Bowyer’s full of praise for Rovers' players

8:01am Monday 14th January 2013 in Football Photograph of the Author By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter

GARY Bowyer has told Michael Appleton ‘you are inheriting a great bunch of players’ as Blackburn Rovers’ new boss starts work today.

The former Blackpool and Portsmouth boss will meet his new squad at Brockhall this morning, after being appointed on Friday evening, with the club’s owners desperate for him to land them an instant Premier League return. Caretaker management duo Bowyer and Terry McPhillips signed off from their unbeaten tenure with a battling 1-1 draw at Wolves on Friday night – leaving Rovers 13th in the table.

And as the club prepare for yet another new regime, with Appleton becoming the club's fifth manager this season, Bowyer believes the new man will be delighted with the squad at his disposal.

Bowyer – who is expecting to return to managing Rovers' development squad at home to Everton at Leigh Sports Village tonight – said: “They are a great bunch of players, they have a mix of everything.

“Battling qualities, skill, goals in the team, I think Michael is inheriting a very good group of players with a good spirit, good character and a fantastic work ethic at the minute. They have to continue that.

“Obviously there has been a bit of adversity with what has gone off and the players have stepped up to the mark. They have taken responsibility themselves.

“They realised the level of performances was not up to the level they can produce and over the past four games they have produced that and they have to maintain that now, We said that in there.”

Jordan Rhodes' first half penalty looked as though Bowyer and McPhillips were set to end their temporary tenure with a 100 per cent winning record – until Roger Johnson's late header earned Wolves a deserved point.

But, despite an unbeaten four match spell, Bowyer was quick to heap all the praise onto the players.

Bowyer said: “I think it is a good point for the team. I have said all along it has not been for myself, it is about the players and you have seen the battling qualities they have got on Friday night. I think that will be a big point for us come the end of the season.

“I would not say we were really comfortable, we were under a lot of pressure from Wolves who pumped the ball into the box but I thought we defended admirably. We cant fault the lads for their effort or commitment.

“If we do look more organised then that has been down to the players. They have contributed massively on Friday night and over the last four games. They are the ones who deserve all the praise.

“No doubt someone will tell me we should have got four wins but in all seriousness we had to look after the team until given further notice and that is what we have done. The lads performances have been brilliant.

“Michael brings with him a wealth of experience, he has worked with some good managers and we have to kick on. This point can be a massive point.”

Comments (13)

8:12am Mon 14 Jan 13

A Darener says...

Wolves with a new manager was always going to be a tough game. Players raise their game, as was shown with the Rovers when Gary took over. A draw was really inevitable. So a point was a good return. Let us hope that criteria continues when MA takes his first game. We must start off with a win, nothing less will satisfy the long suffering Rovers fans.
Wolves with a new manager was always going to be a tough game. Players raise their game, as was shown with the Rovers when Gary took over. A draw was really inevitable. So a point was a good return. Let us hope that criteria continues when MA takes his first game. We must start off with a win, nothing less will satisfy the long suffering Rovers fans. A Darener

8:42am Mon 14 Jan 13

lusorover says...

Best of luck to Michael and immense thanks to the modest Bowyer and McPhillips.

I hope the players give their all for the new manager and that we can all contemplate moving onwards and upwards.

No appointed manager would have been first choice of all the fans but it would be harming the Club we all love if we did not give the new guy the time and support he needs to push on from our improved position under teamGB.
Best of luck to Michael and immense thanks to the modest Bowyer and McPhillips. I hope the players give their all for the new manager and that we can all contemplate moving onwards and upwards. No appointed manager would have been first choice of all the fans but it would be harming the Club we all love if we did not give the new guy the time and support he needs to push on from our improved position under teamGB. lusorover

10:12am Mon 14 Jan 13

Gaz M says...

To expect him to take us up this season is ridiculous, even if we had just appointed Sir Alex Ferguson we would not have got promotion they have dillied and dallied all season long and left it too late as usual. Hope they back him in whats left of the transfer window, and sack the idiotic Shebby Singh.
To expect him to take us up this season is ridiculous, even if we had just appointed Sir Alex Ferguson we would not have got promotion they have dillied and dallied all season long and left it too late as usual. Hope they back him in whats left of the transfer window, and sack the idiotic Shebby Singh. Gaz M

10:36am Mon 14 Jan 13

French Rover says...

Well said GB.....if Team GB and the staff and fans all get behind the new manager there is still a decent chance that we can make the play-offs. The squad is good enough for that without doubt. I heard that the Pompey fans used to call him 'Appy'....not sure if that is because he always looks miserable or that he just helped the club keep going at a black time for them - but let's hope he makes everyone at Ewood very 'appy' too....
Well said GB.....if Team GB and the staff and fans all get behind the new manager there is still a decent chance that we can make the play-offs. The squad is good enough for that without doubt. I heard that the Pompey fans used to call him 'Appy'....not sure if that is because he always looks miserable or that he just helped the club keep going at a black time for them - but let's hope he makes everyone at Ewood very 'appy' too.... French Rover

10:41am Mon 14 Jan 13

Ronaldpetercooper says...

Gaz M wrote:
To expect him to take us up this season is ridiculous, even if we had just appointed Sir Alex Ferguson we would not have got promotion they have dillied and dallied all season long and left it too late as usual. Hope they back him in whats left of the transfer window, and sack the idiotic Shebby Singh.
Quite Gaz. What we need is for MA to get rid of the players who want to go and buy one or two decent players to start the rebuild for next season. I for one will be delighted if we get close to the play offs and show some improvement on what we have seen so far. This is a difficult league and to suceed you need to be organised. Bowyer and his team have given us a liitle stability but there are too many weaknesses in defence and midfield. Let us get behind the new guy we just might be pleased. His sales and purchases will go along way to show if he knows his business.
[quote][p][bold]Gaz M[/bold] wrote: To expect him to take us up this season is ridiculous, even if we had just appointed Sir Alex Ferguson we would not have got promotion they have dillied and dallied all season long and left it too late as usual. Hope they back him in whats left of the transfer window, and sack the idiotic Shebby Singh.[/p][/quote]Quite Gaz. What we need is for MA to get rid of the players who want to go and buy one or two decent players to start the rebuild for next season. I for one will be delighted if we get close to the play offs and show some improvement on what we have seen so far. This is a difficult league and to suceed you need to be organised. Bowyer and his team have given us a liitle stability but there are too many weaknesses in defence and midfield. Let us get behind the new guy we just might be pleased. His sales and purchases will go along way to show if he knows his business. Ronaldpetercooper

11:38am Mon 14 Jan 13

baz58 says...

Take some credit Gary & Terry, that was a very good record over four games, credit to the players, but i think it was due to them responding to you! Well done!
Take some credit Gary & Terry, that was a very good record over four games, credit to the players, but i think it was due to them responding to you! Well done! baz58

12:36pm Mon 14 Jan 13

fanny_tickler. says...

5 managers in one season and we're only in January so there's time for a couple more yet when Agent Appleton takes you into the bottom three. An embarrassment to English football. Classless, clueless dribbling clampits.
5 managers in one season and we're only in January so there's time for a couple more yet when Agent Appleton takes you into the bottom three. An embarrassment to English football. Classless, clueless dribbling clampits. fanny_tickler.

1:18pm Mon 14 Jan 13

maltese blue n white says...

fanny_tickler. wrote:
5 managers in one season and we're only in January so there's time for a couple more yet when Agent Appleton takes you into the bottom three. An embarrassment to English football. Classless, clueless dribbling clampits.
I can totally agree with everything you say.... Since the arrival of the circus "Venky's" Blackburn Rovers are a mere shadow of the club they used to be..... However, they are now and have been for the past 34 yrs head and shoulders above Burnley..... Jog on muppet...
[quote][p][bold]fanny_tickler.[/bold] wrote: 5 managers in one season and we're only in January so there's time for a couple more yet when Agent Appleton takes you into the bottom three. An embarrassment to English football. Classless, clueless dribbling clampits.[/p][/quote]I can totally agree with everything you say.... Since the arrival of the circus "Venky's" Blackburn Rovers are a mere shadow of the club they used to be..... However, they are now and have been for the past 34 yrs head and shoulders above Burnley..... Jog on muppet... maltese blue n white

2:27pm Mon 14 Jan 13

hasslem hasslem says...

anybody seen or heard from our global adviser - is he with his BRAG pals, plotting his next inspirational interview?

i have no prejudice against appleton - i just hope he hasn't been fed the usual lies and bulls.hit that normally diffuse from our owners - i also hope he is coming in here with his eyes wide open.

Fitness, Formation, Tactics and Togetherness - that's what we need.

I wish him all the luck in the world - dealing with those at the top of the Ewood pyramid - he will need it.
anybody seen or heard from our global adviser - is he with his BRAG pals, plotting his next inspirational interview? i have no prejudice against appleton - i just hope he hasn't been fed the usual lies and bulls.hit that normally diffuse from our owners - i also hope he is coming in here with his eyes wide open. Fitness, Formation, Tactics and Togetherness - that's what we need. I wish him all the luck in the world - dealing with those at the top of the Ewood pyramid - he will need it. hasslem hasslem

5:04pm Mon 14 Jan 13

steveblue4you says...

From donkey lashing to Dingle bashing all in one season, might b 2 late 4 this season but as long as we finish higher than R Yorkshire neighbors and beat then at Ewood then you will fine a place in our hearts,

Good Luck we R all with U

tHE ONLY ONES WHO WANT U 2 FAIL R THE PUDDINGS FROM TURD MOOR.............
From donkey lashing to Dingle bashing all in one season, might b 2 late 4 this season but as long as we finish higher than R Yorkshire neighbors and beat then at Ewood then you will fine a place in our hearts, Good Luck we R all with U tHE ONLY ONES WHO WANT U 2 FAIL R THE PUDDINGS FROM TURD MOOR............. steveblue4you

6:30pm Mon 14 Jan 13

bburnrover says...

why does bowyer keep praising the team they were abysmal at wolves a game any talented team would have easil won?We have had 3 relatively easy matches and well done to Bowyer for getting 7 points but the future is stil bleak with this bunch of players as they are not good enough with anyone in charge.I hope Appelton has the wherewithall to realise w need strengthening in this window and we also need to get rid of the dead wood.
why does bowyer keep praising the team they were abysmal at wolves a game any talented team would have easil won?We have had 3 relatively easy matches and well done to Bowyer for getting 7 points but the future is stil bleak with this bunch of players as they are not good enough with anyone in charge.I hope Appelton has the wherewithall to realise w need strengthening in this window and we also need to get rid of the dead wood. bburnrover

10:03pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Angry From Accrington says...

This perhaps explain why Bowyer did not get the job. Too willing to accept and praise mediocrity.
This perhaps explain why Bowyer did not get the job. Too willing to accept and praise mediocrity. Angry From Accrington

10:18am Tue 15 Jan 13

srvp28 says...

fanny_tickler. wrote:
5 managers in one season and we're only in January so there's time for a couple more yet when Agent Appleton takes you into the bottom three. An embarrassment to English football. Classless, clueless dribbling clampits.
Do you honestly believe that you, and your fellow Dingle trolls who post inane ramblings on here, are acting in a manner befitting class? People in glass houses, fanny, people in glass houses...
[quote][p][bold]fanny_tickler.[/bold] wrote: 5 managers in one season and we're only in January so there's time for a couple more yet when Agent Appleton takes you into the bottom three. An embarrassment to English football. Classless, clueless dribbling clampits.[/p][/quote]Do you honestly believe that you, and your fellow Dingle trolls who post inane ramblings on here, are acting in a manner befitting class? People in glass houses, fanny, people in glass houses... srvp28

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