Following Rovers’ 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town on the opening day of the 2018-19 season, Rovers’ first goalscorer of the season, Danny Graham, spoke to the club’s media team, as the forward looked back on an afternoon of hard-work and frustration.
“It’s very nice to get a goal and get off the mark, so early on in the season. Obviously, we’re disappointed about the overall result because we thought that we had done enough to get the 3 points, and to see that goal bobble in at the end, is a bit frustrating, but overall, it’s been a good start to the campaign.
“We’ve had a bit of a debate about their equaliser in the dressing room. A few questions have been asked about our positioning and who wasn’t in the right place, but it’s one of those goals that we just have to take, because there’s nothing we can do about it now, so we have to just move on and prepare for Millwall next Saturday.
“As the gaffer said in the dressing room, there were a lot of positives from today, including the showing of character that it took to come back and then take the lead, from going a goal down so early on in the game. We had a chance to make it 3-1 and put the game to bed, but Kasey (Palmer) didn’t manage to find the net, but that’s football, not everything is going to go your way. As a team, we’re disappointed with how the game ended today, but looking at it positively, we’re off the mark with some goals and a point on the board.
“I think, as we play more football in the Championship, we’ll start to put on better performances, as it’ll all come with match fitness and confidence – both of which we can take away from today. Showing such strong character will give everyone in the squad the belief that we can do a good job in the Championship, this season.
“Today’s game has certainly proved that the squad we have, is capable of matching and competing against many teams in this division. Our squad now, has come together how the gaffer wants it to and if he adds more quality personnel this week, it will only help the group, as the competition for places increases, as well as everyone’s desire to get into the starting line-up.
“It’s nice to get a goal on the opening day as I was out of the team after 2 games last season, so hopefully I can continue to do the right things and keep my place in the team. Saying that, however, I know that I need to keep working hard, on and off the pitch and in training, in order to maintain a place up-front. There were a lot of questions regarding Brad (Dack) and whether he was capable of making the step up into the Championship, as we in the dressing room knew he could, and I think today has proved any doubters wrong. He’s a confident boy who’s got a load of talent, and we want him to keep using that talent to help Blackburn Rovers, which in turn can only help improve me as a forward, as well as drive on the rest of the team.”
Danny concluded his interview by talking about how much he was looking forward to stepping out onto the Ewood Park pitch again for a league game, in-front of the home crowd. The forward also thanked the travelling support who made the 250-mile journey down to Portman Road.
“We know that Saturday’s game against Millwall is going to be a tough one, because they’re a big, physical team which I’m sure the gaffer is studying and has a plan for. All the lads are looking forward to going back to Ewood, and hopefully there’s a big backing in the stands that can help us push on and get the 3 points that will make this draw not look as bad. The journey down here is a mammoth one, and the fans have made a great effort to get down here and back us. They were brilliant last year, as they were today, so hopefully they can be the 12th man again at Ewood this year, which will help us all try and achieve a good season.”
