Blackburn Rovers new boy eyes Premier bid
9:54am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
LEE Williamson is determined to make the most of his second chance as he bids to earn a Premier League return six years after his first taste of the top flight.
The 31-year-old midfielder could make his Rovers’ bow in this evening’s Championship clash at Brighton as he looks to kick-start an injury-plagued career.
Williamson, who signed as a free agent last week, made five appearances for Watford in the Premier League in 2007 after signing from Rotherham, before being relegated.
He has since played for Sheffield United, where he suffered problems with his back, and most recently Portsmouth and is now eyeing a second Premier League push.
Boss Michael Appleton is continuing his efforts to add to his squad in the loan market ahead of this evening’s game, with Reading defender Kaspars Gorkss a target.
Wolves are understood to be serious competitors for his signature as Appleton’s efforts in the market continue to be frustrated.
Meanwhile, Williamson said: “It is not nice for any player to drop down the leagues, whether that be through injuries or relegations.
“The main thing is to get back up as fast as you can.
“The longer you stay out of the top leagues the harder it is going to get.
“The first time I got to the Premier League was with Watford and then after that I signed for Sheffield United and had two years hampered with injuries. Then the third season I played and we got relegated.”
That meant Williamson suddenly found himself in League One but he is excited to now be back at Championship level.
He said: “It is nice to be back and I can’t wait to get playing. It is a really good squad, you put it up against any other squad in the Championship and you fancy them.
“It is probably not a massive squad but the players are very good.
“I am definitely looking forward to it. This is a great club to play for, a very big club and our ambition now is to get back in the Premier League and get the last 12 months out of the way and get back where the club belong.”
Having already added Williamson and DJ Campbell to his squad last week, Appleton is eyeing three or four more new faces in the next few days.
With Gorkss a defensive target and former Rover David Bentley also understood to be on the wish-list, Appleton is stressing the importance of adding ‘quality’ competition.
The Rovers boss said: “There is a process that has to be put in place, which involves identifying the player, then whether we are able to get the deal done in terms of what players’ salaries are, whether the club will let them out, what structure is in the deal, whether there is a call back.
“You have to get permission to make sure you can do the deal. Discussions with Derek Shaw and Paul Agnew and the owners have to take place at some point. If we don’t get the green light we can’t do the deal.
“The squad we have is potentially good enough to get back in the Premier League, with a few additions. I would like to think it is a football club now where we want to kick on.
“With football, things can happen very, very quickly. You can sign players on loan up until three hours before kick off. I think from our point of view it is a must, we need cover defensively and in the wide areas as well, where we could do with a bit more pace.”
Comments(39)
baz58
says...
10:07am Tue 12 Feb 13
madrover
says...
10:09am Tue 12 Feb 13
Siminitt
says...
10:16am Tue 12 Feb 13
bigste
says...
10:24am Tue 12 Feb 13
A Darener
says...
10:27am Tue 12 Feb 13
GET INTO EM!
Angry From Accrington
says...
10:36am Tue 12 Feb 13
ChrisDeBerg
says...
10:44am Tue 12 Feb 13
Angry From Accrington wrote:I suspect a hint of sarcasm/pessimism?
With the history and track record of Lee Williamson (that is his name isn't it?), how can we fail?
RTID
Dukes
says...
10:47am Tue 12 Feb 13
jinkyjase
says...
10:51am Tue 12 Feb 13
jinkyjase
says...
10:54am Tue 12 Feb 13
ChrisDeBerg wrote:I'm sure I heard on Saturday that he scored 14 goals for Sheff Utd from midfield last season. That's good form.
Angry From Accrington wrote:I suspect a hint of sarcasm/pessimism?
With the history and track record of Lee Williamson (that is his name isn't it?), how can we fail?
RTID
Saying that, us rovers fans always give these type of players a chance, ask Keith Andrews. :P
phillmac
says...
11:00am Tue 12 Feb 13
hasslem hasslem
says...
11:14am Tue 12 Feb 13
no problem with a positive attitude - but please rather than talk about the premiership - can we not just do the boring old "take each game as it comes" stuff.
yes, from the moment he arrived appleton appears to have instilled a new belief and organisation within the club. everybody hopes that this continues and it is not a false-dawn.
but please - no talk of premiership - sure have it as a goal - - but let's be honest we all guffawed when shabby did the "premiership, or bust!" nonsense earlier in the season. personally in the remote chance that we went up - we are in no state yet to handle the attrition of the prem a would bet a right hiding. i know it goes against everything that one should think about your team but let's end the season strongly - get rid of all the garbage (on and off the field) and try and stablise the club for a proper do next season.
already we look a better team and a better club....let's try and build on those foundations.
Rovers to get above Dingles? - - we've got an App for that!
hasslem hasslem
says...
11:17am Tue 12 Feb 13
take no prisoners -- lets have wenger scowling through the game rather than smiling.....you never know they just might be there for the taking.
French Rover
says...
11:20am Tue 12 Feb 13
inflightmagazine
says...
11:20am Tue 12 Feb 13
Its a real catch 22 in many ways if your in the premiership you can attract the better players that can maybe play the more attractive football , but while you are developing a side to play that way you can struggule to get results, Liverpool is a really good example of this, Rodgers is trying to change the way they play and you can see taht transisition, fortunatley for him there is no spector of relegation, Lambert at Villa does not have that luxury, so where as many Liverpool fans are saying they are in transisition and are prepared to see it evolve, a change in style at Villa is causing chaos and absolute panic.
Fans around me last year got frustrated with Blackburn keeper Robinson being used to hoof the ball up from the back all the time, this year when are back line puts 3 passes togethor people start screaming to go forward. The one thing for sure is we do not get extra points for style, but when a team plays well and wins confidence is lifted and the genreal mood around the club becomes positive.
I suppose my point is I am looking form the transition from Winning and playing poorly to winning and playing well as opposed just transisitioning from playing poorly to playing well.
Angry From Accrington
says...
11:27am Tue 12 Feb 13
srvp28
says...
11:43am Tue 12 Feb 13
Angry From Accrington wrote:Imagine what would've happened if any of our previous managers had signe pdlayers they'd worked with before. It always spells disaster...
Mascara Gorkks is not wanted by a team with the third worst goals against record in the Premiership but good enough for us. Another example of Appleton taking the easy option of another old mate rather than the challenge of a quality player that might test his leadership. By the end of the season we will be renamed Portpool Albion
Oh, hang on. Souness brought in Tugay, Hughes brought in Savage and Bellamy, Allardyce brought in Diouf. Just a few examples of getting it right when you already know a player's strengths.
Tamworth rover
says...
11:47am Tue 12 Feb 13
Angry From Accrington wrote:Yet hes been involved in two promotions from the Championship over the last two years with QPR and Reading. Shows how much you know really
Mascara Gorkks is not wanted by a team with the third worst goals against record in the Premiership but good enough for us. Another example of Appleton taking the easy option of another old mate rather than the challenge of a quality player that might test his leadership. By the end of the season we will be renamed Portpool Albion
Will P
says...
12:04pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Angry From Accrington wrote:We aren't even in the Premiership anymore... He's had two promotions with Reading and QPR, it's a different sort of player that does well in the championship to the premiership.
Mascara Gorkks is not wanted by a team with the third worst goals against record in the Premiership but good enough for us. Another example of Appleton taking the easy option of another old mate rather than the challenge of a quality player that might test his leadership. By the end of the season we will be renamed Portpool Albion
You complain about everything without knowing much about the players.
Harwoodstblue
says...
12:13pm Tue 12 Feb 13
leitchy wrote:Let's hope someone in India can be bothered to get out of bed to answer the phone.
Well said but it clearly takes longer for our club to do the deals as we have to via India for the go ahead !
At least the targets being mentioned are good ones !
COYB !
Angry From Accrington
says...
12:15pm Tue 12 Feb 13
baz58
says...
12:18pm Tue 12 Feb 13
hasslem hasslem wrote:Good post!!!!
let's put the last 12 months behind us - its been longer than 12 months!
no problem with a positive attitude - but please rather than talk about the premiership - can we not just do the boring old "take each game as it comes" stuff.
yes, from the moment he arrived appleton appears to have instilled a new belief and organisation within the club. everybody hopes that this continues and it is not a false-dawn.
but please - no talk of premiership - sure have it as a goal - - but let's be honest we all guffawed when shabby did the "premiership, or bust!" nonsense earlier in the season. personally in the remote chance that we went up - we are in no state yet to handle the attrition of the prem a would bet a right hiding. i know it goes against everything that one should think about your team but let's end the season strongly - get rid of all the garbage (on and off the field) and try and stablise the club for a proper do next season.
already we look a better team and a better club....let's try and build on those foundations.
Rovers to get above Dingles? - - we've got an App for that!
RoversSwiss
says...
12:18pm Tue 12 Feb 13
inflightmagazine wrote:It will always be a problem for Allardyce, he's under pressure again at West Ham, he gets results and will keep a team in the Premiership, but it's dire stuff and is not the dream football of the marketing men, directors and owners of football clubs.
I think this point about playing style versus results is a really good point that deserves a sensible discussion. I was never a big fan of Big Sam but he brought some league success and if you look at his last 3 teams before westham, Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn all have suffered relegation in recent times. The problem I always felt under allardyce was we were a one trick pony, hit the box early and pick up the knock downs.
Its a real catch 22 in many ways if your in the premiership you can attract the better players that can maybe play the more attractive football , but while you are developing a side to play that way you can struggule to get results, Liverpool is a really good example of this, Rodgers is trying to change the way they play and you can see taht transisition, fortunatley for him there is no spector of relegation, Lambert at Villa does not have that luxury, so where as many Liverpool fans are saying they are in transisition and are prepared to see it evolve, a change in style at Villa is causing chaos and absolute panic.
Fans around me last year got frustrated with Blackburn keeper Robinson being used to hoof the ball up from the back all the time, this year when are back line puts 3 passes togethor people start screaming to go forward. The one thing for sure is we do not get extra points for style, but when a team plays well and wins confidence is lifted and the genreal mood around the club becomes positive.
I suppose my point is I am looking form the transition from Winning and playing poorly to winning and playing well as opposed just transisitioning from playing poorly to playing well.
I agree with Appelton, first things first, get the defence in order and then think about playing more constructive football, with Allardyce there is no attempt to change his one way formula.
Tough tough game tonight, Appelton got the tactics right for the home game, hopefully it will work again. A big ask, but perhaps with a better result, another clean sheet at Brighton would be great.
oreilly21
says...
12:33pm Tue 12 Feb 13
http://www.wolves.vi
talfootball.co.uk/ar
ticle.asp?a=308933
jag kalsi
says...
12:41pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Wild Rover
says...
12:52pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Angry From Accrington wrote:Well then you should team up with Dangerous Dave and Dick from Darwen
I am ANGRY FROM ACCRINGTON, not Rational from Rochdale
Start your own little Out Out Out Gang
oh sorry you cant cos you are all of them..
Wild Rover
says...
12:52pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Angry From Accrington wrote:Well then you should team up with Dangerous Dave and Dick from Darwen
I am ANGRY FROM ACCRINGTON, not Rational from Rochdale
Start your own little Out Out Out Gang
oh sorry you cant cos you are all of them..
Nellie 77
says...
12:57pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Angry From Accrington wrote:Nice one
I am ANGRY FROM ACCRINGTON, not Rational from Rochdale
fitz808
says...
1:39pm Tue 12 Feb 13
RoversSwiss wrote:i was very much one from the 'not upset that allardyce has gone' camp. and despite the madness that has ensued, i stick by that. i think it is important to separate the two things too. it was entirely possible for venkys to get rid of allardyce yet not go on to make a stream of poor decisions for the club.
inflightmagazine wrote:It will always be a problem for Allardyce, he's under pressure again at West Ham, he gets results and will keep a team in the Premiership, but it's dire stuff and is not the dream football of the marketing men, directors and owners of football clubs.
I think this point about playing style versus results is a really good point that deserves a sensible discussion. I was never a big fan of Big Sam but he brought some league success and if you look at his last 3 teams before westham, Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn all have suffered relegation in recent times. The problem I always felt under allardyce was we were a one trick pony, hit the box early and pick up the knock downs.
Its a real catch 22 in many ways if your in the premiership you can attract the better players that can maybe play the more attractive football , but while you are developing a side to play that way you can struggule to get results, Liverpool is a really good example of this, Rodgers is trying to change the way they play and you can see taht transisition, fortunatley for him there is no spector of relegation, Lambert at Villa does not have that luxury, so where as many Liverpool fans are saying they are in transisition and are prepared to see it evolve, a change in style at Villa is causing chaos and absolute panic.
Fans around me last year got frustrated with Blackburn keeper Robinson being used to hoof the ball up from the back all the time, this year when are back line puts 3 passes togethor people start screaming to go forward. The one thing for sure is we do not get extra points for style, but when a team plays well and wins confidence is lifted and the genreal mood around the club becomes positive.
I suppose my point is I am looking form the transition from Winning and playing poorly to winning and playing well as opposed just transisitioning from playing poorly to playing well.
I agree with Appelton, first things first, get the defence in order and then think about playing more constructive football, with Allardyce there is no attempt to change his one way formula.
Tough tough game tonight, Appelton got the tactics right for the home game, hopefully it will work again. A big ask, but perhaps with a better result, another clean sheet at Brighton would be great.
my dislike of allardyce stems from the 1 trick pony idea, as you say, inflight. and at points it was just unbearable to watch. but i think it also goes a little beyond that. there were clearly games where he accepted that we couldn't win and the team played accordingly. i know every team can get hammered away from home by the big 5/6, but too often, we would put in an incredibly timid performance against these big sides, no because we were just outplayed, but because there seemed to be an acceptance from the start of the game. when you're a small club like ours, with no chance of claiming silverwear or even scraping a european place, then it is the giant-killings which remain to keep you interested in the season.
i don't see appleton adopting that attitude. he seems generally a much more upbeat sort who would take a team to a big club with enthusiasm to cause an upset. i hope that continues to be true, as this is what i want from my club - that they try.
i hope that appleton also differs from allardyce in his approach to style. allardyce has no desire to change his approach, regardless of situation. if appleton wins ugly now, but shows a desire to improve and entertain when we have better resources etc, then i am up for that. there has to be improvement towards entertainment. some games will have to be tough, but as long as there is progress, that's fine for a club like us.
dangerous dave
says...
2:21pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Wild Rover wrote:no need to start up any sort of a gang there's still 9000 fans plus out there staying away from Ewood because of the way the Club is being run by Shaw Agnew Singh Venkys Coar and hangers on such as Hendry so I would keep your meaningless comments to yourself.
Angry From Accrington wrote:Well then you should team up with Dangerous Dave and Dick from Darwen
I am ANGRY FROM ACCRINGTON, not Rational from Rochdale
Start your own little Out Out Out Gang
oh sorry you cant cos you are all of them..
OUT WITH THE LOT OF THEM
Captain Dreckley
says...
2:30pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Wild Rover wrote:Is that Dangerous Dave AND Dick from Darwen or Dangerous Dave THE Dick from Darwen? Even a dingle would struggle to moan and whinge as much as that will everything they have to put up with. You've got to give it to the whinging brigade, always look on the bright side of life will never be their theme tune.
Angry From Accrington wrote:Well then you should team up with Dangerous Dave and Dick from Darwen
I am ANGRY FROM ACCRINGTON, not Rational from Rochdale
Start your own little Out Out Out Gang
oh sorry you cant cos you are all of them..
French Rover
says...
3:15pm Tue 12 Feb 13
fitz808 wrote:Well said Fitz, but does the MA approach to playing bigger clubs mean that we will beat Arsenal at the weekend? Hope so mate!
RoversSwiss wrote:i was very much one from the 'not upset that allardyce has gone' camp. and despite the madness that has ensued, i stick by that. i think it is important to separate the two things too. it was entirely possible for venkys to get rid of allardyce yet not go on to make a stream of poor decisions for the club.
inflightmagazine wrote:It will always be a problem for Allardyce, he's under pressure again at West Ham, he gets results and will keep a team in the Premiership, but it's dire stuff and is not the dream football of the marketing men, directors and owners of football clubs.
I think this point about playing style versus results is a really good point that deserves a sensible discussion. I was never a big fan of Big Sam but he brought some league success and if you look at his last 3 teams before westham, Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn all have suffered relegation in recent times. The problem I always felt under allardyce was we were a one trick pony, hit the box early and pick up the knock downs.
Its a real catch 22 in many ways if your in the premiership you can attract the better players that can maybe play the more attractive football , but while you are developing a side to play that way you can struggule to get results, Liverpool is a really good example of this, Rodgers is trying to change the way they play and you can see taht transisition, fortunatley for him there is no spector of relegation, Lambert at Villa does not have that luxury, so where as many Liverpool fans are saying they are in transisition and are prepared to see it evolve, a change in style at Villa is causing chaos and absolute panic.
Fans around me last year got frustrated with Blackburn keeper Robinson being used to hoof the ball up from the back all the time, this year when are back line puts 3 passes togethor people start screaming to go forward. The one thing for sure is we do not get extra points for style, but when a team plays well and wins confidence is lifted and the genreal mood around the club becomes positive.
I suppose my point is I am looking form the transition from Winning and playing poorly to winning and playing well as opposed just transisitioning from playing poorly to playing well.
I agree with Appelton, first things first, get the defence in order and then think about playing more constructive football, with Allardyce there is no attempt to change his one way formula.
Tough tough game tonight, Appelton got the tactics right for the home game, hopefully it will work again. A big ask, but perhaps with a better result, another clean sheet at Brighton would be great.
my dislike of allardyce stems from the 1 trick pony idea, as you say, inflight. and at points it was just unbearable to watch. but i think it also goes a little beyond that. there were clearly games where he accepted that we couldn't win and the team played accordingly. i know every team can get hammered away from home by the big 5/6, but too often, we would put in an incredibly timid performance against these big sides, no because we were just outplayed, but because there seemed to be an acceptance from the start of the game. when you're a small club like ours, with no chance of claiming silverwear or even scraping a european place, then it is the giant-killings which remain to keep you interested in the season.
i don't see appleton adopting that attitude. he seems generally a much more upbeat sort who would take a team to a big club with enthusiasm to cause an upset. i hope that continues to be true, as this is what i want from my club - that they try.
i hope that appleton also differs from allardyce in his approach to style. allardyce has no desire to change his approach, regardless of situation. if appleton wins ugly now, but shows a desire to improve and entertain when we have better resources etc, then i am up for that. there has to be improvement towards entertainment. some games will have to be tough, but as long as there is progress, that's fine for a club like us.
jinkyjase
says...
3:30pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Angry From Accrington wrote:Shut up
Mascara Gorkks is not wanted by a team with the third worst goals against record in the Premiership but good enough for us. Another example of Appleton taking the easy option of another old mate rather than the challenge of a quality player that might test his leadership. By the end of the season we will be renamed Portpool Albion
dangerous dave
says...
4:01pm Tue 12 Feb 13
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!
OUT WITH THE LOT OF THEM.
Iiii1111
says...
4:14pm Tue 12 Feb 13
hasslem hasslem wrote:Oh Appy days.......contempla
and as for the arsenal game - let's give it a real go at them. what's the worst that can happen - we have had some right hammerings down there, so another one won't do any harm - and let's face it everybody expects us to get a doing.
take no prisoners -- lets have wenger scowling through the game rather than smiling.....you never know they just might be there for the taking.
ting a 2 h drive to Hove...thought about it...might watch celts then again I only like glenfiddich;-)
To.guy
says...
4:20pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Siminitt wrote:Doesnt have to be all or nothing. There is an option of a bit of both. I recall SA having a more pragmatic approach and the fans moaned and groaned and Venks got rid.
Extremely happy with how MA is applying himself and long may it continue. To the people who are still critical of the teams performances you need to understand that you cant play pretty football all the time, winning games the hard way through sheer effort is sometimes what's needed and 3 points whilst playing non attractive football is better that 0 points and playing total football. Special mention to Rhodes....... Simply Amazing!
srvp28
says...
6:03pm Tue 12 Feb 13
bburnrover wrote:Or it could be because Saunders may have guaranteed him first team football from the outset, Wolves may have offered him better terms, he might not want to move home meaning Wolverhampton would be an easier commute, etc. Also, keep your borderline derogatory comments to yourself.
Well one down we lost out to Wolves they were more serious than us probably didn't have to wait for their owner to finish having his nails done and a new full stop on his forehead.
CheltRover
says...
6:44pm Tue 12 Feb 13
bburnrover wrote:Sexist and racist comment. I'm guessing you are homophobic too?
Well one down we lost out to Wolves they were more serious than us probably didn't have to wait for their owner to finish having his nails done and a new full stop on his forehead.

leitchy says...
10:07am Tue 12 Feb 13
At least the targets being mentioned are good ones !
COYB !