Blackburn Rovers blog: Ruud response sign of the times at Ewood (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn Rovers blog: Ruud response sign of the times at Ewood

1:50pm Wednesday 30th March 2011 in Chris Flanagan By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

Blackburn Rovers blog: Ruud response sign of the times at Ewood

ONE imagines Steve Kean and Venky’s might have spent the week scratching their heads at the public reaction to their pursuit of Ruud van Nistelrooy, but the response perfectly illustrated their current problem. They just can’t win.

In normal circumstances, ‘Rovers chase good but slightly ageing player’ would most likely be met with an open-minded approach rather than an outcry (see Appendix 1: Michel Salgado).

But these are not normal circumstances and public perception has changed because of it – perhaps a little unfairly in Van Nistelrooy’s case.

Had Rovers gone unbeaten in their last seven games, rather than failing to win, and been in the top half, instead of one point above the drop zone, then an ambition to sign the Dutchman might have been better received.

Some have still been in favour, but there have been plenty – both inside and outside of the town – who have declared it the worst idea since unsliced bread.

Rovers cannot win on the field, and that probably has much to do with why they cannot win off it either – even if they have not exactly helped themselves.

Failed attempts for David Beckham and Ronaldinho meant confirmation of an interest in Van Nistelrooy made Rovers sound to some like the boy who cried wolf (or perhaps horse?).

That is understandable, yet still unfortunate. Van Nistelrooy may be a little long in the tooth – and he’s getting on a bit as well – but perhaps on this occasion Rovers have been unfairly maligned.

A goalscorer always retains his instincts and, although Rovers will have a hard job convincing him to come to Ewood, the task does not seem so impossible that they should not try.

They will be in no position to sign Van Nistelrooy if they go down, of course, but it remains prudent to at least make tentative plans should they stay up.

And although their entire budget should not be spent on the 34-year-old, if Venky’s were to decide to pay for him as an extra, what’s the harm?

Approval ratings for Van Nistelrooy are not high right now. Whether that changes may yet have little to do with the Dutchman, and more to do with results in the next few weeks.

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