Premier League: Blackburn Rovers 1 Derby County 0 - Peter White's big match verdict

NOT every revolution begins with a bloody uprising and Ewood Park's new era was ushered in with more of a softly, softly approach.

But every cause needs a spiritual hero to lead it and it has taken Roy Hodgson just a matter of weeks to recognise that he has inherited a man fit to wear the mantle in Colin Hendry.

After two summer operations, some running and the odd bit of football here and there, it's a miracle Hendry was even able to take his place against Derby County as Blackburn Rovers buried the haunting memories of last season when the dark days of November arrived before a League victory was posted.

Psychologically, if for no other reason, it was crucial he was there.

The central defender was the spirit of the old Rovers and no doubt he will symbolise the new. You could say the more things change, the more they remain the same.

In Saturday's stifling heat, it wasn't the normal Hendry, scarcely match fit let alone tuned into the sharpness needed at Premiership level.

But any potential unease caused by Graeme Le Saux's eve-of-season departure was dissipated by the appearance of Hendry, leading out the team in Tim Sherwood's absence.

Le Saux's ability will be missed - Jeff Kenna underlined his versatility by filling the gap - but Rovers fans would rather have one half-fit Hendry and his complete dedication to the team than half a dozen others who lack that commitment.

"Colin's a very important presence in the team," admitted Hodgson. "Obviously, we are not seeing him at his best at the moment but it's quite incredible he was on the field at all. But Colin's a tough boy. "He wouldn't have come off, he has to be told, he's not a quitter. Winners never quit and quitters never win."

Hendry, who didn't think he had a chance just a week ago, acknowledged the manager's wisdom in substituting him as he began to feel the pace and Derby threatened.

"In England, it doesn't often happen that you take off a central defender because he's tired or not match fit. You would be scared of interrupting things.

"But, with what the manager's done in the game and the experience he's got, that wasn't a problem. It was the right decision.

"Now I start pre-season training on Monday!"

By the end of the game, Rovers had all five of their summer captures on view.

John Filan, one of three who started, again showed outstanding handling, kicked well with both feet and looked very capable and confident.

The fans quickly took to him and to right back Patrick Valery, strong in the tackle and with a reluctance to waste the ball.

Stephane Henchoz continues to impress, giving glimpses of genuine star quality, so cool under pressure, while Martin Dahlin replaced a tiring Chris Sutton, another pre-season casualty.

Sutton got little protection from referee David Elleray who otherwise did well, especially in not producing a single yellow card.

Anders Andersson, meanwhile, was introduced briefly to the fans at the end. His turn will come.

The first half was more of a revelation than a revolution. Rovers demonstrated the passing principles that will stand them in good stead during the coming months and the movement was particularly impressive, with wingers Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox back in tandem and Garry Flitcroft and Billy McKinlay dominating midfield.

They deserved more than the one goal which stemmed from another encouraging feature - good corners and players finding space in the box to meet them.

Sutton had hit the woodwork in the opening minutes but a goal was on the cards and it was no surprise that it came from the ubiquitous Kevin Gallacher, whose purposeful running was a constant problem to the Derby defence.

Ripley put in a curling left wing corner with plenty of pace and Gallacher somehow eluded the markers in a packed penalty area to head decisively down past the erratic Estonian Mart Poom.

Sutton, Ripley and Flitcroft, with a little luck, might all have added to the lead but Derby, who had seen Jonathon Hunt bring one back-breaking save from Filan, missed a couple of other opportunities and made a couple of crucial interval changes.

They replaced an ineffective strike force and immediately looked more of a threat. Rovers lost much cohesion and had to defend stoutly with Henchoz making a timely clearance and perhaps just one real heart-stopping moment.

With seven minutes left, Deon Burton set up Hunt whose powerful drive found the perfectly-positioned Filan and he not only stopped the ball, he held it.

The second half display had fallen into some old bad habits of conceding possession too easily. So the final whistle brought a sense of relief but sent most home happy, as it was the bottom line - the result - which mattered most.

They included Hodgson who revealed that he had enjoyed his 40th birthday too, with a 4-0 success for Malmo.

Perhaps he could arrange to advance his 60th birthday party to Villa Park on Wednesday night.

Selecting a Rovers star man was a difficult task, and there were several contenders. But Garry Flitcroft just took my vote for his consistency throughout the game, including the work he got through and the multitude of runs he made.

Some of them were unselfish to help others, some were aimed at getting in on goal and if he maintains that he will score his share this season.

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