Rovers Too Good for the Drop

By Brian Lofrumento | 8th March 2009

Rovers Too Good for the Drop | read this item

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benni-mccarthy With only eleven fixtures remaining for Blackburn this season, the side sit firmly in the bottom three. Yes, the former Premier League champions are currently in a relegation spot. Shocking stuff, I know.

I can’t help but wonder how Blackburn got there in the first place. On paper, Rovers are way too good to go down, and Championship football would not suit this squad at all. All signs, however, point to the gamble made over the summer. Paul Ince, an untested manager at the top level, was brought into the squad. With him came mediocre players (that means you, Keith Andrews) and out went some Premiership class players (namely David Bentley and Brad Friedel). Nonetheless, the squad that remains at Ewood Park is certainly good enough to be in the world’s finest league come August.

The sacking of Paul Ince and the signing of Sam Allardyce appeared to do the trick. Big Sam went on a long unbeaten run with Blackburn, but the side’s inability to turn draws into wins has cost them. Their home form hasn’t been all that great, either. Only one squad in the Premier League has worse home form this season: Hull City. Even the Tigers, after their great start, find themselves in the relegation scrap at the tail end of the season. To put things into perspective, even Premiership strugglers West Bromwich Albion have had better home form! Ewood Park is not the fortress it once was.

So what makes me say Blackburn is too good for the drop? Mainly, the players at their disposal. Looking at their teamsheet, Blackburn boast internationals from all corners of the world. Benni McCarthy leads the way up top, and his strike partner Roque Santa Cruz is no stranger to the goalscorers’ sheet. Backup striker Jason Roberts is another international, and even in his limited appearances this season he’s managed six Premier League goals.

In the Rovers midfield stands Morten Gamst Pedersen, a player who many have hailed as the best player outside of the Big Four. While the Norwegian hasn’t been in his best form in the 2008/09 season, few players around the Premier League have been. Fellow wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and David Bentley have also failed to impress, so Pedersen’s drop in form isn’t out of the ordinary. With this in mind, the arrival of El-Hadji Diouf brought even more quality to the Blackburn midfield.

The Blackburn back line consists of some of the most solid defenders in the league. Admittedly, I am a huge fan of Christopher Samba. The massive center back not only defends well, but in the air he is an attacking force. Ryan Nelsen is one of the most dependable center backs in the league, and he leads a solid back four. Paul Robinson in goal should give the Blackburn players a bit more confidence, as the English goalkeeper is outstanding when in form.

There’s no doubt about it – the players on show at Ewood Park are far too good to be playing Championship football next season. Sitting 18th in the table, it’s now up to Big Sam and his players to find a way up the table before May rolls around. For their sake and for football, I truly hope Blackburn stay up this season.

Are you tipping Blackburn for the drop? Have your say in the comments section or head on over to the Premiership Talk Forum!