Give Venky's some time to produce results: Ryan Nelsen
Blackburn Rovers captain and veteran defender Ryan Nelsen feels the new owners should be given some time before results are expected from the English Premier League side.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: October 08, 2011 02:30 PM IST
Blackburn Rovers' performance may have gone down ever since the club was taken over by the city-based Venky's group in November 2010, but captain and veteran defender Ryan Nelsen feels the new owners should be given some time before results are expected from the English Premier League side.
"I think the results we want them to be better, but it was going the same way during the previous owner's time. They didn't spend any money, they sold a lot of good players. It was a quite a coincidence that we were down when the Venky's took over," the 33-year-old New Zealander told PTI here.
"We need some time. The Venky's and the new manager Steve Kean are trying to get their philosophy into the team and that takes some time. We are looking to get back to the league and look for results and that takes some time. Obviously we want to finish as high as possible. It would be fantastic."
"We were meandering for a long time. The Venky's group has come in and provided some passion, some style. Exciting to be owned by a company which is based outside England and has a global presence. Its exciting for us," added Nelsen, who was in Pune along with the North English club, which became the first ever English Premier League side to play in India when it took on the Pune FC in an exhibition match on Friday.
Asked about the players he would want to be with the club during the transfer season, he said, "unfortunately the players I have in mind are Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi...these types. Obviously we want to get the best players possible but its a very complicated market. Every club in the world wants them. But I know the Venky family, (manager) Steve Kean are trotting around the globe looking for players who fit our style of play," he added.
Nelsen has made 172 appearances for the Rovers, since joining the club in 2005, and has also chipped in with eight goals.
Rovers, who narrowly escaped relegation last season, are once again in the danger zone having won only one match of the seven they have played in the ongoing EPL season.
On the club versus country debate which is raging among cricket-lovers in the country, Nelsen, who also leads the Kiwi international squad, said that managing both was a tough ask for football players too.
"It's very difficult. Obviously the club pays your wages but your heart is with your country too. It is very difficult. When the World Cup comes, it gets tough. You don't get a lot of rest, there is very little time to recover which the non-internationals get," he said.
Nelsen felt sorry for New Zealand cricketers, who often moan that they are known in India rather than there own country, but said the situation was not the same with football.
"Football has a massive grassroots. Lots of young players are playing. Hopefully, some of them will play in Europe. Yeah, feel for the cricketers. I know Daniel Vettori, pretty well. Stephen Fleming, Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum, Criag McMillian, mostly old players," he said.