Post by maudesfishnchips on Jan 12, 2012 10:40:41 GMT
Many thanks to Joe Ainscough from vital Blackburn who gives QPRreport his view on our new manager.
Mark Hughes took on his first Premier League managerial role at our club, as successor to Graeme Souness, a man who had brought us up into the top flight, brought us European football, and a Worthington Cup win (now the Carling Cup). Certainly a tough act to follow. Rovers fans had seen Mark before of course, as a player whilst he was manager of the Wales national side, but there was a sense of intrigue when he put his name on the door of the manager’s office.
Hughes took over with us in a bit of a relegation fight (much like yourselves now) and helped to steer us clear of the bottom three, and also got us to the FA Cup semi-final for the first time in over 40 years.
In his second season in charge, we stormed up the table, claiming a top 6 spot beating Manchester United twice, as well as Chelsea and Arsenal. We also reached yet another semi-final, this time in the Carling cup. They certainly were good times for the club!
Hughes spent very little money at Rovers, and was VERY good at it. He is quite possibly the best we have had for finding bargains. Hughes assembled a team on a shoe string budget, bringing in the likes of Benni McCarthy for £2 million, who went on to score 18 league goals in his first season, only to be beaten to the golden boot by Ronaldo.
The frugal spending didn’t stop there, Hughes also added the likes of David Bentley for £500k, who went on to be sold for £15million several seasons later. Chris Samba came in for as little as £400k. Stephen Warnock for £1.5million, Ryan Nelsen on a free transfer! The list goes on.
Not only was Hughes developing a strong squad on the field, he was also developing one off it. A large backroom staff was being assembled behind the scenes with fitness experts and experienced heads all working their magic at the club training ground, Brockhall.
Hughes guided us to a 10th place finish the following season, and a third consecutive cup semi-final, this time against Chelsea . The prize, the first ever cup final at Wembley. Rather unluckily, Watford and Blackburn were drawn out against the two “bigger teams” in Manchester United and Chelsea. For those few of you that care, we lost 2-1 in the end.
The frugal spending continued throughout Hughes’ time at Rovers, bringing in Roque Santa Cruz along the way for as little as £3.5 million. Santa Cruz scored 19 league goals in his first season at the club, helping Blackburn to finish 7th in the 07/08 campaign.
Hughes left Rovers for mega rich Manchester City , something he could not be blamed for, and few Rovers fans hold a grudge against him for it.
As for now, we would have LOVED him back at our club. He provides everything our side is lacking at the moment.
In Hughes you have got a manager who will provide solid foundations, an extremely strong work ethic, a shrewd business man, and most of all, a highly competent tactician. I hope I have done the man justice, and he will be welcomed back at Ewood any time.
Joe Ainscough
www.blackburn.vitalfootball.co.uk
Mark Hughes took on his first Premier League managerial role at our club, as successor to Graeme Souness, a man who had brought us up into the top flight, brought us European football, and a Worthington Cup win (now the Carling Cup). Certainly a tough act to follow. Rovers fans had seen Mark before of course, as a player whilst he was manager of the Wales national side, but there was a sense of intrigue when he put his name on the door of the manager’s office.
Hughes took over with us in a bit of a relegation fight (much like yourselves now) and helped to steer us clear of the bottom three, and also got us to the FA Cup semi-final for the first time in over 40 years.
In his second season in charge, we stormed up the table, claiming a top 6 spot beating Manchester United twice, as well as Chelsea and Arsenal. We also reached yet another semi-final, this time in the Carling cup. They certainly were good times for the club!
Hughes spent very little money at Rovers, and was VERY good at it. He is quite possibly the best we have had for finding bargains. Hughes assembled a team on a shoe string budget, bringing in the likes of Benni McCarthy for £2 million, who went on to score 18 league goals in his first season, only to be beaten to the golden boot by Ronaldo.
The frugal spending didn’t stop there, Hughes also added the likes of David Bentley for £500k, who went on to be sold for £15million several seasons later. Chris Samba came in for as little as £400k. Stephen Warnock for £1.5million, Ryan Nelsen on a free transfer! The list goes on.
Not only was Hughes developing a strong squad on the field, he was also developing one off it. A large backroom staff was being assembled behind the scenes with fitness experts and experienced heads all working their magic at the club training ground, Brockhall.
Hughes guided us to a 10th place finish the following season, and a third consecutive cup semi-final, this time against Chelsea . The prize, the first ever cup final at Wembley. Rather unluckily, Watford and Blackburn were drawn out against the two “bigger teams” in Manchester United and Chelsea. For those few of you that care, we lost 2-1 in the end.
The frugal spending continued throughout Hughes’ time at Rovers, bringing in Roque Santa Cruz along the way for as little as £3.5 million. Santa Cruz scored 19 league goals in his first season at the club, helping Blackburn to finish 7th in the 07/08 campaign.
Hughes left Rovers for mega rich Manchester City , something he could not be blamed for, and few Rovers fans hold a grudge against him for it.
As for now, we would have LOVED him back at our club. He provides everything our side is lacking at the moment.
In Hughes you have got a manager who will provide solid foundations, an extremely strong work ethic, a shrewd business man, and most of all, a highly competent tactician. I hope I have done the man justice, and he will be welcomed back at Ewood any time.
Joe Ainscough
www.blackburn.vitalfootball.co.uk