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!

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!

The Hammers are sitting pretty comfortably in the top half, holding onto the 7th place with 40 points and fighting for a place in the UEFA Europa League. Robert Green has recovered from the knock he picked up during the Hammers’ Monday game and fill be starting between the sticks against us. West ham also won 4-1 in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.

Lucash Neill, ex Rover extraordinaire will be captaining the West Ham side like usual, but it always does the heart good when we beat him.

Points are points and boy do we need three. We could also use some luck in the resukts of the teams aorund us but if all goes according to plan, while we won’t jump too much higher in the league ladder, we will put some space between us and the bottom three. So lets shake off the Le Arse crushing and come out string. Some solid, physical work to take out their jets and confidence, a goal or two early and we’ll be on our 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!

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.

A Big Sam soundbite and some interesting facts here. IE: Blyth Spartans are 118 places below Blackburn in football’s pyramid system.

A preview from The Guardian with some cheek quotes in it.

Big Sam- “Nothing to gain and everything to lose.”

Also, the winner of this Match will face…Sunderland! Again! Really……again. I’m starting to dislike them simply due to playing them so much, but not a terrible draw and we didn’t draw the links of Man U, Villa or Chelsea.

Maybe a live blog later on today, but for now UP THE ROVERS!….(who should win 7-0)

45th +1- Nelson heads out for a corner to prevent aston from getting it. 2 mins of added time.
43rd: the game has its highs and lows. right now just back and forth.
41st: Rovers corner, Reid with the worst kick ive ever seen. It goes out at the other flag for a GK.
40th: Samba immense right now. rovers def holding well.
37th: Good break by westham. cross headed out for a gk by cole.
36th: good hold of possesion for us here. showing good build up, hammers forced to clear. just need the finish.
32 and 33- Fouls and corners and the like for west ham.. Nothing to come of it.
30th: Samba heads it, Derbs heads it in, but flagged offside. OH MY hes played onside by Bararmy. Linesman flags offside incorectly. The kick played quickly by the hammers. Ooijer forced to foul as rovers have no men back. Yellow for him.
29th: RSC cant shake the knock. Matty derbs on to replace.
28th: Corner for west ham, taken short, noble cross. cleared away
27th: Roberts called for a ghost foul. Doesnt like it and lets the ref know it. Cared fo this troubles.
22nd: OH yes Jason roberts, 1-2 now. Roberts turns his defender and pokes it right to the farside of the keeper. Rovers 1-2 Hammers
21th: Samba with an OG but an offsides Aston clearly interfered. Apperently the offsides rule isnt in effect today. 0-2 Hammers
19th: Santa looks with a knock. Limping in the offensive third
18th: Rovers using the super goal kicking abilities of Robbo too much.
16th- FK after foul called on the hammers. Roberts should have been alowed to play on he was working with the man fouling him. Peds Fk out for a GK.
0-1 Hammers
13th: Davenport scores off the corner.
11ht; Robbo knocks the ball back for another corner. Then the second corner cleared away. Ball plpayed down to Santa who gets it with no opositing. The ball into Roberts getts muddled and cleared. Rovers with the throw, peds cross in, cleared then Rovers get it back. Stolen and charged down the wing for Hammers. Nelson puts it out for a corner.
10th- Mystery foul call.ed The ball into the Rovers box away my Nelson. Peds forced to put it out for Hammers corner.
6th- Grella comes in really late, clumsily and studs up. Yellow card.
6th- Nelsen knocks the corner away.
5th min- Samba with a horrid header back that Robbo doesnt even come get. He makes up for it, hustleing back. Hammers corner.
3rd min- Rovers going into challeneges clumsily. Giving away possession. AS I type, build u down the left, centered into Santa SOG saved and cleared.
1st min- Rovers going right to left.
0 min- Rovers in the new Blue away kit. No red and black halves today.
0 min- It’s good to see V. Grella in the side and also good to see King Carlos and new boy Andrews on the subs bench. Hope to see them factor in positively.

Welcome one and all, sorry about the lack of preview. Here’s the starting lineups:

WEST HAM: Green, Neill (c), Parker, Ashton, Etherington, Cole, Noble, Mullins, Faubert, Behrami, Davenport.
Subs: Lastuvka (GK), McCartney, Bellamy, Boa Morte, Spector, Reid, Sears.

ROVERS: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen (c), Warnock, Emerton, Grella, Reid, Pedersen, Roberts, Santa Cruz.
Subs: Brown (GK), Mokoena, Andrews, Villanueva, Simpson, Treacy, Derbyshire.

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.