Dickov's goals are priceless

KARREN Brady needs to take a long, hard look at herself in the mirror after slamming the way Blackburn Rovers conduct their transfer business.

If the Birmingham City chief executive genuinely believes the £2.2 million offer Rovers made for Robbie Savage last week was 'derisory' then exactly how would you describe her £200,000 counter-bid for Paul Dickov?

Right now, the Scotland international is absolutely priceless to Blackburn Rovers' survival hopes and his manager Mark Hughes wouldn't consider selling him for all the tea in China.

Dickov's seventh goal of the season - and his second in three days over the Christmas period - provided Rovers with their first top-flight victory at Bolton Wanderers in 40 years.

And such was the quality of his winner here that even Bolton boss Sam Allardyce was gracious enough to pay tribute to it as he opened his post-match inquest into Wanderers' sixth straight Premiership defeat.

There appeared to be little imminent danger when Dickov seized on a lay-off from Steven Reid with his back to goal on the edge of Bolton's penalty area in the seventh minute.

But in the blink of an eye, the 32-year-old made a yard of space for himself before cracking a wonderful first time volley that fairly fizzed past the startled Finnish international.

It was a stroke of pure genius that illuminated this 131st meeting between these two old adversaries and if ever a goal and a performance underlined Dickov's true value to this team then surely this was it.

After firing Rovers ahead, it was the former Leicester striker who set the tempo for his team-mates to follow by chasing and harrying an edgy-looking Wanderers back four.

It was a magnificent example of defending from the front, and Hughes was later glowing in his praise of a player who has had a massive impact on Rovers' season so far.

The jubilant Rovers boss said: "It was a great strike on the turn and I was pleased for Paul because he put in another great performance today.

"He never gave their back four a moment's peace and he really dragged people along with him through his enthusiasm and desire to do well so I'm delighted for him that he was able to get the winner.

"But the overall performance of the team is the thing that should get the headlines and I think Paul would acknowledge that himself because his team-mates battled really hard to protect that winning goal."

It's taken time for Hughes to mould this side into his own image and likeness but all the hard work on the training ground is now beginning to bear fruit.

Rovers are no longer the pushovers they once were - the bare facts tell you that.

Just one defeat in 10 games is hardly the form of a struggling side, even if seven of those matches have ended in draws.

The key to the turnaround has been a new defensive resolve that was never evident at any stage under Graeme Souness.

Four clean sheets in the last six games have given Hughes the solid foundation he's been craving since September.

Once again, Andy Todd was a rock at the back as Bolton struggled to break down a stubborn Rovers rearguard.

The former Wanderers defender comfortably snuffed out the aerial threat of the dangerous Kevin Davies, who is normally the focal point of so many Bolton attacks.

And with Garry Flitcroft and Barry Ferguson soaking up the pressure in front of the back four, Brad Friedel barely had a shot to save all afternoon.

Bolton's storming start to the season now seems like a distant memory, so much so that they went into the game on the back of a five-match losing streak.

Their lack of confidence was apparent straight from the kick-off as Jaaskelainen was forced into his first meaningful save inside the opening 30 seconds.

Hesitancy in the Wanderers defence allowed Jay Bothroyd in on the right but his shot was beaten away by Jaaskelainen at his near post.

Six minutes later, however, the Finnish international could only watch in awe as Rovers broke the deadlock in sensational style.

Nissa Johansson floated a pass in towards Bothroyd, who was jostling with a defender on the edge of the area,

and as the ball broke loose, it found its way to Dickov via the chest of Reid and his volley flashed past Jaaskelainen in a blur.

That goal fazed Wanderers and for a spell they struggled to keep possession as Rovers dominated the midfield skirmishes.

In a rare foray forward, Davies crossed for Henrik Pedersen who was lurking menacingly at the far post but the Dane's volley crept harmlessly wide.

Then El-Hadji Diouf sunk to the ground under a challenge from Johansson in the area but referee Rob Styles quite rightly waved away his feeble penalty appeal.

Rovers were dealt a blow in the 25th minute when Bothroyd limped out of the action with a recurrence of a thigh injury, prompting the arrival of Jon Stead from the bench.

Within minutes, however, Stead went agonisingly close to ending his seven-month goal-drought when his towering header from Reid's cross came crashing back off the bar with Jaaskelainen well beaten.

Rovers had a scare of their own on the stroke of half-time when Diouf arrowed a cross towards Pedersen but the Dane just failed to get enough purchase on his header to beat Friedel.

Sam Allardyce no doubt had some harsh words to say to his players during the half-time interval and his pep talk had the desired effect as Bolton emerged with greater purpose at the beginning of the second half.

Diouf and Okocha, Wanderers' two main creative forces, began to ask some searching questions of Todd and Johansson but Rovers' central defensive duo came up with the answers.

As the half wore on, Bolton became more and more desperate.

Diouf threw himself to the ground once again in the area in another blatant attempt to con Mr Styles but amazingly he escaped a booking.

Then Allardyce went for broke by throwing on veteran striker Les Ferdinand during the closing stages but despite bombarding the box with a succession of high balls, Wanderers failed to crack a determined Rovers rearguard.

In the dying seconds, Reid should have calmed any fraying nerves when Stead put a chance on a plate for him but he shot wide with only Jaaskelainen to beat.

It didn't matter, though, as Rovers held on to grab a win that edges them a step nearer safety.

8

FACE ACHE: Dickov feels the pain after a Bruno N'Gotty challenge

Pictures: CLIVE LAWRENCE

Bolton (4-3-3): Jaaskelainen; Hunt, Gardner, N'Gotty, Jaidi; Okocha, Speed, Stelios; Pedersen, Davies, Diouf. Subs: Vaz Te (for Pedersen, 53), Hierro (for Speed, 72), Ferdinand (for Stelios, 76) Not used: Barness, Poole

Referee: Mr R Styles 7

Bookings: Rovers; Ferguson, Flitcroft Bolton; Jaidi

Sendings off: None

Attendance: 27,038

Goals: 0-1 Dickov, 7 mins