Blackburn Rovers new boy Rhodes ready for Ewood bow
4:17pm Tuesday 18th September 2012 in Sport
PREDATOR: a person whose behaviour is rapacious or exploitative. Ruthless: having no pity or compassion.
Neither of these words or meanings sum up Jordan Rhodes the man, but put the 22-year-old on a football field with the ball at his feet and the goal frame in front of him, and it’s a different story.
Ninety-nine career goals to date, from 183 appearances, will testify to that.
He can’t explain why.
But this mild-mannered, modest individual insists he is not the finished article.
Blackburn Rovers, he feels, can expect more for their money.
“I don’t think you can be too good at anything. I think you can work on your strengths and your weaknesses,” said the former Huddersfield hot shot.
“For me I don’t think that particularly identifies one area to work on.
“I’m working on all aspects, strength, speed, left foot, heading, my right foot – all sorts of different technical and tactical attributes as well.
“I just try to make myself better as a whole.”
Rhodes became Rovers’ record signing on August 30, with an £8million offer ultimately testing Huddersfield’s resolve after a long, summer pursuit.
Fans will get their first glimpse of him at Ewood Park tonight when Rovers entertain Barnsley hoping to stretch their winning home run to three games and retain their position at the top of the Championship.
Rhodes helped to put them there with his first goals – two key ones – as Rovers came back from behind to beat Bristol City and record their first away win of the season with a 5-3 scoreline at Ashton Gate.
He is looking forward to his Ewood experience.
“You always remember your first game, your first goal, your first home game,” he said.
“If I get time on the field and if selected I’ll give it my best shot and work as hard as I can and hopefully come the end of the 90 minutes we’ll have scored more goals than Barnsley.”
The game takes on extra meaning for Rhodes, having spent time on the Tykes books as a youngster.
The Oldham-born striker joined the under 11s at Oakwell when his dad, Andy, was employed as the first team goalkeeping coach.
He stayed with the Academy for four years before moving to East Anglia when former Oldham and Barnsley stopper Andy took a similar job under Joe Royle at Ipswich Town.
Rhodes completed his apprenticeship at Portman Road before going on to make his name at Huddersfield Town.
“I’ve always quite fancied being a striker. I used to look up to Henrik Larsson, Ally McCoist, Billy Dodds and people like that, Darren Jackson,” said Rhodes, who saw this players in action when his dad played north of the border for Dunfermline, St Johnstone and Airdrieonians.
“Then coming down the road now and seeing Alan Shearer and Ruud van Nistelrooy applying their trade and seeing what they did best and different types of movement.
“I always dreamed one day I’d step out on the field, at whatever level it might be, and be a professional footballer. It’s fantastic to live the dream and do that to this day.”
Bar dropped points at Ipswich and Leeds United it has been almost a dream start for Rovers in response to relegation.
“We’ve had a good start, but that’s all it has been,” warned Rhodes.
“The challenge now is to build on that and maintain the form we’ve started with, hopefully against a very tough Barnsley team.”
His own mission to improve is a daily one.
“I just try to make myself a better player,” he said.
“I try to get myself in areas I think the ball might drop in or try to apply a certain technique whether it’s power, or my head or a sidefoot, where I think the ball might be best going into the goal.
“Sometimes they go in and that’s great, for the team and supporters and things, and sometimes they don’t.
“I’m just trying to go out on the field at any given time to give it my best shot and work as hard as I can whatever team that might be in.
“There are so many great strikers that have been here in the past, and I’m looking forward to learning off the strikers here now to try to be the best I can be. I try not to let things faze me too much.
“Now I’m at Blackburn Rovers I’m going to give it my all for the club.”
Comments(39)
RUinsane
says...
4:31pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Rovers 1495
says...
4:34pm Tue 18 Sep 12
cboyer
says...
4:35pm Tue 18 Sep 12
handsj14
says...
4:42pm Tue 18 Sep 12
cboyer wrote:110% agree with you!!!
looking forward to tonight and friday feel sorry for those who wont go till kean out
RADRover
says...
4:43pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Rovers 1495
says...
4:48pm Tue 18 Sep 12
RADRover wrote:4 points from the next two means bye-bye Stevie ... bring it on
Yep me too, looking forward to at least four points from the next two games.
forever-a-blue-jean
says...
5:15pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Stay away and send Kean away
willhelmrover98
says...
5:15pm Tue 18 Sep 12
ponyton
says...
5:27pm Tue 18 Sep 12
k/sport/football/id-
rather-scotland-neve
r-reached-another-10
61765
Article in the Scottish paper how HENDRY did not want diluted Scots playing for Scotland , HENDRY commented "I cant get my head around guys wearing Scottish shirts with English accents " he did not think they should be allowed to play ,so NO RHODES FOR SCOTLAND THEN HENDRY ?
15th June 2010 Daily Record.
Deadwoodchamps
says...
5:34pm Tue 18 Sep 12
RUinsane
says...
5:54pm Tue 18 Sep 12
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Keep up the good work, stay away forever and its champions league in three years. I'm glad I suggested a boycott for all the protesters last season. Now they leave Rovers to the ones who want to get behind the team whilst they boo at the TV. Brilliant. Please keep it up. At this rate I'm hoping you don't bother coming back, we're absolutely flying.
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
4youreyesonly
says...
6:02pm Tue 18 Sep 12
adcr
says...
6:02pm Tue 18 Sep 12
When Shearer came to us he was 22 the age Rhodes is now. At the time Shearer's goal scoring record wasn't that good albeit he was playing in the top league, whilst Rhodes with a first class record has plyed his trade in the lower leagues. This makes a comparison unfair, but what i do think is most forwards in the premier league wouldn't have got more goals than Rhodes if they were playing in league one last season. I think he can only get better, and to those critics who doubted whether he would be able to step up - championship 4 games played and 4 goals (two at huddersfield) and he is still settling in and hasn't even played a home game yet.
4youreyesonly
says...
6:03pm Tue 18 Sep 12
RUinsane wrote:SHUT UP YOU CLOWN
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Keep up the good work, stay away forever and its champions league in three years. I'm glad I suggested a boycott for all the protesters last season. Now they leave Rovers to the ones who want to get behind the team whilst they boo at the TV. Brilliant. Please keep it up. At this rate I'm hoping you don't bother coming back, we're absolutely flying.
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
French Rover
says...
6:07pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Rovers 1495 wrote:The slubbery-chopped Odious one is not going anywhere unfortunately Mr 1945.....whether it is 3 losses in a row or x points from x games.....non of that is real, surely you know that after all the lies upon lies we have heard.
RADRover wrote:4 points from the next two means bye-bye Stevie ... bring it on
Yep me too, looking forward to at least four points from the next two games.
But even with the Odious one still clinging on by his feeble fingertips, the team is looking good. Rhodes is superb and the way he put the fifth goal away on saturday was as good as anything (almost) that I ever saw from Shearer. Rhodes has the capability to develop to be that good a player to be in Shearers class. Hope for more goals tonight and another three points. Allez les Bleus!
the_iconoclast
says...
6:09pm Tue 18 Sep 12
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Venkys are loaded. You have no way of realistically hurting them financially. They should be commended. They have successfully cleansed the club of undesirables. Enjoy your boycott.
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
forever-a-blue-jean
says...
6:17pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Kean = undesirable
Agnew = undesirable
Now lose these two jokers and they will be commended.
In Shebby we Trust
RoversSwiss
says...
6:25pm Tue 18 Sep 12
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Are you people being stupid on purpose just to wind people up like Matthew CA? You kept SK in work because Mrs.D felt sorry for him taking so much stick
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
The money Venkys are losing from the boycott wouldn't pay for Jordan Rhodes left boot. Venkys are only interested in getting a cut of the Sky Billions on offer in the Premiership, they have to get promotion to avoid huge debts.
You always lose fans when a team gets relegated, but many people are staying away because of the miserable atmosphere last season. I know some people who have got tickets behind the glass on the Darwen End because it was the only way to escape the knobheads. In the old days you could walk round the ground to escape them, now if you are stuck next to a knobhead there is no escape for a full season.
Hoping for a good win tonight, will be difficult, Keith Hill has become an excellent manager, thought he might have had an outside chance of the Rovers job. Flying over tomorrow for fridays game, hopefully the boycotters will stay away and I can enjoy my rare visit.
ROVERSPAL1
says...
6:27pm Tue 18 Sep 12
DeepRoversFan
says...
6:33pm Tue 18 Sep 12
I guess you don't have any idea abt Venkys ... though they are not having sponsors at this movement but they will never fall short of funds.... money is not problem for them ..... they are doing everything to come out of this... and team is also doing good job... so I would suggest forgot SK's story and keep it a side. Come back to Ewood and support the team...
be a true Rovers fan.... be a true Rovers fan.... be a true Rovers fan.... !!!
RTID
says...
6:35pm Tue 18 Sep 12
juanbbien
says...
6:47pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Deadwoodchamps wrote:That's your best shot is it,change the record very boring
Whoooooooo Hoooooooooo......... MK Dons 2 barstewards 1............
Harwoodstblue
says...
6:48pm Tue 18 Sep 12
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Kean out...Real fans back
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
FCBurnley
says...
6:48pm Tue 18 Sep 12
dallydally wrote:Its leg end not legend !
First class interview. I'm already on record saying this guy will become a legend
Harwoodstblue
says...
6:51pm Tue 18 Sep 12
RUinsane wrote:Kean out....REAL fans back
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Keep up the good work, stay away forever and its champions league in three years. I'm glad I suggested a boycott for all the protesters last season. Now they leave Rovers to the ones who want to get behind the team whilst they boo at the TV. Brilliant. Please keep it up. At this rate I'm hoping you don't bother coming back, we're absolutely flying.
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
Harwoodstblue
says...
6:57pm Tue 18 Sep 12
the_iconoclast wrote:Don't you mean they've FILLED the club with undesirables. Kean, Hendry and one player who has been in jail.
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Venkys are loaded. You have no way of realistically hurting them financially. They should be commended. They have successfully cleansed the club of undesirables. Enjoy your boycott.
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
Harwoodstblue
says...
7:05pm Tue 18 Sep 12
RoversSwiss wrote:Keith Hill in....Kean out...Proper fans back.
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Are you people being stupid on purpose just to wind people up like Matthew CA? You kept SK in work because Mrs.D felt sorry for him taking so much stick
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
The money Venkys are losing from the boycott wouldn't pay for Jordan Rhodes left boot. Venkys are only interested in getting a cut of the Sky Billions on offer in the Premiership, they have to get promotion to avoid huge debts.
You always lose fans when a team gets relegated, but many people are staying away because of the miserable atmosphere last season. I know some people who have got tickets behind the glass on the Darwen End because it was the only way to escape the knobheads. In the old days you could walk round the ground to escape them, now if you are stuck next to a knobhead there is no escape for a full season.
Hoping for a good win tonight, will be difficult, Keith Hill has become an excellent manager, thought he might have had an outside chance of the Rovers job. Flying over tomorrow for fridays game, hopefully the boycotters will stay away and I can enjoy my rare visit.
DeepRoversFan
says...
7:16pm Tue 18 Sep 12
merlinrabbit
says...
7:35pm Tue 18 Sep 12
RUinsane wrote:IF YOU HOPE THEY DONT GO BACK, WHY ARE YOU CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT THEM, POSTING TO THEM? EVERY WORD YOU WRITE IS CRYING OUT THAT YOU ARE BOTHERED YOU NUMPTY. YOU NEVER WRITE ABOUT THE GAME, ITS ALWAYS ABOUT THE STAYAWAY FANS. ITS BOTHERING YOU JUST AS MUCH AS IT IS VENKYS. YOU ARE THE BAROMETER FOR THE BOYCOTTERS. WHILST THEY CAN SEE YOU ARE BOTHERED ENOUGH TO TALK ABOUT THEM ON HERE, THEY KNOW ITS WORKING
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Keep up the good work, stay away forever and its champions league in three years. I'm glad I suggested a boycott for all the protesters last season. Now they leave Rovers to the ones who want to get behind the team whilst they boo at the TV. Brilliant. Please keep it up. At this rate I'm hoping you don't bother coming back, we're absolutely flying.
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
Deadwoodchamps
says...
8:01pm Tue 18 Sep 12
RUinsane wrote:Phoenix.......... kn0b jockey!!!!!!!
Get down ewood and witness the rise of the pheonix
six fingered freak ;-)
Whoooooooo Hoooooooooo......... MK Dons 2 barstewards 1............
silverstan
says...
8:23pm Tue 18 Sep 12
A Darener
says...
8:45pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Harwoodstblue
says...
9:31pm Tue 18 Sep 12
RUinsane wrote:What happened to all the Spartans tonight........King Leonidas...
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Keep up the good work, stay away forever and its champions league in three years. I'm glad I suggested a boycott for all the protesters last season. Now they leave Rovers to the ones who want to get behind the team whilst they boo at the TV. Brilliant. Please keep it up. At this rate I'm hoping you don't bother coming back, we're absolutely flying.
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
12772...Hmmm.
A Darener
says...
9:34pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Harwoodstblue wrote:It was too wet for them only fair weather fans!
RUinsane wrote:What happened to all the Spartans tonight........King Leonidas...
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Keep up the good work, stay away forever and its champions league in three years. I'm glad I suggested a boycott for all the protesters last season. Now they leave Rovers to the ones who want to get behind the team whilst they boo at the TV. Brilliant. Please keep it up. At this rate I'm hoping you don't bother coming back, we're absolutely flying.
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
12772...Hmmm.
forever-a-blue-jean
says...
9:56pm Tue 18 Sep 12
crowds getting lower despite being top of league and cheap tickets.
KEAN OUT FANS IN NO COMPROMISE
forever-a-blue-jean
says...
9:56pm Tue 18 Sep 12
crowds getting lower despite being top of league and cheap tickets.
KEAN OUT FANS IN NO COMPROMISE
the_iconoclast
says...
11:43pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Rovers 1495
says...
8:41am Wed 19 Sep 12
RoversSwiss wrote:Big risk with Kitman in charge
forever-a-blue-jean wrote:Are you people being stupid on purpose just to wind people up like Matthew CA? You kept SK in work because Mrs.D felt sorry for him taking so much stick
The boycott is biting. Venkys are business men, the lack of sponsors and low crowds are causing them real concern.
Stay away and send Kean away
The money Venkys are losing from the boycott wouldn't pay for Jordan Rhodes left boot. Venkys are only interested in getting a cut of the Sky Billions on offer in the Premiership, they have to get promotion to avoid huge debts.
You always lose fans when a team gets relegated, but many people are staying away because of the miserable atmosphere last season. I know some people who have got tickets behind the glass on the Darwen End because it was the only way to escape the knobheads. In the old days you could walk round the ground to escape them, now if you are stuck next to a knobhead there is no escape for a full season.
Hoping for a good win tonight, will be difficult, Keith Hill has become an excellent manager, thought he might have had an outside chance of the Rovers job. Flying over tomorrow for fridays game, hopefully the boycotters will stay away and I can enjoy my rare visit.
dallydally says...
4:30pm Tue 18 Sep 12