Rovers' Match-Day Programmes: Fan Q & A

[Jilleen]

In the programmes, there is also a section where the "Fan of the Day" submits questions to his favorite current Rover.

"Fraser Prest Fan of the Day Q & A with Steven Reid" [Abridged by me]

Q. Do you think it was fair to say it took you a while to settle when you first signed for the club and if so, what were the reasons for this?

A. "Yes I think it would be fair to say that. I think this was down to a few little injuries I picked up and never really got a run of games for a while. I played a variety of roles, at right and left midfield and at right back, so never really settled in one position."

Q. If you could re-sign one ex-Rover into the current squad who would it be and why?

A. "That's difficult because the club has produced and has had so many great players. I think I'd go for my Irish team-mate Damien Duff. He's a real world class player and can win a match with a piece of magic."

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

[Jilleen]

"Robert Jessop Fan of the Day Q & A with Morten Gamst Pedersen" [Abridged by me]

Q. Who from the squad do you spend the most time with away from training?

A. Peter Enckelman – because we are both Scandinavian and we don’t live too far away from each other, so we share lifts to training quite a lot as well.

Q. How do you prepare yourself for matches – i.e. the night before a game?

A. The day before a game, I try to eat the right food and get the right amount of sleep – so I just try to keep things as normal as possible, by just relaxing and trying not to expend too much energy.

Q. Which is your favourite goal in a Rovers shirt?

A. […] Wigan number three, Man United number two and Fulham number one!

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

[Jilleen]

"Adrian Hoyle Fan of the Day Q & A with Benni McCarthy"

Hoyle chose Benni “because he’s a guy with style and is our best striker since Alan Shearer.”

Q. When you wanted leave Porto for the Premiership, what made Blackburn Rovers stand out among the other teams that were chasing you?

A. The fact that they had been after me for quite a while was very flattering. And also, besides the “Big Four,” they were probably the team that plays the most attractive football. I felt that I wouldn’t struggle as much to fit in, because the players here are good professionals and they play as good football as the likes of Chelsea, Man United and so on. It’s not all about running the channels, they try to play football and I could see myself playing for them. And I also believed they had one of the best chances of getting into Europe.

Q. What is your most memorable moment so far in a Rovers shirt?

A. My most memorable moment would have to be us playing our best game of football last season and almost causing an upset against Chelsea to become the first team to play at the new Wembley. We held Chelsea and we out-played them, but unfortunately at the end of the day it didn’t go our way. I also have to mention the Arsenal FA Cup game at Ewood Park. Everything about that game really stood out, because we played really well and fought really hard, and just as it looked like it was going to extra-time, I came off the bench and scored an absolute stunner!

Q. Apart from yourself, of course, who has the best dress sense at the club?

A. So does that mean I’m the best dressed?! I would have to say that Jason Roberts is a very elegant dresser. He’s always smart and very seldom do you see him in any funny clothes! In terms of smart-casual, I would have to say Reidy.

Q. Apart from the great Ewood Park, what’s the best stadium you have played in?

A. The best stadium, I would have to say Old Trafford, just because of its history and what it stands for. The atmosphere and the adrenaline you get from playing there is second to none. Outside the Premier League, I would have to say the Dragon’s Stadium at Porto – it’s magnificent!

Q. Do you have any sort of pre-match routine, i.e. are you superstitious at all before games?

A. Not really to be honest. However, ever since I can remember playing football, I have always stepped onto the pitch with my right foot first – although I don’t actually view this as a superstition. I’ve started noticing it a bit and I was wondering why I always do it but I never seem to change!

Source: Rovers V. Aston Villa, Nov 28, 2007, Programme

[Jilleen]

"Frank Wylde Fan of the Day Q & A with Robbie Savage"

Hoyle chose Sav because “he’s a fighter, who’s not afraid to get stuck in and take a few knocks, but who can also score a blinder or two on the odd occasion. He also gets a bit of stick from the opposition and their supporters from time to time, but he just gets on with the job at hand. And I admire that!”

Q. The past two seasons have been a real success for Rovers. Do you feel that there are greater achievements to come the not-too-distant future?

A. Yes I do. I think the gaffer has now assembled a squad, with great strength in depth, that is capable of challenging on all fronts.

Q. What has been the high point of your Rovers career to date?

A. Probably captaining the team at Man City last season and winning the game 3-0. To get into a position where your performances are consistent enough to be named the captain and then to win the game 3-0 was a very proud moment and a real high point.

Q. You’re not one to shy a tackle and Rovers were labeled the “bully boys” of the Premier League not too long ago. But do you think the accusations are over-exaggerated?

A. Yes. When the gaffer first arrived, we had to stay in the league. We made some tough tackles and when you’re up against opposition who have got far better players than you have, you have to mix it a little bit. We got unfairly criticized, but now I think people have stood up and taken notice that we do have some very talented players. We might be getting plaudits now, but we haven’t changed our physical approach to games – people just seem to be noticing our football now and not the rough stuff.

Q. How would you rate this club’s supporters compared to other teams you’ve played for in the past?

A. Leicester and Birmingham are obviously big cities with big football followings, whereas Blackburn is only a small town. Relatively, however, I think the support we get here is as good, if not better, than at those other clubs. People say that we only get 20-22,000 fans at Ewood Park, but the noise that they make, especially when we are doing well, is incredible. And, to be fair, in the game against Newcastle here last year when we were 2-0 down at half-time and down to 10 men, the real fans got behind us then and even though we lost the game 3-1, they gave us a standing ovation and that was a fantastic feeling. And they’ve got behind me, as they have with every player.

Q. What is your goal as a player from now until the end of your career?

A. Just to stay injury free. It’s as simple as that, because I’m terrible when I’m injured!

Sav’s Best Memory:

With my granddad I took my then six-year-old brother to his first Rovers match at home to Manchester City on the final day of the 2005-06 season. I’ll never forget his reaction to seeing his first two Rovers goals. It was a beautiful thing!