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PREMIERSHIP TEAM PREVIEWS
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Coach: Paul Ince (Eng)
Former Man Utd, Inter Milan, Liverpool and England midfielder Paul Ince is relatively inexperienced in football management, having only taken his first job at Macclesfield 2 years ago. He saved Macclesfield from relegation before taking the job at MK Dons at the start of last season. At MK Dons he won League 2, as well as winning the JP Trophy.
It is a big step up to the Premier League, though, and while there is little doubt that Paul Ince has talent as a manager, success is unlikely to come as quickly as he is used to in the lower leagues.
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Recent record: (Pos); Pl; W-D-L; F-A; Pts
2007/08: (7th); 38; 15-13-10; 50-48; 58
2006/07: (10th); 38; 15-7-16; 52-54; 52
2005/06: (6th); 38; 19-6-13; 51-42; 63
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Good:
Though they will miss David Bentley, Blackburn are still a strong force going forward; Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy have both adapted well to the Premier League with both players scoring around a goal every other game for Blackburn.
Mark Hughes built the Blackburn team based on physicality and in centre-backs Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba for example, they are an intimidating side to come up against.
Bad:
The appointment of Paul Ince is a very bold move from the Blackburn board; coming straight from MK Dons in League 2, it is hard to gauge how he will adapt and a settling-in period is likely to throw up inconsistent results.
The departure of Mark Hughes hastened Bentley’s move and rumours of Santa Cruz following Hughes to Man City might drive a mass exodus from Blackburn; Ince has a hard task keeping hold of Blackburn’s best players.
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Transfers, Loans, Retirements...
IN: Robbie Fowler (Cardiff), Paul Robinson (Tottenham), Carlos Villanueva (Audax Italiano, loan), Danny Simpson (Manchester United, loan).
OUT; Brad Friedel (Aston Villa), David Bentley (Tottenham), Maceo Rigters (Barnsley, loan).
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Star Player:
Santa Cruz, after an apprehensive reception, had an excellent first season in the premiership, scoring 19 league goals and 23 goals in total. His record at previous club Bayern Munich was not too great (just 31 goals in 155 apps), but with regular first team football, he has flourished at Blackburn.
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Summary:
In Mark Hughes’ four years there, he has established Blackburn as a decent top ten side. Paul Ince’s first year is likely to be one of consolidation; he is untested at premiership level in management, but so was Mark Hughes in his first year there.
A top ten place is Blackburn’s goal this season and a European place would be a success; Ince may need to spend some of the £15 million that Blackburn have received for Bentley and there will be ups and downs, but with the players that they have already, he should be able to achieve those goals.
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TO WIN PREMIERSHIP:
Bet on Blackburn to win Premiership: $1,001.00 @ Bet365
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Match Previews 10-11 January:
18 games this weekend, including the big match in the Premiership on Sunday, Manchester United v Chelsea.
In Italy, David Beckham is expected to make his debut in Milan's visit to the capital to face AS Roma.
La Liga's runaway leaders, Barcelona, face a short trip north-west to take on the league's bottom club, Osasuna.
Bordeaux and PSG meet in a game which should tell us more about who's likely to keep challenging Lyon as the season wears on in France.
read the Previews...:
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*** BETZINE UK RECORD ***
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*** LATEST PROMOTIONS ***
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Paddy Power
London Calling! (Sun 31st Aug)
If Deco scores at anytime, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match.
Click to open an account with Paddy Power
Read more about the promotion HERE
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Weekend Match Reports
Links to the match reports of games in the Premiership, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga
HERE
Starting this season; news feed for ALL Premiership teams available on Betzine UK
Read the news section HERE
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