Striker Jason Roberts is hopeful about retuning to this starting XI this term while battling a stress fracture affecting his third metatarsal. He remains optimistic and will helpfully be ready for the Wigan game.

The Stoke game is this Saturday and Vince Grella is hoping to play apart. Hvaing played for the reserves this week, the midfielder is anxious to get a run out and prove himself. He told the official website, “I still have six games where I want to give my contribution, whether it is big or small, to Blackburn.” Promising to hear. A little added depth never hurt anyone.

Stoke’s form has been quite good in the last 6 matches. D W L W W D go the order of their last results, taking 11 points from a possible 18. Rovers will hopefully bring the same fighting spirit they had against Spuds (and didn’t have against L’pool) to the Britannia. My optimism is high though as the the news of the traveling fans making the trip will mean the Rovers will have some great support. From the O-site:

Rovers will have the backing of almost 3000 supporters from Lancashire down for the game, the offer of free away travel combined with a game of huge importance means all of the tickets allocated to the club have sold out.

Exciting.

Benni Mac will hopefully get the start and Samba will hopefully play defense as Rovers look tp climb the ladder up from 16th and add to the 4 point safety they cling onto. UP THE ROVERS!

Well Rovers took a break for international duty last week and I used that time to catch up on some work and keep my GPA game up. But the lads are back and so am I, but I’m not the one stopping The Spuds’ six-match unbeaten league run.

Rovers started off strong with a chance in the 11th from MGP to El Hadj but he failed to convert. Things started going down hill from there though with our rock solid new man Gael Givet was called for a handball in the box. You can judge that one for yourself, but when the commentator takes Rovers side, you KNOW it’s not a penalty. (Which it wasn’t, the ball hit inside shoulder) Keane converts although the ball wasn’t on the spot. Clearly, you can see it in the highlights. The balls off the spot. I don’t get how that works either, but whatever. Rovers down 1 nil. MGP gets a knock and heads off with Dunny coming on. Jase Robs gets a knock and holds on till halftime, then he comes off. So what does Big Sam do when his hand is forced?

PUTS CHRISTOPHER SAMBA UP FRONT!!!

Yes that’s right the big man playing up next to Benni Mac and being an all around nuisance for the Spuds players. Rovers make some chances, Spuds don’t do too much. Then they started doing stuff and the game looked pretty much over. Then, Wilson Palacios winds up being sent off after collecting two yellow cards in the space of two minutes. Fantastic. Finally a little bit of luck heading our way. Then Robbie Keane knocks the ball away in the box with his hand but the ref closes his eyes and skips away pretending all is just and well in the world. No matter though because then Samba showed up, and went hardbody all over Corluka and worked the ball to Benni Mac who fired it home from 10 yards out. Then Rovers took the lead when Gomes misjudged a corner and and ball fell to Ooijer who, from barely a yard out, directed it calmly home. Amazing.

14th on 34pts. Lets ride this momentum to liverpool.

Highlights:

Pederson had his best outing in recent memory and even that couldn’t help hold back Liverpool and their stay atop the League.

The general consensus based on the comments in the last entry all seem to think that BFS isn’t the answer. I agree. Also, check out this story: ~JW not saying anything is for sure-Click

What’s in store this week down at Ewood? No one knows, but as soon as it’s out there, it’ll be here.

Highlights after the jump

Watch Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool in News Online  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Blackburn Rovers chairman John Williams has vowed not to sacrifice the clubs proud family heritage in the quest to find a new owner at Ewood Park.

With more and more clubs being subjected to high profile takeover bids, with Manchester City being the latest as the Abu Dhabi United Group (and all its millions!!!) moves in to finalise the takeover of our Premier League rivals, it makes it increasingly difficult for clubs like Rovers to compete. However, despite the ongoing quest to find a new owner at Ewood Williams is adamant that Rovers WON’T sell out the club simply because a potential investor might have untold millions. The Walker Trustees want to make sure that a potential new owner comes in with the best interests of the club and the fans at heart.

I can’t resist using this blog to comment on the Man City take over and all it’s implications. Seems that in a few years we may as well all give up and go watch La Liga or Serie A – seriously.

English football is already predictable enough. You know that when Man Utd, or Chelsea or Liverpool play anyone but each other that the result is pretty much a foregone conclusion. We play Man United next week and I’ll say it now: we won’t win. Other leagues have this situation but it is not as extreme as that of the EPL, and it’s more fluid. Here success is almost solely defined by money, not good management. Teams like Rovers, Boro and Everton are probably the best run in the league and we can’t even get to the Champions League!

The Man City thing has just added to that. Football is now a game of the haves and have nots and is becoming less competitive. I’m a big fan of the NHL and the contrast in competitiveness in American sport compared to European football is startling. It makes it so much more fun and interesting, and exciting when your team wins.

Winning a normal game, to Man Utd or Chelsea fans, is just an ego booster, a bit of small comfort, a relief. When Rovers win a game it is a joy, a suprise almost. That’s what sport should be about.

A radical rethink is needed. I would be in support of salary caps, draft systems, redistribution of money to the poorer teams in an attempt to keep the league competitive.

In the meantime I’m kind of glad that we haven’t been bought out by an Arab Emirate of some sort, or an American banker or a dodgy Russian oligarch. And I’ve no idea how I’ll react if we become one of the EPL ‘haves’.

But if I do loose all hope (which I haven’t yet I stress), the hockey season starts in 3 weeks…

In other news, Notlob has shut down our pursuit of Ali Al-Habsi. He was supposed to be brought in as a backup to Robbo, one with decent Prem experience. I can’t really disagree either, it would have been a shroud move. Oh well, not too heartbroken about the loss.

Some other rumors still yet to be followed through on: Andrews from MK Dons. I don’t wanna talk about that one, it makes my stomach hurt. Jermaine Pennant from L’Pool I’d like him to add some pace down the wing, somehting different. Not a replacement for Bents but could make it work. Emo can’t keep playing RM though, he’s not good enough there and a much better RB. Also Stephen Ireland from the blue team in Manchester rumored t be a target for Ince. Lots of stuff could still happen, we’ll keep you posted with all the latest.

I would think it fair to assume that the sales are over. We all knew that Bentley was off (though I was always too optimistic about keeping him)dwee, and although Brad’s departure was a bit of a shock I think we’ve got a good replacement. The only worry is that a big club will come calling for Santa, but he doesn’t want to leave so I’m sure it will take a lot of money for him to go.

So I thought I’d take a deeper look at the squad:

Keepers: It’s all good here with Robbo in, and I’m sure that he’ll do a good job. When his mind is in check he’s a very good keeper. We have a few choices at backup with Jason Brown, Frank Fielding and Gunnar Nielsen all capable but unlikely to be needed.

Defence: Again, I think we’re quite strong here. My first choice back line would be Ooijer, Nelsen, Samba and Warnock, with Emerton cover at right back, Zurab at centre and Martin Olsen at left back. Ooijer impressed at Euro 2008 and I think he could be key to our defensive stability – take him and Nelsen out and I think we lack direction, so with Nelsen in and out of the team a lot we need him. Emerton is defensively suspect at back-up, and Samba’s an enigma sometimes too. I wouldn’t complain if we got in a defensively sound right back.

Midfield: The only shoe-in is Gamst. We need a right winger, a holding midfielder and an experienced midfielder too, since Tugay will play a bit-part role.. Dunn, Reid and Mokoena are all capable but inconsistent and one of them may go (probably the Axe). We need MGP to perform and it will be interesting to see how new boy Villanueva does (he needs a nickname – any ideas?). Still, work needs to be done – more on that later.

Forwards: I’m happy here. Santa and Benni are first choice and I think that Derbs and Roberts should be drafted in as soon as one of them drops his head to keep everyone going. Roberts is a handful and Derbyshire needs time on the pitch to develop further. Don’t forget that we have Rigters too, though I don’t know what role he will play, if any.

So, who might we sign?

A very real possibility seems to be Jermaine Pennant of Liverpool taking the right winger position. I must admit that I’m not a huge fan of his, but I do think he is a very good footballer. Despite being out of his depth at Liverpool I think he’s done OK and experience of playing in the Champs League must have done him good. Rumours say that Ince has bid £6million

Two other links suggest a pseudo Italian-Antipodean invasion: Mark Bresciano of Palermo and Vincenzo Grella of Torino. Both are Australian nationals with Italian heritage who play in Serie A. Bresciano is a very capable and experienced midfielder who can play left, right and centre. He was linked with Man City last year for about £8million but apparently is now availiable for £5million. We may face competition for him. Grella is a holding player and quite aggressive, but I don’t know that much about his situation.

I think all three of these players would give us a very capable, balanced and good sized side. I also think that, despite being rumours in the tabloids, they could be on their way here. Rovers related rumours are few and far between, so when they do come about they have some substance.

Do you agree with me though?

Alongside this there have been a few indications of who might be coming in and out of Ewood this summer. Enckleman and Henchoz I’m sure are out on free’s (anyone see Enckleman in the Cup final – oh dear. I’m from Cardiff btw). However talk of Bentley leaving has died down recently. Liverpool look like the only really big team who would buy him and they seem more interested in other players at the moment, such as Albert Riera of Espanyol, who considering his nationality looks like Benitez material (more on the Catalans later). Apart from that news of interest from Tottenham keeps cropping up, and if we are going to sell him, Spurs could be the perfect place. This is the club that paid £8mil for Zakora, £9mil for Kaboul, a couple of million for an unfit Brazillian left back (Gilberto) and £16mil for Darren Bent. We could end up selling him for a ridiculous amount of money if Spurs and their sporting director Damien Comolli act in their usual ridiculous fashion. Around £12mil I think would be acceptable for Bentley (thoughts?), but I could see Spurs spending well over £15mil if they want him.

Other rumours are concerning Roque “goal machine” Santa Cruz, who allegedly will be a target for Arsenal if Emmanuel Adebayor leaves. However this seems unlikely for several reasons:

1. It’s unlikely any top clubs will want Adebayor (Barcalona have been linked). He’s too inconsistent and lazy and has had one good season. If a club does try for him Wenger will want big money because of the monster season he has had.

2. Roque seems to like it here and has suffered all of the worst things that can happen when playing for a top club. I think he likes keeping a low profile here, at the most low profile of top EPL clubs.

3. Hence Hughes has no real reason to let him go. If the player wants to stay Sparky will only want really big money, since he’s only one year into a four year contract.

So fear not Rovers fans, Bentley (hopefully) and Santa (almost definitely) will stay. Speaking of which, he’s talking of scoring even more goals next season. This sounds fantastic, though lets hope he doesn’t suffer from “McCarthy syndrome”.

So who may be coming in? Well despite my [pathetic] attempts at persuading Sparkey to bring in Arshavin, there have been no related newspaper rumours.

Still, we are being linked with American young starlet Michael Bradley of Heerenveen (home of Boro’s Afonso Alves). This has excited me for a few reasons. Firstly, the kid looks good. He’s been playing very well in Holland and already has 14 international caps at the age of 20 (so work permit should not be a problem). He can play attacking and defensive midfield (positions that both need strengthening), and in the attacking role has scored quite a few goals for Heerenveen. Apparently we were linked with him in January, when Heerenveen told us to come back in the summer with around E6mil (ie. not that much). Finally, it would be great to have a young, exciting American (key word) playing for us – the attention and comercial benefits would be nice. I think I’m right in saying that a few of you from across the pond read this – what do you think of Bradley?

Finally, we have been sending scouts to the little brother of Barcalona, RCD Espanyol. We are apparently being linked with a few players: Torrejon (a central defender) and Coro (a striker/attacking midfielder). I don’t know much about Espanyol, but I like their coach Valverde, who seems to have done very well with a young squad. The two players mentioned seem to be less prominent than some of their other rising stars (Luis Garcia and Jarque), so if anyone knows anything please say.

Until next time – enjoy the summer….

To be perfectly honest, the first half was wonderful. Chances taken form both sides, fluent play up and down the pitch, tackles and the random good duration of possession with both sides having their moments of looking poised to score. A few qualms and points to make:
•Based on the very simple and not at all confusing offside rule, Roberts was clearly onside for that goal, and it would have been an entirely different game had that flag not gone up inaccurately.
•The Skrtel challenge on Roberts, truly in my heart of hearts was a red. The only argument anyone would offer me is that the LB would have caught him, and my answer to that is, never in a million years, He was about 30 yards off the play. Clearly a red.
•Our defense was crazy. There were absolute moments of calmness and brilliances, but the moments of madness directly led to the three goals; in essence, we handed them the points.
•Rocky is a beast. The man received very poor service all game and still managed to get one in (thank you for those fantasy points by the way). Clearly the best PL buy, pound for pound, of the season.

For more detailed feelings, read the play by play below. As for this weekend, we’ll have the pleasure (gag) of playing ManUre at home. I will be watching this live on FSC with my Untied supporting friend, so if I liveblog, expect cursing, hatred and disdain for human kind if Untied get a lead. Until then though, Up the Rovers.

Highlights: Sorry for whatever language they’re in.

Here my live blog starting at twenty minutes in:

20th: Samba holds off Babel as both teams are taking their runs up and down the pitch. No score Yet.

23rd: Commentator says, “Blackburn should be quite pleased with the way they’ve started this game.” Linking plays for both teams, very attractive football.

24th: Kuyt wins the ball but the cross is smothered and held on to by Big Brad.

26th: Gerrard goes down after misplaying a header. This is the 4th dive I’ve seen in six minutes.

27th: Four break up for Liverpool. Samba blocked/deflected the shot, saved a certain goal.

29th: Clash of heads between Samba and Torres. Meds called out to check on the players.

31: Free kicked curled into the far post by Peds. A little too hard and it drifts out of bounds.

34th: Bentley looking class. A few nice moves through midfield with a class ball played to the wing and MGP who is boxed out by the L’Pool defense man. It amounts to nothing but looks promising.

35th: Great build up by Rovers with a shot by RSC, parried by Reina and pushed into open play.

40th: Free Kick for L’Pool in a tricky spot. Whipped in and headed over by Kuyt.

45th: One minute added on as the game slips into a give and take for both sides.

HALF TIME: See ya after a bite to eat and a brush of the teeth.

48th: Dangerous gie and go to Gerrard. Low cross taken by Big Brad.

50th: Free kick near the corner flag, fisted away by Reina.

51st: Corner for L’pool taken short. Results to nothing.

52nd: Foul by L’pool in a nice spot. Peds and Bents line up. Good shot by Peds with the left foot from about 25 out, parried and taken by Reina.

57th: Free kick by Gerrard just outside of the 18, parried by Big Brad but L’pool whistled for offside.

59th: Babel out, Benayoun in

60th: Some poor Rover’s defending and the inability to clear leads to a wayward pass by RSC. Through the pack Gerrard comes though, all alone in the 18 and slots it past Friedel.

65th: Well this has certainly turned a one sided game. Hopefully Rovers can make something happen, and soon

72nd: Roberts taken down, clearly the last man back. Skrtel only shown the yellow. Horrid call, had to be a red. Ensuing FK results in open play.

74th: Benni Mac on for Peds. Dunn on for Vogel.

82nd: Gerrard to Torres who makes it 2-0. Rovers’ defense jst poor. No other words need be said.

86th: Voronin on for Torres.

88th; Risse for Alonso.

90th: Story of the game; shoddy Blackburn defending having left the midfield too open. Wayward pass to leads to L’pool cross in. Settled and tapped over to Voronin who slides in to the open net.

93rd: Corner from Bents punched out, played back in and an amazing show on the volley by Santa Cruz. Sadly, it amounts to little as the game ends 3-1. Match review later.