Over the next few days, I’ll be posting write ups or podcast episodes of a review of the month I missed. With this new feature, I to invite anyone and everyone to be as involved as possible. If you have a question a comment or anything at all, email it to me and we’ll get it talked about on any future episode. Feeling bold? Even if you just have a simple built in mic or a whole studio, record a comment or question and I’ll throw it in the episode myself.

As always, discussion starts in the comments where I hope to see some of the posters return. Sorry again for the month long hiatus, but we’re back baby.

But enough with this witchcraft bogey side. I think we have a chance come Saturday. Hell, more than a chance, I think we’ll walk away from this one with all three points.

West ham have a win and loss, and that win came against Prem noobs Wolves. They were beaten by Spuds most recently, and sit only a few table places above us on 3 points.

We all know the beginning of the season is no time to make any calls about any team and what they’re outcome will be. But you can never argue against getting points early and often, and this is the game ot get our first ones after dominating in our last two showings. Hopefully the team worked on just shooting the ball into the net this past week and are ready for tomorrow.

Fans in the USofA, this one won’t be on TV until a replay of it on Setanta US at 6:45pm EST. Feel free to leave any comments or predictions about the game below. Personally, I think it will be 2-0 Rovers. We’ll see tomorrow!

Here’s how we’re looking: Robinson, Brown, Jacobsen, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Khizanishvili, Warnock, Olsson, Diouf, Hoilett, van Heerden, Doran, Nzonzi, Andrews, Pedersen, McCarthy, Roberts, Di Santo.

Look at that list and remember who’s out and doubtful and try and build a solid starting XI. Our midfield can’t even be completed let alone compete. Very worried about what we could see if Nelson and Samba don’t make the cut.

Citeh will be probably fielding a 1-0-9 formation, with a team looking like this according to SkySports:
Given, Richards, Dunne, Toure, Bridge; Wright-Phillips, Barry, Ireland, Bellamy; Robinho, Tevez.

Let me just say, I am looking forward to a win. But if we draw or even lose I can not say I’ll be surprised. I just hope the boys are ready to get the season going the right way.

Now the invitation. I invite all Rovers fan in the NYC area to make the trek into the NYC and come watch the game with me and a bunch of other Rovers fans at Nevada Smiths. We’ll be there a little before kick off and through out the match so please come by if you are able to.

Hopefully the next post will be a victory review. Until then, come on new season AND UP THE ROVERS!

Rovers fan captured the Andrews Free Kick goal:

So my question to you, loyal readers, should we sell or keep him? Valuable squad man? Or one of Ince’s buddies playing out of his depth?

Personally, I don’t care either way. If we can get a good sum, and £3million is definitely a good sum, then I say sell him. I’ve never been too impressed with him, but he’s not too bad a squad player. No where near the level a premier league starter should be. That’s just my two cents.

But now I want your two cents. Let me know in the poll after the jump and in the comments section below how you feel about our Keith.

UP THE ROVERS!

Andrews: Stay or Go?(poll)

This past weekend though, Rovers were not to be denied. Having the lion’s share of chances and controlling most of the game, the lads went on to beat Portsmouth decisively 2-nil. The win also left Big Sam heaping praise all over the squad.

Samba played up front again and cause all sorts of problems for the back row for Pompey. A goal from MGP calmly cleaning up the spill David James left and a Benni Mac spot kick were all the lads needed. Pompey even had a chance with a PK themselves courtesy of league 3 superstar Keith Andrews but failed to hit the target to sum up their afternoon.

From here we have Chelsea next, and I don’t relaly expect anything form the game, but I don’t mind. Right now I’m happy we’ve hit 40 and I’m gonna enjoy it.

UP THE ROVERS!

Both Hull and Rovers saw themselves reduced to 10 men, MGP sent off for a second yellow just after being involved in the altercation that got Marney sent off for the Tigers. The vital three points boosted Rovers up out of the drop zone and on 26 points but in 17th on Goal difference.

Goals from Stephen Warnock (seen here-click) as well as Andrews (viewable here – click) were enough to give Rovers the edge, though in typical Rovers style left it till late to make it a guaranteed win with some shoddy defending. (I’d post the highlights in here but they’re kinda odd looking, so the links will do for this week.)

Paul Robinson was substituted at the half after sustaining a shoulder injury. He’s probably not going to start tomorrow, but that doesn’t worry me too much. Jason Brown made some wonderful saves, especially at the end of the match, when he came on, so I’m confident he’ll do a good enough job. It’s just up to that back four to give him a bit of help.

Dunn appears fit for selection following a hamstring problem but it’s still up in the air as to whether he’ll be rushed back. Pederson, for his red card, wills serve his match ban tomorrow, but aside from him, Big Sam has a full squad to pick from.

Everton will be no small task. In their last 6 matches, they’re in decent form: L W W W D W and that loss came to ManUre. The match is home at Ewood and while Everton has hasn’t had a fully fit squad in forever, they still continue to tear it up in the league. Timmy Howard will prove hard to beat but a win tomorrow would certainly be a boost to everything- survival, morale, confidence. So let’s hope the lads come out strong. UP THE ROVERS!

An abysmal first half of football for both sides, which produced the only highlight of a Keith Andrews clearance off of the line, means I won’t even talk about that half. Rovers came out of the locker room and started right away though in the second half. Subs Grella and Dunn helped solidify a shakey looking Rovers XI and Grealla complemented Andrews well as he was able to go have a run about and fund himself a little.
Side note: I think despite being a bit behind the curve still, Andrews’ fitness and his growth in every match he features in is a great thing for Rovers.

Benni Mac forced a great save from Given on his free kick but drew a controversial penalty call to make good on his hunt for a goal. It looked a penalty in real time, but the replay angles have got me second guessing myself. I’ll go with my gut and say it was warranted. Jason Roberts’ first goal for the Rovers second showed how to utilize Paul Robinson’s long boots forward and his second goal was nothing less then Rovers deserved after that magnificent build up. Dunn (I believe) to Andrews to Pederson(who had a cracker of a game) who crossed it perfectly to Roberts for the tap in. Roberts taught me this today:
Roberts strength and ball control is stills second to none.
and
He’s a great scorer when he is pressured/rushed and has to shoot on his first touch.

All in all, fantastic with Nicky Butt deservedly getting shown the rad for two rought challenges and Joey Barton fighting team mates. Take a deep breath. You smell that? That’s the smell of things looking up for Rovers.

A few new faces perhaps soon, I’ll keep you up to date with the latest. Highlights below:

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.

KILL YOURSELF! The worst miss in the history of misses. Un-effin-believable. 2 points dropped but a point is a point and hopefully this will put us well on our way to getting out of the drop zone. Read some more after the jump.

So other then getting pretty outplayed the firsthalf, the second half was there for the taking with chances from MGP, Keith Andrews and Mr. McMissthenet all failing to put away their chances by some reason or another. The first two forced great saves from whoever Sunderland’s keeper is, and the last, well, I’m sure you get the idea. At least Robbo got another clean sheet!

Below are the highlights. Tomorrow’s game I unfortunately will not be able to watch as I have tickets to go see the NY Jets play in an American Football game. I’ll probably catch the replay and have the write up ASAP, aka when I find highlights. I hope he are the team that get MH fired. Some bad news though, Dunny is out again and Nelson may miss due to that eye injury. Maybe thats not a bad thing, oh well, UP THE ROVERS!