-long term contracts to their signings, taking a massive gamble, they need to make it count.

Finally, what is realistic expectation for the season? Considering among other factors Rovers have given decent contracts to their signing and not really significantly reduced the wage bill, promotion is an absolute must. The loss of new signing Leon Best is a blow, but one Rovers can ride, providing a cover signing is made.General mood around Ewood various somewhat, some of the pessimists worrying about a further relegation, rather than pushing to get out of the division the right way. The Championship has some large clubs in it, and getting promotion is by no means going to be an easy task. Bolton and Wolves, like Rovers, have kept more-or-less most of their squad together and will be definite contenders. Cardiff have had substantial investment. Birmingham and last season’s playoff finalists Blackpool will be contenders, and add some leeway for a surprise contender or two as well. Rovers start to the season will likely be key, and starting away from Ewood and all the negativity could well be more of a help than a hindrance. Rovers defence is still a worrying point, considering no extra defenders have been purchased. Hopefully the influence of new defensive coach Colin Hendry will go towards getting some organisation into the back line and developing our up-and-coming defenders – whatever has allegedly happened in his personal life. Promotion, quite frankly, is all that is acceptable this season and would go a small way to repairing the huge damage that has been done to the club in the last couple of years. Some fans have been lost forever, and trying to entice the younger generation to come and see Rovers should be high priority.

As bad as things are, we can at least be thankful we aren’t Portsmouth. Here’s to hoping Rovers can enjoy a season of winning games and getting back into the Premier League. Oh, and hopefully doing the double over our dear neighbours. Come on you Blues!