Rovers midfield general says he is back to his best (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Rovers midfield general says he is back to his best
6:10am Saturday 17th November 2012 in News
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
DANNY Murphy’s summer arrival at Blackburn Rovers was seen by many as a pivotal moment in Venky’s bid to earn an instant Premier League return.
A former England international who starred at Fulham in the top flight just the season previous, the 35-year-old was brought to Ewood to be the man to ‘run the show’.
Few can argue, three months in, his impact has been disappointing. Rather than providing the impetus for a promotion push, Murphy has had to cope with being a victim of the ‘boo-boys’ after struggling to reach the standards expected of him.
Jeers from the stands were followed by Murphy being axed from the starting line-up, but Henning Berg’s arrival as manager has sparked something of a mini revival.
Murphy was cheered off the pitch in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham and, having preceded that with an encour-aging display at Huddersfield, the midfielder is hoping the improvement continues.
He said: “The reception did mean a lot to me on Saturday, it meant a huge amount.
“I can guarantee I have been more frustrated than any fan when I haven’t been able to influence things on the pitch more than I have.
“It is funny you go back many years and my old Crewe manager Dario Gradi said ‘you are someone who will grow on fans’ .
“I had a slow start at Charlton and at Liverpool. Ideally I would like a fast start everywhere I play but, the way I play, I have to find my rhythm.
“It is only a couple of games playing well by the way.
“I need a couple of months for it to be beneficial to the team and for the supporters to see the best of me.
“I have been as frustrated as anyone I haven’t been able to bring the type of performance they expected having done it at Fulham.
“I think maybe partly I walked into it thinking maybe it would just happen the same.
“Football is not like that and obviously at this level other players and teams give me respect and try to shut me down and close me down and I have had to live with that and adapt to that.
“It did mean a lot because having the fans on side you can see the difference both in individual performances and the collective.
“When the fans are behind you, everything is positive. The lads spoke about it on Saturday about how the atmosphere was more relaxed, everyone seemed to be in together.
“There was an encouragement feeling about the place.
“The fans seemed with us. They have had a tough time, the supporters, I do feel for them but I can’t stress enough how important that (getting behind the team) is going to be – at home especially.
“Some players say they don’t hear things well, when they are behind you, you hear it.”
So what’s changed? Murphy believes a combination of factors have seen him starting to win his critics over.
Fitness and mentality are two reasons cited for his recent upturn but the biggest positive for the former Liverpool man is the methods of new boss Berg.
“The way we have played in the last two games is largely down to the manager and the fact he has been working hard on the training pitch on getting the ball out from the back and playing from the back,” said Murphy.
“Sometimes it is easy to say but working on the training pitch on how to play from the back when you are pressed has helped everyone in their possession and passing stats over the last couple of games.
“The position Ruben Rochina is playing and his last two performances have been vital for our improvement because what Ruben has got is fantastic ability to take the ball in, wherever he is, and keep it.
“He has great skills and great awareness and for me, when you are getting the ball more from the back four you are more likely to make something happen, and with Ruben always seeming to be in space it always gives me an option.
“For me to benefit a team we have to play a certain way. I need to be in a team that plays because I am a foot-baller.
“Analysing the stats as I do, there have not been enough games where I have felt I have had enough of the ball to make an impact.
“That is not looking for excuses because you can argue I should still have an impact and that is fair enough.”
Rovers travel to Peterborough this afternoon still looking to give Berg his first win as boss but Murphy is confident, if performances continue as they have in the past couple of games, results will soon follow.
He is also relishing his own role in the future, after admitting being dropped by caretaker boss Eric Black gave him the kick he needed.
He said: “They were much better performances from myself.
“Part of that is I have worked hard in the past couple of weeks making myself fitter and sharper.
“I found myself out of the team for a bit and that was maybe a blessing, it gave me a kick up the backside “It is not just about running around the pitch. I am talking about making sure you are eating right, making sure you are getting your rests and making sure you are giving yourself every chance to be right when the games come along.
“Rather than just turning up, having a banana and out we go, you have to slow down and think what you need, there are lots of little things involved when I say about getting yourself right.
“Sometimes it is a subconscious thing, you have so many games sometimes you think it is about ‘getting through training instead of training with that intensity. It is a fine balance at that level.
“For the last few years at Fulham we had such a settled way of playing my job was so easy and I was so comfortable in the way I played. Maybe I didn’t think too much about how I would have to adapt.
“I like to think I have turned a corner. We do feel the fans are with the manager and with us now and that is going to be a big advantage as the months go on.
“You can play as well as you want though, we have to win games and get up that table.
“We have to get the balance between playing well and winning matches.
“With the squad we have got there is no excuse.”
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (42)
8:15am Sat 17 Nov 12
oneSimonGarner says...
8:19am Sat 17 Nov 12
andyjco says...
Diamonds - I agree something is right about venkys, but its time to get behind berg and the team. Berg is his own man - he proved that in his last job where he fell out with the owners because he wouldnt stand for their incompetence
He's the right man for us now - lets give him the backing he needs..
8:20am Sat 17 Nov 12
andyjco says...
8:29am Sat 17 Nov 12
padlebrfc says...
A majority of fans are trying to be positive and with Berg at the helm things are looking a lot brighter. The owners have made massive mistakes since taking control of the club but to me they seem to be making better decisions and making a real effort to take the club forward again. I am prepared to grasp this chance and back the team all the way. It is going to be tough but if Murphy really is back to his best and the likes of Rochina putting in dazzling displays why not look on the bright side.
8:43am Sat 17 Nov 12
French Rover says...
8:43am Sat 17 Nov 12
diamonds2india says...
.
Are supposed to be impressed with the appointment of someone who has an appalling record in management when they could have had any number of managers to choose from??
.
Are they supposed to be impressed by a former player - turned failed manager - turned bankrupt - turned pensioner robber - turned alleged woman beater - turned defensive coach on the books??
.
Are they supposed to be impressed by some idiotic baffoon who passes himself off as a 'global advisor'??
.
Are they supposed to be impressed that a decent manager was paid off and replaced by a kit man??
.
Sorry pal...you can try all the BS in the world (through the various accounts on here) but nobody 'outside cyberspace' believes your claptrap!!
8:45am Sat 17 Nov 12
diamonds2india says...
8:46am Sat 17 Nov 12
French Rover says...
8:48am Sat 17 Nov 12
diamonds2india says...
8:52am Sat 17 Nov 12
diamonds2india says...
9:04am Sat 17 Nov 12
diamonds2india says...
9:21am Sat 17 Nov 12
Rovers 1495 says...
teams give me respect and try to shut me down and close me down
everyone seemed to be in together.
There was an encouragement feeling about the place
Andy,
Either Mr Murphy cannot speak correctly, you cannot take notes, or you need to sack your proof reader.
9:25am Sat 17 Nov 12
Bazzer says...
But are they "nuts" - or are they systematically destroying and milking the club that Uncle Jack built? No wonder it is all sending some of us a little nuts. Be on your guard! Be vigilant! But follow Rovers!
9:25am Sat 17 Nov 12
diamonds2india says...
9:28am Sat 17 Nov 12
diamonds2india says...
9:29am Sat 17 Nov 12
BlueSkies says...
You really should try to get out more. Take up a hobby or an interest outside of this site.
9:31am Sat 17 Nov 12
French Rover says...
FYI - I wish I was in a hotel and going to the game you cretin!
But its Kronenburg 1664's in the chiller and eyes glued to the evil murdoch SKY box tonight at 6:20 and then shouting at the television as the Rovers storm to a comprehensive win and three points!
9:34am Sat 17 Nov 12
diamonds2india says...
9:35am Sat 17 Nov 12
diamonds2india says...
9:40am Sat 17 Nov 12
oneSimonGarner says...
9:41am Sat 17 Nov 12
French Rover says...
He is gone, he is two managers ago now and yes BFS was infinitely better than the man they replaced him with but that was then and this is now. BFS was a victim of the sale by the WT and then Venkys canned him because they could. That is all.
Time to get over it now surely and do exactly what you say and follow the Rovers. BTW - if you find the yourself agreeing with smelly more than once a week (if ever) then that should be more than enough of a sanity warning
9:43am Sat 17 Nov 12
French Rover says...
9:57am Sat 17 Nov 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
How come you have an opinion on Rovers but haven't been to ewood in over two years? That makes you a non-supporter. If you payed your way and went down to watch I may listen to your drivel. But you can't talk about football because you haven't seen any.
You kept on going on about the appointment of Berg being wrong and papping on about Mick Mcarthy and guess what?
He's just signed Bradley Orr, Keans right hand man. Is Mick Mcarthy part of the SYNDICATE? do they visit you at night with their rubber gloves??
Still the mayan calendar ends soon so you'll have to move into your bunker in the back garden very shortly. Better check your Hazmat suit.
9:57am Sat 17 Nov 12
Brunzig says...
WN, you boring horrible b*stard. Go and get a life........better yet, go and get a job!
9:59am Sat 17 Nov 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
10:15am Sat 17 Nov 12
greenscreener says...
10:21am Sat 17 Nov 12
ChrisDeBerg says...
It's just really sad that you actually pretend to be a rovers fan to feel wanted and not alone with the tumbleweeds on the burnley pages.
And before you rant off about league position take a look at where your own team is in the league..
RTID
10:26am Sat 17 Nov 12
Return of the Magnificent se7en says...
10:36am Sat 17 Nov 12
oneSimonGarner says...
10:56am Sat 17 Nov 12
sonny says...
its only oddballs like you that the club could do without so it can just get on with healing after a couple of nightmare years.
10:59am Sat 17 Nov 12
greenscreener says...
Maybe we can get back to some football chat soon.
Big chance for Berg to show the lost fans what he's trying to do today.
COYB
11:05am Sat 17 Nov 12
Chico! says...
Yes you're right, every other poster on this site is a Venkeys agent, all part of a nefarious plan for world domination! Me included! BWAH HA HA HA HA!
You are the only one that knows the truth !
Our hero! Frantically posting from the bedroom he rents off his mum, our little tin-foil hatted terrier!
Bless x
11:08am Sat 17 Nov 12
blueblooded says...
Unfortunately prats like smelly leave a stench that normal people will find details offensive and as you can see he has successfully managed to hijack most articles recently by turning the attention to his lunacy. Regardless of the fact that few people read past the first few words of his inane boring and frankly dingle stupid posts.
11:24am Sat 17 Nov 12
blueblooded says...
I'll see you at the game Danny, here's to a dominating away performance and three points!
CoYB!!
11:50am Sat 17 Nov 12
pbirty says...
12:06pm Sat 17 Nov 12
handyamBRFC says...
Ultimately we need to win matches.
A lot of positives from the last couple of games, although just draws.
We should be winning.....but its football.
many players have looked better then what they have of late.
However, the issue of tired players remains a big issue.
Many are talking about the issue of fitness.....!
yes that is a problem but.....is it the only issue......
I would say that its the age & pace of many BRFC players that's the real cause of the problem.
We have too many old or slow players at the club.
Football is a fast game and we require players capable of playing for 90 minutes.
Unfortunately, we cant expect older players to last that long.
Hence, in my view we need to find players in the age range of 20- 27.
These days clubs are increasingly keen to lower the average age of their players, albeit with an eye on future sell-on value in the transfer market, but experience is still important if a club is to be successful.
Which clubs have got the balance right and which are veering to far in one direction? Well it seems BRFC have got too many elderly players and playing together in matches does not help their cause.
BRFC need to replace their pensioners quickly do as the other top clubs do. We should not be buying older players but Yes we should keep the ones that are older within the club to give much needed experience for other younger players. The average age of footballers in my opinion should be around 22 - 27 and in my view the clubs that have got the balance right are successful. e.g Man Utd, Liverpool...etc.
The teams with too many older statesmen in the long run are veering to far in one direction? and that is a losing position to have in football.
BRFC have got elderly players playing in important positions and we cant expect them to compete for 90 minutes...its simply not possible for elderly people.
BRFC have got slow and elderly players in positions which require faster paced players.
the center of our defense is slow and cumbersome.
the center of our midfield is slow and cumbersome.
Yes, I agree D Murphy was a great player in his heyday and YES he was a good player in his heyday...
but that was many years ago.
he is past it at best and will only be able to have a few good games.
We need to accept he is old now and virtually past it.
maybe Etuhu did play well at times in the past. but the same applies to him also.
most important......
However, in my opinion, we need to find a youngish midfield general who can dictate play and provide the link up with the strikers.
We need all action heroes as befitting BRFC.
what do you think...let us know........HB is keen to know your thoughts....i'm sure....ha...ha...!!
12:28pm Sat 17 Nov 12
French Blue&White says...
HENNING BERGS BLUE AN WHITE ARMY!!!!
12:46pm Sat 17 Nov 12
Navy-Rover says...
All the true Rovers fans on here know that he is a complete fruit loop and has absolutely no idea what he's prattling on about.
I find him good for my morale when he spews out his 'conspiracy' theories and nonsensical claptrap. Keep it coming, i say! Keep us all laughing... at you.... not with you!
COYB! 3 points today!!!!
2:50pm Sat 17 Nov 12
Iiii1111 says...
3:27pm Sat 17 Nov 12
kenbro says...
4:00pm Sat 17 Nov 12
merlinrabbit says...
6:22pm Sat 17 Nov 12
moh says...