Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers
Tottenham 0-0 Blackburn Tottenham's slim hopes of clinching the Premiership's final Uefa Cup spot were ended in a lively but goalless draw. Spurs needed to score at least three times and hope results elsewhere went their way but did not have the edge to get past the Blackburn defence. In fact, Rovers had the better of the first half, with Andy Todd's drive well blocked by Spurs keeper Radek Cerny. Spurs best chances came when Robbie Keane curled just wide and Noureddine Naybet hooked over from close range. Tottenham were the only team with anything to play for in the game but it was Blackburn who played with more urgency in the first half. Rovers had five corners in the first 20 minutes and from one of them, the ball came through to skipper Todd, unmarked at the far post - but his close-range drive was well-blocked by Cerny. And Tottenham were lucky to escape when Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner flashed across the goal with no Blackburn player able to get a crucial touch. But Spurs also had chances with Keane - who started with Jermain Defoe on the bench - Simon Davies and Sean Davis all testing Brad Friedel from long-range. Fredi Kanoute was also a constant danger to the Blackburn defence, most notably with a clever turn and shot from just inside the box, but Friedel was able to gather. Tottenham began the second half with more purpose and Naybet, back after an ankle injury, had the first chance. The Moroccan defender sneaked behind the Blackburn defence to meet an Andy Reid free-kick but used his foot rather than his head and hooked the ball over the bar. Keane then curled the ball just wide with his left foot after cleverly turning his man. The Tottenham front two became three as head coach Martin Jol threw on Defoe halfway through the second half, knowing that Spurs needed a hatful of goals to have a chance of claiming the final Uefa Cup spot. But the home team soon ran out of ideas and the game became niggley with referee Alan Wiley forced to dish out several yellow cards as tempers began to fray. And as the late afternoon clouds arrived to blot out the early sunshine at White Hart Lane so the match petered out to end in a stalemate with Spurs now relying on the calculations of the Fair Play panel to earn a place in the Uefa Cup next season. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham: Cerny, Kelly, Naybet, King, Edman, Davies, Davis (Marney 71), Carrick, Reid (Defoe 61), Kanoute, Keane. Subs Not Used: Fulop, Bunjevcevic, Ziegler. Booked: Naybet, Marney. Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Nelsen, Todd, McEveley, Emerton, Thompson, Mokoena, Savage, Pedersen, Stead (Johnson 61). Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Tugay, Johansson, Douglas. Booked: Savage, Neill. Att: 35,797 Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Hughes takes positives from draw
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes felt his side's battling 0-0 draw against Spurs was a good way to end the season. "We came into the game on the back of two straight defeats and we didn't want a third one to take into the summer," said Hughes. "We've had a long, hard season but we were still full of running at the end. That reflects well on the players. "We've struggled for goals all season - hopefully next year we can resolve that," added the ex-Wales manager. Hughes was pleased with the way his side played against Tottenham. "We set out to win the game and I thought we were the more likely team to do so," he said. "Our energy levels were good and with a little bit more care and fortune, we could have nicked it." Blackburn, who were the lowest-scoring side in the Premiership with 32 goals, finished in 15th place.

Emerton hails the Hughes effect
Blackburn midfielder Brett Emerton has praised the achievement of boss Mark Hughes in steering the club away from the relegation zone. Hughes took over as manager in September after Graeme Souness left for Newcastle - and Emerton said: "It is a huge achievement. "When Mark came in we were in a bit of disarray but from the day he arrived we worked on our fitness. "Everyone is better for that and it has shown in our performances." Blackburn had not won a game in the Premiership this season at the time of Souness' departure. And Emerton admitted that after a difficult campaign he is happy the club have preserved their Premiership status. "The relegation issue has gone to the final games as I expected and I am just glad not to be part of it," added Emerton. "It is a huge relief to be in our situation, although we had the confidence and belief we could get ourselves out of trouble." The Australian is in his second season at the club after joining from Dutch side Feyenoord. "Fighting relegation is not what I expected," he said. "It has been two tough years. But if we get in some new players then a mid-table place at least has to be our goal next season."

Jansen to decide Blackburn future
Blackburn striker Matt Jansen is set to play on a pay-as-you-play deal as he determines whether he wants to carry on his career in football. The 27-year-old, who was involved in a serious road accident three years ago, is currently on a break from the game. "He was struggling to cope with the demands and the pressure of the game," Blackburn boss Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Lancashire. Hughes also revealed Craig Short and Nils-Eric Johansson have been released. Short insisted he will play on somewhere else for at least another season. The 36-year-old told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I fancy going to play in Australia - that's no secret. But if it's not Australia, I'll definitely play another year in this country somewhere." Jansen has not trained with the Rovers squad for several months and has struggled to recapture his best form since his accident. Hughes added: "We hope as a result of listening to people, we'll get him back - that's the aim. And on a possible pay-as-you-play deal for Jansen next season, Hughes added: "I would imagine that's how the contract would be structured. "I don't think it would be a case, initially, of a great financial commitment from us, because it's a case of Matty just seeing if he can come back."

Jansen agrees new Blackburn deal
Blackburn striker Matt Jansen has signed a new one-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months. The 27-year-old made only eight appearances for Rovers last season and was given time off by Mark Hughes to rediscover his appetite for the game. "He was struggling to cope with the demands and the pressure of the game," boss Hughes said last week. Jansen, who joined from Crystal Palace for £4m in 1999, was involved in a serious road accident three years ago. He was on the verge of England selection at the time but has since struggled to capture his best form. His last appearance for Rovers in the recently concluded campaign came in January and he was not even training with the Rovers squad for several months. Hughes, who released Craig Short and Nils-Eric Johansson last week, added: "We hope as a result of listening to people, we'll get him back - that's the aim."

Everton's Watson wanted by four
Everton's out-of-contract Steve Watson is being chased by four clubs. Blackburn, Wigan, Leeds and Sunderland are all interested in signing the 31-year-old, who is expected to leave Everton on a free transfer. Watson was dogged by injury problems last season and made only occasional appearances as Everton finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League. Watson, who joined Everton from Aston Villa in July 2000, is unlikely to sign a new deal at Goodison Park.

Sunderland agree price for Stead
Blackburn striker Jonathan Stead could join Sunderland this week after the two clubs agreed a fee for his services. Stead, 22, will hold talks with Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy to discuss terms of a potential transfer. "Blackburn accepted a fee and gave Jon permission to speak to Sunderland," said Stead's agent John Seasman. "Mick was pursuing him when he left Huddersfield and was disappointed he didn't sign but circumstances change and Jon wants to carry on his career." Sunderland do face competition for the England Under-21 striker after Blackburn revealed they had given another club permission to talk to him. Stead, who is understood to be available for an initial £1.5m, opted for Rovers ahead of Sunderland in February last year and joined for £1.2m. He enjoyed an excellent start to his career at Ewood Park and made light of the step up from Huddersfield, who were in League Two at the time of his switch, to the top flight. But he scored only twice in 34 appearances last season and was in and out of the team under manager Mark Hughes, playing the full 90 minutes in only nine league games.

Nelsen signs new Blackburn deal
Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen has signed a new three-year contract which will keep him at the club until 2008. The 27-year-old New Zealand international joined Rovers in January on an 18-month contract from American Major League Soccer team DC United. Manager Mark Hughes told the club's website: "Ryan performed exceptionally well last season. We are absolutely delighted he has signed a new deal. "We look forward to Ryan playing a key role over the coming seasons."

Savage wants to make Wales return
Robbie Savage wants to end his feud with Wales boss John Toshack and come out of international retirement. The Blackburn star quit the Wales scene in March after a row with Toshack, who told him he would not be involved in two World Cup qualifiers with Austria. "I shouldn't have reacted as I did. It was an over-reaction," the 30-year-old midfielder told the News of the World. "I believe I can go on for another four or five years yet and that is what I really want to do." After the bust-up Savage said he would not play for his country while Toshack was boss. He later hinted that he would return - but only if the coach made the first move. However, the former Leicester and Birmingham midfielder has now made himself available for the Millennium Stadium clash with England on 3 September - and said he could now play on for his country until 2010. He added: "I've got 39 caps and I don't want to tell my little boy Charlie as he grows up that I could have made a lot more but I cut my career short became of my temper. "I believe I am the best midfielder of my type in the country. "I am ready to return and, although I still believe I was good enough to be in the squads against Austria, that is no longer the point. "What matters is that I want to make myself available to the nation again. I know now that is the right thing to do. "There is no reason for the continuing silence between myself and the manager and I hope he includes me in the next squad."

Sunderland snap up striker Stead
Premiership new boys Sunderland have signed England Under-21 striker Jon Stead from Blackburn for £1.8m. The 22-year-old has signed a four-year deal after 16 months at Ewood Park. "I'm finally putting on the red and white after wearing blue and white, so I'm delighted and looking forward to it," Stead told Sunderland's website. "I had a choice between Sunderland and Charlton, I spoke to both and had a look around. It was just the feeling I got when I came here." Stead scored eight goals in 32 league starts for Blackburn after starting his career at Huddersfield. "This is a massive club, a Premiership club and I have every confidence we will be a Premiership club for many seasons to come," he added. "I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think 100% we can do it." Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy said he was delighted to sign Stead after missing out on him when he left Huddersfield in February 2004. "He has scored goals in the Premier League, so he's a great signing for us," he said. "Jonathan is the kind of lad that will fit into our squad and team ethic straight away."

Striker Kuqi set to leave Ipswich
Ipswich boss Joe Royle has confirmed that Shefki Kuqi is leaving the club. The 28-year-old Finland striker was offered a new two-year contract by Town, but he has rejected that and is being linked with a move to Blackburn. "We made as good an offer as we could make at Championship level, but the lure of the Premiership has proved too great," Royle told the club's website. "We have had plans in place for a while and will now step them up to bring in new recruits. Things are moving along."

McCarthy is eager to leave Porto
Porto striker Benni McCarthy says he is desperate to leave Portugal - which could open the door for Premiership clubs Blackburn and Bolton to sign him. McCarthy, 27, has long talked of his desire to play in England and has now fallen out with Porto's management. "I'm tired of so much ingratitude and falsehood," the South African said. "I deserve to live in peace. It would be best if I go elsewhere to seek the happiness Porto can no longer give me." he told Portugese sports daily A Bola. McCarthy, who has two years left on his current contract, almost joined Everton in last season's January transfer window and has repeatedly talked of his dream of playing in the Premiership. "In South Africa, when I was a child, I only watched English football. It is an obsession that I have," he said.

Kuqi set to complete Rovers move
Blackburn are closing in on the signing of Ipswich striker Shefki Kuqi, reports BBC Radio Lancashire. The 28-year-old Finland striker had been offered a new two-year contract at Portman Road, which he rejected. Kuqi has now agreed personal terms with Blackburn, and is set to have a medical on Tuesday before completing his Bosman-style free transfer move. He scored 32 goals in 86 league and cup games for Ipswich, since joining from Sheffield Wednesday in September 2003. Town boss Joe Royle had recently admitted: "We made as good an offer as we could make at Championship level, but the lure of the Premiership has proved too great."

Williams takes over at Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers have appointed former chief executive John Williams as chairman at Ewood Park. The move was carried out in conjunction with the trustees of former Blackburn owner, the late Jack Walker. He succeeds Robert Coar, and trustees' spokesman Paul Egerton-Vernon was delighted with Williams' appointment. "He will guide the board with similar vigour, enthusiasm and business acumen as he has always displayed in the eight years he has been at the club."

Defender Short agrees Blades move
Sheffield United have agreed to sign defender Craig Short after he was released by Blackburn Rovers. Short, 37, will begin pre-season training with the Blades although his one-year deal will be officially completed on 1 August. Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has previously managed Short at Scarborough and Notts County. Warnock told the club website: "I am delighted to get Craig. I've known him a long time and know what he can do." Short has also played for Scarborough, Notts County, Derby County and Everton. Meanwhile, transfer-listed forward Andy Liddell, 32, has left Bramall Lane after his contract was terminated to help him find another club. Warnock added: "Andy did well for us last season, but by letting him go it will free up some wages to bring in other players as well as Craig Short." The former Barnsley man scored six goals in 39 league and cup games after joining from Wigan last summer - including a brace in their 3-1 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

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