Rovers' Match-Day Programmes

[Jilleen]

A very good friend of mine often sends me the Rovers' home match programmes. Thank you so much!! They are very interesting programmes, and I thought that I would re-type some of the articles that would interest our forum members. This will be a time-consuming activity for me -- fortunately I type extremely fast -- so I will type and post them as time permits.

Enjoy and discuss :) !!

[Jilleen]

"Dunny reflects on some lessons learned"

David Dunn made an unexpected return to school this week as the latest player to offer his support to the PL's "Creating Chances" campaign [...]

During the broadcast, David said: "As a footballer, the highs are well documented on TV and in newspapers/magazines, but there are certainly plenty of lows. I had to move away from home at the age of 16 and have had to cope with my fair share of injury problems as well.

"When I moved to Birmingham [2003-06], it was a difficult time for me all round, but those lows certainly made you stronger as a person.

"I was always told when I was younger -- 'really cherish the highs, because you don't get too many opportunities to experience them' -- and that sentiment certainly rings true.

"Highs for me, on a personal level, would have to include the birth of my little girl, whilst professionally, it's got to be winning an England cap and the Worthington Cup trophy.

"My grandma used to say that there's no better days than your school days and I used to look at her with a twinkle in my eye thinking that I couldn't wait to get out of here, but they really are great days and they set you up for life.

"I have a lot of good memories from my school days down the road at St Augustine's -- when I went that is! -- but I knew then that all I wanted to be was a professional footballer and I feel very proud and privileged to have been given the talent to [do] what I love doing most."

Source: Rovers V. Reading, Oct 20, 2007 Programme

[Jilleen]

Interesting viewpoint from Bryan Douglas.

[FYI "Bryan Douglas (born 27 May 1934, Blackburn) is a former English footballer. During his career, he played for Blackburn Rovers from 1954 to 1969, totaling 438 league appearances and 100 goals. He also earned 36 caps and scored 11 goals for the England national football team. He appeared in two World Cups, in 1958 and 1962, appearing in all of England's matches in the two tournaments." [Source: Wikipedia]]

"Club-versus-country was not something you heard much about in my time"

"Nowadays it seems to raise its head every time someone announces an international squad -- and sometimes the argument can get quite heated.

"The Michael Owen situation highlighted the problems you can get when there is disagreement over the fitness of a player who is vitally important to both teams.

"I can see both opinions, although in my day it just wasn't an issue. If you were picked you went. And, unless you had a bad injury, you played. No argument, that was that.

"Of course we didn't play anywhere near the number of games they play today, it was nowhere near as intense.

"For a start, there weren't the European matches at club level to complicate matters. And then we had only a fraction of the international games they have these days.

"During the league season we just played the other home countries, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland. On top of that there was perhaps one against foreign opposition.

"So there would be only four internationals to clash with club games and they were well spaced out. We would wait until the summer to go on tour, so that didn't disrupt anything either.

"But look at how it works now. We are only just over two months into the season yet the England lads have already played five times for their country with a friendly against Germany, an international break in September to play Israel and Russia and then another a month later to take on Estonia and Russia again.

"Add to that nine Premier League games and, for most of them, at least two in Europe and you have 16 games in just 10 weeks. No wonder club managers get protective.

"Back in the good old days we would have played only once for England by this stage of the season and to do it we would have had to miss a game for our clubs.

"There was no such thing as having an international break in the league programme. You played for your country and your club had to do without you.

"The league programme carried on as usual, it was never suspended. So if a club had a few players away on international duty one weekend then that was just unfortunate, the fixtures went ahead anyway and you had to field a weakened team.

"I suppose that could have caused a few club-v-country issues, but you never heard a word about it like you do now. I can't remember one occasion when clubs fell out with international managers, although there might have been a few disagreements behind the scenes.

"The injury situation is different these days aw well. We didn't seem to miss many games because we probably played when we maybe shouldn't have done. Unless it was a bad one you kept going.

"The question about who decides depends on where you are sitting. I can understand a club manager wanting to do the best for his team and not wanting a player risked. But I can also understand a player wanting to play for his country at all costs.

"It is a fine balance. But I can tell you players want to represent their countries, never mind the bread and butter of club football. International matches are the ultimate accolade for anyone and you can't blame them for wanting to play.

"Personally, I think the players should have the ultimate say, although in consultation with his club manager.

"He knows his own body and he isn't going to want to play for his country if he knows he going to let everyone down.

"I always felt I could maybe have earned another 10 caps in my international career, but I missed a tour to South America in 1959 and some games previous to that because I just wasn't right.

"Before that tour I had a discussion with the club doctor and he said I should rest my knee during the summer so I would be fully fit for the coming season.

"So I rested, then started pre-season training and in the very first league game at home to Fulham I tried to take the ball down with no-one near me and there was a terrific pain in my knee and that's when I had to have my cartilage out."

Source: Rovers V. Reading, Oct 20, 2007 Programme

[Jilleen]

“Nelsen’s Column”

“The camaraderie in the team is first class and it is certainly helping to tip games in our favour.”

“While it was disappointing not to be involved in UEFA Cup action last week [end of October 2007], we were granted the luxury of a couple of days off.

“The opportunity to recharge our batteries certainly seemed to have the desired effect, with two more mightily impressive away wins over the past six days [matches against Tottenham and Portsmouth].

“With two free days, the boys decided it would be good for us all to get out and let our hair down a little bit. A team bonding session if you like.

“Go-karting was on the schedule and we headed out to the Indoor Grand Prix in Manchester. Sav came out on top, but as he only weighs about 35kg [about 75lbs], he was always going to have the quickest car!

“In saying that, the best driver on the day was Brett Emerton.

“In New Zealand, he’s what you call a ‘bogan’, which is like a motor-head, so he had probably given his car a fine tune before he got started.

“But in the end, Sav came out champ and Emo came second. And the bigger boys – the Browny’s (Jason Brown) and Zurab’s in the team – because of pure density of weight, trailed at the back.

“And unfortunately Chris Samba couldn’t go because his knees kept on getting in the way of the steering wheel!

“But everyone had a great time and it just goes to show the great team spirit we have within the group.

“We are able to transfer that togetherness and willingness to help each other out onto the pitch. We all saw the determination from the guys to succeed against Spurs last weekend. I think that’s the third time already this season that we’ve come from behind to win the game.

“We’ve got so much quality in the team and we’ve got goals in us at any time. You would never have predicted the lankiest centre back in the entire league to beautifully side-foot a winning goal in the 93rd minute!

“But that’s how we are this year – we’ve got goals from everywhere and that’s valuable to have […]”

Source: Rovers V. Liverpool, Nov 03, 2007 Programme

[Jilleen]

Player Profile: Brad Friedel

It was exactly seven years ago to the day – Nov 03, 2000 – that Brad Friedel first walked through the doors at Ewood Park on a free transfer from Liverpool.

They say every cloud has a silver lining and Brad certainly believed golden rays of sunshine have been shining down on his footballing career ever since he switched from Anfield.

The former American international might not have established himself as the first choice keeper for the team he supported as a boy, but he has become of the Premier League’s top keepers during a glorious spell with Rovers.

Brad has made over 300 appearances for us – missing just 12 games in seven years in fact – and has been an integral part of the team’s success.

“My time at Liverpool was a learning experience,” he reflected this week. The club was in transition. It went from Roy Evans being manager to co-manager with Gerard Houillier and then Gerard taking charge himself.

“We had a lot of players come and go, and there was much that needed to be changed at the club from when I first arrived.

“We had a lot of players come and go, and there was much that needed to be changed at the club from when I first arrived.

“I thought Gerard did a pretty good job at re-vamping the way the club was run. In saying that, when you’re at a club in transition, especially one that is supposed to be winning trophies, it is difficult to succeed.

“So our results weren’t always the greatest and my performances were up and down. I was young and new to the English league – but, in saying that, it was the big catalyst for me to come to Blackburn and be successful.

“You have to take the learning experiences in your stride and you have to take as much as you can from every situation. Liverpool is a tremendous club and has fantastic support. I supported them when growing up and so have a real fondness for the club. I still look out for their results, but obviously they are very much second now to Blackburn.

“I have got to know rovers and the fans here very well, and I now regard this as my first choice club – way above any other – and Liverpool as my second.”

Brad made just 31 appearances during a three-year spell in Merseyside, but admits he has no regrets about his time with the Reds.

“Wherever I am, I work as hard as I possibly can. At the time I try to do what I think is right for myself and for my team and I did the same when I was there.

“If it were to have worked out then great, but it didn’t and maybe it’s worked out even better because of the brilliant time I’ve had here.”

Coming up against a former club is always a special occasion and Brad insists this was a fixture he used to get really excited about – but not anymore.

“I would look forward to this fixture more than most when I first came to Blackburn – it was a different experience and a bit surreal in a way, to be running out at Anfield especially playing for a different team. Now it’s just another fixture and a fixture from which we want to get three points.”

[…] “It’s good for the confidence of the players, the staff and the fans if we can go out and have a good performance against what everyone in the country would perceive as one of the top four sides.

“As players in the changing room, we know that on any given day we can perform with the best of them, but we can’t get over-confident, we can’t get arrogant and we can’t forget about exactly what it is we need to do to win games.

If we do start to think we’re in a comfort zone so to speak, then we’ll run into obstacles that we cannot overcome. If we keep our mind straight and our feet firmly set on the ground, we will get more results under our belts when we go up against the bigger sides. But we have to be careful that we do stay focused for the entire season.”

[…] “I think that every professional athlete would just like to keep themselves as fit as possible for a s long as possible in their career. I’m absolutely no different. I come in every single day and just try to work as hard as I can – and keep my body and my mind as flexible as possible.

“There are certain days here and there when you have to let your hair down – if I actually had any hair! – but by and large, the time when I really try to look after myself nowadays is during the close season and when we have international breaks, because that’s when you can keep your fitness really high and iron out any niggles that you have at the same time.

“I feel, as a professional footballer, that it’s my duty to try and keep myself in the best possible shape that I can, for as long as I can, and that’s what I’ll continue to try to do.”

Source: Rovers V. Liverpool, Nov 03, 2007 Programme

[Jilleen]

Bryan Douglas Viewpoint

“It beats me why football hasn’t yet seen the light and joined in with the video revolution.”

“Liverpool fans will have their own view on this after what happened in the Merseyside derby a couple of weeks back… but hasn’t the time come for the referees to get some much-needed help from video playbacks?

“Watching Mark Clattenburg’s handling of the Goodison Park fixture on television I couldn’t help feeling the poor chap would have benefited from all the technology available – even if the Reds might not!

“It beats me why other sports like rugby and cricket can embrace the use of replays to resolve controversial moments, while football still keeps its distance.

“Everton had good reason to feel aggrieved after having two players sent off and two penalties awarded against them, while Liverpool escaped a possible red card and at least one nailed on spot kick.

“Mr. Clattenburg could only give what he saw. But with a dozen or more cameras dotted around the ground, he may well have seen things in a different light had he been allowed to view the pictures we all got at home.

“Referees certainly had an easier time in my day, because there wasn’t such a thing as a video playback.

“They made their mistakes just like today’s officials do – after all we are talking about human beings here. But their actions were never scrutinized from every angle and replayed dozens of times. Once they had made the decision that was it.

“Of course being a referee today is a very well-paid occupation compared to what it was when I was playing. In our day they were just blokes doing it as a hobby and had ‘proper’ jobs during the week. But the speed of the game has meant referees have had to become professionals to try and keep up, which isn’t always easy.

“They hold so much power because they make decisions which can change games. Sometimes I don’t think they realize the impact their actions can have. If they award a dodgy penalty or disallow a goal, they move on the next week to somewhere else, while you are left to lie with the consequences at your club for weeks, months or even longer than that.

“The biggest opponents to the use of playbacks say they would make the game more stop-start and lengthen matches.

“At one time football used to kick-off at three o’clock and be finished by twenty to five. Now games are finishing as late as five to five. I know they have five minutes longer at half-time, but the actual game is longer with all the stoppages you get.

“So to add on another two or three minutes to get a couple of important decisions right is hardly going to be such a big deal.

“I’m not talking about every cough and splutter in the game, I only mean the big issues which affect the final outcome – things like whether the ball crossed the goal-line, whether a scorer was offside or not, whether a penalty was justified and was the offence inside or outside the box.

“I don’t think matches would be stopped that often. And even if there were as many as six interruptions, so what? It all adds to the drama of the situation.

“At the moment, I think some referees can be guilt of jumping in too quickly and not giving themselves enough time to think over a decision. With playbacks available that might not happen as much and a lot of wrongs could be put right.”

Source: Rovers V. Liverpool, Nov 03, 2007 Programme

[Jilleen]

“Nelsen’s Column”

[In this column, Ryan discusses his being sent-off in our match against Aston Villa @52, result 4-0 Villa. If anyone needs a reminder, the Match Report is here (http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10303~38142,00.html).]

“Well, there is certainly no lack of drama in my life at the moment.”

“Two penalties conceded and a red card in the space of a week – all decisions which could have gone either way – but that’s football I guess.

“The sequence of events leading up to the penalty against Aston Villa on Wednesday night [Nov 28, 2007] was unfortunate to say the least.

“I suppose as a centre back you’ve always got to expect the worst. When Chris Samba heads the ball onto the back of Aaron Mokoena’s head and it rebounds straight back to their player, well, maybe you know it’s not going to be your day.

“I grabbed the lad’s arm a wee bit, but no more than what happens to me when I’m in the opposition box – I get pulled about all the time – and there were probably five or six guys around the ball.

“It was a slight foul, fair enough, but he went down very easily – as most strikers do these days – and the next thing I know the referee has given a penalty.

“Then, for some reason, the ref deemed it to be worthy of a red card!

“I think everybody there, even the Villa players, acknowledged that it was very harsh, but they’re the 50-50 decisions that sometimes go against you.

“Whenever a striker goes down in a heap, you fear problems because they get away with blue murder these days. They fall, they dive and they squeal – and the young kid [Gabriel Agbonlahor] did the same.

“He went down, which some people would see as the smart thing to do, so whenever that happens your heart certainly jumps into your mouth, but not for a second did I think I was going to be sent off. I wasn’t even the last man.

“Maybe referees like to make an impact in games… who knows? At the end of the day, they too have got a job to do and he made the decision on how he saw it.

“As I say ‘that’s football,’ you get the good and you get the bad. I’ve probably hacked down a few strikers in my time and got away with it.

“It was my second red card this season, so unfortunately I now serve a two-match suspension. That is tough because after a game like the one on Wednesday night, the first thing you want to do is be out playing again and remedy it.

“Whereas now I have to sit in the stands. It’s so frustrating. I’ll just get into the guy and work hard on my fitness, so that I’m ready to go when I get back.

“I used to have such a clean record – just one sending off – and now twice in a few weeks in the so-called hardest and most rugged league in the world. It’s quite ironic really don’t you think?”

Source: Rovers V. Newcastle United, Dec 01, 2007, Programme