IF we were to start the season with the squad we’ve got now I’d be satisfied.
We’ve kept the players we wanted to keep, getting David Dunn and Jordan Rhodes to sign new contracts, brought three squad players in for competition, and got rid of some of the deadwood.
So if I was Gary Bowyer I’d be tempted to say, ‘no, that’s enough for now’, and hang fire until January and see where we are then.
If he needs to dive back in the market then – and his budget allows him to do so – that will be the time to do it.
I know there is a suggestion that we still need a right back but I think we’re pretty covered there now with Alex Baptiste coming in to rival Adam Henley and also having Jason Lowe to play there.
I think bringing Alex in is a good move and I think he will prove to be a canny signing.
I remember him best as a centre back for Blackpool but he can also play right back and, at a push, left back it seems too.
I see we’re being linked with goalkeepers again but for me I think we’ve already got a good number one in Paul Robinson.
All right he’s not getting any younger but he’s got the experience and in what is still a youngish squad that could be invaluable.
I don’t think the back-ups are too bad either and that’s why I’d be tempted to stick with the three keepers we’ve got unless, of course, one of them wants to get out on loan after having a taste of first-team football last season while Robbo was injured.
One player who will definitely be starting the season for us is Jordan Rhodes.
I’m pleased to see he’s signed a new contract because he has earned it. It may be costing Blackburn more in wages but it’s better to have a player like Jordan on contract for as long as you possibly can because if someone does come in, they’re going to have to pay big money.
You could argue that contracts don’t mean a lot in football nowadays – if a player wants to go and kicks up a fuss, he’ll probably go – but the longer a player is on contract the more protection that should give to a club.
I said when Jordan reached 50 goals for Blackburn last season that he could go on to break my goalscoring record for the club – and I still stand by that. If he does go on to better my tally of 194 goals then I would have to turn round, hold my hands up and say, ‘well done’, because not many players hang around at a club that long nowadays.
If Jordan goes on to break my record it’ll mean he’ll have stayed at the club for a long time.
Here’s hoping that’s what happens – and here’s hoping he keeps banging the goals in.
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