Rhodes won't get carried away by Rovers hype
9:50am Saturday 1st September 2012 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
IT would be easy for Jordan Rhodes to feel a little daunted about the challenge he has taken on at Ewood Park. Big pressure for young shoulders to take.
Having seen the Championship transfer record fee smashed and Rovers’ own equalled with his £8million capture, big things are expected of the 22-year-old Scot. Only Andy Cole has ever been signed by Rovers for that much before.
Rhodes himself isn’t thinking about things that way though as, ahead of this afternoon’s trip to Leeds United, he insists he won’t allow himself to get carried away by all the hype.
Last season’s top scorer in English football, firing 40 goals in Huddersfield’s promotion season, is just planning on carrying as normal.
He cut a relaxed figure as he was unveiled to press at Brockhall and was adamant the huge price tag just makes him feel wanted, rather than under real pressure to repeat past prolifics.
He said: “Andy Cole was a tremendous player. I had a couple of sessions under him at Huddersfield under Lee Clark. He put on a couple of finishing sessions and it was good to take a few tips from him.
“I am just looking forward to getting started, to getting settled, used to the area and getting to know the lads. I am looking forward to it.
“I have not really thought about it (the price tag). It hasn’t had a chance to settle in and probably won’t for another six months to a year. I am just going to try to do everything on instinct and go with the flow.
“I just want to try and improve my game and do everything without thinking about things too much. It is a big price tag but it is a fantastic feeling for someone to come out and pay that type of money for you. It shows they want you so much and it is a really good feeling.”
‘Gamble’, ‘astronomical’ and ‘over the odds’ are all phrases used about Rovers capture of the Scottish international, especially with the young hot-shot still relatively untried in the Championship.
He has scored a couple in his first two games in English football’s second tier for Huddersfield already this campaign and insists he is looking forward to the new challenge.
“I have not thought about the step up and coming up from League One,” he said. “I have just tried to make the runs and get where I think the balls will drop and try and apply the finish that might go in the back of the net.
“I have had a couple of chances and maybe could have had a couple more goals, but I am happy with the return of two. Sometimes as striker they do go in and things are great. Sometimes they don’t and strikers live for goals.
“Ultimately you just give 100 per cent for the team and it is the points that count. It is not the goals. If I don’t score on Saturday, we would all take three points whether it be an own goal or anyone else scores.
“I don’t have a target. I will just try to do the best I can in any game I play and just try and give it my all. It is not about goals, it is about trying to get goals and trying to get in the top six and the top two.
“I will just try and make the runs and try to get on the end of it. Hopefully they do go in because that is what I love doing. There is no better feeling.”
So why Blackburn Rovers ? After all, we are talking about one of the most highly rated young strikers in English football.
It has been a reported a host of Premier League clubs were chasing his signature and yet he has joined a club at the same level as Huddersfield.
He said: “Hopefully Blackburn Rovers will be getting back to the status they should be.
“I don’t know who else was interested. You would have to ask Huddersfield Town that. I knew of Blackburn Rovers’ interest and knew how strong they were willing to pursue the transfer.
“They kept coming back for me and it showed how much they wanted me. This is a Premier League club, with Premier League facilities. You only have to come here and look around, see the players you are having lunch with. I see it as the next stage of my development.
“I am not a complete player by any means. I am playing with players who have played at the highest level here and I am coming here to learn from them.
“We have a great chance of going into the next league and that is where everyone wants to play their football."
Comments(25)
Oz Rover
says...
10:11am Sat 1 Sep 12
French Rover
says...
10:15am Sat 1 Sep 12
cathedral citi
says...
10:19am Sat 1 Sep 12
All we ask Jordan, is for a convincing rout of the knuckle draggers, home and away, which will show them that there is only ONE true club of pride and worth in east Lancashire, the mighty, the incredible, the fantastic Blackburn Rovers...
dallydally
says...
10:59am Sat 1 Sep 12
blueblooded
says...
11:00am Sat 1 Sep 12
COYB
jogalot
says...
11:18am Sat 1 Sep 12
juanbbien
says...
11:39am Sat 1 Sep 12
Rover Pete
says...
11:40am Sat 1 Sep 12
gleechy
says...
11:42am Sat 1 Sep 12
plymouthrover wrote:Oh just say that again, a slight tear.
Good luck to all the new signings today and welcome to the Club. Please try to remember when you put on our shirt that you wear it with the utmost pride and most of all play for the Fans. Today will be the biggest challenge so far and the last couple of lacklustre performances need overshadowing with a performance of true intent for the rest of the season COYB's.
Fat fingers
says...
11:43am Sat 1 Sep 12
Fat fingers
says...
11:43am Sat 1 Sep 12
maggie-T
says...
12:00pm Sat 1 Sep 12
cathedral citi wrote:That's because we are still laughing at paying £8 million for a league one goal scorer when other proven premier league goal scorers were bought for £6 million, huddersfield must be having a right old laugh at you lot, totally clueless! Remember goodwillie? What was he ? The new Wayne Rooney ? Says it all, clueless, classless idiots
Wow! The dingles have been deathly quiet since the mighty rovers signed this player. They sure know in their heart of hearts, that turd moor is a poor second to the rovers, and always will be!
All we ask Jordan, is for a convincing rout of the knuckle draggers, home and away, which will show them that there is only ONE true club of pride and worth in east Lancashire, the mighty, the incredible, the fantastic Blackburn Rovers...
A Darener
says...
12:24pm Sat 1 Sep 12
maggie-T wrote:He still managed to score against you tho'.
cathedral citi wrote:That's because we are still laughing at paying £8 million for a league one goal scorer when other proven premier league goal scorers were bought for £6 million, huddersfield must be having a right old laugh at you lot, totally clueless! Remember goodwillie? What was he ? The new Wayne Rooney ? Says it all, clueless, classless idiots
Wow! The dingles have been deathly quiet since the mighty rovers signed this player. They sure know in their heart of hearts, that turd moor is a poor second to the rovers, and always will be!
All we ask Jordan, is for a convincing rout of the knuckle draggers, home and away, which will show them that there is only ONE true club of pride and worth in east Lancashire, the mighty, the incredible, the fantastic Blackburn Rovers...
Chico!
says...
12:33pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Fat fingers wrote:Ooh look, a dingle!
Blackburn have been mugged and paid over the odds. Twelve months from now he will be loaned out or sold on at a massive loss. If you expect this guy to score the goals to get promotion then you will be very disappointed. Just another move that has made the rest of the world laugh at Blackburn Rovers.
All wave at the dingle!
Be careful now...this one seems in a particularly bitter and grumpy mood today.
His sister/auntie must be on the blob. Look's like Grandad's getting lucky tonite then!
lusorover
says...
12:38pm Sat 1 Sep 12
He is a natural finisher the like of which we have not had since Andy Cole.
Big boots to fill but plenty of time to grow into them as long as the fans give him the time it takes to settle in.
A couple today would be nice though!
senlac1066
says...
12:53pm Sat 1 Sep 12
earwego
says...
1:05pm Sat 1 Sep 12
maggie-T wrote:Another Dingle Dung carrier from Turd Moor invading the Rovers comments page. When will they ever learn. They don't seem(sorry unable) to understand that their comments are borne out of frustration of being second best. They have the misguided idea that they have anything of sense to relay to the fans of the mighty Rovers.I say Mighty,because if you read the stats of the 2 clubs,say last 30 years you will see why.The fact they come on here spouting their drivel is a compliment,they don't go on their own,nobody does,a case of Billy no mates. Does 34 mean anything to you.
cathedral citi wrote:That's because we are still laughing at paying £8 million for a league one goal scorer when other proven premier league goal scorers were bought for £6 million, huddersfield must be having a right old laugh at you lot, totally clueless! Remember goodwillie? What was he ? The new Wayne Rooney ? Says it all, clueless, classless idiots
Wow! The dingles have been deathly quiet since the mighty rovers signed this player. They sure know in their heart of hearts, that turd moor is a poor second to the rovers, and always will be!
All we ask Jordan, is for a convincing rout of the knuckle draggers, home and away, which will show them that there is only ONE true club of pride and worth in east Lancashire, the mighty, the incredible, the fantastic Blackburn Rovers...
zenoufthebirdcatcher
says...
1:09pm Sat 1 Sep 12
However, I, for one, wish Jordan Rhodes well and hope that he has a successful career with us.
bluerob
says...
1:31pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Half time: West Ham 3 Fulham 0
Now just remind me, where are we playing today ?
A Darener
says...
1:39pm Sat 1 Sep 12
bluerob wrote:And who is their manager?????????
Good start Jordan , at least you didnt say the manager was a big factor in your decision, no doubt the £40k a week came into it somewhere. To be honest I would do the same so good luck to you in a Rovers shirt.
Half time: West Ham 3 Fulham 0
Now just remind me, where are we playing today ?
blueblooded
says...
2:02pm Sat 1 Sep 12
www.yorkshireradio.n
et/iphone.php
Venkytrash
says...
2:26pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Fat fingers wrote:Whatever fatboy...dingle by any chance?
Blackburn have been mugged and paid over the odds. Twelve months from now he will be loaned out or sold on at a massive loss. If you expect this guy to score the goals to get promotion then you will be very disappointed. Just another move that has made the rest of the world laugh at Blackburn Rovers.
Go back to your cave a cuddle ur mum.
Venkytrash
says...
2:29pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Go back to your cave a cuddle ur mum.
Chrissaces
says...
7:19pm Sun 2 Sep 12
zenoufthebirdcatcher wrote:Did Kevin Davis hold the record for fastest hat trick scored with his head? Plus more hat tricks that season (possibly even another one following the 8 minute hat trick of headers)? Four goals in a 4-4 draw? 5 goals in a 6-0 win? 99 goals in 184 games? 40 goals in 45 games the season before? And let's not forget the lad had the highest goal tally in competitive english football last season!!
Strikers are very special players. Because Jordan Rhodes was successful at Huddersfield does not mean he willl be successful at the Rovers. A similar, much talked about transfer was Kevin Davis when he joined us and really did nothing. There are more recent examples at other clubs; Andy Carrol, for one and Fernando Torres at Chelsea for another; super at Liverpool, but has taken a long time to settle in at Chelsea.
However, I, for one, wish Jordan Rhodes well and hope that he has a successful career with us.
I know you are being pessimistic, as most rovers will be till the bald skanky rat gets out of our club, but cumon pal! This guy has proven tallent at any level, and if you read the post above you would/should be able to see that he seems a humble striker with a head that WOULD actually fit through the turnstiles!!
RTID!
plymouthrover says...
9:57am Sat 1 Sep 12