Erstwhile English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers are now playing in Football League One. The Riversiders have enjoyed a solid season this time around with them placed third on the table. 52 points from 26 games mean that they will now be gunning for the top spot. Wigan Athletic lead the charts with 57 points and will now be looking over their shoulders nervously.
The Riversiders are unbeaten in 15 games and will be looking to capitalize on their hot form to make a late charge to the top in the second half of the season. The board it seems is ready to help them make the team even better with new signings coming in. However, their manager Tony Mowbray has underplayed the importance of new faces stating that he is more than happy with his current crop of players.
“They are not done until they are done.
“When the games come you almost park them up over the weekend but I’d hope in the early part of the week we’d have something to mention.
“I do publicly want to say I’m not trying to replace anyone because they have shown a fantastic desire, but it’s to help and strengthen the group.
He, however, agrees that new players can help them cope up with the hectic schedule ahead of them and maybe help his players recover better from the fatigue of the fast-paced matches.
“We saw the bench was still very young, some of those played at Middlesbrough (for the Under-23s on Sunday) so we’re hoping to strengthen and finish the window stronger than we went into it.”
It is in this light, that they have procured the services of Jack Payne from Huddersfield Town. The Englishman who plays in the midfield position spent the first half of his season on loan at Oxford United. He was very impressive for the League One side scoring 7 times for them. He also used his left foot to score a fine goal against Blackburn Rovers, when the two sides met earlier this season with the Riversiders winning 4-2 on the night.
The 23-year-old has since returned from his loan spell to Huddersfield Town and is currently awaiting a decision on his future with Blackburn Rovers said to be interested in securing the signature of the player on a loan deal till the end of the season. Talks are said to be in an advanced state with the player’s arrival likely to be announced shortly. He will definitely add good weight to the side but will have to wait for a chance given Blackburn’s current form.
