Blackburn Rovers star David Dunn chases Wembley dream
11:21am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
David Dunn
DAVID Dunn is bidding to make his “dreams come true” at Ewood Park tomorrow night as he looks to banish the memories of a hurtful individual campaign.
The Blackburn Rovers midfielder has endured a frustrating season making just nine appearances – including six from the bench – due to a mixture of injury and internal politics.
The 33-year-old midfielder though made an impressive cameo in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter final draw at Millwall and, ahead of tomorrow’s Ewood Park replay, Dunn has his eyes on the Wembley prize.
He said: “From being a little boy, one of my dreams was to play at Wembley. When we won the League Cup it was when Wembley was getting done, so I have never played there. I am itching to get through. It would be a dream come true.
“I think we have another real battle on our hands. I am confident though if we battle and do what we did on Sunday I think our quality will come out.”
Dunn has missed Michael Appleton’s reign as Rovers boss so far due to a calf injury but found himself out of favour for much of the early campaign.
Now, pushing for a start as Rovers do battle with Millwall for a place in a Wembley semi final against Wigan, he is hoping the past can be put behind him.
“It has been a long time coming and it is good to finally get a chance to get on the pitch,” he told Roversplayer.
“I am pretty honest in myself and sat there do I think I should have been on the pitch? Of course I do.
“There are times I could have cried this season, I know I can make an impact and I still think I can make an impact, so it is difficult when you are sat there keeping the bench warm, which isn’t very nice and is frustrating.
“I know it has been a difficult season and a testing time for everyone involved with the club but hopefully now you have seen the last few weeks, although results have not gone as we would like, I think it shows the club is finally, and I say finally, moving in the right direction.”
Comments(33)
dean555
says...
12:15pm Tue 12 Mar 13
MatthewCA
says...
12:19pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Good to see him on the pitch atleast 10mts at the end. Better than bentley in the form of accuracy, ball control and attacking too.
All the best.
1952 rover
says...
12:19pm Tue 12 Mar 13
dean555 wrote:What on earth is funny about that ?
Isn't it funny how the burnley game is on Sunday and we are 1 game away from wembley and all of a sudden dunny is fit again!!!!
1952 rover
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12:21pm Tue 12 Mar 13
vicn1956
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12:47pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Yes we've wept over what has happened to our club. Didn't need you telling us to shut up. Chickens and roost?
GameRoverMan
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12:54pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Keen O to Get Kean Out
says...
1:02pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Iiii1111
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1:19pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Just checked the fixtures ..if results go against us this week/end by the time rovers play Burnley on Sunday we could be JUST ONE point above the relegation zone.
StLedge
says...
1:24pm Tue 12 Mar 13
vicn1956 wrote:Why does he need to apologise?
Still no hint of an apology telling the fans to "GET REAL!" Yes we've wept over what has happened to our club. Didn't need you telling us to shut up. Chickens and roost?
His 'get real' comment was after the City game we got thumped 4-0 and he mentioned that 1 of the players on the City bench was worth more than was paid for the club by Venkys; and the gulf between where we are financially and the big guns is that vast.
A Rover 45 years and over
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2:02pm Tue 12 Mar 13
A Rover 45 years and over
says...
2:07pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Iiii1111 wrote:It is a worrying time especially the way MA sets the team up to defend and counter attack with the strikers having to create their own chances usually one or two a game.
Forget about dreaming about wembley, concentrate about the league position. Just checked the fixtures ..if results go against us this week/end by the time rovers play Burnley on Sunday we could be JUST ONE point above the relegation zone.
Davelyn
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2:11pm Tue 12 Mar 13
owd nick
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2:28pm Tue 12 Mar 13
StLedge wrote:Beat me to it.
vicn1956 wrote:Why does he need to apologise?
Still no hint of an apology telling the fans to "GET REAL!" Yes we've wept over what has happened to our club. Didn't need you telling us to shut up. Chickens and roost?
His 'get real' comment was after the City game we got thumped 4-0 and he mentioned that 1 of the players on the City bench was worth more than was paid for the club by Venkys; and the gulf between where we are financially and the big guns is that vast.
Some people love to dish it out but can't take it.
owd nick
says...
2:30pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Brears wrote:Ditto.
What were the internal politics then- dont come with half a tale
This has to come out one way or another.
How many other players have been prevented from playing by "Internal Politics"?
And more importantly by who?
Total disgrace.
French Rover
says...
3:08pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Iiii1111 wrote:ever the optimist still I see - or should that be never the optimist?
Forget about dreaming about wembley, concentrate about the league position.
Just checked the fixtures ..if results go against us this week/end by the time rovers play Burnley on Sunday we could be JUST ONE point above the relegation zone.
I remember you being much more positive in the past Marghen......seems you have out-negativitated (is that even a word?) even Mr. Darener now....Plus I though the R word was banned now after last season..
Iiii1111
says...
3:39pm Tue 12 Mar 13
French Rover wrote:Realism thats all mr French oh and an opinion that's all, sorry.
Iiii1111 wrote:ever the optimist still I see - or should that be never the optimist?
Forget about dreaming about wembley, concentrate about the league position.
Just checked the fixtures ..if results go against us this week/end by the time rovers play Burnley on Sunday we could be JUST ONE point above the relegation zone.
I remember you being much more positive in the past Marghen......seems you have out-negativitated (is that even a word?) even Mr. Darener now....Plus I though the R word was banned now after last season..
Think you need to check the fixtures...
Not like u being confrontational ;-)
fishcake 75
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3:42pm Tue 12 Mar 13
noddymcleod
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5:24pm Tue 12 Mar 13
You mean that Apple hasn't been picking a team based on football skills, tactics, form etc ? It's only yesterday that he was telling everyone that he was in charge, but lo and behold, he's just like Keano picking a team based on what the accountant in Pune tells him. And yet there are ninnies out there who don't get the simple fact that Apple is Venkys man and as much part of their scheme as Kean was. Mayber Bergo wouldn't go along with Venkys and that's really why he wasn't given a chance.
The real story is that Venkys realise a Wembley appearance will net them quite a cash haul, therefore Apple has been told he can pick a better team even if it means paying Dunnie and Nunes.
If Millwall win, it's back to the bench, Dunnie.
dean555
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7:00pm Tue 12 Mar 13
1952 rover wrote:Not as in funny ha ha, but funny as in coincidence!!
dean555 wrote: Isn't it funny how the burnley game is on Sunday and we are 1 game away from wembley and all of a sudden dunny is fit again!!!!What on earth is funny about that ?
merlinrabbit
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7:53pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Brears wrote:I recall the interview with shebby on radio and him saying Dunn was injured. Radio reported after that somebody had rung in to say Dunn was not injured. He wouldn't reveal the callers identity so probably safe to assume ig was Dunn.
What were the internal politics then- dont come with half a tale
Wild Rover
says...
8:10pm Tue 12 Mar 13
noddymcleod wrote:What a load of bizarre twisted tosh, the article says injured in Appletons tenure, and refers to the politics as before that time. Under Shebbys puppet to use your language
Ditto others. What's internal politics, Andy ? Come on do a reporting job.
You mean that Apple hasn't been picking a team based on football skills, tactics, form etc ? It's only yesterday that he was telling everyone that he was in charge, but lo and behold, he's just like Keano picking a team based on what the accountant in Pune tells him. And yet there are ninnies out there who don't get the simple fact that Apple is Venkys man and as much part of their scheme as Kean was. Mayber Bergo wouldn't go along with Venkys and that's really why he wasn't given a chance.
The real story is that Venkys realise a Wembley appearance will net them quite a cash haul, therefore Apple has been told he can pick a better team even if it means paying Dunnie and Nunes.
If Millwall win, it's back to the bench, Dunnie.
What a t**l you are, really
OnePostThenTheOther
says...
8:25pm Tue 12 Mar 13
I love Rovers I do me.
MattNewcastle
says...
9:13pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Wild Rover wrote:Respect all those that don't share my view however
noddymcleod wrote:What a load of bizarre twisted tosh, the article says injured in Appletons tenure, and refers to the politics as before that time. Under Shebbys puppet to use your language
Ditto others. What's internal politics, Andy ? Come on do a reporting job.
You mean that Apple hasn't been picking a team based on football skills, tactics, form etc ? It's only yesterday that he was telling everyone that he was in charge, but lo and behold, he's just like Keano picking a team based on what the accountant in Pune tells him. And yet there are ninnies out there who don't get the simple fact that Apple is Venkys man and as much part of their scheme as Kean was. Mayber Bergo wouldn't go along with Venkys and that's really why he wasn't given a chance.
The real story is that Venkys realise a Wembley appearance will net them quite a cash haul, therefore Apple has been told he can pick a better team even if it means paying Dunnie and Nunes.
If Millwall win, it's back to the bench, Dunnie.
What a t**l you are, really
I had to laugh...
Based upon
1 - Football Skills
2 - Tactics and
3 - Form
and Appleton picking the team.
Fact 1
Three things clown Appleton knows absolutely nothing about. Especially the one about Tactics.
Fact 2
The guy is tactically inept as proven by Freedman's comments whereby he knew exactly what Clown Appleton and his equally inept inexperienced sidekicks would do, and successfully countered it whilst the clown and his merry "non existent" staff just stood there doing, or contributing absolutely nothing.
Wild Rover
says...
9:29pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Oh, btw Matt, youre a clown too and a Dingle and your point was crape too.
No respect intended..
MattNewcastle
says...
10:14pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Wild Rover wrote:Hi Wild Rover.
So Kean was a clown, Berg was a clown and now Appleton is clown and hey they are all bald.. must be a conspiracy
Oh, btw Matt, youre a clown too and a Dingle and your point was crape too.
No respect intended..
I think you have answered the question for me.
Yes all three were unsuitable at their particular times of appointment for our beloved club.
Had Kean, (yes kean) Berg, and Appleton really proved their abilities over a prolonged period of time then who knows, however, they have been three unsuitable appointments for our club when we were crying out for some experience to settle the ship after Big Sams sudden departure.
It was not the time to appoint 3 inexperienced managers in succession.
And yes I do think Appleton is proving to be an incompetent tactical manager, one that other managers appear to be able to outsmart as proved by Freedman's recent comments.
Anyway here is to a enjoyable night tomorrow.
flowersorseaman?
says...
12:30am Wed 13 Mar 13
noddymcleod
says...
9:09am Wed 13 Mar 13
When you cannot answer, you resort to abuse.
Riverside 7
says...
9:20am Wed 13 Mar 13
Last season we had several contract issues when the likes of Roberts & Salgado were not selected by Kean allegedly because further first team appearances would have triggered automatic contract extensions.
Is this the case with Dunny?
Come on AC do some investigative journalism and tell Rovers' supporters exactly what is going on at Ewood.
I am sure that the players or their agents would be only to willing to spill the beans.
What about Gomes,Givet & Nunes - do they also come into this category?
Do we believe Appleton when he tells us that Givet must get himself fit?
After all the player is a full time professional who trains everyday.
Is it not the manager's and coaches responsibility to get their players fit to play.
Yes Givet has thrown his dummy out of the pram at times but he must be sickened at the way the club has been run since Venky's took over.
He's someone who has played in the Champions League but he is being overlooked at full back in favour of Markus Olsson, Martin Olsson & Adam Henley. - (I would play Martin Olsson on the left side of midfield).
I have also been very critical of Dunny's lenghthy absences this season which were said to relate to calf injuries.
My main reason was on cost grounds - i.e. that he was being paid a big wage for not playing.
However, I have also said several times that he must be better than some of the crap who have played in central midfield this season.
owd nick
says...
9:41am Wed 13 Mar 13
Riverside 7 wrote:I suspect the problems revolve around contracts, many of which Venky's will not have been party to setting up, Robinson and Givet are good examples I suppose.
If AC's report is factually correct, just how many other players are not being selected because of internal politics?
Last season we had several contract issues when the likes of Roberts & Salgado were not selected by Kean allegedly because further first team appearances would have triggered automatic contract extensions.
Is this the case with Dunny?
Come on AC do some investigative journalism and tell Rovers' supporters exactly what is going on at Ewood.
I am sure that the players or their agents would be only to willing to spill the beans.
What about Gomes,Givet & Nunes - do they also come into this category?
Do we believe Appleton when he tells us that Givet must get himself fit?
After all the player is a full time professional who trains everyday.
Is it not the manager's and coaches responsibility to get their players fit to play.
Yes Givet has thrown his dummy out of the pram at times but he must be sickened at the way the club has been run since Venky's took over.
He's someone who has played in the Champions League but he is being overlooked at full back in favour of Markus Olsson, Martin Olsson & Adam Henley. - (I would play Martin Olsson on the left side of midfield).
I have also been very critical of Dunny's lenghthy absences this season which were said to relate to calf injuries.
My main reason was on cost grounds - i.e. that he was being paid a big wage for not playing.
However, I have also said several times that he must be better than some of the crap who have played in central midfield this season.
I think that before we continue to blame the owners and the sad succession of managers we have had we have to remember that the players hold all the cards.
We still have a large number of players who are on Premier League contracts, and while we are not privy to the contents if those contracts (nor should we be) you can bet your bottom dollar they are in the players favour.
But we are not in the Premier League, and irrespective of who is to blame for that a significant number of people players, fans etc; are still struggling to come to terms with that.
Just look at the Robinson situation for that, we are led to believe he was ready to go to West Ham, a Premier League team, but wanted Rovers to pay up his contract in full or he wouldn't, and didn't go.
I don't blame him, Givet or any of the others for that matter, but please lets not continue to paint them as sinned against saints, they aren't, they are in it for the money, pure and simple.
A lot of this is down to Agents and how contracts are negotiated with the clubs, and Agents to me are no better than Bankers.
Riverside 7
says...
10:43am Wed 13 Mar 13
But who was/is to blame for him being overweight earlier this season?
Was it the player himself?
Was it Kean, Black, Berg, Hendry, Bowyer?
If not, who was/is responsibile for the day to day fitness of the players?
Is there no dietician at the club any more?
Can it blamed the absence of a fitness coach pre Appleton?
I am also a little concerned at the hamstring injuries being suffered by our younger players such as Henley & King at the moment.
From an outsider's viewpoint, they appear to being rushed back to the first team.
I recall Dalglish easing Alan Shearer back by naming him on the bench for a whole month - and him making a gradual return off the bench.
I just hope that Leon Best dosn't suffer a reaction to playing another full 90 minutes tonight.
handyamBRFC
says...
11:43am Wed 13 Mar 13
'' A study of Neanderthal skulls suggests that they went extinct because they had larger eyes than our species.
As a result, more of their brain was devoted to seeing in the long, dark nights in Europe, at the expense of high-level processing. ''
Its quite obvious MA cant do it in the long run for BRFC....!
MA can def. see in the long dreary dark night's with his big bulging eyes which is obvious but can he see us through.....!!!!
but the vital question is can he process the info out there which is plain to see for all and come up with an action plan and see us through to the end of this season and beyond....!
I doubt it.....!!!
A new set of youngish, hard working, physically fit, skillfull Midfielders required at BRFC.
what do you think...?????
Old Alzheimer
says...
1:37pm Wed 13 Mar 13
It's to see David Dunn on the pitch for 90 mins.
Brears says...
11:42am Tue 12 Mar 13