Rhodes hoping for some festive cheer (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Rhodes hoping for some festive cheer
10:15am Tuesday 18th December 2012 in Football
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
JORDAN Rhodes believes Blackburn Rovers can use a hectic festive period as a Championship turning point as he looks for momentum to breathe new life into their ailing promotion push.
Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Blackpool was Rovers’ fourth defeat in their last five matches as they slipped to 15th in the table, seven points adrift of the play-off places.
The weekend’s visit of Brighton is the first of four matches in the space of 10 days and, as Rovers look for just their second win under boss Henning Berg, Rhodes knows the importance of finding that ‘winning mentality’.
The Lancashire Telegraph understands that the expected backroom changes at Ewood Park have now been put on hold until January, with former Aston Villa coach Kevin MacDonald still a target for Berg.
Rhodes said: “The season is not even half way through yet, there are going to be lots of twists and turns along the way.
“There are going to be teams who are not in it at the moment in it by the end and teams that will hope for promotion that might not even be in the top six at the moment.
“You only have to look at Reading last season. “There are plenty of points up for grabs still, there are plenty of games to play and we just have to enjoy it between now and the end of the season.
“You look at Reading’s form last season, where they came from nowhere to get promoted. Winning breeds a positive mentality. “It is an important Christmas period coming up and going into the New Year it would be nice to pick up a head of steam coming into the play off time.
“There are a lot of points on offer in a very short space of time. “It has to be up to us to be on our toes, on our best physical game and to try and do the best we can. “The games are coming thick and fast and that is a good chance for us. We have to have the mentality that there are a lot of points up for grabs and that is a good chance for us to turn it round.”
Rhodes has scored 11 goals in 19 games since since signing for Rovers from Huddersfield for £8million in August.
While Rovers falter in the wrong half of the table, level on points with his former Terriers’ team-mates, Rhodes insists he still has no regrets about his big-money switch.
He said: “I am really enjoying my time here. “It is a fantastic club, with good people, good players and good staff. It is a joy to be around and it is a pleasure working with some of the players.
“We have a good chance to put things right and that is starting with Brighton on Saturday. That is what we are going to have to do.
“The results haven’t been too great of late but we just have to work as hard as we can and try to turn things around and try and get the results we believe we can get.
“We have been playing alright at times and not picking up the wins. We will take a couple of scruffy performances, a couple of bad games but staying tight and getting the wins.”
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (116)
10:21am Tue 18 Dec 12
Lancs - pensioner says...
Shebby resign now your a disgrace and don't know what your doing.
HB you had better stamp your authority or that plonker will take you down with him, stand up in this paper and tell us what's going on NOW!
10:26am Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
"Singh promises 'decisive action'"..........
Today.... " the expected backroom changes at Ewood Park have now been put on hold until January, "
Right Shebby,.... if you say so.
10:31am Tue 18 Dec 12
roverfoxy says...
10:37am Tue 18 Dec 12
hasslem hasslem says...
but shebby thinks the. falcao deal is still on......that should keep the malcontents quiet for a while
10:39am Tue 18 Dec 12
cruzy_cruz says...
Agnew Out
Shaw Out
Berg Out
Backroom staff Out
ultimately Venkys Out
10:41am Tue 18 Dec 12
J.C - Rishton says...
However, it is another great example why Rovers will NEVER be sucessfull whilst Venkys are the owners - football clubs CANNOT be run like food processing factories - that decisions and actions (staff changes) at football clubs need to be taken quickly, not brought in gradually like most work places.
These morons in India are so stupid that after 2 years they keep making the same mistakes, time after time after time.
We really are on the one way track to oblivion under these muppets - and anyone who thinks thats just "doom-monger talk" - what have they got right in 2 years and, have they actually learned fom previous mistakes.
Also, does anyone actually beleive this vague Venky promise that they "will (at some un-named point in the future) put in significant funds to stop us going into administration/liqui
dation"
- They have not put 1 single penny into the club to date - and if they are going to put money into the club then why don't they do it now rather than later - simple, because they are NEVER GOING TO INVEST IN BRFC !!
10:50am Tue 18 Dec 12
jack01 says...
pleton have done with other managers squads.
10:53am Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
I saw through them straight away after Mrs "we will INVEST £5 million each transfer window " Desai, first broke her promise.
They are not here for footballing reasons !!!
10:56am Tue 18 Dec 12
cruzy_cruz says...
10:59am Tue 18 Dec 12
speedie_rovers_legend says...
10:59am Tue 18 Dec 12
roverfoxy says...
RTID!!!!
11:01am Tue 18 Dec 12
BeardwoodB says...
They had a settled group of coaching staff, a capable manager and a board that understood football and it's supporters.
Rovers have a huge squad but lack the ingredients needed to challenge for promotion.
The Championship requires more energy and a fitter squad as its duration and physical demands are greater than the Prem.
Berg is clearly out his depth, but cannot be blamed solely on the current situation.
The loss of Williams and Finn was probably the biggest mistake the Venkys made because had these 2 still been at the club 90% of the abysmal signings wouldn't be here and the quality we've shipped out would still be playing in blue and white
11:01am Tue 18 Dec 12
BeardwoodB says...
They had a settled group of coaching staff, a capable manager and a board that understood football and it's supporters.
Rovers have a huge squad but lack the ingredients needed to challenge for promotion.
The Championship requires more energy and a fitter squad as its duration and physical demands are greater than the Prem.
Berg is clearly out his depth, but cannot be blamed solely on the current situation.
The loss of Williams and Finn was probably the biggest mistake the Venkys made because had these 2 still been at the club 90% of the abysmal signings wouldn't be here and the quality we've shipped out would still be playing in blue and white
11:02am Tue 18 Dec 12
dangerous dave says...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a way to motivate the players and everyone else associated with the Club - the Venkys Singh Shaw and Agnew have'nt got a clue when it come to recruitment and managing people - the Club is dangling close to the abyss and these 'clowns' are still in office with the likes of Hendry - just taking the cash and taking the fans for a ride - OUT WITH THE LOT OF THEM!!!!
And Berg says he makes the decisions - I dont think so!
11:03am Tue 18 Dec 12
speedie_rovers_legend says...
11:17am Tue 18 Dec 12
Dukes says...
SHEBBY I AM HAPPY YOU GOT KEAN OUT PLEASE CAN YOU LISTEN HERE SACK BERG NOW AND BRING SPARKY HOME.
AND BRING JOHN WILLIAMS AND TOM FINN BACK AND SACK SHAW AND AGNEW PROBLEM SOLVED.
11:22am Tue 18 Dec 12
maltaman says...
11:42am Tue 18 Dec 12
BeardwoodB says...
Alls we can do as supporters is sit tight and pray that we start getting results.
But more importantly KEEP SUPPORTING!!
11:45am Tue 18 Dec 12
roverinmanchstr says...
When will the 'penny drop' No 'decent' manager will work for those idiots-THE VENKY's ..
you need to rethink your comment...
11:48am Tue 18 Dec 12
Stone Island: says...
I'm afraid our 'promotion push' died, when that IDIOT Singh, ignored all experienced applicants, and gave the managers job to a Norwegian TV pundit.
It pains me to say it, but we looked more likely to go up under that **** Kean, than we do now.
As long as the IDIOTIC Shabby Minge, has anything to do with the hiring and firing down at Ewood, then we'll lurch from one disaster to another. He should have stuck to being a TV pundit, but he didn't appear to be very good at that either. Didn't he once suggest that he'd play Ryan Giggs at full back? He's a complete buffoon!
11:56am Tue 18 Dec 12
fanny_tickler. says...
Hahaha love it.. Everyone out!!
11:57am Tue 18 Dec 12
moh says...
11:59am Tue 18 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
On a side note, I came across this after the Blackpool game:
"For those asking: Got back to Blackburn station. Waiting for a taxi. Some #Rovers fans decided it would be a good idea to racially abuse some Asian people going into the station and shouting "EDL EDL EDL". I cannot stand racism and applaud the police for their swift action. It would no doubt have kicked off otherwise. Fking scumbags. And I don't care if they are Rovers fans or not. If you can't respect other people just because they have a different colour of skin to you, "
We were only discussing not long ago about the Asian community in Blackburn not attending matches, but with this kind of despicable behaviour - albeit by a minority of idiots - why would they want to? I have witnessed though over the years that there has been a significant rise in Asians attending Rovers matches and stood side by side with everyone and there has never been in my experience any animosity shown at the grounds that I can remember and long may it continue.
I hope those responsible though, hung their heads in shame when they woke up from their drunken stupor the next day. You are not worthy of being called Rovers fans. Shame on you.
12:09pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Keen O to Get Kean Out says...
12:12pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Captain Dreckley says...
12:22pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Rovers 1495 says...
So why not try it
12:29pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Ronaldpetercooper says...
We have too many players overweight and blatantly unfit so they just cannot survive for 90 minutes.
Sort it today.
12:29pm Tue 18 Dec 12
katrew says...
The lunatics really have taken over the asylum
12:34pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Rovers 1495 says...
12:49pm Tue 18 Dec 12
merlinrabbit says...
12:50pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Lancs - pensioner says...
The team should have a lot more points on the table since Berg took over? you sound like Kean, did you not see the shambles against Cardiff and the second half at Blackpool,dont give me that "Berg inherited Keans squad", as myself and others have stated on here Holloway/MM/Freedman have all inherited squads from other managers ad they are doing really well, no HB is struggling at the moment and this is a resuts based industry (6 from 27 not good enough).
As for Shebby this man on his own will destroy BRFC , why, because he is the owners right hand man and he does not have a clue what he is doing, coaching staff are going now they are staying,he cannot/will not gv a straight its an absolute shambles down at Ewood and we all know it, what can we do, nothing only watch it all happen.
12:53pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Iiii1111 says...
.......I’m absolutely sure Berg didn’t give instructions for Givet not to pick up in the box giving the player all the room in the world…I’m sure Berg didn’t give instructions to the full back/ cover to give the winger all the space in the world to get a cross over, two individual mistakes that cost two goals(Berg didn’t make the mistakes)………
……..if the players don’t do their job correct then any manager will struggle…………
Berg’s only recourse is to drop players that don’t carry out orders which he did after the Cardiff game……………a
ll these mistakes are costing us points but more importantly the team is now lacking confidence………
…the players have got to take responsibility and make sure their own individual performances are mistake free……Berg can only instruct he can’t mollycoddle these well paid players…..once some of these players grow some ba lls and give Berg the support then we’ll see an improvement, not before!
12:54pm Tue 18 Dec 12
merlinrabbit says...
12:58pm Tue 18 Dec 12
merlinrabbit says...
1:03pm Tue 18 Dec 12
1952 rover says...
1:04pm Tue 18 Dec 12
1952 rover says...
1:17pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Brfc24138931 says...
1:17pm Tue 18 Dec 12
hasslem hasslem says...
1:32pm Tue 18 Dec 12
dangerous dave says...
1:38pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Will P says...
Tresor Mputu, 27, an additional striker. Top scorer in Africa and been playing for the full Congo international side since he was 17. Got a 12-month global ban though in 2010. Wouldn't cost much. Was supposed to go to Arsenal a few years ago.
Wilson Palacios, 28, 100% what we need in midfield. Not being used by Stoke, would be a loan but would be worth having him for 6 months.
Eugenio Mena, 24, Chile International midfielder. Much better than our current midfielders, plays in Chile so won't cost too much. No chance of getting him though... The clubs who want him can all offer him European football.
Shikabala, 26, would FINALLY mean we have a link between defence and attack. We've been linked to him since Mark Hughes was here but a 2 year transfer ban meant we couldn't sign him. He's premier league standard (as are all the players i'm suggesting).
Papa Gueye, 28, Senegalese centre back plays for Ukrainian team Metalurg Kharkiv. Seen him a few times in Europe and he was immense. We would finally have the successor to Samba, but this move would never happen, too much of a step down.
Ezequiel Fryers? Maybe getting a youngster at centre-back is too risky, but look at Swansea with Steven Caulker. No idea if he is available to loan in.
Shaun Derry. Yes I know he isn't the most exciting of people to sign, but his effort and contribution would be useful to us right now. He would also make a good leader for the players. I wouldn't count him as deadwood either.
Some other players:-
Gilberto Garcia (Deportivo Pasta, Right back, 25)
Drissa Diakite (Olympiakos, Right back/ Defensive Mid, 27)
Seb Hines (Middlesbrough, Centre Back, 24)
Oh, and a new coaching team/owners/"Global Advisor".
This post was pointless... Just shows how many players there are out there though!
1:51pm Tue 18 Dec 12
j bee says...
2:08pm Tue 18 Dec 12
noddy57 says...
2:24pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Nuttall Street says...
2:37pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
Or are they here for another reason ? I don't know, does anybody ?
2:44pm Tue 18 Dec 12
merlinrabbit says...
3:05pm Tue 18 Dec 12
George White Bread says...
3:22pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
3:25pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
Newly appointed Championship Managers:
Holloway 9 games, 18 points averaging 2.0 points/game,
McCarthy 9 games, 16 points averaging 1.8 points/game,
Freedman 9 games, 14 points averaging 1.6 points/game,
Appleton 7 games, 11 points averaging 1.6 points/game,
Berg 9 games, 6 points averaging 0.7 points/game.
Think you picked the wrong one Singh. Pack your bags and g
3:34pm Tue 18 Dec 12
George White Bread says...
I was merely pointing out that Rhodes motivation for coming to Blackburn was clearly financial, it has to have been because what up and coming young player would want to come to a club subject to so many uncertainties with owners who don't know the first thing about football? I don't think anyone can disagree and I don't think that's an unfair comment.
I can honestly see him wanting to leave in January the way things are going and maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing for you lot, cash in on him while his stock is still quite high.
3:34pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Is Eckersley playing? says...
3:39pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Gaz M says...
3:43pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
.........Robinson, Nelsen, Samba, Salgado, Jones, Givet, Pedersen, Nzonzi .................(An
drews), Diouf, Kalinic (Benjani), Biram Diouf (Emerton)
haven't Venkys done well !!!!!!
3:45pm Tue 18 Dec 12
juanbbien says...
3:48pm Tue 18 Dec 12
kazz says...
3:51pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
3:56pm Tue 18 Dec 12
George White Bread says...
3:57pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
4:00pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
4:04pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
4:06pm Tue 18 Dec 12
kazz says...
4:29pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
itter rumours I think.
4:34pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Rover Pete says...
4:37pm Tue 18 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
But long term of course, if we're still in the championship two seasons from now and not looking to be going anywhere then yes I would say even if he wasn't looking to go, the bigger clubs could attract him with hard to resist offers. It's to be expected. As it stands though, hes getting first team football playing alongside experienced players and improving his game at a club that still aspires to return to top flight football at some point - and all that on wages poor Austin can only dream of getting until he leaves his poor-house roots behind him and joins a club that can afford to pay him what he's worth.
Wouldn't be too hard to commute across the motorway for him though..
4:42pm Tue 18 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
Muhahaha!
4:44pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
So unlike Austin who is at Bumley for purely financial reasons you are wrong again.
Austin GONE IN JAN Bye Charlie.
4:44pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Lancs - pensioner says...
Thanks for the stats, proves my pont all along, Shebby went for a cheap yes man, remember two managers withdrew there applications at interview stage, why, it's becoming obvious we picked the wrong one out of five, repeating myself but all these managers inherited squads from managers that left or got sacked but they are doing fine, nothing against HB but 6 out of 27 us just not good enough, who is to blame?
Venkys and there side kick Shebby not really HB, he so an opportunity like Kean and took it even though he had stated anyone who took the job would have to be stupid, well you said it HB!
Venkys out Shebby defiantly out.
4:45pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
4:48pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
4:49pm Tue 18 Dec 12
P888HOW says...
4:59pm Tue 18 Dec 12
midas says...
.
Is he a bit simple?
5:21pm Tue 18 Dec 12
fanny_tickler. says...
5:26pm Tue 18 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
were the words too big for you leprechaun?
5:26pm Tue 18 Dec 12
fanny_tickler. says...
5:32pm Tue 18 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
We need all the advice we can get in these trying times and its scary that there scouts can't get this type of info.. that's assuming Shebmeista believes he needs any - you know, with his wealth of malaysian punditry behind him..
5:37pm Tue 18 Dec 12
moh says...
5:37pm Tue 18 Dec 12
George White Bread says...
Try looking past the end of your enormous nose now and again.
5:43pm Tue 18 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
You know we can afford him if we want him... if
;-)
6:17pm Tue 18 Dec 12
P888HOW says...
6:27pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Rovers75 says...
Bonleh or Bournemouth..... says it all really.
6:37pm Tue 18 Dec 12
merlinrabbit says...
6:38pm Tue 18 Dec 12
merlinrabbit says...
6:41pm Tue 18 Dec 12
merlinrabbit says...
6:45pm Tue 18 Dec 12
merlinrabbit says...
6:49pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
P888HOW being the latest in a long line of newcomers who reply to themselves Penrithrover being another. It matters not a jot how many logins they have, they will come undone eventually.
The law is final.
6:54pm Tue 18 Dec 12
wilpshireover says...
I think the fans should act now and set up another club just as Wimbledon did. Obviously an empty stadium is the only way Venkys will listen.
6:59pm Tue 18 Dec 12
duggie123 says...
7:00pm Tue 18 Dec 12
leitchy says...
Henning is the only person within the football club with a football brain..all the others are useless so yes he isn't the best manager in the world, but right now who on earth would come to rovers under the current situation?
Right now were lucky to have him but if shebby keeps sticking his nose in then henning will leave. Shebby wanted change but it's berg putting his foot down and well done to him...!
Keep going henning and fans get behind your team!
7:11pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
7:21pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
7:38pm Tue 18 Dec 12
lancs1985 says...
This is how supporters are tret by the club, your a shambles Brfc an utter shambles
7:38pm Tue 18 Dec 12
lancs1985 says...
This is how supporters are tret by the club, your a shambles Brfc an utter shambles
7:58pm Tue 18 Dec 12
George White Bread says...
Whatever the story that comes out of Ewood just embarrasses you further. The whole football world cannot believe what is going on down there. Hand on heart, part of me genuinely feels sorry for you lot.
8:03pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
8:31pm Tue 18 Dec 12
walshy2866 says...
8:31pm Tue 18 Dec 12
bring back the good old days says...
It is a sad indictment of some sections of our society.
8:52pm Tue 18 Dec 12
P888HOW says...
9:11pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Dukes says...
9:11pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Dukes says...
9:19pm Tue 18 Dec 12
JPainter90 says...
There is no sign that the 2-year long plummet is over, we are still going down. We have been outplayed several times this season, that isn't the way of teams with a chance of promotion.
The longer this goes on, the deeper the damage gets. Ultimately, the club needs money to spend money. If the attendance continue as they are, there will be little money in a few seasons time. Although that might force the clowns out, nobody is going to take the club back to it's glory days.
As much as I want us to succeed, we aren't doing and we aren't going to until Venkys pack their bags. Anyone thinking this whole thing will just even out and we will get back on our feet sooner or later are irrationally wishful. What have they done since arriving other than making us the mockery of the football league?
9:56pm Tue 18 Dec 12
wilpshireover says...
11:02pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
11:07pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
11:43pm Tue 18 Dec 12
French Rover says...
11:55pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Dukes says...
The humiliating incident on Monday night is bound to cast more doubt over Berg’s future at Ewood Park just seven weeks after he returned as manager.
Blackburn have recorded only one win from nine games under Berg, leading to speculation he could be sacked by Indian owners Venky’s if results do not improve dramatically.
FROM DAILY MAIL 18/12/12
4:02am Wed 19 Dec 12
Roverthere says...
7:24am Wed 19 Dec 12
George White Bread says...
.........but there again, it's making me smile :
7:33am Wed 19 Dec 12
George White Bread says...
8:26am Wed 19 Dec 12
bburnrover says...
9:42am Wed 19 Dec 12
midas says...
.
The point I am making is that you and the rest of the "supporters" that dwell on here keep telling us all how the club is in turmoil now either you are a liar or Rhodes is so "simple" that the nuances of what is happening are going straight over his head, for example, Berg storming out of the Christmas party because he was being humiliated!
.
Now go and get your much watched copy of Football Factory and pretend you are a little cockeny gezzer! Jog on:-)
9:48am Wed 19 Dec 12
midas says...
11:30am Wed 19 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
2:07pm Wed 19 Dec 12
midas says...
2:40pm Wed 19 Dec 12
keithnewton2 says...
The next twelve months prediction
- trap door straight into league 1
- financial problems and administration
- ewood becomes a chicken factory
Brian Rix couldn't have written a better farce. And we all know who's to blame....
5:36pm Wed 19 Dec 12
RoversLXXV says...
6:02pm Wed 19 Dec 12
RoversLXXV says...
The main thing is I'm back and have just been having a good old laugh to myself about the Delorean gag - quite funny that for a gurning mincer George, I'll give you that one. Thing is though the memories are fresh in the head because it's a very recent past, unlike Bitter FC, who really would need a time machine to get that far back.
Plus a Delorean in Bonleh just isn't right either. I think a Sierra with a Dare to Dream sticker in the back window would be more apt........
2:37am Sat 29 Dec 12
BRFC75 says...
WHO WRITES LIKE HE AND HENDRY SHARE THE SAME BED