Berg urges ace Rhodes to remain grounded (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Berg urges ace Rhodes to remain grounded
7:44am Monday 19th November 2012 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
HENNING Berg believes Jordan Rhodes is a rare breed in football – but insists it is important for the striker not to think too far ahead.
The Scottish international striker scored his first hat-trick for Blackburn Rovers in Saturday night’s impressive 4-1 demolition of Peterborough, taking his tally to nine goals in just 14 appearances for the club.
Boss Berg believes the 22-year-old is one of the few natural finishers in the game but, when pressed on how good Rhodes could be, the Norwegian declined to be drawn.
He said: “There are not that many players around in the different leagues who can score goals on a regular basis. He is one of them, he has done it in League One and now he has started doing it in the Championship.
“For us it is important that we feed him in the box, that we get our crosses in, enough passes, so he can get enough chances because we know he is a great finisher and has great timing of runs. We are very happy to have him.
“He is a really good finisher but he has not been tested yet at the highest level. Hopefully he will be playing Premier League next season.
“He has not played Premier League or Champions League football yet but he is a really good finisher. We have to see.
“He should not think about that (the future). He should think about getting better, making the runs as he is doing.
“He shouldn’t think too far ahead of himself.
“He is fantastic for us and when all the players get to know him a little bit better he will be better so we can get more play in the final third.”
The victory was Berg’s first as Rovers boss at the fourth attempt as he saw his side climb back into the Championship play-off places with the win lifting them to sixth.
Spanish playmaker Ruben Rochina has enjoyed an integral role in Rovers’ recent improved performances and had a hand in two of Saturday night’s goals.
But, after gifting the hosts possession for their late consolation strike, Berg was quick to insist Rochina still has plenty of room for improvement.
He said: “We conceded a goal so it was not a perfect performance from him but he has got quality, he is talented and he has played a big part in our win.
“His positional play, his skills, his passes are fantastic. He was involved in two or three of the goals as well so he is an important player, as all our players are.
“We need to find a role for him that suits him and I think we have done that now.”
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (47)
8:00am Mon 19 Nov 12
diamonds2india says...
8:08am Mon 19 Nov 12
MatthewCA says...
Ruben is a good player, he need more ball control before he shoots. he can be a good playmaker and I compare with Eden Hazard of Chelsea now, so he will be comfortable playing midfeild and a striker role.
8:11am Mon 19 Nov 12
A Darener says...
8:48am Mon 19 Nov 12
brown cow warrior says...
okay so he didn't have a lot of time on the pitch but he looked good......like the Pedersen of a few seasons ago, ready to compete and win the ball. It looked to me as though he frightened the life out of the Peterborough defenders who couldn't cope with his pace and aggression.
COYB
9:41am Mon 19 Nov 12
AshirMan says...
9:47am Mon 19 Nov 12
brown cow warrior says...
10:14am Mon 19 Nov 12
dangerous dave says...
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK HENDRY
10:23am Mon 19 Nov 12
Dukes says...
10:36am Mon 19 Nov 12
A Darener says...
10:46am Mon 19 Nov 12
French Rover says...
10:50am Mon 19 Nov 12
eddie the eagle says...
10:58am Mon 19 Nov 12
greenscreener says...
11:04am Mon 19 Nov 12
MatthewCA says...
11:42am Mon 19 Nov 12
Road Runner Road Runner says...
Watching performances thus far under Berg(Palace apart because that was in no way Bergs team) have markedly improved, and we all know with improvements to come.
Just not having to endure the mickey mouse set up of the odious one along with his constant flimflam is heaven, and again we can look forward to a proper manager returning competitive football down at the good ship Ewood.
I mean hell even Hendry could very well now make a difference under Berg, and actually shore up the defence !!!
Confidence ? That old chestnut, well, it does appear to be rearing it's beautiful head these last few months.
Lift off..............
Swan emerging anyone ?
Arte et labore
12:13pm Mon 19 Nov 12
eddie the eagle says...
The treatment it gets from those in charge of its welfare is the secret to its full recovery.Early days yet but although it is not ready to soar it is flapping its wings like it believes that it can and will fly.
12:14pm Mon 19 Nov 12
greenscreener says...
12:26pm Mon 19 Nov 12
Bazzer says...
12:35pm Mon 19 Nov 12
AndyW says...
12:48pm Mon 19 Nov 12
French Rover says...
In fact I can only think of two center halves that became managers - Colin Hendry and BFS.....not the best of examples eh though I am sure there must be many others?
1:43pm Mon 19 Nov 12
tootsio11 says...
1:47pm Mon 19 Nov 12
A Darener says...
1:57pm Mon 19 Nov 12
A Rover 45 years and over says...
2:21pm Mon 19 Nov 12
Is Eckersley playing? says...
2:58pm Mon 19 Nov 12
greenscreener says...
3:14pm Mon 19 Nov 12
Bazzer says...
5:03pm Mon 19 Nov 12
greenscreener says...
Not been any dingles around for a while, there must be a Readers Sister feature on ClaretsMad.
5:06pm Mon 19 Nov 12
French Rover says...
I was going through a list of the likes of Fergie, Busby, Dalglish, Wenger, Shankly, Revie, Robson, Paisley, Guardiola, Mourinhio, Cloughie, Zagallo, Van Gaal, Cruyff, Hiddink, Capello, Lippi, Hitzfeld, and many more top class managers over the years and the only manager who played as a CH that I could come up with was Jock Stein. Great example - but in a definite and distinct minority. Most of the greats were actually forwards, so maybe there is hope for Alan Shearer yet! Also hope that BERG goes on to join the all time greats list as Rovers manager of course.
5:08pm Mon 19 Nov 12
French Rover says...
5:15pm Mon 19 Nov 12
stick to football says...
I also trust him to improve the side once the transfer window comes open so roll on the good times
5:22pm Mon 19 Nov 12
A Darener says...
5:31pm Mon 19 Nov 12
trueblue72 says...
First time for ages I've actually enjoyed a rovers match and the missus noted my joy afterwards.
I thought we'd have more trouble against posh but one thing I noticed was our lack of mobility in the middle of the park.
When murphy and etuhu lost the ball I never once noticed them busting a gut to get it back. They were so slow and off the pace it was embarrassing.
Against a better team we could of easily gone unstuck.
It proves we cannot play them together but could use murphy as the holding midfielder for about 60 mins until his legs have gone then depending on the state of play dictates who comes on next.
I don't like posting a negative when I so enjoyed the result but its something that needs addressing rapido.
Rochina has such quality it's untrue. Yes he messed up for their goal and picked the wrong option at times but he'll learn the more he plays. We are so much more of a threat with him and he's capable of that moment of genius so we can't stop him playing his natural game.
It was magical seeing us have genuine pace at times on the counter, we have sorely missed that.
Henley at RB will get better and better as long as murphy keeps off his back and only shouts constructive criticism.
Rhodes, need I say more. We've all said give him service and help and will score.
Finishing looks effortless for him, his timing and movement gives him those tap ins and to heat him speak do modestly is a credit to him.
Lets keep the momentum going and find our best form for sticking 5 past them dingle bar stewards.
COYB.
6:28pm Mon 19 Nov 12
pepperpot2296 says...
12:33am Tue 20 Nov 12
Bazzer says...
12:38am Tue 20 Nov 12
Bazzer says...
7:23am Tue 20 Nov 12
alphajono says...
8:07am Tue 20 Nov 12
greenscreener says...
If you want to get a football debate going on here I'll throw in a couple more, Ruben Rochina can be the new Matt Jansen and Adam Hanley plays a lot like Ian Pearce.
8:10am Tue 20 Nov 12
A Darener says...
8:26am Tue 20 Nov 12
French Rover says...
But Jansen is a fair compare also, not sure he had the same skills as Rochina? Though he was very quick and tricky. They all are/were quick thinkers with quick feet.
I think Cristian Ronaldo would be the best example of a top player with these attributes currently. Rochina is not at the level yet - but you never know what the lad is capable of if he plays at a higher level. (Hopefully with us),
8:49am Tue 20 Nov 12
BlueSkies says...
Messi can do it.
8:52am Tue 20 Nov 12
greenscreener says...
I'd go with Rochina/Mckenzie but i think Ruben works harder at his game, much as I enjoyed watching Dunc I always got the feeling life was a bit too easy for him, ( a la Matt LeTissier)
9:12am Tue 20 Nov 12
French Rover says...
9:20am Tue 20 Nov 12
French Rover says...
the link to a 'still' of one of his mini-jumps:
http://www.gettyimag
es.ie/detail/news-ph
oto/duncan-mckenzie-
of-leeds-united-jump
s-over-a-mini-as-par
t-news-photo/1065267
88
9:41am Tue 20 Nov 12
greenscreener says...
5:39pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Road Runner Road Runner says...
Matt Jansen for the record is my whole time favorite player to adorn a B&W shirt. So graceful in play rising like a salmon to nod in another beauty....
As French Rover points out so poignantly a sad loss furthermore to his playing career. Chuffing tragic. But, I hang out with hope that Jansen can again become a figure down at Ewood in some coaching etc role ?
Closely followed by:
Mike Newell - superb.
Gordan Cowens - An absolute pleasure witnessing he down at Ewood under that revolution, and introducing nicely into the frame:
Kevin Moran - Away at Derby under those night floodlights at the owd Baseball ground. Stunning.
Thanks for the memory's boy's.
Arte et labore
9:02pm Tue 20 Nov 12
darwenblues says...
10:31pm Tue 20 Nov 12
kazluvsrovers says...
11:04pm Tue 20 Nov 12
kazluvsrovers says...
Let the good times roll......