1992 - 2011: A Look into Our Landmark Signings

I have recently been researching the influence of managers at Ewood Park since the Premier League’s inception in 1992. Every fan knows that within three years Blackburn were winners of the Premier League, but within seven of the inception, Blackburn were relegated to the Football Championship, now known as the nPower Football League.

Thanks to http://www.worldfootball.net I’ve been able to look at the transfers since 1992, and whittle the landmark signings of each Blackburn Rovers manager to one per season for each.

1991–1995 – Kenny Dalglish – Alan Shearer (’92), Tim Flowers (’93), Chris Sutton (’94).
1995–1996 – Ray Harford – Gary Flitcroft (’96).
1996-1997 – Tony Parkes – Marlon Broomes (’97).
1997–1998 – Roy Hodgson – Stéphane Henchoz (’97).
1998–1999 – Brian Kidd – Matt Jansen (’99).
1999-2000 – Tony Parkes – Alan Miller (’00).
2000–2004 – Graeme Souness – Brad Friedel (’00), Tugay Kerimoglu (’01), Andy Todd (’02), Brett Emerton (’03).
2004–2008 – Mark Hughes – Ryan Nelsen (’05), Craig Bellamy (’05), Chris Samba (’07), Martin Olsson (’07).
2008-2008 – Paul Ince – Paul Robinson (’08).
2008–2010 – Sam Allardyce – Gael Givet (’09), David Hoilett (’09), Benjani (’10).
2010-Curr – Steve Kean – Jermaine Jones (’11).

With the above, we have a decent roster of players and thus for entertainment purposes, here’s my ‘Transfer XI’:

Friedel
Emerton – Nelsen – Samba – Givet
Hoilett – Tugay – Flitcroft – Olsson
Shearer – Bellamy

Goalkeeper

Firstly, the choice of Brad Friedel over Tim Flowers in the goal was tough, but made a lot of sense for me. Friedel’s penalty-saving ability, as well as his commanding presence in the goal were key to this decision. And while Flowers won a Premier League medal with Blackburn, he made 175 appearances over the six years he was here, while “Big” Brad made a massive 287 appearances in eight years. It’s very hard to consider Paul Robinson a third-choice. His importance currently is of the highest in the team. With almost a century of appearances at Blackburn, his consistent performances and excellent record in the Premier League since his move here, it’s already becoming close between him and Flowers.

Defence

Brett Emerton fills in at right back as he is not only experienced well in the position, but also because there haven’t been any transfers in the position that can be considered the best signings a manager could have made. The centre-backs of Samba and Nelsen are strong and come in well over Andy Todd and Marlon Broomes. Stéphane Henchoz is unfortunate to miss out after being a good servant to Blackburn in his two spells at the club. An adequate substitute for either Samba or Nelsen. And Gael Givet at left-back is a no-brainer given his talent and commitment, but also partially because of the lack of left-backs listed, and Martin Olsson’s attacking prowess over his defensive abilities.

Midfield

On the right, we have David “Junior” Hoilett. Given recent displays, the promise is there for everyone to see. An excellent signing for the club that will stand us in good stead for the future. Tugay – enough said. Flitcroft to offer that hard-man, gritty tackling that Tugay cannot be expected to offer to the team. It is also the perfect complement to Tugay, protecting him but allowing him creative freedom without the risk of being hit on the counter as quickly. Jermaine Jones offers the same, but the only difference is our knowledge of Flitcroft. Over time, I am sure from the appearances Jones has made, he will be of a similar importance to Blackburn as Flitcroft once was. Olsson is on the left for the same reasons as Hoilett. His age, pace and crossing ability in particular. Another promising talent with a huge future already proving his worth.

Strikers

Alan Shearer is the third of the no-brainer’s. No striker has amassed anywhere near the amount of respect and goals Shearer offered this club in the Premier League. I’ve picked Craig Bellamy over Chris Sutton down to the sheer ability of Bellamy, as well as the excellent goals-to-games average Bellamy holds (2 goals a game at Blackburn, whereas Sutton would manage 1 goal every 2.6). Sadly, Matt Jansen takes fourth position in the striking pecking order, which shows the quality this club has had up-front, even if we are suffering from Goal-shy Syndrome now.

It’ll be interesting to see your opinions on this. You can give us your ‘Transfer XI’, or alternatively contact me on Twitter. Thanks for reading.

http://www.paperbackmitre.co.uk danpyt

There seem to be a few very odd choices in here to be honest. Surely Broomes and Hoilett don’t count as players who learnt there trade at Brockhall? You can hardly class them as the big transfer activity of a manager for that year, and if you are doing then surely Big Sam’s 2010 name should be Phil Jones?

It’s also a bit dubious picking up Martin Olsson as one of Hughes’ key signings isn’t it? A player who was chucked straight into the reserves as he wasn’t ready yet can’t be classed as a marquee signing can he? Yes he’s come good, but he found his feet a few years later when Allardyce worked out where to use.

There are also some real marquee signings missing from this list aren’t there? Martin Dahlin came in as one of the biggest names in European football. Kevin Davies was full of such hope and promise that he’d deliver on his price tag. Likewise, Corrado Grabbi was all set to be our answer to Del Piero (if only we’d played him on the wing where he was meant to be…). The main one missing for me though is Andy Cole. Record transfer fee, fantastic goal scorer, signed from one of the biggest clubs in the world. He was a true marquee signing, the kind of player who and instant buzz went round the place when he signed.

he6rt6gr6m

Appreciate the comment Dan.

Firstly, while looking through the list of transfers made by a manager, I only allowed myself to pick one person from each season of the manager being in charge. Thus, many players were omitted. No doubting Cole’s talent and star power, but is he really as influential, or more so, as Tugay? Has he left more of a legacy? More of a accomplishment with the club and the fans? One spent 3 years at Ewood, the other almost a decade. One shows only love for Newcastle and Manchester United, and the other shows love for Blackburn Rovers. Tugay was always winning the battle there, for me.

Of course signings like Cole and Dahlin were huge for us, however based on the failings of Dahlin down to the injury he suffered, I can’t say “what could have been” over “what currently is, or was.”

While I would be the first to jump to Grabbi’s defence, being played out of position, injuries and with homesickness, players attitudes towards him, frustration from Souness, there is no avoiding the fact that he was way below the standard of what we were to expect.

Hoilett and Olsson were bound to raise eyebrows in something like this. I had resigned myself to justifying their inclusion. They are there because of their development and current ability, as well as future potential. But again, with the transfers around that time, Olsson really is the only one that truly stands out. Jeffers? Vogel? Hoilett comes in at a time where Rigters and N’Zonzi were considered “vital” signings for the club. Now? Hoilett has climbed his way above all, maybe with the exception of Niko Kalinic and Michel Salgado, to reach a spot where he is considered a vital cog in the creative machine.

I love your response, though. Rest assured, players like Andy Cole were well on my mind while compiling the list. It’s just that the strict rule I had set myself, being one signing from one season per manager, it didn’t permit me to add players without the whole thing becoming pointless. For the record, I still don’t believe Cole would break the top three of Shearer, Bellamy and Sutton. Cole always needed a decent partner, whereas Shearer and Bellamy both showed that they just needed supply. The rest was their own work.

http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/fanzones/premier-league/blackburn/ Miller11

I’m afraid you’ve got Marlon Broomes a bit wrong mate. He actually came to the club as a youngster under Dalglish around 93/94 – We are talking well before “academy” days, he used to train on Pleasington with Rovers.

Interestingly, he is currently back at Rovers having physio!

Some good choices – but maybe “landmark” signings should be the most expensive/high profile ones – although your team would then be pretty striker heavy!

PS… Whats your twitter name pal?

he6rt6gr6m

Interesting info. I was unaware of Broomes’ history previous to his professional contract being signed. I’m presuming that is what the website considered an inward transfer. Luckily, I consider him the worst of the men listed.

Clicking the twitter link at the end of the article will send you directly to my page, but otherwise, @he6rt6gr6m.

1992 – 2011: A Look into Our Landmark Signings

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