THE departure of Alan, Shearer may have gone down," like a lead balloon with Blackburn Rovers but it is at least giving a rise to one of their players. Step forward Chris Sutton, formerly the country's record transfer at £5 million and currently proud owner of the blue and white number nine shirt.
In Blackburn's 1994-95 championship winning campaign the Sutton half of the SAS scored 15 league goals. Last season an ankle injury restricted him to nine league games in which he failed to register and he became the forgotten man of Ewood Park.
When Alan Shearer left, however, Rovers were once more forced to dial S and the lanky centre forward has since expanded into the space left by the England captain to make the role his own. This time out he is Rovers' top scorer with six in the league.
Under Tony Parkes's caretaker management Sutton has been playing as a lone striker and he said the new system was more to his liking. "We won the Championship playing 4-4-2 and I think teams found us out," he said. "Now we're playing more than a passing game.
Against Derby, Sutton had two good chances but his sharp header down in the first half was kept out by the home goalkeeper, Russell Hoult, and his ferocious shot in the second was repelled by the crossbar. "I feel I'm still getting my fitness back but I'm pleased I'm taking up the right positions and I'm hopeful that goals will come and come in abundance," he said.
Parkes felt Blackburn, coming off their St Stephen's Day victory over Newcastle, had done enough to earn their first away win of the season and avenge their 2-1 defeat at home by Derby in September. "There's a lot of confidence and spirit within the club and I think they believe they can get out of trouble," he said.
Both Blackburn and Derby are beneath the cut off point in the table marked by Tottenham Hotspur in 10th place. Spurs have won eight games and lost eight. Above them are the teams who have won more than they have lost and are challenging for a place, in Europe. Below them are those who have lost more than they have won and are already limbering up for the fight against relegation. "It's going to be a major dog, fight until the end of the season, said the Derby County manager Jim Smith.
Blackburn may be a long way below Derby's 11th place, but of the two Rovers have the healthier sheen. Derby have not won since November and have taken just two points from five games, which is relegation form. Blackburn, on the other hand, are on a modest roll. They have won three, drawn four and lost only two since Parkes took over nine weeks ago and at Ewood the R word is being treated with disdain.
