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News, sport and entertainment from all over East Lancashire
Greek giants hunting Blackburn Rovers midfielder Petrovic (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Greek giants hunting Blackburn Rovers midfielder Petrovic
10:01am Wednesday 11th July 2012 in Football
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
GREEK giants Olympiakos are considering a move for Blackburn Rovers midfielder Radosav Petrovic after being told the player could be available this summer.
The Serbian midfielder struggled to make an impact at Ewood Park in his first season in English football last time round and is expected to be low down in the pecking order again this campaign.
The introduction of Danny Murphy and the continued pursuit of Sporting Lisbon’s Adrien Silva in the centre of the park have shrouded his Ewood future in further uncertainty – with the likes of David Dunn, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Jason Lowe also challenging for spots in the centre of the park.
Olympiakos were beaten to the signing of Petrovic 12 months ago but, having been told by sources close to the player he may be surplus to requirements, are ready to swoop again for the 23-year-old.
The player’s price tag could prove a sticking point though with the Greek outfit struggling financially and Rovers wanting to recoup the estimated £2.5-£3million they paid.
Olympiakos are understood to be ready to attempt to take him to Greece on a season-long loan but it is unlikely Rovers would allow him to leave, unless their valuation was reached.
Efforts are ongoing to meet agreement with Sporting Lisbon over former Portuguese under 21 skipper Adrien Silva, with Rovers still hopeful the deal can be finalised.
It is also understood boss Steve Kean has made finding a versatile defender a priority, having added two strikers and two midfielders to his squad this summer.
Rovers have to yet to officially announce the appointment of former Colin Hendry on to the coaching staff, but his presence at the club’s Austrian training camp is the clearest indication yet he will be on the staff for the coming campaign.
Meanwhile Rovers’ New Zealand striker Tim Payne is relishing the challenge ahead of him as he prepares for the forthcoming Olympics campaign.
The 18-year-old will be part of the All Whites under 23 team who face Japan in Tokyo today, as their preparations for London 2012 step up a gear.
“The past year has gone by so quickly,” Payne said. “When I think back to the start of the under 17s to where I am now and everything that’s happened, it’s a dream come true.
“Having played for the All Whites is every young Kiwi footballer’s dream so it’s been a big year for me.
“Any chance to represent New Zealand is a proud moment and going to age group World Cups is a pretty cool experience.
“Playing for the different teams in just over a year something I’ll look back on and think how lucky I was at some stages and how cool it’s been.”
Meanwhile, QPR are believed to be leading the race to sign Junior Hoilett.
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (135)
10:05am Wed 11 Jul 12
blueblooded says...
10:06am Wed 11 Jul 12
Nurseman says...
10:08am Wed 11 Jul 12
vicn1956 says...
10:11am Wed 11 Jul 12
blueblooded says...
This is the problem at the moment, theres no clear gameplan from Stevie so its hard to see whose important to his lineup and who is not. glad to see see a mention of defence being a priority though, wasnt looking forward to the 5 midfield/5 strikers setup!
10:13am Wed 11 Jul 12
andymcbrfc says...
10:15am Wed 11 Jul 12
Gaz M says...
10:18am Wed 11 Jul 12
Harwoodstblue says...
Just recycling money again and not putting their hands in their own pockets.
I think Petrovic could make it in The Championship if given a chance. Lets face it, who shone apart from the Yak under Kean's management last season ? Lots of under performers, he wasn't on his own.
10:24am Wed 11 Jul 12
Nurseman says...
Good bye and good luck to N'Zonz, he is unfortunately no use to us except for his financial value
10:27am Wed 11 Jul 12
chucker says...
10:29am Wed 11 Jul 12
wampam says...
10:36am Wed 11 Jul 12
bypass06 says...
http://football.thes
tar.com.my/2012/07/1
1/shebby-invites-tit
us-to-attend-trials-
with-blackburn/
10:39am Wed 11 Jul 12
Harwoodstblue says...
g agents and the "fit and Proper debate"
http://www.guardian.
co.uk/football/2012/
jul/10/fifa-agents-p
remier-league-scudam
ore
10:48am Wed 11 Jul 12
blueblooded says...
k/news.php?storyid=2
0998&title=target_da
vies_linked_with_bla
ckburn_talks
Steve Davies targeted?
10:51am Wed 11 Jul 12
MxMave says...
10:53am Wed 11 Jul 12
RoversOnline.com says...
10:56am Wed 11 Jul 12
YarkshahRover says...
10:57am Wed 11 Jul 12
Harwoodstblue says...
10:57am Wed 11 Jul 12
RobbyRover says...
Petrovic had one decent game, apart from that he was useless.
10:57am Wed 11 Jul 12
Keen O to Get Kean Out says...
11:02am Wed 11 Jul 12
Harwoodstblue says...
11:02am Wed 11 Jul 12
jogalot says...
11:27am Wed 11 Jul 12
bypass06 says...
11:32am Wed 11 Jul 12
Hippocroccapig says...
11:35am Wed 11 Jul 12
AnIdiotAbroad? says...
FREE, 3rd rate player with friends to get him into the English game taking more money out of our club.
Very concerned that Shabby is our global advisor and is going after someone he last saw play 15 years ago as an 11 year old.
Maybe Wenkys should have got Gaby Logan instead, at least she may have tried to go after players we've heard of.
RIP BRFC
11:36am Wed 11 Jul 12
benal13 says...
11:37am Wed 11 Jul 12
gleechy says...
11:43am Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
11:46am Wed 11 Jul 12
Keen O to Get Kean Out says...
11:52am Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
11:56am Wed 11 Jul 12
londonrover says...
11:58am Wed 11 Jul 12
Bangkok Rover says...
11:59am Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
12:00pm Wed 11 Jul 12
BlueSkies says...
Put a positive spin on that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!
12:02pm Wed 11 Jul 12
bburnrover says...
12:06pm Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
Do you know them joke glasses and moustache and eyebrows you can get from the joke shop, well I'm buying some to celebrate saacha baron cohens latest character who has turned up to run our club, what a absolute joke.
I'd take petrovic ten times over than this no hope joker.
12:09pm Wed 11 Jul 12
benal13 says...
12:10pm Wed 11 Jul 12
IrishRover3 says...
12:14pm Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
12:14pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
For a party they're not invited to.
12:15pm Wed 11 Jul 12
forever blue and white says...
12:17pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
12:18pm Wed 11 Jul 12
wampam says...
12:22pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Keen O to Get Kean Out says...
12:23pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
The rest wanted "1/7 of a week".
So we decided to call it a day
12:23pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Bigbry says...
12:24pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
12:31pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
12:33pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Keen O to Get Kean Out says...
12:33pm Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
12:37pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
12:38pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Road Runner Road Runner says...
What a farce of a signing he has turned out to be.
This guy was plucked out for big things by our phoney imposter of a manager.
Absolute garbage that which I witnessed season last in this guys play.
Leon Best was commenting on his reasons in joining BRFC ? His words were that the Odious One would encourage and stay behind with him after training with such things as shooting practice and how to score goals ! Well, that didn't turn out to well did it !
Kean is a weasel of the worst kind, and him being in control of BRFC turns my stomach with his abject ways.
Get him out.
12:39pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
Same as the other Euro, but no Greece.
12:58pm Wed 11 Jul 12
katrew says...
Kean out
Venky's out
Boycotting is going to be the only way to get these people out.
12:58pm Wed 11 Jul 12
benal13 says...
12:59pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Road Runner Road Runner says...
Arte et labore
1:10pm Wed 11 Jul 12
banned again phil.m says...
1:12pm Wed 11 Jul 12
FannyTickler says...
1:23pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Gaz M says...
1:25pm Wed 11 Jul 12
bluerob says...
1:27pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
1:30pm Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
Welome to your new Rovers.
1:36pm Wed 11 Jul 12
DanBlackburn says...
The key losses yet to come - on top of Yak - Nzonzi, Robbo, Hoilett, Givet, Olsson. Replaced by who exactly? Danny "move over Orr there's plenty of room up Steve's a+se" Murphy who has brought along his own stretcher, Gomes (laughable) and a failed Championship striker. And that's the business done for the season.
All the Happy Clappers who have renewed watch this space over the next few weeks. Work out the money out - money in and think - "Baaa I support the lads" Baaaa.
Well done for supporting the rape of Blackburn Rovers.
1:37pm Wed 11 Jul 12
James.NoNayNever says...
1:48pm Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
With these kind of decisions we will soon be in the unibond. Still, some on here know best. All you champ manger genius's TAF
1:49pm Wed 11 Jul 12
dangerous dave says...
'Singh' - s smooth talking so called global adviser who publicly stated that Kean should be removed from his job - now good mates!!
'Kean' a convicted drink driver and second rate Manager with the worst record for any Manager at Ewood Park and treats the fans as if they are idiots.
'Agnew' - the silent one until recently then comes out with a statement that mistakes have been made but no apology to the fans!!
'Venkys' - So called owners who have ruined a once proud and well run club in under twelve months with total contempt for the fans!!
'Hendry' - a Bankrupt owing others thousands and a CV that you could write on the back of a cig packet - fired twice from his previous employers with poor Management skills and who in the past turned his back on the Rovers for 'pure' cash - Jack Walker said he would never have him back at the Club - now on tour in Austria with his drinking mate Kean!!
WELL THEY ALL DESERVE ONE ANOTHER AND AS I SAID JUST JOBS FOR THE BOYS AND TO HELL WITH WHAT THE FANS THINK OF THEIR ANTICS.
OUT WITH KEAN AGNEW VENKYS AND MATE HENDRY
1:51pm Wed 11 Jul 12
jack01 says...
There's only two worthwhile contributions that Shabby Sing can make to this football club. One is sack Kean, which he cannot do, the other is use his reputation in the far East to find a buyer for this club.
Notice how Forest have today been taken over by Kuwaitis. Leeds are rumored to be on the verge of being bought by Bahrainis, Watford have been bought by wealthy Italians. Add to that the Thai investment at Leicester and the Malaysian investment at Cardiff. All these clubs will spend more money than Rovers, will have a better manager than Rovers and will have owners with ambition and determination to be successful. We have a structure from top to bottom that is riddled with failure and incompetence. Venkys-Kean-Agents-A
gnew-Shaw-Singh-Hend
ry-Anderson junior-Bruno Ribeiro. What a stellar cast that is. A collection of people who are no strangers to failure and being in a job they are not qualified to do.
Tell you what, the Trust couldn't have done a worse job at finding buyers if they'd have deliberately wanted bad owners. A choice between Venkys and Ali Syed? A big pat on the back for a thorough due diligence process which clearly exposed Venkys for what they are.
1:51pm Wed 11 Jul 12
blueblooded says...
No its one guy.. talk about over-egging the pudding!
1:54pm Wed 11 Jul 12
bburnrover says...
Has the "true" fan changed into a cyber critic? We get Kean Out! Venkeys out! chants every day dont we? Are the people writing it expecting to do any good reiterating it every day?
The failure of the last 18 months is solely down to the Walker's Trust selling to the wrong buyers,a naive group who employed a guy they thought would be able to do the job and he couldn't fornumerous reasons.If Jack Walker had never bought us the Walkers Trust would never had sold us and at best we would still be in the Championship with no training ground worth anything.
The point is Kean was left under a lot of pressure without any back up and noone in that sort of position could have done a good job.The fact that he is tactically inept does not mean anything to the owners because they do not understand much about the game either.
To get back to my reason for writing this is are we "true" fans of Rovers or are most of the malcontents like MP Jack Straw new supporters who just want the pride of following a Prem Club?
I believe we may get back to 8000 fans like in the good old days but these fans will be "real" fans and just interested in the team called Rovers and nothing else.
1:54pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
It honestly wouldn't shock me if they don't eat pie and peas for supper, or trump in the car and lock the windows!
1:57pm Wed 11 Jul 12
blueblooded says...
The Walkers Trust couldn't have made a worse decision if they'd put us on ebay.
Those new owners you mention though, may seem promising, but some of them will suffer the same if not worse fate of Rovers of insolvency and struggle. The fact that these foreign investors are able to own entire clubs which are part of the heritage of the town and cities where they reside is where the true criminality is.
1:59pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
I used to love shouting abuse to let off steam, and even miss peeing on the back of the Blackburn end wall.
Those were the days......
2:09pm Wed 11 Jul 12
A Darener says...
2:10pm Wed 11 Jul 12
flyingv1 says...
2:11pm Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
2:11pm Wed 11 Jul 12
benal13 says...
2:13pm Wed 11 Jul 12
banned again phil.m says...
2:15pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
2:19pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
He said "There's no easy way of saying this"
"Just say it" I said.
"I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop.Where she sits she shines, and where she shines she sits."
2:30pm Wed 11 Jul 12
dangerous dave says...
OUT WITH KEAN AGNEW SINGH VENKYS AND HENDRY
2:43pm Wed 11 Jul 12
givet82 says...
2:44pm Wed 11 Jul 12
bburnrover says...
Margaret Thatcher from the other party was our President for a while so we are well liked in Parliament by both major parties.
2:50pm Wed 11 Jul 12
1rover says...
2:51pm Wed 11 Jul 12
benal13 says...
2:58pm Wed 11 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
3:04pm Wed 11 Jul 12
lusorover says...
The silent majority will vote with its feet when they see which way the wind is blowing after a few games.
Whilst the idea will be anathema to the hardcore bunch of boycotters who post their Kean Out propoganda repeatedly on here I believe the vast majority of Rovers fans still want nothing more than to see their team winning games. If that means that Kean's job is safe for another season it may be that that is the price there is to pay.
It will be a blessing if there are no Kean Out chants aimed at the players as this will only lead to the further demise of what was a great Club in the not-too-distant past. The same, small number of posters will say that the ends justify the means if the result is getting rid of Kean. They are 100% entitled to their opinion as is the silent majority who never post on here or anywhere else.
I just want to see my team win football matches.
3:20pm Wed 11 Jul 12
1rover says...
3:21pm Wed 11 Jul 12
garyintandem says...
3:29pm Wed 11 Jul 12
benal13 says...
3:38pm Wed 11 Jul 12
blueblooded says...
It wont really matter if its BRAG's report, or dodgy agents or greedy owners, once its gone, it will be a long time before even supporters like me will ever see the inside of Ewood Park anymore - unless we have the money to buy an apartment in the building that will be built on it.
3:41pm Wed 11 Jul 12
buzzinfly says...
said Shebby
'' I wil be in London to oversee the trial sessons next Thursday. For now, Titus who plays left-back with Nanteuil FC in the FRENCH 3RD DIVISION, will have to compete with Martin Olsson of Sweden'' said Shebby
'' I don't think Titus will have any problems with a work permit as hes been playing in the French Leagues for 10 years''
'' This is the right thing for up and coming Malaysian players to do - move abroad. The owners of Blackburn Rovers - Venkys London Ltd - are very supportive of my ideas and have put their faith in me to turn around their fortunes'', said Shebby
TITUS '' I know if I make it, i'll be the 1st Malaysian to play in England. I have played competitive football in France and I know what its like to play in Europe''.
Sounds like your already in without kicking a ball, mate.
Just a complete set of Clowns running our Club.
3:58pm Wed 11 Jul 12
A Darener says...
Idiotic comment. There will be and NEVER have been Kean Out chants AIMED at the players. When will these numbskulls get it into their thick heads.
4:19pm Wed 11 Jul 12
givet82 says...
4:31pm Wed 11 Jul 12
gleechy says...
Err isn't that a bit twisted?
"The reason that person crashed his car is because you sold it to him".
Notice the similarities?
By all means have an opinion, but try to cover your age a bit with a few big words or you'l get found out easily again.
To be a real fan at the moment your heros are Venks, Kean other backstabbers, and finally the players. It is a free country and keep your opinion, it suits you.
4:46pm Wed 11 Jul 12
speedie_rovers_legend says...
4:48pm Wed 11 Jul 12
dangerous dave says...
OUT WITH KEAN AGNEW SINGH VENKYS AND HENDRY
4:49pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Love Rovers Hate Venkys says...
4:57pm Wed 11 Jul 12
flyingv1 says...
5:05pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Love Rovers Hate Venkys says...
They said, "a fairground once a year was fine, but a Circus every week was taking the p*ss!"
5:19pm Wed 11 Jul 12
A Darener says...
5:34pm Wed 11 Jul 12
lightamatch catcharabbit says...
5:41pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Love Rovers Hate Venkys says...
5:56pm Wed 11 Jul 12
blueblooded says...
6:11pm Wed 11 Jul 12
A Darener says...
6:16pm Wed 11 Jul 12
baldie says...
You're a poor man's Nicky Reid if you stay.
But you'll become the next Lothar Matthaus if you go.
6:39pm Wed 11 Jul 12
guiderover says...
6:50pm Wed 11 Jul 12
blueblooded says...
6:50pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Love Rovers Hate Venkys says...
6:53pm Wed 11 Jul 12
whappen says...
Bizarre.
7:01pm Wed 11 Jul 12
lovemyrovers says...
It's just getting crazier and crazier on here! are we now going to decide that the players should have been feeling being surrounded by fans chanting hate to Kean?
This site is fast dissolving into fantasies conspiracies and over-reaction to every little snippet of news that is posted.
Bizarre is right.
7:17pm Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
Absolutely bizarre
7:21pm Wed 11 Jul 12
merlinrabbit says...
7:22pm Wed 11 Jul 12
A Darener says...
hat else have we to do before the season starts?
A bit of "bizarre" never hurt anybody. These pages give us a release to vent our frustrations on the lack of football. Hopefully the Olympics will help fill the void for a week or two.
Then the really serious stuff starts. You think there are conspiracies, over reaction etc. you ain't seen nothing yet.
7:27pm Wed 11 Jul 12
whappen says...
Considering Olssen is on his way that makes Titus first choice - sorted!
French third division to English Premier League; what didn't you know? That's what we are planning for. Promotion is a foregone conclusion, Stevie said so. And what reason do we have to disbelieve him?
And if anyone out there doubted the suitability of the Shebster to be our "Global Advisor", I refer you to the Titus article;
"Titus will have the advantage of having acclimatised to the weather conditions, language and culture. He has everything going for him .....”
That would be the weather, language and culture of Western France (near Bordeaux)as opposed to those of Blackburn, NW England (near, errrr, T'waites' brewery)?
I was worried this guy would come out with some truly cringeworthy BS and he's certainly not letting me down so far.
Read the whole piece and it is just embarrassing; truly, madly, deeply embarrassing.
What has this club become?
7:30pm Wed 11 Jul 12
whappen says...
7:37pm Wed 11 Jul 12
1875 Rovers says...
To use the words of Tommy Docherty, Petrovic is a very deceptive player - he's actually slower than he looks !
RTID
Kean out !
7:38pm Wed 11 Jul 12
RUinsane says...
If this guy ever plays for our first team we will be in the unibond league.
8:27pm Wed 11 Jul 12
blueblooded says...
Oh well.. Another one lost.
8:50pm Wed 11 Jul 12
BlueSkies says...
10:29pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Judge Nic Sanders says...
Had a look on French websites and nationally they have two leagues.
On their out of date website the club he plays for looks like a community club with vets,girl teams,u12 etc.
Facilities like Witton
What level of football are we talking here,does the guy even get paid.
10:39pm Wed 11 Jul 12
banned again phil.m says...
10:41pm Wed 11 Jul 12
wampam says...
There are such a variety of fans: probably about 15000 to be fair and whilst 80% are mainly against Keane,probably 40% absolutely cannot stand the man.This cannot continue.If 5000 fans vote with their feet then a message is given. If the manager is not then sacked, then the asset stripping arguments gain credence regardless of results . sack the jock and lets try hard to get back; but first- sack the jock,now
10:54pm Wed 11 Jul 12
londonrover says...
11:16pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Vikings Rover says...
As for the long term future of the club obviously you couldn't care less!
KEEP THE FAITH !
KEEP TOGETHER !
KEEP AWAY !
KEEP BELIEVING !
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE !
12:26am Thu 12 Jul 12
Love Rovers Hate Venkys says...
If it is disputable that a third division actually exists in Portugal or France, then that tells us something of the level of football they are at. League Two/Conference would be my bet. Maybe the management dream team of Kean and Borat, are targeting that calibre of player, to blood them in for our arrival at that level. Because that's where we're heading under these two clowns.
5:19am Thu 12 Jul 12
Roverthere says...
7:07am Thu 12 Jul 12
LanghoDAN says...
Then again they must be completely mad to sign him he is clueless
7:31am Thu 12 Jul 12
bring back the good old days says...
Then the task is to mould them into a fighting force.
With all the nous and expertise on board at our club this will be a mere 'walk in the park' (with the fairies!).
For all of those that continue to preach 'keep the faith', the best of luck.
9:44am Thu 12 Jul 12
srvp28 says...
Same bulls**t, different face.
12:21pm Thu 12 Jul 12
bburnrover says...
Jack Straw lives in Derbyshire and in my eyes should support his local side like I did being born and living in the Queens Park area of Blackburn.I get flak for being political but what is political about highlighting a guy who supports us for votes.I mentioned these stay away "supporters" because I think most are looking for a reason not to go because we are no longer in the Prem they are not "true" fans at all it is them that should be on politician's sites.
12:35pm Thu 12 Jul 12
A Darener says...
Just so you know, my first game was about 1953 and my last was last season (until Kean is gone).
1:22pm Thu 12 Jul 12
nearly sane says...
1:28pm Thu 12 Jul 12
A Darener says...
How do you know?
If I were in charge at Ewood I would certainly check these sites. I am sure Kean does, if only to laugh at us all for being such mugs! He's laughing all the way to the bank! Not a care in the world. What's it matter to him and his cronies if they go down in history as the group that destroyed BRFC no skin off their nose.
2:57pm Thu 12 Jul 12
peely says...
11:40pm Sun 15 Jul 12
stefjam says...
8:29am Wed 18 Jul 12
MatthewCA says...