Wow, what a start to the season from the boys. I’ve been very impressed, by the results first and foremost, but also by the football. It’s front-foot football, something that we might have liked to have seen a little more last season. That’s not me having a go at the former management as it is difficult to do that in the Premier League, but it’s great to see us getting at teams and imposing ourselves on them a bit more now. It seems a very good fit with Marco Silva. He’ll be looking at us thinking he’s at a good place, a good football club, one that will suit him. And his football is certainly suiting us.
I like the two signings who came in from Watford on deadline day, two players I know really well. Domingos Quina’s a good operator, he can play anywhere; central midfield, or Watford even employed him sometimes up in a front three, so he’s a versatile player. He’s got very quick feet and he’s got a good strike, a good eye for goal. Nathaniel Chalobah is quality. He was unlucky with an injury in his early days at Watford, but I think he’s going to be one of the top midfielders in the Championship. I’m really surprised that Watford sold him.
Another fantastic bit of business was Aleksandar Mitrović’s contract extension. It’s great for us; he’s fit, he’s firing, and he’s a proven striker. He’ll be champing at the bit to get us up so that he can prove he can do it in the Premier League. In fairness to him, I don’t think he was played enough last season, and even when he did play, we didn’t use him to his strengths, so it’s wonderful to see him on form and enjoying his football.
You look at Norwich and Watford coming down and you think if you can keep hold of your players, like we’ve kept hold of Mitrović, then you’ve got a great chance of going straight back up. You’ve got to have your attitude spot on in the Championship – and I think we do – get your heads down through the conveyor belt of games, and get results. That’s been the case so far, and long may that continue.
We’re back in action this weekend with a trip to Blackpool. They’ll be desperate to get a first win on the board, but if we play like we have been then we should be fine. They’re a good footballing side, I’m not sure how good the surface is at Bloomfield Road these days, but it should be a good game for us.
It will be a cracking away day for the fans, too. When I played for Blackburn I’d have a bit of Blackpool every now and again, taking the family on a couple of trips to the seaside. The fans will love that one on Saturday, with their stick of rock and Kiss Me Quick hats, they’ll enjoy themselves up there!
