Blackburn Rovers 2000-

A COUPLE of years ago we played Southampton at home and it was a nothing game.

Then Keith Gillespie went to take on the full back and the gaffer was chasing him down the touchline shouting 'take him on, take him on'. He got off his bench and actually ran after Keith and I thought 'that's proper passion'.

People have fall-outs with him but that's what I've always liked, his passion for the game.

He's helped me with injuries and let me stay in the gym once a week. It's harder work training during the week than it is on a Saturday because as a centre half I'd just stand in the one place heading and tackling, but in training you have to be a midfielder doing possession drills and that's where you get your injuries.

So he said 'go in the gym once or twice a week' which has been great for me. He lets me get on with it and do my own thing.