Blackburn Rovers blog: Charlie is the player Blues are missing

2:39pm Wednesday 23rd March 2011 in Chris Flanagan Photograph of the Author By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

Blackburn Rovers blog: Charlie is the player Blues are missing Blackburn Rovers blog: Charlie is the player Blues are missing

CHARLIE Adam may have had a certain amount of fortune on his way to a brace at Ewood Park on Saturday, but his impact for Blackpool was a reminder of what Blackburn Rovers are still lacking.

Blackpool may survive this season because of the presence of a truly inspirational creative talent in central midfield.

In contrast, rarely have Rovers had a man in the heart of midfield who can change a game like Adam has done on so many occasions.

It is a problem, it should be noted for the sake of fairness, that existed before the arrival of Venky’s and the appointment of Steve Kean as boss.

David Dunn fulfilled the role for much of last season but his lack of injuries during 2009/10 was something of an exception.

He could still have an impact this season and beyond, but sadly Rovers cannot rely on his availability on a regular basis at the moment.

In Steven Nzonzi, Jermaine Jones, Vince Grella, Keith Andrews, Brett Emerton and even Phil Jones when utilised in midfield, Rovers have willing workers but none could be regarded as attacking playmakers.

Morten Gamst Pedersen is a more natural wide man and has now lost his place altogether, while Junior Hoilett can also operate centrally but often does his best work on the flanks.

That leaves Mauro Formica, the unknown quantity who one fears might be expected by some to be the season’s saviour when he makes his first-team debut.

Reports suggest he has quality, but how long it will take him to find his best form and what position he will operate in still remain unclear.

It is little wonder, then, that Rovers held an interest in Adam in January. With Liverpool and Tottenham in the hunt, he may be beyond their reach now.

But, should Rovers survive, it is likely they will need someone like Adam next season to avoid another campaign like this one.

Comments (13)

3:35pm Wed 23 Mar 11

randompenguin says...

Wasn't there talk of Rochina potentially playing there as he did for the reserves earlier this week to great effect?
Wasn't there talk of Rochina potentially playing there as he did for the reserves earlier this week to great effect? randompenguin

5:35pm Wed 23 Mar 11

jack01 says...

No andy, we don't need new players to avoid a relegation scrap. What we need is a manager who knows what he is doing. That is the difference between the souness', hughes' and allardyces of this world with the inces and the keans.

Don't delude yourself into thinking rovers are in this mess because the team isn't good enough. That is obviously not the case when you look at our comfortable mid table position up until january. Why not write an article on how rovers could do with a new manager, or would that upset your mate steve kean?
No andy, we don't need new players to avoid a relegation scrap. What we need is a manager who knows what he is doing. That is the difference between the souness', hughes' and allardyces of this world with the inces and the keans. Don't delude yourself into thinking rovers are in this mess because the team isn't good enough. That is obviously not the case when you look at our comfortable mid table position up until january. Why not write an article on how rovers could do with a new manager, or would that upset your mate steve kean? jack01

6:09pm Wed 23 Mar 11

DamienDuffsLeftFoot says...

Everyone is talking about Charlie Adams saying how good he is but he looked normaL to me from the Jack Walker stand. He scored a penny, anyone can do that. He scores a good free kick but thats all he did. No creativity, cant run, not a real influence against us. My question is if he cant stand out against us how will he do well for us!
Everyone is talking about Charlie Adams saying how good he is but he looked normaL to me from the Jack Walker stand. He scored a penny, anyone can do that. He scores a good free kick but thats all he did. No creativity, cant run, not a real influence against us. My question is if he cant stand out against us how will he do well for us! DamienDuffsLeftFoot

6:46pm Wed 23 Mar 11

langho says...

Why not try a 4-2-3-1 formation

Robinson
Emerton Samba Nelson Givet
Jones Jones
Hoilett Rochina Olsson
Santa

2 ball winners in both Jones to break up
Speed in attack with Hoilett and olsson
Craft from Rochina(Hopefully)
Santa up front
Why not try a 4-2-3-1 formation Robinson Emerton Samba Nelson Givet Jones Jones Hoilett Rochina Olsson Santa 2 ball winners in both Jones to break up Speed in attack with Hoilett and olsson Craft from Rochina(Hopefully) Santa up front langho

7:40pm Wed 23 Mar 11

jonecc says...

What is Chris Flanaghan on about,Blackpool are no better off than we are,even with C Adam. Anyone could point to a hundred players who could make a difference to a relegation threatened team,but that is fantasy football and lazy journalism.
What is Chris Flanaghan on about,Blackpool are no better off than we are,even with C Adam. Anyone could point to a hundred players who could make a difference to a relegation threatened team,but that is fantasy football and lazy journalism. jonecc

10:28pm Wed 23 Mar 11

rover_schultz10 says...

langho wrote:
Why not try a 4-2-3-1 formation Robinson Emerton Samba Nelson Givet Jones Jones Hoilett Rochina Olsson Santa 2 ball winners in both Jones to break up Speed in attack with Hoilett and olsson Craft from Rochina(Hopefully) Santa up front
I seem to remember a certain manager before Kean (BFS) who used to play one up front and always got slated for it every match, so i dont see that a lot of fans would like that, however, that line up you suggested looks a good one to me. Maybe you could go with a 4-1-3-2 drop J Jones and put Kalanic up with Crocky.
[quote][p][bold]langho[/bold] wrote: Why not try a 4-2-3-1 formation Robinson Emerton Samba Nelson Givet Jones Jones Hoilett Rochina Olsson Santa 2 ball winners in both Jones to break up Speed in attack with Hoilett and olsson Craft from Rochina(Hopefully) Santa up front[/p][/quote]I seem to remember a certain manager before Kean (BFS) who used to play one up front and always got slated for it every match, so i dont see that a lot of fans would like that, however, that line up you suggested looks a good one to me. Maybe you could go with a 4-1-3-2 drop J Jones and put Kalanic up with Crocky. rover_schultz10

11:05pm Wed 23 Mar 11

Gaz M says...

How about a blog for the Rovers fans -What do you think about the lancashire Telegraphs coverage of events at Ewood park. YOU WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH PAPER TO PRINT ALL THE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK YOU WOULD RECIEVE BECAUSE YOUR COVERAGE IS AMATEUR AND ALL DULL AND NOTHING HEADLINED C**P!!!!! for heavens sake employ some decent reporters.
How about a blog for the Rovers fans -What do you think about the lancashire Telegraphs coverage of events at Ewood park. YOU WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH PAPER TO PRINT ALL THE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK YOU WOULD RECIEVE BECAUSE YOUR COVERAGE IS AMATEUR AND ALL DULL AND NOTHING HEADLINED C**P!!!!! for heavens sake employ some decent reporters. Gaz M

12:16am Thu 24 Mar 11

roverspal says...

DamienDuffsLeftFoot wrote:
Everyone is talking about Charlie Adams saying how good he is but he looked normaL to me from the Jack Walker stand. He scored a penny, anyone can do that. He scores a good free kick but thats all he did. No creativity, cant run, not a real influence against us. My question is if he cant stand out against us how will he do well for us!
I WAS GOING TO SAY THE SAME BUT THOUGHT LEAVE IT OUT SOME PEOPLE DISLIKE ME...THOUGHT CHARLIE IS GOOD IN A BAD BUNCH,THUS WOULD BE DECENT BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH,LIKE FOR RANGERS..I ASSUME THAT'S WHY HE SAT ON THE BENCH THERE,NICE FREE KICK THOUGH
[quote][p][bold]DamienDuffsLeftFoot[/bold] wrote: Everyone is talking about Charlie Adams saying how good he is but he looked normaL to me from the Jack Walker stand. He scored a penny, anyone can do that. He scores a good free kick but thats all he did. No creativity, cant run, not a real influence against us. My question is if he cant stand out against us how will he do well for us![/p][/quote]I WAS GOING TO SAY THE SAME BUT THOUGHT LEAVE IT OUT SOME PEOPLE DISLIKE ME...THOUGHT CHARLIE IS GOOD IN A BAD BUNCH,THUS WOULD BE DECENT BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH,LIKE FOR RANGERS..I ASSUME THAT'S WHY HE SAT ON THE BENCH THERE,NICE FREE KICK THOUGH roverspal

12:18am Thu 24 Mar 11

roverspal says...

rover_schultz10 wrote:
langho wrote:
Why not try a 4-2-3-1 formation Robinson Emerton Samba Nelson Givet Jones Jones Hoilett Rochina Olsson Santa 2 ball winners in both Jones to break up Speed in attack with Hoilett and olsson Craft from Rochina(Hopefully) Santa up front
I seem to remember a certain manager before Kean (BFS) who used to play one up front and always got slated for it every match, so i dont see that a lot of fans would like that, however, that line up you suggested looks a good one to me. Maybe you could go with a 4-1-3-2 drop J Jones and put Kalanic up with Crocky.
PREFER LANGHO,S TEAM EVEN THOUGH AGAINST BRUM NIKO SHOULD START AHEAD OF RSC..umm
[quote][p][bold]rover_schultz10[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]langho[/bold] wrote: Why not try a 4-2-3-1 formation Robinson Emerton Samba Nelson Givet Jones Jones Hoilett Rochina Olsson Santa 2 ball winners in both Jones to break up Speed in attack with Hoilett and olsson Craft from Rochina(Hopefully) Santa up front[/p][/quote]I seem to remember a certain manager before Kean (BFS) who used to play one up front and always got slated for it every match, so i dont see that a lot of fans would like that, however, that line up you suggested looks a good one to me. Maybe you could go with a 4-1-3-2 drop J Jones and put Kalanic up with Crocky.[/p][/quote]PREFER LANGHO,S TEAM EVEN THOUGH AGAINST BRUM NIKO SHOULD START AHEAD OF RSC..umm roverspal

8:51am Thu 24 Mar 11

fitz808 says...

jack01 wrote:
No andy, we don't need new players to avoid a relegation scrap. What we need is a manager who knows what he is doing. That is the difference between the souness', hughes' and allardyces of this world with the inces and the keans.

Don't delude yourself into thinking rovers are in this mess because the team isn't good enough. That is obviously not the case when you look at our comfortable mid table position up until january. Why not write an article on how rovers could do with a new manager, or would that upset your mate steve kean?
rose...tinted...glas
ses... anyone???
can i play this selective stats game too?
highest league position under Kean's reign. worst defeat of the season under Allardyce... ah, i miss those glory days pre-january
there, that was fun!
[quote][p][bold]jack01[/bold] wrote: No andy, we don't need new players to avoid a relegation scrap. What we need is a manager who knows what he is doing. That is the difference between the souness', hughes' and allardyces of this world with the inces and the keans. Don't delude yourself into thinking rovers are in this mess because the team isn't good enough. That is obviously not the case when you look at our comfortable mid table position up until january. Why not write an article on how rovers could do with a new manager, or would that upset your mate steve kean?[/p][/quote]rose...tinted...glas ses... anyone??? can i play this selective stats game too? highest league position under Kean's reign. worst defeat of the season under Allardyce... ah, i miss those glory days pre-january there, that was fun! fitz808

9:02am Thu 24 Mar 11

bburnrover says...

A decent manager would never have brought in unknown players in the transfer window.I believe BFS would have brought in what was required as he had no previous financial support so had to play to his teams strengths.I think we would have 5 more points now with BFS in charge and a decent squad.Why did Anderson advise the know nothings to sack Sam just when we looked ok for the season? Alex Ferguson was correct in his appraisal of Anderson.
A decent manager would never have brought in unknown players in the transfer window.I believe BFS would have brought in what was required as he had no previous financial support so had to play to his teams strengths.I think we would have 5 more points now with BFS in charge and a decent squad.Why did Anderson advise the know nothings to sack Sam just when we looked ok for the season? Alex Ferguson was correct in his appraisal of Anderson. bburnrover

1:48pm Thu 24 Mar 11

jack01 says...

fitz808 wrote:
jack01 wrote:
No andy, we don't need new players to avoid a relegation scrap. What we need is a manager who knows what he is doing. That is the difference between the souness', hughes' and allardyces of this world with the inces and the keans.

Don't delude yourself into thinking rovers are in this mess because the team isn't good enough. That is obviously not the case when you look at our comfortable mid table position up until january. Why not write an article on how rovers could do with a new manager, or would that upset your mate steve kean?
rose...tinted...glas

ses... anyone???
can i play this selective stats game too?
highest league position under Kean's reign. worst defeat of the season under Allardyce... ah, i miss those glory days pre-january
there, that was fun!
Rose tinted glasses and selective stats?

Tell me, did we ever go 7 games without a win under allardyce?

Did we ever concede 4 at wigan, a team with just two wins since xmas?

A few facts about kean's glorious reign to date:

In 13 league games in charge, rovers have won a massive 3 games (that's an incredibly bad 23%, compare to allardyce's ratio of something like 36% over TWO YEARS)

We are on a run of 7 league games without a win, which I will put my house on being 8. In that time we have played the likes of wigan (4 conceded), villa (4 conceded), fulham (3 conceded), blackpool (2 conceded) and lest we forget the worst home performance in years against newcastle. The only decent side we have played during kean's tenure has been chelsea away. No united, no city, no arsenal.

Kean can't even use the 'settling in' excuse - he was already at the club and knew all the players & their strengths/weaknesses
. Compare to roy hodgson who has had an immediate impact at west brom with a side worse than ours - because he is a proper manager.

Very easy for kean to achieve our highest league position when he had the fruits of sam's labour to build on.

You know that at 4:45 on saturday we were in the relegation zone before that scrappy last minute equaliser against the worst team in the league at home? Care to remind me if or when sam ever had us in such a position?

So yes, i do miss those glory days of pre-december when sam was incharge. Safe in the knowledge we would survive relegation and had one of the strongest home records in the division.
[quote][p][bold]fitz808[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]jack01[/bold] wrote: No andy, we don't need new players to avoid a relegation scrap. What we need is a manager who knows what he is doing. That is the difference between the souness', hughes' and allardyces of this world with the inces and the keans. Don't delude yourself into thinking rovers are in this mess because the team isn't good enough. That is obviously not the case when you look at our comfortable mid table position up until january. Why not write an article on how rovers could do with a new manager, or would that upset your mate steve kean?[/p][/quote]rose...tinted...glas ses... anyone??? can i play this selective stats game too? highest league position under Kean's reign. worst defeat of the season under Allardyce... ah, i miss those glory days pre-january there, that was fun![/p][/quote]Rose tinted glasses and selective stats? Tell me, did we ever go 7 games without a win under allardyce? Did we ever concede 4 at wigan, a team with just two wins since xmas? A few facts about kean's glorious reign to date: In 13 league games in charge, rovers have won a massive 3 games (that's an incredibly bad 23%, compare to allardyce's ratio of something like 36% over TWO YEARS) We are on a run of 7 league games without a win, which I will put my house on being 8. In that time we have played the likes of wigan (4 conceded), villa (4 conceded), fulham (3 conceded), blackpool (2 conceded) and lest we forget the worst home performance in years against newcastle. The only decent side we have played during kean's tenure has been chelsea away. No united, no city, no arsenal. Kean can't even use the 'settling in' excuse - he was already at the club and knew all the players & their strengths/weaknesses . Compare to roy hodgson who has had an immediate impact at west brom with a side worse than ours - because he is a proper manager. Very easy for kean to achieve our highest league position when he had the fruits of sam's labour to build on. You know that at 4:45 on saturday we were in the relegation zone before that scrappy last minute equaliser against the worst team in the league at home? Care to remind me if or when sam ever had us in such a position? So yes, i do miss those glory days of pre-december when sam was incharge. Safe in the knowledge we would survive relegation and had one of the strongest home records in the division. jack01

4:55pm Fri 25 Mar 11

fitz808 says...

Jack 01 - some interesting points made, but i just don't agree that everything was rosie under allardyce.
league position on 13th december - 13th
league position today - 13th

i will not argue with you that if the pure focus was premiership survival and we were starting from today, it would make sense to have allardyce's experience.
however, i find football is much more complex than that. would i enjoy any of the games we would play with allardyce in charge - no, i don't think i would. i hated every minute of that. not the man, but the style of football my club was playing.
we now may have a slightly increased chance of relegation, due to a manager with less experience. but we are playing a much more interested brand of football and we have a shot at aiming higher. that is better in my opinion. i know it's not better in yours, so we'll just have to disagree.
Jack 01 - some interesting points made, but i just don't agree that everything was rosie under allardyce. league position on 13th december - 13th league position today - 13th i will not argue with you that if the pure focus was premiership survival and we were starting from today, it would make sense to have allardyce's experience. however, i find football is much more complex than that. would i enjoy any of the games we would play with allardyce in charge - no, i don't think i would. i hated every minute of that. not the man, but the style of football my club was playing. we now may have a slightly increased chance of relegation, due to a manager with less experience. but we are playing a much more interested brand of football and we have a shot at aiming higher. that is better in my opinion. i know it's not better in yours, so we'll just have to disagree. fitz808

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