Narrator:

In the summer of 2008, Blackburn Rovers agreed a deal with the BBC to Document their New Manager for the forthcoming season......




Narrator:

Tomorrow Blackburn kick off there season with a trip to Aston Villa, following training we managed to get a word with captain Ryan Nelsen....

Narrator: Ryan Nelsen, as the Captain, what do you think of your new manager?

Ryan Nelsen: Yeah he's a good guy, he called me not long after he was announced as the new boss and told me his plans and that I'd be keeping the armband, so I'm impressed by his man management.

Narrator: Has he set any targets for the season?

RN: Erm, yeah, nothing too crazy, just for us to have a good season and hopefully we can get a spot in the UEFA cup at least.

Narrator: He had a pretty succesful career, is it intimidating playing under someone like him?

RN: I dont think intimidating is the word, he doesnt come across as arrogant or anything like that. He's pretty easy going, but then again we havent played a game under him so we'll have to wait and see what his half time talks are like.

Narrator: Looking forward to the season?

RN: Yeah, cant wait, it should be fun.

Narrator:

Its the opening day of the season, and Burns is delivering his pre-game team talk....

RB: Alright, they only play Carew up top, so Ryan, go after him, get stuck in, keep him thinking, and get in front of him, Aaron, stay behind and keep balls out of that box, if Agbonlahor drifts in, get on him. No bloody nonsense either, get that ball out of there asap, Ooey, squeeze inside if need be, but make sure you dont get overlapped, Brett, you drop back a touch if we're under pressure. Tugay, dont let Barry play, they'll destroy us if you do. Steve, hold back and keep Young quiet. David, get that ball to those two as soon as you can, Gamst take your man on, cut inside from time to time. Roque, pull Laursen out of position, and make some space, Derbs, use your pace against Knight, and get ahead of him. Keep it tight, get your man at set pieces, and bring back some bloody points. Go on.

Narrator:

With Half an hour gone, Rovers have had their first shot on target, a drive from the edge of the box well saved by Friedel, Burns is not happy......

RB: Dunny!! get that ball moving, dont *bleep*ing dawdle, Brett! push up a bit,....jesus christ.

Narrator:

Half time and its 0-0, Burns attempts to rally the troops...

RB: Whats going on?? One shot on target, jesus christ, get that *bleep*ing ball in the box, jesus, even a long range shot would be nice, Dunny, Petrov aint got your pace, get away from him, Tugay, push up and sort it. Lads at the back, keep it up, they'll get frustrated, and then we can have them. Get out there and show me what your made of, we can take this lot, *bleep*ing do it.

Narrator:

The advice seems to have paid off, with 15 minutes gone in the second half, it's all Rovers, Santa Cruz has a shot well saved by Friedel, and Emerton shaved the woodwork after a good move. Then Derbyshire is presented with a great chance....

RB: Dunny!! to Derbs!! to Derbs, yes yes, go on son....OOOOOOOOOOHHHH, CORNER! come on, get it Santa, ohhhh christ.

Narrator:

They're getting closer and closer but disaster strikes on 82 minutes when Carew gets on the end of Youngs cross...

RB: Steve, Steve, Steve, get to him, ahh jesus.....*bleep*! What the *bleep* was that?? Where were you??? Jesus christ. Benni! come on.

Narrator:

Burns throws on McCarthy in the hope of salvaging something, but to no avail. The best they get is a Tugay 25-yarder just over the bar. At the post match interview for MoTD, he is humble in defeat...

Johnathan Pearce: Ryan, first game, first defeat, do you think you deserved to get something from the game?

RB: Erm, on another day one of our chances might have crept in, but it wasnt to be today. Villa weren't great today either but they managed to put one away.

JP: Happy with the performance though?

RB: Satisfactory if anything, we could have been much better.

Narrator:

So after an opening day defeat to Villa, Ryan Burns start as boss of Rovers could be better. Its early days and Burns is confident a win will come sooner rather than later...

RB: We were alright today, I dunno how we didnt get a goal, but we'll go home, have a rest and at training on monday we'll put this behind us, and concentrate on the Wigan game.

Narrator: Think you can get a win?

RB: Christ you're negative, ha ha. I think with the home fans behind us, we can get the win we need.



Wigan visit Ewood Park....

Key players

Sneijder
Marcelo
Saviola
Robben
Van Der Vaart

Squad

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Pepe
Metzelda
Cannavaro
Sergio Ramos
Marcelo
Drenthe
Salgado

Midfielders

Robben
Sneijder
Van Der Vaart
Guti

Forwards

Saviola
Van Nistelrooy
Raul

This message was edited by pompey fan on Nov 07 2008.

This message was edited by pompey fan on Nov 07 2008.

This message was edited by pompey fan on Nov 07 2008.