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Ince: My Blackburn Rovers players have 'awesome' attitude
10:25am Monday 29th September 2008
Comments (31)
ROVERS boss Paul Ince has vowed “we will get better” after watching his side make it three wins in seven days with a 2-1 win at Newcastle.
After a shaky couple of games, conceding four against West Ham and Arsenal, Blackburn have responded in stylish fashion to shoot back up the Premier League table after the ‘perfect week’.
Headed goals from Christopher Samba and Roque Santa Cruz should have killed Saturday's game off by half time but, after Ryan Nelsen’s moment of madness, the Magpies made Rovers sweat for victory.
Ince said: “I think it is important we keep picking points up away from home and we did it again today.
“I am not happy with the performance second half, and first 20 minutes of the first half, I have told the lads that.
"I said to them at half time ‘you either make it easy or you make it difficult’.
“What did we do? We made it difficult for ourselves by giving the penalty away and then it is back to the walls.
“It has been a very good week.
“But there is still a long way to go and as I have said before we still have to improve on a lot of things and we will do.
“But the spirit is fantastic.
“The never-say-die attitude we have got at this moment is awesome.
“We will get better but to get three wins in a week, I could not have asked for anything more.”
Skipper Nelsen’s needless foul on Michael Own inside the penalty area just five minutes after the re-start could have proved costly.
But while it lifted the home crowd and players temporarily, Premier League debutant Jason Brown was never really troubled in Rovers’ goal.
“I don't understand why, when players have their backs to goal you have to make a challenge,” said Ince. “We do it, every player does it, but I don’t understand why.
“I said to the lads the next goal is so important. If we get it the game is dead, if they get it we have given them a bit of encouragement.
“But I didn’t expect them to get it after about five minutes.
“That was disappointing and the skipper has held his hands up and apologised to the lads, which shows the greatness of the man.
“Saying that we should have been three or four nil up at half time and we were not. In the second half they got that goal, to give them a little bit of encouragement and we started getting deeper and deeper.
“There will little skirmishes but nothing really dangerous.
“They could easily have got back into the game for 2-2 though and we would have been devastated because we were by far the better side.”
Ince’s team selection surprised many as he kept faith with his so-called squad players, who impressed so much in the Carling Cup win over Everton in midweek.
Chilean Carlos Villanueva was played in his favoured deep role, in the hole just behind the lone striker, while Brett Emerton and Matt Derbyshire were given licence to get forward to support Roque Santa Cruz at every opportunity.
He handed five players their first Premier League starts of the season as Rovers again rubbished earlier suggestions of a weak squad.
The unluckiest men were Wednesday's centre defensive partnership of Andre Ooijer and Zurab Khizanishvili, both left out despite Wednesday's clean sheet.
In-form Jason Roberts also had to be content with a place on the substitutes bench with Ince admitting he had faced a real dilemma.
He said: “I said it was a hard decision today.
"I woke up this morning and could have played 17 or 18 players and I said that to the lads.
“I felt with Tottenham coming here and Hull, playing 4-5-1, that was the way to get results. It worked well.
“Our fans were absolutely awesome.
“They are so far up there and they made so much noise, they are absolutely fantastic.”
Ince's last word went to Premier League debutant Jason Brown who, due to Brad Friedel's ever-present exploits, has been made to wait for his chance for a long time.
The former Gillingham keeper capably stood in for the injured Paul Robinson though, proving to the Blackburn boss he has ample cover between the posts.
He said: “He held some good crosses. It is never easy because he has never played in the Premier League.
“He has been patient. He comes in every day, is smiling and is happy.
“He works hard and he dealt with everything.
“It is a shame he didn’t get a clean sheet but we got three points.”
Your Say YourBlackburn Citizen
ripleywonder, Chester says...
10:57am Mon 29 Sep 08
What the hell is with all this Pedersen sentiment nonsense?! Football is a tough game and if you do not perform you are out.
Morten Gamst Pedersen has been poor and underperforming for the last two and a half years. We pay the players wages and dont owe him anything - we have shown faith in him far too long, he has been dreadful. Hughes should of binned to the bench many moons ago. Hopefully this will kick him up the arse and reignite him. Good on Ince, using the squad. That little Carlos looks a snip of a player!
jeppo, huddersfield says...
10:59am Mon 29 Sep 08
jeppo, huddersfield says...
11:09am Mon 29 Sep 08
ripleywonder, Chester says...
11:13am Mon 29 Sep 08
jeppo wrote:I dont think anyone doubts Pedersen has ability, but he has been really poor for a long time. I agree, he runs up and down working hard, but he has been a passenger for a long time - too comfortable in the fact we dont have any other left wingers. But now Treacey, Carlos, Olsson can play there Pedersen needs to buck up.
agree re the pederson comment ripley, but even when he's playing bad, he can put a good ball in, plus he gets in v good positions defensively. I'm certainly not saying he should definately be playing, but i think when we talk of playing other players, they're not always as solid in terms of positioning
He needs benching and hopefully this will prove as an insentive for him to work harder and find some consistency.
Also, does anyone else think it is time to drop Ryan Nelsen? Just isnt the same player since the injury, i would like to see Ooijer come in at the back?
ripleywonder, Chester says...
11:13am Mon 29 Sep 08
jeppo wrote:I dont think anyone doubts Pedersen has ability, but he has been really poor for a long time. I agree, he runs up and down working hard, but he has been a passenger for a long time - too comfortable in the fact we dont have any other left wingers. But now Treacey, Carlos, Olsson can play there Pedersen needs to buck up.
agree re the pederson comment ripley, but even when he's playing bad, he can put a good ball in, plus he gets in v good positions defensively. I'm certainly not saying he should definately be playing, but i think when we talk of playing other players, they're not always as solid in terms of positioning
He needs benching and hopefully this will prove as an insentive for him to work harder and find some consistency.
Also, does anyone else think it is time to drop Ryan Nelsen? Just isnt the same player since the injury, i would like to see Ooijer come in at the back?
mike rover, essex says...
11:59am Mon 29 Sep 08
I can understand a player having a poor run of form for 10-15 games, but when it gets to a poor run for 2-3 years, you then have to wonder if it is more then just poor form, complacency, low confidence, etc.
People often says that he works hard defensivley, but everytime their is a 50-50 ball to be won, Peds seems to bottle the tackle, I don't remember ever seeing him make a challenge, when their is a ball to be won.
People often point to the game at old trafford, when he scored 2, as his crowning moment for the club, but watching the full 90 miniutes on tv later that evening, I did not see Pedersen offer anything else in the game, other then getting the 2 goals.
I know my opinion will not be popular, but I genrally feel he is an average championship player at best, and I would be very suprised if he is playing regular football for a premier league club in 2 years time.
gosportdunc, manchester says...
12:04pm Mon 29 Sep 08
Even the captain nelson got told to sharpen up.
no2.
he also has turned warnock and emerton in too two good midfield players if that didnt work the fans would have slated him.
no3.
unlike hughes if you play well your in the team 5 first start on saturday.
no4.
he will drop anybody making the team hungry again fighting for the shirt.
A good start by ince and hes staff and hes still learning the trade.....
ripleywonder, Chester says...
12:05pm Mon 29 Sep 08
mike rover wrote:I agree with some of the points you have said Mike. I agree - people at work used to say 'Oh that Gamst he is such a great player'.....he is a highlights player at best, with the odd thunderbolt. I do however believe he is definitely worthy of the Premier League, and has simply in my eyes become incredibly complacent and everything is far too easy for him. I guarantee he would get a sniff in 40-50% of teams.
Personally im NOT convinced that Pedersen has the ability to perform at this level.I can understand a player having a poor run of form for 10-15 games, but when it gets to a poor run for 2-3 years, you then have to wonder if it is more then just poor form, complacency, low confidence, etc.People often says that he works hard defensivley, but everytime their is a 50-50 ball to be won, Peds seems to bottle the tackle, I don't remember ever seeing him make a challenge, when their is a ball to be won.People often point to the game at old trafford, when he scored 2, as his crowning moment for the club, but watching the full 90 miniutes on tv later that evening, I did not see Pedersen offer anything else in the game, other then getting the 2 goals.I know my opinion will not be popular, but I genrally feel he is an average championship player at best, and I would be very suprised if he is playing regular football for a premier league club in 2 years time.
But it will be interesting to see how he bounces back from this knock to the bench. I really like the look of Olsson. At the moment, I would have the following as my starting rovers eleven:
Robinson
Simpson Samba Ooijer Olsson
Emerton Carlos Warnock Treacey
Derbs Roque
Robbie, Manchester says...
12:20pm Mon 29 Sep 08
ripleywonder, Chester says...
12:35pm Mon 29 Sep 08
Robbie wrote:Lets be honest - supporting Rovers under Ince is much more entertaining and fun than the dull, morose Mark 'I make every substitution on the 87th minute' Hughes?
i have to hold my hand up and say i am slowly coming around to ince. i have been a massive doubter and altho i am not `100% yet i am getting ready to munch on humble pie
A Darener, Darwen says...
12:48pm Mon 29 Sep 08
Robbie, Manchester says...
1:01pm Mon 29 Sep 08
ripleywonder wrote:thats very true.
Robbie wrote:i have to hold my hand up and say i am slowly coming around to ince. i have been a massive doubter and altho i am not `100% yet i am getting ready to munch on humble pieLets be honest - supporting Rovers under Ince is much more entertaining and fun than the dull, morose Mark 'I make every substitution on the 87th minute' Hughes?
ince is a lot bolder in his team selections and his subs. he aint scared to put a few players noses out of joint either.
time will tell if i will take to him 100%.. :)
kevin e, portugal says...
1:22pm Mon 29 Sep 08
Ince is getting into the job and looks like a better all-round manager to me than Hughes who would not give the youngsters a chance, persisting in playing out-of-form players. There must be a really strong spirit around the club now with more players believing they have a chance of getting a game.
I agree that Nelsen should be rested - Ooijer is solid and dependable and less prone to committing stupid fouls. Nelsen panicked because it was Michael Owen and give away a needless penalty. For this he should be dropped.
I think that it has been a great start to the season - we never win at West Ham and the four goals we let in against Arsenal were a wake-up call to which Incey has responded well.
It could be a great season yet!
Mdanielb02, Chorley says...
1:38pm Mon 29 Sep 08
Long may it continue and a few bad results along the way won't make me change my mind, well done P.I.
jinkyjase, Preston says...
1:40pm Mon 29 Sep 08
"Ince is getting into the job and looks like a better all-round manager to me than Hughes who would not give the youngsters a chance, persisting in playing out-of-form players."
Firstly, who did Hughes play that was out of form? Which youngsters did he not pick and how, after only 5 games do you assess Incey as a better manager?
Not pickin...just wondering.
Robbie, Manchester says...
2:02pm Mon 29 Sep 08
jinkyjase wrote:pederson for one mate..
kev - how's portugal today? It's grim over here! Agree with most of what you posted but...can you expand on this bit please:"Ince is getting into the job and looks like a better all-round manager to me than Hughes who would not give the youngsters a chance, persisting in playing out-of-form players."Firstly, who did Hughes play that was out of form? Which youngsters did he not pick and how, after only 5 games do you assess Incey as a better manager?Not pickin...just wondering.
never really gave any young players a chance. apart from matty
ripleywonder, Chester says...
2:11pm Mon 29 Sep 08
jinkyjase wrote:Hughes played these players out of form and carrying injuries for looooooooooooong periods of time:
kev - how's portugal today? It's grim over here! Agree with most of what you posted but...can you expand on this bit please:"Ince is getting into the job and looks like a better all-round manager to me than Hughes who would not give the youngsters a chance, persisting in playing out-of-form players."Firstly, who did Hughes play that was out of form? Which youngsters did he not pick and how, after only 5 games do you assess Incey as a better manager?Not pickin...just wondering.
Michael Gray
Ryan Nelsen (last year)
Benni Mccarthy (last year)
Gamst (since 1952)
Chris Samba
David Bentley - amid him having tantrums over potential moves/horrible dip in form
Lucas Neill - even though he pretty much said he wouldnt stay - Hughes stuck with him, something I cant envisage Ince would do.
Kuqi - he was just sh*t
mike rover, essex says...
2:42pm Mon 29 Sep 08
jinkyjase, Preston says...
2:53pm Mon 29 Sep 08
jinkyjase, Preston says...
2:53pm Mon 29 Sep 08
kevin e, portugal says...
3:19pm Mon 29 Sep 08
I wonder why Hughes persisted so long with MGP when there were quality alternatives and I wonder why these guys were not chomping at the bit. Maybe they knew that no matter what they did they were not going to get on the pitch.
Hughes' team selection was always predictable which may have played into the hands of the opposition.
I am enjoying the sense I get of a bigger squad of potential starters - if you look at Saturday's game we had Reid, Dunny and Grella out of contention for places and we had Andrews on the bench who did not get on and there was no MGP.
It has been a long time since we had such depth in midfield and I applaud Incey for having tackled this perennial weakness for Rovers and by the adventurous means he has used to do so - Warnock pushed forward and Fowler used in a linking role on Saturday for instance.
In short - if you are not on top of your game and in training you don't get a start. Cracking!
kevin e, portugal says...
3:22pm Mon 29 Sep 08
jeppo, huddersfield says...
6:12pm Mon 29 Sep 08
I love the way Ince makes attacking substitutions, makes brave signings and is brave enough to change formations though...I hope he keeps that up once he's more established. Jinkyjase...blimey, wots going on, your posts above are relatively positive (support-ive) - is someone signed on as you?? lol
Savage, Blackburn says...
7:37pm Mon 29 Sep 08
bed and breakfast man !, dewsbury says...
8:39pm Mon 29 Sep 08
ossy rover, oswaldtwistle says...
9:59pm Mon 29 Sep 08
i see that mr prozone (aka warnock03) has disappeared is that because we are above the mighty boro in the league? oh i do miss his incisive comments. looks like we will have to do with the closet rovers supporter from down the M65 he's always good for a laugh (you know who i mean, oh yes you do rayzer).
anyway a couple of wins and things are looking a lot rosier than a couple of weeks ago team starting to play with confidence and a swagger lets hope we can maintain it this weekend, united arnt firing on all cylinders yet and we have a decent record here at ewood against them. will danny simpson be able to play sat? isnt there a ruling a loanee cant play against his parent club im sure ive heard that somewhere.
keep the faith
bed and breakfast man !, dewsbury says...
10:17pm Mon 29 Sep 08
ossy rover, oswaldtwistle says...
8:36am Tue 30 Sep 08
keep the faith
ps W03 is always goin on about this prozone stuff the way Tugay is playing he must be on Prozac
A Darener, Darwen says...
9:34am Tue 30 Sep 08
jinkyjase, Preston says...
11:03am Tue 30 Sep 08
Ince: My Blackburn Rovers players have 'awesome' attitude
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Norfolkrover, Sheringham says...
10:47am Mon 29 Sep 08