Roberts still major part of Rovers plans, says Hughes
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| JASON ROBERTS |
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has reassured Jason Roberts he is still a major part of his plans for the future.
After his goal against Wigan Athletic at the weekend, Roberts admitted he still faced an uncertain future at Rovers, having previously spent large parts of the season on the outside looking in.
However, Hughes has made it clear he believes the striker could have a big say in Rovers' destiny between now and the end of the season, and he has also dismissed talk of wanting to sell him this summer.
The Rovers boss said: "No-one was ever trying to force Jason Roberts out of the door.
"At one point he got frustrated and felt his future possibly lay elsewhere, but that was never the case from my point of view.
"My thinking is he's still very much part of what we are trying to do here.
"I think (his transfer request) was borne out of frustration.
"I think he came back from injury and felt he should have been back in the team sooner rather than later, and he possibly put in the transfer request a little bit too early.
"He maybe just needed to be a little bit more patient, which he has been since, and, thankfully, he's come back in and made a real impact for us."
After finishing last season in blistering form, having forged an impressive partnership with Benni McCarthy, Roberts must have started this term with big expectations.
However, several injury set-backs, coupled with the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz from Bayern Munich, meant the Grenada international was restricted to only a bit-part role, until he recently won his place back for the trip to West Ham.
Complimenting Roberts on his attitude, Hughes said: "Jason has done very well.
"He's had to be patient, and there have been times when he has got frustrated, because he felt he needed more games.
"He wants to play week in, week out but that's not something I can guarantee anyone.
"Everyone's position here is up for grabs and they have to perform and play well every week.
"But Jason has stuck at it and come back and got his head down, and he's played well in the games I've picked him.
"He's made an impact coming on as a sub, and when I picked him against West Ham, I thought he was one of our better players.
"Obviously, against Wigan, he and Roque played very well and caused them lots of problems, so I'm sure he'll play a number of games between now and the end of the season."
11:25am Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Dasher Shane, Blackburn on 1:05pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Lets just hope MH(and I believe he will)sticks to his word and plays Jas as first choice with RSC from now on.
By this I mean that MH has always been loyal to players who have taken their chance when picked and has not dropped them just because a "bigger name" has returned from injury or whatever.
This is true of Jason Roberts, he has been given his chance after being patient and has grabbed it with both hands and it would be detremental to his confidence to be dropped now.
I am not one for slagging off any of our players but Benni has been poor by his own standards and Big Jas should be give na good run in the team now. He proved last season that he is clearly a match fitness type of player ie the more games he plays the fitter and sharper he gets and the more effect he is.
OK he has not got the silky skills of Benni but he is as strong as an ox and must be a real handful to mark.
Come on Gaffer, give him his chance!!
Lets just hope MH(and I believe he will)sticks to his word and plays Jas as first choice with RSC from now on.
By this I mean that MH has always been loyal to players who have taken their chance when picked and has not dropped them just because a "bigger name" has returned from injury or whatever.
This is true of Jason Roberts, he has been given his chance after being patient and has grabbed it with both hands and it would be detremental to his confidence to be dropped now.
I am not one for slagging off any of our players but Benni has been poor by his own standards and Big Jas should be give na good run in the team now. He proved last season that he is clearly a match fitness type of player ie the more games he plays the fitter and sharper he gets and the more effect he is.
OK he has not got the silky skills of Benni but he is as strong as an ox and must be a real handful to mark.
Come on Gaffer, give him his chance!!
Posted by: TC, Blackburn on 1:57pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Totally agree dasher. There have been many calls on this site to get rid of the big man..but when match fit i dont know many defenders that could cope with his all round game.
I dont blame the guy for handing in a transfer request because i genuinely beleive that he has been more than patient in getting his chance. Not only that but if you have played the game and you seen benni strolling around the park and you know yourself you could have more than an impact in terms of work rate, team work and unsettling oppositon defences then your going to question the managers motives for not playing you.
Lets hope he kicks on from the last couple of games he's played and ends the season like he did last year!
Totally agree dasher. There have been many calls on this site to get rid of the big man..but when match fit i dont know many defenders that could cope with his all round game.
I dont blame the guy for handing in a transfer request because i genuinely beleive that he has been more than patient in getting his chance. Not only that but if you have played the game and you seen benni strolling around the park and you know yourself you could have more than an impact in terms of work rate, team work and unsettling oppositon defences then your going to question the managers motives for not playing you.
Lets hope he kicks on from the last couple of games he's played and ends the season like he did last year!
Posted by: Michael, Darwen on 2:18pm Thu 27 Mar 08
I still belive he will be sold in the summer. He is in the team now so that his value can go up with the goals he scores. Personally I would love to see Cisse at Ewood he showed last night just how quick he is and that's what rovers lack up front a bit of pace
I still belive he will be sold in the summer. He is in the team now so that his value can go up with the goals he scores. Personally I would love to see Cisse at Ewood he showed last night just how quick he is and that's what rovers lack up front a bit of pace
Posted by: ossy rover, ossy on 2:28pm Thu 27 Mar 08
the old adage is dont change a winning team, he played well last sat so why change things.
keep the faith
the old adage is dont change a winning team, he played well last sat so why change things.
keep the faith
Posted by: Rovers girl, Blackburn on 3:32pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Totally agree ossy. Same team as last week will hopefully keep us winnning games. To see JR for the rest of the season would be great. Team work does the trick.
ROVERS 4 LYF!!
Totally agree ossy. Same team as last week will hopefully keep us winnning games. To see JR for the rest of the season would be great. Team work does the trick.
ROVERS 4 LYF!!
Posted by: trev, manchester on 5:34pm Thu 27 Mar 08
we gonna play with ten men then?
we gonna play with ten men then?
Posted by: Monkey, Burnley on 6:49pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]trev[/bold] wrote:
we gonna play with ten men then?[/quote] If thats what it takes to ge tthe best out of players then why not?
trev wrote:
we gonna play with ten men then?
If thats what it takes to ge tthe best out of players then why not?
Posted by: Soccerover, Bermagui on 9:33am Fri 28 Mar 08
I'm with Dasher ---- this guy is a very good attacking, repeat attacking, forward.
We need to keep him.
He has presence and power to trouble defences.
He should start the game tomorrow with Santa.
I'm with Dasher ---- this guy is a very good attacking, repeat attacking, forward.
We need to keep him.
He has presence and power to trouble defences.
He should start the game tomorrow with Santa.
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