http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/ en Copyright 2012 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:50:28 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss After last week's 4-3 defeat at Accrington Stanley, Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler suggested that his playing staff should make a contribution to the supporters travel costs following a dismal performance in Lancashire. If being defeated by the odd goal in seven generates such a response, then the Rovers supporters who braved the elements at the Emirates should be entitled to an all expenses paid luxury break to the Caribbean! It was not just the scoreline that Rovers should be ashamed of but the manner in which the side capitulated and allowed an out of form Arsenal to dictate proceedings with such ease without playing particularly well. Too many Rovers players made fundamental errors time and again which were exploited by Arsenal's creative players and finished off by their goalscoring generals. Rovers lacked leadership on and off the pitch and without the imposing presence of their former skipper, Arsenal were allowed to dominate as they pleased. Not since Old Trafford, 14 months ago has a Rovers side capitulated in this way and we all know what action the Venkys took after that one. Something tells me that history will not repeat itself! http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2012/02/after_last_weeks_43_defeat.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2012/02/after_last_weeks_43_defeat.php Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:50:28 +0000 Sky Sports News from Jerome Anderson. Then there was the 24 hour protest which was followed by a magnificent main course served up against Fulham. ]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2012/01/rovers_red_letter_day.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2012/01/rovers_red_letter_day.php Club talk Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:45:28 +0000 A Happy New Year to Rovers fans everywhere. Unfortunately 2012 has begun in a similar fashion to that which epitomised the vast majority of 2011. Monday's defeat against Stoke was a crushing blow considering that the club had achieved the unthinkable over the Christmas period in getting results at both Anfield and Old Trafford. Those who witnessed the bizarre yet brilliant afternoon at Old Trafford will remember it for a long time. The small band of Rovers fans were magnificent in their support for the team and appreciative of the efforts of the players in yellow jerseys. Those who had played like ghosts for the previous five months looked like decent footballers. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2012/01/firstly_a_happy_new_year.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2012/01/firstly_a_happy_new_year.php Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:12:04 +0000 Next season's Championship campaign kicks off a couple of weeks later than usual on August 18th due to the Olympics taking place. If we still have a football club to support by that time, I am looking forward to going to a few new grounds, particularly standing on the terraces at Peterborough whilst old favourites like Barnsley away in mid January is always a pleasure! Whatever happens regarding the future of the manager, the damage has already been done and sticking a plaster over a gaping wound will do little to solve the underlying problem at the club. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/12/npower_championship_kicks_off.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/12/npower_championship_kicks_off.php Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:38:22 +0000 Steve Kean 'celebrates' his first anniversary in charge of Rovers this week but if our manager and his employers wish to mark the occasion with a tipple, can I suggest flat 'Roller Cola' rather than vintage Champagne. The latest chapter in this annus horribilis was played out in front of almost 40,000 expectant and rejuvenated Mackems in the North East. The reason for the optimism was the arrival of a new and respected manager intent on putting smiles back onto the faces of the loyal supporters. Maybe our owners watching (or not) from a far might now understand what a change can do to the fortunes of a club seemingly destined for relegation. O'Neill's mere presence was enough to turn the jeers into cheers and provide the Stadium of Light with a little sunshine. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/12/down_down_deeper_and_down.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/12/down_down_deeper_and_down.php Match Review Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:11:40 +0000 I am writing this piece on Tuesday evening listening to a once proud football club again capitulating in front of our eyes and (ears). Rovers are currently 2-0 down to Cardiff City after 76 minutes. "This is now exhibition stuff from the Championship side," says commentator Nigel Adderley. There have been many bleak moments in the past 12 months but this is now so predictable. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/11/i_am_writing_this_piece.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/11/i_am_writing_this_piece.php Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:19:06 +0000 The latest chapter in this farcical, slapstick season that all Rovers fans are enduring should have been accompanied by the theme tune to the Benny Hill Show! Nothing surprises me anymore from a club which has undergone a character assassination; from being a stable and well respected organisation both on and off the pitch to that of a dysfunctional shambles in the space of 12 short months. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/11/the_latest_chapter_in_this.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/11/the_latest_chapter_in_this.php Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:38:14 +0000 The decision to attempt to drown out the fans' concerns in the aftermath of the Spurs defeat by playing some 'white noise' Rihanna track over the Ewood PA system is indicative of the contempt shown by the powers that be for the Rovers' supporters. I don't believe the blame can be placed at the door of Radio Rovers Gerald Jackson but whoever believed it to be in the best interests of club, scored a massive own goal. Rover’s supporters were magnificent throughout the afternoon and got behind a side which was low on confidence but 'spurred' them on to produce their best display of the season. Many of the protesters were the very same people who gave such tremendous, positive vocal backing throughout the 90 minutes. It was only on the final whistle that these fans reserved the right to let their feelings be heard about the bigger picture at the club. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/10/the_decision_to_attempt_to.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/10/the_decision_to_attempt_to.php Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:17:57 +0000 Were there any positives to take from our trip to Shepherds Bush on Saturday? Apart from the novelty aspect of a trip to the 'subbuteo stadium' for the first time in a number of seasons, not many. I remember the last couple of occasions we played at Loftus Road when Fulham were the tenants due to Craven Cottage being 'redeveloped' (if that actually did occur), on both visits we scored four goals respectively. Those were the days! The hard truth is, the game on Saturday was there for the taking. These were two pitifully poor sides who appeared quite content to settle to share the spoils from the moment Chris Samba's header hit the back of the net with only a quarter of the game gone. At one stage it seemed as if both sets of players could not distinguish which side was wearing what coloured shirt. Passes were going astray and set pieces were finding touch more regularly than in the egg chasing World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/10/were_there_any_positives_to.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/10/were_there_any_positives_to.php Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:02:48 +0000 The character of Baldrick from Blackadder is popularly associated with the comedic catch phrase "I have a cunning plan." The "cunning plans" in question are dreamed up by Baldrick as a solution to a particular problem or crisis and are usually ridiculed scathingly by Blackadder on account of their implausibility, but Blackadder frequently resorts to using these plans when the situation becomes desperate. Sound familiar? Venky's have said they are putting together an action plan which they hope to see Rovers out of its current crisis. Venkatesh Rao said he had "..spoken with Steve Kean and we are working on our weak points." After Saturday's tragicomedy, we all know just where our weak point lies! I'm afraid that the doomsday clock has hit midnight for Steve Kean. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/10/will_the_last_person_to_leave.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/10/will_the_last_person_to_leave.php Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:49:57 +0000 The lifeless and limp display in the North East on Saturday diluted all the positive vibes that came out of Ewood last weekend following the unexpected but welcomed win against Arsenal. Many of us and most apparently the 'King of Spin' himself got a little carried away last week and the Rovers Red Rose if not fully blooming, was starting to look a little healthier. The problem for Steve Kean is that there are many more than 2% of fans who have a gripe against him as he may wish to believe. There is a silent majority who may not be as vocal as some but who are just as concerned about the direction the club is going and will not tolerate the kind of performance witnessed at St James'. Chris Samba has called for "more heart" against City at Ewood on Saturday but that commodity will have to come from some unlikely sources with the forced absences of Dann, Salgado, Givet and Olson giving opportunities to fringe players. Only time will tell if Rovers can produce another miraculous result to match that of two weeks ago. It also remains to be seen whether the Venky's invitation to a group of fans to visit their Pune headquarters in India for talks about the club will have the topic of a new manager on the agenda. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/09/the_lifeless_and_limp_display.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/09/the_lifeless_and_limp_display.php Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:18:32 +0000 A surreal Saturday had Rovers fans both shaking their heads in disbelief and nodding in enthusiastic approval as one of the most exciting games witnessed in recent years at the famous old ground concluded. The day may have begun with protests but ended in great applause for a team that battled and fought for every ball. Lady luck may have at times worn a blue and white shirt but take nothing away from the players and on this occasion the tactical awareness of Steve Kean. I said last week that supporters with differing views on Steve Kean should be allowed to exercise their right to free speech without fear of being ridiculed or seen as troublemakers. The anti-Kean lobby of approximately 500 in number protested in a resolute but peaceful manner prior to the game before taking their seats to cheer on the side. Those who are firmly in the Kean camp may feel that they had the last laugh but the real winner emerging yesterday was the football club as a whole. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/09/a_surreal_saturday_had_rovers.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/09/a_surreal_saturday_had_rovers.php Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:13:46 +0000 Leaving Craven Cottage on Sunday evening ,the wild windy and wet weather which greeted our departure along the banks of the Thames acted as a metaphor for the current turmoil inflicting our club. Many friends of a non Rovers persuasion who had not watched the game texted me saying that I must be happy with a point. In other circumstances I would have tended to agree. True, we did look fairly comfortable in the first half and the performances of Rochina and Scott Dann (despite his indiscretion) were encouraging. But it must be said that Fulham were largely one dimensional using the poorer right foot of Damien Duff as their only outlet. The second period was different and summed up Steve Kean's tenure as manager. Rovers could not keep possession of the ball and far too frequently players would not take responsibility for their own positions. Once again we were tactically naive and some of the substitutions were bizarre to say the least. So where does this leave the supporters, manager and owners of the club? http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/09/leaving_craven_cottage_on_sund.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/09/leaving_craven_cottage_on_sund.php Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:20:05 +0000 Some people seem to be blessed with good fortune without having to work particularly hard for it, however there are others who repeatedly fail despite their efforts and talents. I don't think there would be many Rovers fans who would place Steve Kean in that second category but you couldn't help but feel a little bit of sympathy for the man on Saturday. Having seen Rovers dismantle a frighteningly dire Everton side without reward, there was a consensus among the folk leaving Ewood that Kean, far from being the greatest manager in the world is also unlucky. Not a great combination. The reality is that despite dominating the 2nd half and having enough chances to win three games let alone one, Rovers find themselves pointless and supporters becoming increasingly vocal in their opposition towards Kean and his employers. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/08/some_people_seem_to_be.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/08/some_people_seem_to_be.php Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:39:20 +0000 Admittedly, I was not present at Villa Park on Saturday. In the rare event of not being able to make a game I always feel a sense of guilt or indeed what I might be missing out on. As it turned out, a weekend at the 80's Rewind Festival at Henley with the wife and friends turned out to be a much better option and far more entertaining than the apparent feast or lack of it served up in the Midlands. One of the many bands on show were Go West who did a rendition of their 1989 hit 'King of Wishful Thinking'. This could be attributed to Steve Kean who described that Rovers produced a 'good performance'. 80's keyboard king, Howard Jones probably summed things up best when he sang 'Things can only get better' (not the insipid D:Ream Labour Party anthem). Whatever way we look at it, these are awfully challenging times for all Rovers supporters. http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/08/admittedly_i_was_not_present.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/blackburnrovers/archives/2011/08/admittedly_i_was_not_present.php Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:25:09 +0000