Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jack Rodwell played for Simon Grayson during his time at Sunderland.
Simon Grayson believes Sunderland flop Jack Rodwell wants to ‘prove people wrong’ at his new club Blackburn following his ill-fated spell at the Stadium of Light.
The 27-year-old was part of the Sunderland team that suffered back-to-back relegations from the Premier League to the Championship and then into League One.
As reported by BBC Sport in the summer, midfielder Rodwell had his Sunderland contract cancelled by the club as he now plays for Tony Mowbray at Blackburn.
Grayson, who managed Rodwell, offered his honest thoughts on the player and explained what his current manager at Ewood Park has said about him.
“Well, he is at Blackburn now,” Grayson told Jim White on talkSPORT on 22/01/2019 at 12:40 pm. “He’s played probably half a dozen games in the Championship for Blackburn. I spoke to Tony Mowbray recently about him and he was quite happy with how Jack’s been doing.
“Not played every game because he’s had a few injuries and knocks along the way, but Jack I think has wanted to prove people wrong that have been criticising him over the last few years.”
During his time at the club, Rodwell played under numerous managers, including Grayson, who was sacked in October 2017 as the club spiralled out of control.
The Black Cats were eventually relegated in the summer, with Chris Coleman in charge as the club is back on its feet now and on course for a return to the second tier of English football.
As for former Manchester City midfielder Rodwell, he moved to Blackburn in the summer where Mowbray is utilising him as a centre-back.
Over the course of the season, he has played 11 games in all competitions, including his side’s previous two encounters against Millwall and Ipswich.
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