Report this comment
  • "
    jeppo wrote:
    I hesitate to make a positive point re Mr Kean, as he really has done a poor job at Rovers and has embarrassed himself with some of the comments and predictions.
    .
    It seems to be however, that he is picking these players and has decent relationships with them.
    .
    It definitely looked like his previous signings were all just thrust upon him and that his hands were tied in the situations with such as Nelsen, Roberts, Samba.
    .
    ...or of course, it could be that the club are just giving us some good news before telling us some more bad!!
    Since when were inexperienced managers given chance after chance after chance though, each time with their excuses readily accepted?

    This is football management not a school project.

    In football, you don't constantly accept excuses, and then sack the whole team, to suit a badly performing manager, you sack the manager."
  • This field is mandatory
  • This field is mandatory

  • Please note we will not accept reports with HTML tags or URLs in them.


  • Enter the above word in the box below

Please be fair, courteous and respectful to the views of others so we can build a vibrant community in a safe online environment. You are personal liable for your comments and action will be taken against anyone who offends, ridicules or posts malicious and damaging views. If you wish to complain, please contact us.

Gallacher hails Rovers’ swoop for striker Leon Best

7:48am Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Andy Cryer , Blackburn Rovers reporter

'PROMISING' Gallacher hails Leon Best 'PROMISING' Gallacher hails Leon Best

LEON Best’s £3million move to Blackburn Rovers continues a “promising” start to pre season – but the Ewood faithful should not expect the former Newcastle man to be the ‘next Yakubu’.

That is the verdict of former Rovers striker Kevin Gallacher, who has watched Best in action closely at both the Magpies and Coventry City, clubs he also played for.

Best completed his four-year deal early yesterday evening to become Rovers’ second signing of the summer, after former Fulham skipper Danny Murphy joined last week.

Portuguese youth international Fabio Nunes is also expected to put to pen paper imminently, with his medical set to be completed today, while former Benfica striker Nuno Gomes is also expected to sign later this week.

Sporting Lisbon midfielder Adrien Silva remains a target for the Championship new boys although a deal has yet to be agreed for the highly-sought after 23-year-old.

Best, 25, has not been known for a prolific strike rate during his career and Gallacher believes Rovers are signing a different ‘type’ of player to the now departed Yakubu.

Gallacher said: “Leon is a decent Championship signing. He is a good Championship player, who maybe struggled in the Premier League at times.

“You never know how many goals he will score at Blackburn until you see the players around him and the formation he will be playing in. He maybe isn’t as prolific a goal scorer as Yakubu was.

“He is a different type of player though. You will get more movement out of him and he will be better suited to playing the one up front role, if needed.

“Yak had a fantastic season. You might not get one player scoring the goals he did but we have to be looking at replacing those goals between a couple of our strikers. I believe we have the fire power now, we just need to create the chances.”

The make up of Rovers squad for next season remains uncertain ahead of the start of pre season training on Thursday, with a number of players still understood to be looking for exits.

Gallacher though believes the addition of Murphy and Best is a good start but knows that has to be built on by manager Steve Kean and Venky’s.

“It is a promising start isn’t it?”, he said. “Danny Murphy should be a good signing, as long as he maintains the enthusiasm, and will add more creativity to the midfield.

“We all knew we needed players more used to English football and we at least seem to be adding that now. There is more to do but is a promising start, after what has happened.

“I watched Leon a lot when he was at Coventry and, on his day, he was a very good striker. Towards the end of his time he perhaps didn’t look interested but he got a good move to Newcastle and did okay there.

“If Rovers can get him in the right frame of mind, then I’m sure they have got themselves a good player.”

Local Businesses

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree