Blackburn need to shore up their midfield and defence
I’m not convinced that Blackburn have the defence or midfield to make a play for a Uefa Cup place this season.
Tugay, Savage, Dunn and Mokoena are able central midfielders, but with Tugay’s age and Savage and Mokoena doing better as hatchetmen than offensive midfielders, any injury to Dunn leaves the Blackburn midfield woefully exposed.
Similarly, Blackburn’s defence relies too much on Friedel, Nelson and Warnock.
Up front and on the wings Blackburn are fine, although if the Pedersen rumours are true then Blackburn will have a big hole to fill and I doubt they’ll be able to do that this season unless a loan deal comes in.
Overall, Blackburn are short of about 2 quality players, one in defence and one in midfield.
What do you guys (especially Blackburn fans) think? Is the current squad good enough to mount a strong challenge for a Uefa Cup spot? How will Blackburn replace Pedersen?
And who can Hughes bring in to shore up the squad in the last two weeks?
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You’re absolutely correct, we do need an extra midfielder and a defender, especially a right back specialist.. Justin Hoyte have been mentioned and would be an excellent signing, methinks. In midfield, Flamini, Nolan and particularly Arteta would strengthen are starting XI (although Flamini is probably the only realistic target).
On the Pedersen case, he will not be sold.
August 15th, 2007 @ 21:49I think you’ve forgotten Steven Reid and Brett Emerton…
It’d be better if you said which position we are weak in. Central Midfield, Central Defense? We need a right back I think but other than that…
August 15th, 2007 @ 21:53Agreed, forgot Reid and Emerton (who’s quite good btw).
Samba and Ooijer aren’t players who I’d bank a European spot on, to be honest.
August 15th, 2007 @ 21:59Pedersen doesnt need replacing ? He’s good enough for most teams in the Prem….. (oh sorry you meant he’s leaving! Yeah Right)
August 15th, 2007 @ 23:00As for the defence Saba & Nelsen form a good partnership at the back, Plus Ooijer is still a full Dutch international so still a quality RB!
As for midfield Reid if he gets fit will be a quality player this year, but in all fairness we do need another creative midfielder. id like to see Kevin Nolan at Ewood Park!
Ooijer is a Dutch International and has played in Europe and Samba is remarkable for someone so young. With Ryan Nelsen and Zurab Khizanishvili I think we have a decent defence. People might laugh but I think we’ll miss Andy Todd and could do with a replacement.
I’d say a right back and a central defender as cover would do it…
August 15th, 2007 @ 23:02But surely Emerton is enough cover for Right back, as well Zurab acan play there
August 16th, 2007 @ 01:00Kevin Nolan
August 16th, 2007 @ 02:24He is a striker
surely you are not saying we do not have enough strikers
Kevin Nolan a striker, I think you mean Kevin Davies.
I see the defence as a solid unit, with able back up.
We don’t need a right back, Emerson, Khiz and Ooijer can all play RB.
Midfield however does worry me, and a player of Arteta quality would be a needed addition to the squad.
We need to keep hold of Gamst Pedersen as their isn’t a player to replace him at the moment. Sergio Peter is the obvious player, but he isn’t in the same league as MGP
However Mark Hughes is the player to address this and so far he’s always come up trumps.
August 16th, 2007 @ 09:39I’d like to see us get another attacking midfielder, just as cover for Reid and Dunn, but other than that I think we’re pretty good all round, our defence isn’t too bad for cover, but I’m sure Hughsey is considering this area for strengthening when he finds the right player. I’d rather get the right player and wait longer than be rushed into spending money on someone who isn’t worthwhile.
Given how little Hughes has spent this summer and in his entire time at Blackburn, I certainly am more than happy to trust in his judgement!
August 16th, 2007 @ 18:28Do we still have Henchoz? I am not saying he is or should be first choice, but I do feel he’s fine as cover for Nelson, Samba and Zura. Plenty of cover on the right I think, but who is our cover for left back now that Berner is injured?
Also, does anyone know if there are any kids ready or near ready for the leap to the first team?
Agree about midfield, 1 creative midfielder would be great. What is Sergio Peter’s best position? Is he more of a wide-man?
August 16th, 2007 @ 19:28Left back cover for now would be Martin Olsson…..
Sergio’s best position would be on the wings,he’s MGP’s cover if i’m not wrong…..
August 19th, 2007 @ 22:05