BLACKBURN // Neither the inclement Lancashire weather nor the insulting chants from all four sides of the JJB Stadium interrupted his lonely vigil.
Paul Ince failed as Blackburn manager but, as in his playing days, he did not hide. The 3-0 defeat to Wigan on Saturday effectively ended his reign at Ewood Park, though the official confirmation came on Tuesday.
His was a death warrant signed by players and supporters alike. While the Rovers team belied talk of an excellent team spirit by capitulating, their fans joined in the taunts of the Wigan faithful and then instigated their own. Their target was easily identifiable.
Ince, impassive and impotent on the edge of his technical area, his hands buried in his pockets, looked a manager unable to influence proceedings. His final act was one of defiance.
While Blackburn's fans called for Benni McCarthy, Ince introduced one of his favourites, the young Irishman Keith Treacy, instead. It was a move that was symbolic of Ince's reign; McCarthy was marginalised while his signings - especially those of his former Liverpool teammate Robbie Fowler and his MK Dons captain Keith Andrews - brought suggestions of cronyism.
Discontent spilled over into dissent 10 days earlier in the Carling Cup defeat at Old Trafford when criticism was aired publicly. Poor form, culminating in 11 Premier League matches without a victory, had a fatal impact. Unable to win popularity contests, Ince required triumphs on the pitch.
In personnel if not pounds, however, Ince's inheritance was enviable. A squad that secured three successive top-10 finishes was largely intact. McCarthy, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Roque Santa Cruz represented proven match-winners who failed to repeat their earlier form under Ince; Ryan Nelsen, Christopher Samba and Stephen Warnock had formed three-quarters of a dependable defence which was transformed into the leakiest in the league.
Chairman John Williams' statement served as an indictment of Ince. "Three wins in 17 games has seen a squad which finished seventh last season fall to 19th place," he said. "We are currently in danger of becoming detached from the pack."
They are already five points adrift of the comparative safety of 17th place. Rovers' record prompted one of Ince's less credible comments, suggesting the pressure was telling, when he asked journalists why they were not questioning the [palpably superior] performance of Harry Redknapp and Joe Kinnear at Tottenham and Newcastle respectively.
Similarly, Mark Hughes, a far more successful Rovers manager and one with a shared past at Old Trafford, was able to refute his theory that there is an anti-Manchester United vendetta.
Blame was liberally sprinkled around, but in their analysis of Ince's brief and inglorious taste of top-flight management, his own fans were in no doubt he merited the majority of it.
rjolly@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
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Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Sri Lanka Test squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (stand-in captain), Niroshan Dickwella (vice captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan and Lasith Embuldeniya.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
