Corry Evans - is he any good? Blackburn fan gives honest views on Sunderland’s new signing

RR: So then, Corry Evans - is he any good?

Ian Herbert [BRFCS.com]: On his day, yes. The issue is the number of days that he will have for you, due to his injury record.

He has an eye for a pass, and his technique withstands the rigors of international football, but all too often, his fitness undermines his legacy.

In our experience, he saved his best games for Stoke City (after Michael O’Neill took over) when he turned into a Championship level hybrid of Iniesta and Xavi… only to trip up getting onto the team coach, tear a hamstring and be out for six weeks.

RR: He’s been at Blackburn a long time. Why do you think he’s been so loyal to the club, and similarly, why do you think the club have been so loyal to him?

Ian Herbert [BRFCS.com]: A marriage of convenience, maybe?

I suspect he was on a decent contract, and Rovers don’t have the resources to sign anyone better. Corry has for a while looked like a player that needs a fresh start, but was hanging on until his (generous) deal expired.

His presence in the squad stopped Rovers having to spend on a replacement, and therefore kept him playing Championship football - possibly beyond his Use By date.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

RR: Was it the right time for him to leave?

Ian Herbert [BRFCS.com]: Yes. We have a batch of promising (cheap?) youngsters that need to be tested out to see if they can pass muster. It makes sense all round.

RR: What sort of midfielder is he?

Ian Herbert [BRFCS.com]: He’s technical, has an eye for a pass, is not afraid to put himself in danger (see; Record, Injury).

He is a consummate professional, solid, unspectacular… and always injured.

RR: What would you say that his strengths are as a player?

Ian Herbert [BRFCS.com]: His range of passing and ability to read the game.

RR: And his weaknesses - what areas of his game are lacking?

Ian Herbert [BRFCS.com]: No pace, doesn’t score... did I mention his injury record?

Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images

RR: He’s 31 - is he still capable of playing the trying and testing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday schedule that League One will demand of him?

Ian Herbert [BRFCS.com]: No, he isn’t… unless you have developed some revolutionary gene therapy that overcomes the ravages of playing actual football.

RR: Overall, what would you say to anyone that isn’t perhaps sure what to make of this move by Sunderland?

Ian Herbert [BRFCS.com]: If his wages are modest and heavily appearance-related, he’s worth a gamble for the occasional cameo of class. If you expect him to play 50 appearances and boss the game week in week out, then you might be disappointed.

I don’t know whether you are aware of this, but he is injury-prone….