Reading Chronicle | Sport | Downes defends Blackburn tactics

Saturday, 10th May, 2008

Published: Thursday, 27th March, 2008 10:00

Downes defends Blackburn tactics

By Anthony Smith

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WALLY Downes has dismissed accusations that Blackburn Rovers are a `dirty side’ and has praised Mark Hughes for the impressive job he is doing.

Downes strongly defended the Lancashire club’s reputation in the build-up to Saturday’s clash at the Madejski Stadium (3pm ko).

Blackburn have come under fire for being overly-physical and relying on strong-arm tactics to unsettle the opposition.

But Downes is certainly not one to subscribe to that theory. “When Mark Hughes joined they were down near the bottom of the division,” argued Royals’ defensive coach.

“When you go to a new club you sometimes have to change the philosophy and culture there. Of course, it can go the other way.

“The first thing he worked on was the defence by making sure they were competitive. They were criticised at the time by some managers and the media but I certainly never thought they were a dirty side.”

Hughes left his post as Wales manager in September 2004 to take over the reins at Ewood Park when Blackburn were struggling.

Having transformed them from relegation candidates into a highly competitive team, the former Manchester United and Barcelona striker took them to their first FA Cup semi-final in 40 years and he also secured UEFA Cup qualification.

“When Mark joined they became very, very competitive and very tough. They were shaped in the manner that Mark played and the way he wanted them to play.

“They became very competitive and now he has signed the players he wants there. Before that he was he was just looking for a quick impact with the players he inherited there.

“The best way to do that was to get them battling for him which they did.”

While Downes may be a big admirer of Hughes, he also realises how important three points could be to Reading in the race for Premier League safety.

Steve Coppell’s side are gaining momentum after three wins in their last four matches and have steadily pulled away from the relegation zone.

Now the immediate target is reaching 40 points and Downes insisted: “It’s absolutely attainable, yes.

“We are nine points away with 21 points to play for. That was the target we set at the start of the season and that’s what we’re still aiming for.

“The fact we got to 40 points much earlier last season just shows what a feat that was. But there are still plenty of twists and turns to come this season.”

However, Downes also argued: “We didn’t look at 40 points as our safety target. If we hit 40 we press on again.

“If we get that this year it will be terrific. Then we will re-assess our situation and ask `can the players hit 50?’

“Whether that’s attainable is another matter but it’s still mathematically possible and, should we reach 40 points, we crack on again.

“But out first aim is that 40 point mark and if teams go down with less, that’s terrific. I’ve been relegated out of this division with 40-odd.”

The one major fault of Reading this season has been their lack of consistency. They did not won back-to-back matches in the Premier League until the beginning of March.

“I’ve always felt we are a streaky side,” said Downes. “We can lose three or four on the bounce or, as we did last year, win three or four on the bounce.

“But it never gets to the stage where you think you are not going to win again with these players because they have the ability to pull together, rally around and dig themselves out of a hole.

“If you look back over the course of the season every game is important. Three points against Birmingham is the same as the three points you get against Manchester United.

“Yes, they are very welcome at the moment but there is still a long, long way to go.”

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