Rovers Had No Choice But To Sell Matty

Sam Allardyce has today claimed that Blackburn Rovers would have been making a mistake by holding on to Matt Derbyshire - because he wanted to leave just as much as Roque Santa Cruz.

Matty, whilst very potent in front of goal, struggled to nail down a starting spot under Big Sam and when presented with the chance to move abroad, play regularly and play in the Champions League next season decided there was only one way to go - away from his boyhood club.

Sam has made it clear that in the days before Derbyshire`s exit to Olympiakos for a fee of £3m plus extras, the striker told Sam he wanted to make his original loan move permanent.

Sam has made a big point this summer about stressing the need for players who want to play for Blackburn and it is now apparent that wasn't the case with Matt Derbyshire.

Big Sam, speaking to the LET said - "I thought it was a terrific piece of business from our point of view,"

"But at the end of the day it was triggered by Matt Derbyshire not wanting to stay at Blackburn Rovers any more.

"He was just as determined to leave the football club as Roque was, so at the end of the day you take the money and where you can get someone who does want to play for Blackburn Rovers."

This whilst a bit sad from my point of view, is still ok in my books. Matty wanted to move to play regular football and wanted to mvoe but the difference is he did his haggling and pleading in private... unlike some other sneak.

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