Tag Archives: rhodes

Blackburn Rovers wants experienced manager to replace Henning Berg

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Blackburn advisor Singh insists new boss will be 'very experienced' as he rules out move for Comical Ali

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UPDATED:

23:00 GMT, 29 December 2012

Blackburn's global advisor Shebby Singh has revealed he is in discussions with some experienced candidates to fill the managerial vacancy at Ewood Park.

On Thursday, Singh sacked Henning Berg only 57 days and 10 games after appointing the former Rovers crowd favourite.

And on Friday, Singh was forced to dispel rumours that untested amateur and youth coach Judan Ali was set to take up a role on Blackburn's coaching staff having taken first-team training alongside Singh in the wake of Berg's departure.

Plenty to ponder: Shebby Singh watches Blackburn as they win at Barnsley

Plenty to ponder: Shebby Singh watches Blackburn as they win at Barnsley

Berg's record of one win during this period came on the back of Steve Kean's deeply unpopular spell in charge that saw the club relegated to the npower Championship in May.

Despite winning at Barnsley on Saturday, Blackburn lie 15th in the table – eight points shy of the play-off places.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live's 606 programme, Singh hinted he may be ready to grant the wishes of large sections of the club's support by appointing a candidate with a proven track record but offered no guarantees.

'Most certainly, that (experience) is something that we are looking at,' he said.

'I am in conversation with a couple of very, very experienced managers.

'But again we have to accept there's no secret formula. There's always the one who didn't work out.'

Three and easy: Rovers celebrate as Jordan Rhodes nets their third goal

Three and easy: Rovers celebrate as Jordan Rhodes nets their third goal

One that certainly did not work out was Berg and Singh accepted responsibility for getting that decision wrong, while standing by the call to terminate the 43-year-old's reign in its infancy.

'Hindsight is very good but at the end of the day, all decisions whether right or wrong will only be proven in due time,' he said.

'Unfortunately our results were not very encouraging, performances were not the best and you've got to decide how long can you put up with that.

'When you make a decision you always think you make the right decision but things sometimes don't work out so there's nothing out of the ordinary.

'It was 10 games, let's look at it that way from a football angle. Ten games is a lifetime, it can decide the future of a club for many, many years.

'I'll put up my my hands and say if I got it wrong, I got it wrong. But it's not the end of the world. You still have to think there are aspects of the club which have progressed.'

Denial: Singh says Judan Ali will not be joining the club's coaching staff

Denial: Singh says Judan Ali will not be joining the club's coaching staff

He repeated his stance on Ali on Saturday evening but did not rule the bookmakers favourite, former Aston Villa assistant manager Kevin MacDonald, out of the running for the post.

'It is really stupid for anyone to think that – it's down right stupidity for anyone to suggest that,' he added.

'I was at the training ground but when it comes to being on the pitch I've got no involvement.

'So you can hear it now from the horses' mouth – I did not take training.

'Those two names (Ali and MacDonald) were never mentioned by me but I will defend Kevin MacDonald.

'He's a great coach, he's done extremely well with Aston Villa. I would like to be friends with him.'

Blackburn consider their options after failing to land Tim Sherwood and Billy McKinlay

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Blackburn bid to calm fans over boss fears after failing to land Sherwood and McKinlay

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UPDATED:

14:42 GMT, 24 October 2012

Blackburn global advisor Shebby Singh has pleaded for patience from fans over the club's protracted search for a new manager.

Steve Kean resigned to end his
troubled reign at Ewood Park on the eve of last month's 1-1 draw at
Charlton and a host of high-profile names were immediately linked with
the job.

No rush: Blackburn Global advisor Shebby Singh

No rush: Blackburn Global advisor Shebby Singh

Caretaker boss Eric Black will search for his first win in charge at the fifth time of asking against Sheffield Wednesday in the npower Championship tonight and Singh, overseeing the recruitment process on behalf of owners Venky's, insists he will not be rushed into an appointment as Rovers look for an instant return to the top flight.

'It has been a very, very difficult three weeks – difficult in that we have to make a quick decision but, at the same time, we cannot rush into making such a decision because of recent history,' he told Blackburn Rovers TV on the club's official website, www.rovers.co.uk.

'That means taking time and, yes, I do understand that we need to make an appointment but it cannot just be any appointment because obviously after what happened we've got to tread very, very carefully.

'I would like to appeal to the fans; do not react to what you read in the papers or what is rumours – do not react to that.

Aiming for the top: Jordan Rhodes is spearheading Blackburn's drive

Aiming for the top: Jordan Rhodes is spearheading Blackburn's drive

'I am taking everybody's emotions into consideration. The fans have been through difficult times and the last thing I want is to put fans through more anguish.

'So give me more time now, rather than all of us rush into a decision and we all suffer together.'

Reaction to reported rejected approaches for Tim Sherwood and Billy McKinlay have not been overly positive among Blackburn's fanbase.

The former Rovers midfielders are coaches with Tottenham and Fulham respectively but are managerial novices, prompting parallels to be drawn with Kean's credentials upon his full-time appointment in January 2011.

Singh is committed to examining a wide range of options and retains a keen internest in 'next big thing' candidates of Sherwood and McKinlay's ilk.

'It has been (more difficult that expected) simply because we try to look at football from different angles,” he explained.

'You've got three different types of potential candidates. One is the young, untried, next big thing – dynamic, forward-thinking candidate.

'Then you have the bitter-sweet group – they have had a little bit of success here, a little bit of success there and they have tasted both sides of football.

'In the third category you get the wise old head. So while we know what a wise old head can bring, while we know what the bitter-sweet group can give you, we cannot just brush aside the potential, the possibility of something that can happen.'

Blackburn 2 Barnsley 1: Match report

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Blackburn 2 Barnsley 1: So, will Venky's still axe under pressure Kean

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UPDATED:

23:13 GMT, 18 September 2012

So, what happens next Blackburn are still unbeaten and still top of the Championship. But if manager Steve Kean fails to beat Middlesbrough on Friday night, he will fall short of the points target set for him by Indian owners Venky’s.

Surely, even by the bizarre goings-on in east Lancashire over the last couple of years, they wouldn’t contemplate sacking him then Not when he has got so close to that ambitious demand of 16 points from his first seven games.

Not after backing Kean by bringing in the likes of 8million record signing Jordan Rhodes, who took his tally to three goals in two games last night, and Portuguese veteran Nuno Gomes, who scored for the fourth game in a row to snatch an 85th-minute winner.

On target: Gomes came off the bench to score the winning goal

On target: Gomes came off the bench to score the winning goal

A crowd of 12,772 was a reminder that all is still not well. And when Kean was admonished on the touchline 10 minutes from time by referee Scott Mathieson for complaining that Barnsley had encroached on Danny

Murphy’s free-kick, his own supporters urged the official to send him off. But even the manager’s harshest critics struggled to put much conviction into the sporadic chants of ‘Kean out’.

Rhodes was particularly impressive in front of watching Scotland boss Craig Levein, equalising in first-half added time after former Chelsea youth product Jacob Mellis had capitalised on neat work by Martin Cranie and Chris Dagnall to fire Barnsley into a 31st-minute lead.

Rhodes to success: The 8m signing scored his third goal in as many appearances

Rhodes to success: The 8m signing scored his third goal in as many appearances

MATCH FACTS

Blackburn: Robinson, Orr, Dann, Grant Hanley, Martin Olsson, Formica (Lowe 90), Murphy, Etuhu, Pedersen (Nunes 80),
Rochina (Nuno Gomes 66), Rhodes.

Subs Not Used: Kean, Henrique, Dunn, Ribeiro.

Booked: Etuhu.

Goals: Rhodes 45, Nuno Gomes 85.

Barnsley: Alnwick, Stones (Perkins 73), Wiseman, Foster, Golbourne, Cywka, Dawson, Cranie, Mellis, Dagnall (Etuhu 70), Davies (Harewood 65).
Subs Not Used: Steele, Done, Digby, Noble-Lazarus.

Booked: Mellis.

Goals: Mellis 32.

Attendance: 12,772

Referee: Scott Mathieson

Scott Dann swung a free-kick wide on
the right towards the edge of the box, Morten Gamst Pedersen headed back
across goal and Rhodes took the ball on his chest before turning to
hook it past two defenders and goalkeeper Ben Alnwick.

For despondent Barnsley boss Keith
Hill it underlined the unfair advantage handed to Blackburn by their
48m parachute payments from the Premier League.

He said: ‘We’ve taken on the kings of Savile Row and, to a certain degree, played the better football but we can’t compete. It’s a travesty. How can you be rewarded for getting relegated

‘They’re trying to create a Premier League II and organise who gets promoted back from the Championship. If they’re going to give money away, share it equally among the Championship clubs.’

In fact, the game was won by Gomes, signed on a free this summer, after he came on as a 66th-minute substitute. There were just five minutes left when fellow Portuguese Fabio Nunes crossed from the left towards the near post and the 36-year-old tucked the ball in from close range.

‘I thought we were dreadful in the first half,’ said Kean. ‘But you look for special players to get you back in the game and that’s what they’ve done.’

Blackburn 2 Barnsley 1

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Blackburn 2 Barnsley 1: Gomes steals winner as hosts stay top of Championship

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UPDATED:

21:11 GMT, 18 September 2012

Nuno Gomes struck a late winner for Blackburn, his fourth goal in as many games, to keep Steve Kean's side on top of the npower Championship.

The 36-year-old former Portugal international, a free summer signing from Braga, snatched all three points for his side with a close-range finish in the 85th minute to maintain Blackburn's 100 per cent home record.

But it was cruel on Barnsley, who
were the better side for long periods and took a deserved first-half
lead through former Chelsea midfielder Jacob Mellis.

On target: Gomes came off the bench to score the winning goal

On target: Gomes came off the bench to score the winning goal

Jordan Rhodes maintained his
impressive goalscoring since his 8million move from Huddersfield with
an equaliser against the run of play on the stroke of half-time.

It was Rhodes' third goal in as many
appearances for Rovers but the home side were fortunate to go in level
at the break, while the visitors appeared good value for the point they
had wrenched from them in the closing stages.

Defenders Grant Hanley and Martin
Olsson, midfielder Mauro Formica and striker Ruben Rochina all returned
to Blackburn's starting line-up, while Barnsley were unchanged from the
side that drew with Blackpool on Saturday.

Rhodes to success: The 8m signing scored his third goal in as many appearances

Rhodes to success: The 8m signing scored his third goal in as many appearances

Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson
was forced into a sprawling early save to keep out Mellis' strike from
the edge of the penalty area and Tomasz Cywka fired in two long-range
drives as Barnsley signalled their intentions.

The home side responded when Hanley
headed Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner over the crossbar in the 15th
minute and Rhodes flashed a shot from inside the area just wide soon
after.

Rochina's 20-yard effort was
routinely saved by Barnsley goalkeeper Ben Alnwick, but it was Robinson
who had to perform acrobatics when turning aside Barnsley striker Craig
Davies' goalbound shot from outside the area in the 24th minute.

Visiting defender John Stones and
forward Chris Dagnall both threatened in quick succession before Mellis
gave Barnsley a deserved lead in the 32nd minute.

Dagnall slipped the ball inside from
the right into the area and Mellis finished in style, crashing the ball
into the top corner from 12 yards.

Barnsley were good value for their
lead and midfielder Stephen Dawson spurned another chance in the 38th
minute, but against the run of play Blackburn equalised on the stroke of
half-time.

Pedersen flicked on Bradley Orr's
free-kick into the area and Rhodes was quickest to react, pouncing on
the loose ball to sweep home a similar right-footed finish high into the
roof of the net.

Barnsley held the edge after the
restart. Rochina blazed over the crossbar but at the other end visiting
striker Dagnall went close with a header before goalscoring chances
dried up.

Marlon Harewood replaced Davies while Rovers manager Steve Kean sent on Nuno Gomes for Rochina with 24 minutes remaining.

Teenager Stones was forced off
injured in the 73rd minute before Harewood dragged a shot from the edge
of the area wide and Rhodes' effort from an identical position was held
by Alnwick.

Barnsley midfielder Kelvin Etuhu, on
for Dagnall and up against his older brother Dickson in the Rovers'
midfield, was just off target with a 20-yard shot, while Mellis was
wayward from even further out.

But just as the visitors looked set
to claim a point, Nuno Gomes popped up in the six-yard box to steer home
a cross from countryman Fabio Nunes with five minutes left.

Kenny Miller shocked by Hampden Park atmosphere

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We need to pull in the same direction! Miller shocked by Hampden boo boys

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UPDATED:

22:34 GMT, 11 September 2012

Scotland striker Kenny Miller admitted the team 'severely under-performed' in their 1-1 draw with Macedonia – but he felt unusual negativity around Hampden did not help.

Miller levelled for Scotland 43 minutes into a first half dominated by Macedonia, who took an early lead through Nikolce Noveski.

The draw leaves Scotland with two points from two home games in World Cup qualifying Group A, with manager Craig Levein under pressure to take points from away fixtures in Wales and Belgium next month.

Take that: Kenny Miller punches the air after scoring

Take that: Kenny Miller punches the air after scoring

Miller has seen his hero status with the Tartan Army diminish suddenly over the past week, mainly because of the emergence of Jordan Rhodes, whose name has been chanted before coming on as a substitute against Macedonia and Serbia.

But there was widespread and general booing early in tonight's game and Miller, despite admitting the team had themselves to blame for failing to raise the tempo of their play, was disappointed with the feeling among the 32,400 crowd.

'There has obviously been a lot of negative things from Saturday, rightly or wrongly, it's not up to me to say, but it's definitely a stranger atmosphere than I've ever played in at Hampden,' Miller said.

'You (normally) have everyone pulling in the same direction and for whatever reason it didn't seem like that tonight.

Unsatisfied: Craig Levein was booed by fans at Hampden

Unsatisfied: Craig Levein was booed by fans at Hampden

'I have never played at a game at
Hampden when they have not been behind us. I'm not having a go at the
fans, I understand the frustrations.

'We had two home games and were looking for six points and if not four, so I can understand the frustration.

'But I think that can be let known towards the end of a game but not during a game. It can transmit down to the pitch.'

Miller, who slotted home from a Jamie Mackie pass before going off in the 58th minute, added: 'Listen, I'm not making excuses. But any other game the fans are there to the end and the Tartan Army have been superb in my time as an international.

'Tonight it was a different feeling. I don't know if they have turned against the manager or turned against the team or whatever, but there was definitely a different feeling and that maybe transmitted on to the pitch.'

No excuses: Miller says he can understand the fans' frustration

No excuses: Miller says he can understand the fans' frustration

Miller backed Levein, who bore the brunt of the jeers towards the end of the game.

'That doesn't change since I spoke about it yesterday just because we put in a poor performance,' the Vancouver Whitecaps player said.

'We believe in everything that he's doing, be it systems or personnel. He freshened it up tonight and other lads were given a chance.

'We believe what we're doing is the right way to go but it's up to us to do that. Once we cross that white line it's up to us to go out and perform and for some reason tonight we severely under-performed.'

DJ Campbell and Jermaine Beckford targeted by Huddersfield

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Huddersfield move for Campbell and Beckford after Rhodes makes 8m Blackburn switch

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UPDATED:

22:07 GMT, 30 August 2012

Huddersfield want QPR striker DJ Campbell and Leicester's Jermaine Beckford to replace Jordan Rhodes.

Blackburn signed Rhodes for a club-record 8million on Thursday. Huddersfield manager Simon Grayson had Beckford at Leeds.

Meanwhile, Clarke Carlisle has joined League Two side York. The 32-year-old PFA chairman had been without a club since leaving Burnley at the end of the last season.

High hopes: Huddersfield want to sign Beckford from Leicester

High hopes: Huddersfield want to sign Beckford from Leicester

Jordan Rhodes joins Blackburn from Huddersfield

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Hotshot Rhodes joins Blackburn in record 8m deal from Huddersfield

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UPDATED:

14:23 GMT, 30 August 2012

Jordan Rhodes has signed a four-year deal with Blackburn Rovers in a record transfer deal for Huddersfield.

The Terriers accepted Rovers' fourth bid of the transfer window on Wednesday afternoon, allowing Rhodes to discuss personal terms with the Lancashire club.

Although the fee has not been disclosed, Town revealed it is significantly higher than their current record received transfer fee, the 2.75million they received from Ipswich for Marcus Stewart in 2000. It is expected that the deal will be worth up to 8m.

On the move: Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes (left) is joining Blackburn

On the move: Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes (left) is joining Blackburn

Rhodes joined Huddersfield from Ipswich in July 2009 and now has a reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in the Football League, scoring 87 goals in 148 appearances for the Terriers.

After eight goals in as many games for the Scotland Under 21 squad, he has now earned his first two caps for Scotland's senior squad.

Fulham and Everton had shown interest in Rhodes in the past.

Jordan Rhodes to complete Blackburn move

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Hotshot Rhodes set to join Blackburn in record 8m deal from Huddersfield

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UPDATED:

10:12 GMT, 30 August 2012

Jordan Rhodes is set to complete a move from Huddersfield to Blackburn that will break the record transfer fee received by Town.

The Terriers accepted Rovers' fourth bid of the transfer window on Wednesday afternoon, allowing Rhodes to discuss personal terms with the Lancashire club.

Although the fee has not yet been disclosed, the club said it is significantly higher than their current record received transfer fee, the 2.75million they received from Ipswich for Marcus Stewart in 2000. It is expected that the deal will be worth up to 8m.

On the move: Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes (left) is joining Blackburn

On the move: Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes (left) is joining Blackburn

Rhodes joined Huddersfield from Ipswich in July 2009 and now has a reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in the Football League, scoring 87 goals in 148 appearances for the Terriers.

After eight goals in as many games for the Scotland Under 21 squad, he has now earned his first two caps for Scotland's senior squad.

Town will hold a press conference at 1pm to announce the departure.

Fulham and Everton had shown interest in Rhodes in the past.

Fulham keen on Celtic"s Gary Hooper

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Fulham make move for Celtic forward Hooper as Jol looks to boost strikerforce

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UPDATED:

23:08 GMT, 8 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Fulham have made a move for Celtic striker Gary Hooper. The 24-year-old played for Celtic on Wednesday as goals from Joe Ledley and Georgios Samaras sealed a 2-0 win over HJK Helsinki which saw them progress 4-1 on aggregate to the Champions League play-off round.

Hooper was the subject of a failed 7million bid from Southampton earlier this year but Fulham boss Martin Jol is hopeful of persuading Celtic to sell this time around.

Heading south Gary Hooper is wanted by Fulham

Heading south Gary Hooper is wanted by Fulham

Hooper has scored 44 goals in 64 league games for Celtic following his 2.4million move from Scunthorpe in 2010 and Jol hopes he can continue that form in the Premier League.

Jol has switched targets as he was reluctant to outbid Blackburn for Jordan Rhodes of Huddersfield, who is expected to sign for 6m today.

Keen to strengthen: Fulham manager Martin Jol says he wants to add a striker before the end of the transfer windowKeen to strengthen: Fulham manager Martin Jol says he wants to add a striker before the end of the transfer window

Keen to strengthen: Fulham manager Martin Jol says he wants to add a striker before the end of the transfer window

Celtic are willing to sell at least one of their big-name players this summer and will consider a move for Parkhead favourite Scott McDonald — currently at Middlesbrough — should Hooper’s deal go through.

Huddersfield Town reject 5.2m Jordan Rhodes bid from Blackburn

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Huddersfield turn down 5.2m bid from Blackburn for hotshot Rhodes

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UPDATED:

22:02 GMT, 6 August 2012

Huddersfield have rejected Blackburn’s 5.2m bid for Jordan Rhodes, 22.

Rhodes, who is also interesting Fulham, netted 40 goals in 45 appearances for the Terriers last season.

hotshot: Rhodes was prolific for Huddersfield last season

hotshot: Rhodes was prolific for Huddersfield last season

Blackburn are ready to take Colin Kazim-Richards, 25, on a season-long loan from Galatasaray.