I’ll be honest here; this is a must win game. After this game we have league games against Everton and Villa, with a league cup game v Notts Forrest thrown in between those games.

Then after Villa and the retrn of big Brad and Stephen Warnock, we have Le Arse, Chelski, The B@stards, and ManUre.

This is a must win game.

Hopefully we will have a lot of players to choose from. Emerton is close to making a comeback, and Dunn, Reidy and Grella all should have used these 7 days extra to get back into shape and fit. Here’s the team I would put out:

——————-Robbo———————
Jacobsen Samba Givet Chimbonda
Dioufy Dunn Nzonzi Pederson
Benni (if fit) Kalinic

Wolves have earned 4 points from their 4 games but should be ours for the taking. If we go out and play solid defensively (like we have been lately) and our strikers can get some shots on target, we should pull out the 3 points.

Any thoughts about the game? Your XI you would field? As always, let me know and UP THE ROVERS!

(EDIT:This next paragraph was added after initial posting)However, I am really tired of players thinking that it is so bad here at Rovers. To be fair, in interviews since the move Warnock has not slated the team or club, and has actually been pretty classy. But when the fan’s player of the year jumps ship for “European football” (which villa were eliminated from today) you really have to wonder. It wasn’t too long ago Rovers were in Europe. And we all know what happens when individuals feel too big for the club: See Bellamy, Bentley, Santa Cruz, etc. I like Warnock, the guy always gave his all and usually I like Villa too, only rooting against them when they play us. But the sad truth is Warnock will probably be one of those to see the hard way that the grass isn’t always greener. All the same, I dont wish him bad, but if Villa finish 16th, I won’t be shedding a tear.

What I didn’t expect though, was this move for Chimbonda right away. Now, some people have been concerned that this gives us a million Right backs and no leftbacks up to par and still hasn’t addressed the midfield situation. However, I think Salgado was brought in to play a holding midfield in front of the back four as a transition guy and first line of defense. I see Chimbonda playing the RB off and on with Jacobsen until one of them lock up the spot with Samb and Nelsen at CB and Givet on the left. Not too shabby if you ask me.

Plus, this is pretty shrewd money wise as well. The deal is reportedly in the £1.5m-£2m pound range and the 30 year-old defender has signed for two years while the Warnock sale is speculated at around £7m.

For the sake of sanity, I will keep my blue and white Spectacles on, and not get into the reasoning behind letting a player like Warnock leave.

Also, we beat Gillingham to advance to the Carling Cup third round. Goals from Dunn, Junior Hoilett and MGP secured our passage through. No highlights available for posting, will update when I’ve got my hands on them.

West Ham preview up tomorrow and as always, UP THE ROVERS!

Here’s whats been going on:

First off, Sunderland stole three points from us. With more corners, shots, and two disallowed goals, stole is the only word to use.

Sam comments on the Rovers’ luck and even about Stephen Warnock here…click BBC Sport.

But Sam is resigned to him leaving with Villa still putting bids in…..click FoxSports.

And on top of All that….Injuries out the arse.

Cup tie against League One side Gillingham tomorrow. Really hope we don’t slip and bow it here; the lads really need the morale boost. Highlights from the Black Cats game after the jump.

Rovers had some luck go against them with two goals being disallowed; one rightly and one incorrectly. Givet had a master goal disallowed for some specter “shirt pulling” call while later Benni Mac drifted offside a few yards and had his shot through to the back of the net negated.

But this is all masking the big issue here: Why, for the second time in the FA Cup, can we not put away this Coventry side who not only play a league lower, but aren’t even doing all that great in The Fizzy Pop League themselves? I just don’t get it, but it has to fall no both the players and the management for not having the right mindset going out on to the pitch and not playing with much or any enthusiasm. Hopefully Big Sam will have sorted this out by the replay cause whether you’re for cup run or not, losing to the likes of Coventry is a huge embarrassment and morale blow, and can’t be allowed. Highlights below(except for the RSC goal which I’ll get up later.)

Tomorrow we play the side that knocked us out of the third round last January. Coventry is also on a good bit of form lately, kind of, but Rovers should still 100% win this game even with Sam shuffling the pack. 3-1 win at home, Rovers move on.

Now, There seems to be two prevailing schools of thought entering this game:

1.That the Cup is not a priority and the Prem is our only concern, I don’t care if we win or lose tomorrow.
2.The FA Cup is still the best cup competition in the world and we should be attacking this and the Prem on a 2 front total war to stay up and hold the cup.

So I’m asking, in this tricky league situation but still in the cup at the point, how big of a priority is it for you?

The legendary Brad Friedel returns to Ewood Park tomorrow as Aston Villa visit for a Premier League clash. It’s no secret as to the quality of the Villa side this year as they’re riding high in 4th and have been unbeaten in their last 6 with 4 wins. I’m not sure what MON is up to over there, but it is clearly working. The best owner is one we don’t hear about and Randy Learner is only ever being talked about for all the right reasons. That being said, this isn’t the Villa blog so down to the business end of things. (I just like Villa as they can hopefully break the “Big 4’s” hold on the Prem and Champs League)
Ince’s side were beaten 3-2 earlier in the league this year and having been unbeaten under SA, Rovers look to avenge that loss. With (shudder) Diouf (ugh I hate it) RSC, Benni Mac and Jase Robs all available, the upfront is looking formidable. The midfield starting 4 is anyone’s guess because I can’t be too sure anyone knows who will be in the starting XI, not even SA. And according to this report click, SA is loving the selection dilemma. From the official site here:

“Boss Sam Allardyce will be missing only long-term absentees Steven Reid and Brett Emerton for the visit of Martin O’Neill’s side tomorrow afternoon.”

The back four looks alright with everyone available, although maybe Ooijer could do some good not in the starting XI as Villa’s pace on the break would maybe suit Zurab better.

All being told, I’d be more than happy with a point from this match, however, I think it could go 2-1 either way. Here’s hoping it’s the Rovers way. UP THE ROVERS!!

Side note: As you saw we draw Sunderland this weekend, so that means we get to play them AGAINNNN. FUNNN. not. Tedious and annoying. Yes.

Match tomorrow. Bolton sit only two points above us and a full three points tomorrow would 100% percent turn the season around. Grella, Dunn, Derbs, Roberts, and Ooijer are all likely to be fit as well, which is a huge boost to the squad which was looking borderline depleted. BFS playing his old club will be a good tie for him to stamp his name on his Rovers career start and could continue the climb back up the ladder. Hopefully will get to see the match, if I do, will be live blogging. If not, highlights as soon as I can get em. This one is huge. UP THE ROVERS!

Carlos’ free kick:

94th- Surely the game must be over? Blyth cross it in but its cleared and the whistle goes.
92nd- Bunn’s called into action but the won’t catch him Napping. He holds on.
3 minutes of stoppage time.
89th- Rovers just cant shut the door on this Blyth team.
88th- Treacy has been brought down and Rovers will have a free kick just inside the Blyth area.
87th- Whipped in and Blyth head it over.
86th- Rovers falling a bit, as Blyth win another free kick.
85th- Wow. Wright on the end of a magnificent cross for Blyth. I thought he’d scored, every one did, and it flashes wide of the post. Wow. Fantastic chance. Lucky for Rovers.
84th- Hodge on for Matty Derbs
83rd- Blyth with a shot! but Zurab gets in the way to not force Bunn into action. It was Reay who hit it.
82nd- Judge swings it in, Off Zurabs head and just over for a GK
82nd- Rovers corner as they look for their second to put the game away.
81st- Throw for Blyth now, Pell almost gets a header to it but its knocked to safety and then defended by treacy.
80th- Judge in, Back by Zurab, treacy to roberts who just plays in the area and then gets clattered into as he shoots.
80th- Down on he other end Rovers win a corner.
79th- Headed away but struck by a Blyth man but high and over.
78th- Free kick for Blyth
77th– If rovers can get any kind of counter, they can do some damage. Blyth have so many men forward, but they are starting to put some pressure on.
77th- Corner comes in from Blyth and Moko heads it back and away for a Blyth throw in a much less dangerous spot.
76th- Blyth gets a sneaky ball in behind the back four and Moko has to clear it for a corner.
Attendance at 3,445 today. Huge for them.
75th- Derbs just leaves an absolute sitter of a ass for Andrews who makes a meal of it and smashes it high. It was harder to miss there and he did it.
74th- Irony at its finest, Moko comes in from behind and wins the ball with a fantastic challenge from the side, and Moko is shown the yellow.
73rd- Handball called on Judge but it didnt look like one from the camera angle.
72nd- Mark Bunn makes a comfortable save, the first one of his night
71st- Moko gives away a free kick as Blyth attack, lucky it was not a yellow as well. He’s terrible
70th- Rovers win a free kick. As Blyth subs Wright for Dalton. Ball humped forward by Bunn but Blyth gets it.
68th- Another soft foul called against Rovers.
68th- Great ball by Roberts to Andrews to Derbs who crosses but its just poked out by Blyth as Rovers continue to look for a second.
66th- Cleared by Rovers and played out by Blyth for a Rovers throw.
65th- Free kick for Blyth as Andrews is blown up for a very soft foul. Dangerous spot. Needs to be handled.
64th- Todd for White as Blyth make a change.
62- Judge takes it bell catches and blyth try and attack but given to Rovers straight away.
61st- Treacy with a howler and a dipper that comes just off the top of the crossbar but it was deflected for a corner
61st- All blackburn at the moment, comments the man on my tv
60th-Funnily enough, Carlos comes off for Roberts and Andrews on for Grella though Rovers now have some breathing room.
Rovers 1-0 Blyth

GET INNNNNN!!!!!! Villanueva scores from the free kick with a cracker in any league in any game. FANTASTIC!

58th- Carlos taken down right at the 18. Good FK spot for rovers. Lets see wholl take it and if they can put it away.
56th- Blyth just comes out of no where and Rovers panic and Blyth gets a long throw. Cleared by Rovers but played in by Blyth again and “Moko half asleep” yells the TV commentator. The crowd starts to get into it as we’re in the 57th and Rovers need to calm down and put Blyth back on the back foot. Jason Roberts starts to warm up.
55th- Simpson called for a foul
54th- Simpson with some good pace, pressure on Blyth, Corner for Rovers. Treacy to take. Headed away a tad then finally cleared by Blyth but rovers attack again. Zurab gives possession away.
51st- Ball from Simpson to carlos, Carlos with a great bit of skill and a very very nice shot just doesnt curl enough off his left foot and wide of the mark. Good show though.
50th- Long ball up to the forwards way over, Blyth GK
49th- Derbs with another poor shot
46th- Rovers throw as Blyth just kick it away? Rovers going left to right and hopefully breaking the deadlock soon.

Half time. Read all of the first half commentary after the jump. I’m going to make some tea and charge my laptop and wonder how we’re not up by 1 million goals. If you’re reading along, feel free to comment or ask anything on your mind be it about the game or anything Rovers. See ya in a few.
One min of stoppage time
45th- Treacy with a great ball just a bit too high for Matty Derbs making a run and Bell takes it.
44th- Free kick for Rovers just inside the Blyth half. PLayed back to Moko only god knows why. He’s the worst player in the world.
42nd- How we haven’t scored yet I’ll never know. I can’t help but feel that once we get the fist, 2 3 and 4 will follow.
41st- Treacy clattered into by a Blyth defender in the box. Looks like he barely got the ball first but I’ve seen them given for less.
39th- Corner defended right up in the air, I didnt see who but a Rover rockets a shot right on the volley and it appears to be cleared off the line by the hand of one of the 4 spartans positioned there but replay shows it was the head.
39th- Grella to simpson , simpson to cross, corner for rovers
38th- Rovers with a throw in deep in the Blyth final 3rd. Wasted. Another throw results.
37th- The rovers want of a goal is almost palpable, they’re just not catching that last break. Blyth with a free kick, goes out for a GK.
36th- Bell races out and mis hits a clearence, luckily for Blyth is gets out of bounds before Derbs can capitalize.
35th- Matty Derbs with another great chance but he tries it to hit on on the cross instead of settling it and mis hits it.
34th- GOAL DISALLOWED!! Derbs in an offside position though last touched by a defender, I’m not sure how the rule works but Derbs attempted an erhead kick and the errant shot knocked the defender in the head and the ball flew in. Deffo a must see when I get th highlights later.
33rd- Corner for Rovers cleared away by a Blyth defender. THrow in for Rovers.
31st- Build up turns into nothing as Bell takes control of an errant cross. everytime I ook down to type, Rovers have the ball again but this time Treacy knocks it for a Blyth goal kick.
30th- Zurab passes back to Bunn to reset the flow as Rovers look to press up again.
28th- Treacy takes a solid hit as the corner gets cleared. Throw in for Rovers.
27th- “Stupidly so” the clearance attempt described by the commentator on TV and agree. Moko nothing but a liability at the back today. Corner for blyth.
25th- Rovers denied a corner again, and as I type, Moko does a typical moko, poor clearence, Blyth with a shot and they shoot it wide. The first real opportunity today for them.
24th- Rovers looking frustrated by the wall of green and white that they can’t seem to get that final ball in for a good shot.
21st- Grella just going hardbody and working the ball out of any Danger for Rovers.
19th- Judge with a pass/shot? I’m not sure but its 5 shots for and 0 against, as Rovers keep forcing the issue.
17th- Corner cleared by Blyth and foul called on Judge. Didn’t see who took the corner itself but it was a great one.
17th- Great link up by Simpson and Judge, leading to a Corner.
15th- Rovers on the attakck again, some quick passes and another solid strike by Carlos caught by Bell. Rovers on attack again and Blyth can’t keep possession let alone attack.
14th- Olssons long cross poor and taken by Bell.
11th- Corner for Rovers as Treacy takes first touch shot from a Matty Derbs pass and its a low hit solid strike pushed wide by Bell. Corner amounts to nothing but a GK

9th- Great little 1-2 and Carlos takes another shot at goal but he just mishits it off the outside foot and it goes wide.
7th- Rovers counter attack, Carlos tries to chip the keeper from just infront of the center circle, very high over the goal.
7th- Simpson tackled hard for the second time, this could turn ugly.
6th- Zurab with the armband keeping things settled and a pass up to Treacy sees him take a cheeky attempt that ends wide right.
4th- The teams still settling, nothing to solid to comment on, both sides sort of getting a feel for the other
3rd-The team looks almost makeshift, it’ll be interesting to see how this team pulls together
1st- Rovers in their home kit kicking from right to left as the game gets under way

Teams:

BLYTH: Bell, Boyle, White, Williams (c), Pell, Leeson, Dalton, McCabe, Dale, Reay.

Subs: Farman (GK), Brown, Hume, Poole. Todd, Wright, Watson.

ROVERS:: Bunn, Simpson, Khizanishvili (c), Mokoena, Olsson, Judge, Grella, Vogel, Treacy, Villanueva, Derbyshire.

Subs: Brown (GK), Andrews, Roberts, Hodge, Doran, Haworth, Gunning.

Watch this space for all the latest news and updates.