The summer has seen some big changes at Blackburn Rovers. Manager Mark Hughes, after three successful years at the club has decided to move on and left in June to join Manchester City after Sven-Goran Eriksson left after just one season. In Hughes’ place comes ex-Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince. His arrival has surprised many observers due to his lack of experience. But his ambition is clear for all to see. After a successful season in charge of League Two team Milton Keynes Dons, Ince was able to win the league title and the Vans Trophy. There despite the concern about his youth, Ince arrives at Ewood Park already a winner.

As for the playing staff, Blackburn have so far this summer lost two of their most important players from recent years. Long serving American goal keeper Brad Friedel has moved to Aston Villa for £2 million and midfielder David Bentley has recently completed a £17 million transfer to Tottenham Hotspurs.

With plenty of money brought in, it is expected that Ince will have plenty to bring in new faces. However, so far his biggest acquisition has been the signing of Tottenham’s former England number one goalkeeper Paul Robinson. He will come into the team as a direct replacement for Friedel and cost a reported £3.5 million.

Ince has also brought in Manchester United youngster Danny Simpson on a year long loan. Perhaps two of the most mysterious of the summer are Blackburn South American acquisitions. Julio Santa Cruz, the younger brother of Roque has signed from Paraguayan team Cerro Porteno and Carlos Villanueva in a season loan from Chilean side Audax Italiano. What these two can bring to Blackburn and the Premier League is hard to quantity.

For Blackburn fans, the new season brings a feeling of uncertainty with more questions than answers at the moment. Under Hughes, Blackburn developed into a competitive team who for the last few seasons have consistently been competing for the European places and have proved to be a difficult team to beat.

Hughes also developed the ability at picking up players who many managers would have regarded as past their best. He has brought Benni McCarthy, Roque Santa Cruz and Christopher Samba in recent seasons and been able to get the best out of them.

In contrast the fans are uncertain about Ince and are asking many questions about his abilities to manage the team. They want to know how the inexperienced man can handle players like Santa Cruz. Can he hold on to him amidst the continued speculation linking the Paraguayan with Manchester United and Arsenal? They also see Bentley’s departure as a major blow to the team and indeed Ince’s ability to spend the money from his sale in the next few weeks, will largely determine whether Blackburn are to avoid a relegation battle this season.