Nelsen backing for Ince

Blackburn defender dedicates win to boss

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 19th August 2008

Ryan Nelsen Blackburn

Nelsen: Happy for Ince

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Ryan Nelsen has dedicated Blackburn's win over Everton on the opening day of the season to manager Paul Ince.

Rovers snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory at Goodison Park against the side that finished fifth in the Premier League last term.

There had been reports of player unrest at Ewood Park in pre-season but Nelsen has rubbished the speculation and given his support to Ince.

"I'm so happy for the boss because he got some criticism that was so out of line," the New Zealander told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"He didn't deserve it because he's been fantastic.

Buzzing

"The first one is for him - all the lads are buzzing for him.

"We had a lot of doubters and a lot of people saying not-so-nice stuff about us during the whole of pre-season.

"But we know that what has been written is so untrue."

Blackburn had been tipped to struggle before the season kicked off but Nelsen is confident of a successful campaign.

"I hope this has proved a lot of people wrong, and that we are trying to contend right up there," he said.

"Every year that I've been here, people have said that Blackburn are just a mid-table team and every year we prove them wrong.

"Hopefully we can do that again."