We can survive without cash, insists Blackburn Rovers midfielder Dunn (From Lancashire Telegraph)

News RSS Feed Send your news, pictures & videos

We can survive without cash, insists Blackburn Rovers midfielder Dunn

1:10pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter

DAVID Dunn admits it is becoming increasingly difficult for Blackburn Rovers to compete financially with some of the Premier League big guns – but insists money isn’t everything ahead of the scrap for survival.

The Rovers midfielder will hope to play a key role in tonight’s crucial Premier League visit of Newcastle United and, with the January transfer window now shut, is firmly focused on the challenge ahead.

Little money has been spent by Rovers to bolster the squad this month, despite Steve Kean’s attempts to add experience, but Dunn believes other factors can still help Rovers retain their top flight status.

He said: “I know there have been a lot of things read out there and said and there are things people should have not said, but it is important everyone realises the Premier League is improving every year.

“Every season there are better players here, the top players in the world want to play here, it is very lucrative and that attracts the top players.

“I said earlier in the season one player on Man City’s bench cost more than the owners paid for this club. Of course it is going to get more difficult.

“What we have to try and do is have the best team spirit and the best determination and dedication in the league and do the other bits as well as we can and make sure we try to make up on that side.”

The 32-year-old has already made more than 250 appearances for the club and, having last week signed a contract extension taking him until the summer of 2013, Dunn isn’t planning on cutting short his Rovers love story yet.

His new role involves a part time coaching role as well, as he starts to plan for the future, but he is adamant his priority remains on helping Rovers out of the mire with his performances on the pitch.

He said: “The new deal is a bit of a player coach element. I will be working with Gary Bowyer with the reserves at times and will be doing all my badges, at the moment I am halfway through. In three or four years, hopefully I can step into something.

“I would prefer to finish my career here but that is down to the club and what they want to do. At the minute I am here for another 18 months and then we will revaluate and see where we.

“At the minute it is important to say I am still 100 per cent a player and that is something I am fully focused on. I have had a conversation with the manager about coaching and they were keen on me doing something here. It is a different role but it is important it does not affect my playing at the moment.

“Management is definitely something that appeals to me. There are a lot of ex players though who are trying to get in and a lot of good coaches and we are all fighting for those same jobs. It interests me a couple of years down the line.”

“It is important to have a blend of experience and young players. We have got a really good group of young players but experience is vital, certainly at this stage.

“If we are going to be in this relegation battle it is going to be very important for the senior players to dig in because we know what this is all about.”

Rovers are looking to follow up their impressive home win over Fulham with another victory at home as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.

And, after much turmoil off the field this season, Dunn believes the recent improved atmosphere at Ewood Park can only help.

“Our supporters came under a lot of criticism when they were protesting inside the ground and it was a very difficult stadium to play in,” said Dunn. “But you have to give them credit for the way they have stayed out of the ground and the last couple of weeks they have been as good as I have seen them in all of my career.

“It is difficult because when you have made a stance it is very difficult to turn back but they all realise for the good of the team they needed to keep it out of the ground and give us 100 per cent.

“We have had some really good positive results in recent weeks. Maybe there needs to be a little more communication from the club but if I had spent £30m on a club, I would feel I had a right to run it as I wanted.”

Comments(54)

RobbyRover says...
1:36pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Does this include your wages Dunny? You'll be on a canny whack and they may not be paid in March!