Steve Curwood: Blackburn CEO defends 'frustating' transfer window

New Blackburn Rovers CEO Steve Curwood has defended the club's dealings in the summer transfer window, admitting "everyone is frustrated".

Many Rovers supporters have been highly critical of the Championship club who made four signings in total before the window shut on Tuesday.

Tony Mowbray's side also saw three deals fell through on deadline day.

"Deals were on the table," Curwood told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Deals were agreed with players and clubs. We can talk about morals in football, maybe there aren't too many now and that's what's happened.

"We were gazumped at the last minute on a couple of deals, and one was a foreign one which took a bit more time than you would anticipate."

BBC Radio Lancashire understands two of those deals to fall through involved Reo Hatate who joined Burnley, and Brian De Keersmaecker who went to Bristol City.

"The investment has been there," Curwood added.

"There hasn't been a reluctance (from the board). There has been collaboration throughout the process. I think at the final hurdle we haven't been able to get them over the line.

"Yes - its frustrating, we're frustrated, and Tony (Mowbray) wanted that extra little bit of something which we haven't managed to do."

Michael O'Neill kept Blackburn in the Championship last season, whilst also juggling his role as Northern Ireland boss.

He eventually turned down the permanent role at Ewood Park in mid-May, with Rovers turning to former boss Mowbray who was reappointed on 5 June.

Curwood concedes the window was "chaotic" but says it was down a series of factors, especially the timing of Mowbray's appointment.

"Ideally your manager will be in by the start of May to work out where are we going for next year," Curwood said.

"So that timeline has been constrained somewhat, and then conflated by injuries.

"If you want to do your deals early, maybe you can't go after the best players sometimes.

"You've got to either wait and go for target number one with this risk, or cement one in the building because we know we can get him, like Jayden Fevrier for example.

"We might highlight three or four targets, but Tony wants to make sure the people here want to be here and play for him.

"Was it the wrong thing to do to push for the specific players Tony wanted? These things happen when you try to be specific, but none of us want to just bring in just players to add bodies in the building."

Blackburn saw seven players leave in the summer, but Curwood does not think that decision was wrong after other incomings did not happen.

"You've got to allow the manager to make certain decisions," he added.

"The squad list was top-heavy. Certain players needed game-time, like George Pratt going to Bradford."

BBC Radio Lancashire also understands they turned down offers for Ryoya Morishita, Sean McLoughlin, Balasz Toth, Yuki Ohashi and Ryan Alebiosu.

Curwood, who joined from League Two Fleetwood Town two months ago, asked supporters to give the club time to settle.

"It's a been a whirlwind since I arrived - with a transfer window, an adminstrator going to another club, and a senior physiotherapist leaving," the 54-year-old added.

"The first 90 days will give me time to reflect and bring some of the processes this club need to improve where we are.

"We'll be in a very different position moving into the next window, and beyond that."

Click here to read article