As we look forward to the kick off this afternoon, we caught up with Blackburn fan and season ticket holder Simon
As we look forward to the kick off this afternoon, we caught up with Blackburn fan and season ticket holder Simon, who is a member of the NIBRSA, the Northern Ireland Blackburn Rovers Supporters Association. We ask Simon about their manager Gary Bowyer, his expectations for the rest of the season and the Reading player he secretly admires.
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1. What were your expectations before the season started and what are they now?
I still expected to be in the play-offs even as a result of the season we had last year. My expectations still remain the same but we need to starting winning more games consecutively and more frequently.
2. What did you make of your transfer business in January?
I thought Bowyer done relatively well and got shifted of a lot of deadwood or indeed players who were crippling out wage bill. He’s was and still remains very shrewd in terms of signing players doing well to capture Craig Conway, Cairney and Gestede on permanent deals as well as adding Luke Varney and Dabo on loan deals.
3. Gary Bowyer continues to steady the ship at Blackburn, do you feel he is the man to take you forward in the long-term?
Great question, but I’m not sure on that answer. I believe his contract is up at the end of the season and I think he really deserves another year give. The work he has done at the moment has been to a very high standard, I however I feel a small let down is some tactics deployed where by he should be looking at more attacking with 2-3 strikers in some games to finish off weaker opponents.
4. Would it be fair to say that your away form has stopped you from gaining a play-off place so far this season?
I think that’s a fair comment, but if we start to pick up more points then we should really end up in top six.
5. Who are your stand out players in the side at the moment?
We’ve had a few and my favourite would have been Corry Evans had he not got injured in International duty and that was a big blow to us. Other than that Jordan Rhodes is still up there despite his last two months. Cairney, Tommy Spurr and the return of Paul Robinson have really played consistently well over the season.
6. If you could take any Reading player at the moment, who would it be and why?
I haven’t been following Readings squad in its entirety so I’ll probably miss out one or two. However that said, I’ve always been a big fan of Le Fondre and unfortunately for us he appears to have found form in recent weeks. Had Robinson not returned for us then, I would have said Alex McCarthy. If you fail in your promotion this season then I wouldn’t be surprised if a few teams made a move for him.
7. What starting XI and shape do you expect to see on Saturday from Boywer?
Hard to know, but we need Evans to return ASAP and Brian Dabo is creating a bit of a stir in the reserves. I think we need to play 4-4-2 with a positive approach.
8. What is your prediction for the game?
I’m thinking 1-1 depending on Bowyers approach to this one. If we goor an attacking then no reason why we can’t come away with a 1-2 victory. I’m really disappointed as arrangements were in place to travel over to the game.
