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!

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!!

That being said, Rovers dominated the first hour of this match. Boro had some chances sure, but there wasn’t ever a real threat. Even when we seemed to be long-balling it, you could tell it was more direct like a long pass and not a clearance/I hope Roque wins this. Benni Mac, who during the Notlob game looked great, came on a sub and did fantastic. That header was calm, cool and collective and not only saved me from a pissy mood the rest of the day, but left me feeling like we won that game.
More on this after the jump!

More on Benni. Welcome back man. We missed you. I don’t know who gave ya a kick in the behind or whipped you into shape but it’s great to hit some sort of form and better now than never. Hope to see more from you in the coming weeks.

Carlos still has some bulk to build and some skills to improve on as he stopped short on a few runs, had a couple of noticeable slow moments and just overall lost most of the 50/50 and physical challenges on him. However, his flowing style of play really added a threatening element the first 70 or so minutes and prior to the Boro goal.

Matty Derbs, (and I know I’m bouncing from point to point but this stuff is all still fresh in my head now) Matty Matty Matty. I love ya man, I really do, but what were you doing out there today? Touches and masses and shots and that stupid frustrated yellow card you got… unbelievable man. You’re so good when you come on after the hour mark, why can’t you be that good all the time? Maybe you just need to grow some more. The potential is so there, but just not manifesting right now.

A huge scare occurred when Roque went down after that cross into the box. I don’t think I took a breath that whole time he was down until I saw him sit up and smirk. He really is something else and let us all be glad he wasn’t seriously hurt.

On the officiating: I’ve never seen a referee more in the way than he was today. Mike Dean was just always around and seemingly blocking sight lines and pseudo interfering with passes. I don;t know why but it was just oddly noticeable his position today. Also, he clearly hates Rovers. That’s all on that.

Treacy: You’re not as good yet as you think you are. There were plays where you needed a touch or two and had clear opportunities to pass and move it along, yet at least 3 times you kept going yourself was were dispossessed. Step your passing game up then worry about trick sticking down the line.

I thought the back four were relatvily solid with the exception of Nelson who can’t seem to play a game with out 3 or 4 daft moments that make me cringe and Olsson who had a few thoughtless moments but made up for them overall. Olsson is still growing and getting better; Nelson, you have no excuse.

All in all, Rovers had some fantastic chances. Roque, Emerton, Carlos etc. And the formation fluidity and adaptation was great and kept Boro on their back foot most of the game. Once Boro scored though, we clearly panicked and we were fortunate enough that the panic was in an offensive desperately pushing forward way and not a panic and give away more goals way. The game was largely entertaining and moved well the majority of the time. I would have loved to have taken all 3 from this, but can’t say I’m upset with the draw given the circumstances. the next game is only 4 short days away against Aston Villa. We’ll see what changes are made to the starting 11, and how it feels to root against Big Brad. Until then, UP THE ROVERS!!

You CAN expect a live blog for the Everton match as well as a Match Preview and Report. YAY!:-) So for everyone stuck working that day or who doesn’t get FSC, I’ll be here and will probably be doing a better job than the official site teletext.

Transfers: Well we know that Brad and Bents are out. Fowler is still lurking around. No one knows why but the guy is just too old to cut it. Julio Santa Cruz was signed. Name sounds familiar does it? That’s because he’s Roque’s brother. I don’t know if he’s any good or not, but if it means RSC is staying then I’m on board. Jamie Clarke? Accrington? Yawn. Danny Simpson was brought in on a year long loan, hopefully if he does well we can sign him, he looks a promising young lad. By far the best looking signing though has to be Carlos Villanueva; the youtube sensation that Rovers have the option to buy after a year long loan. With rumors of Benni on the way out, one can only wonder why we cant get rid of Moko. Oh well, I can dream.

Stay tuned for more updates in and around Ewood Park, and as I head back to Uni come the end of Aug, expect a site revamp too. Until then, Up the Rovers!!

Brad Friedel made 287 League and 356 total appearances for Rovers over his 8 year career with us. Acquired on a free from Liverpool, Brad had to turn a lot of skeptics into believers. He has single handly saved us and won us so many games and points and we really have a lot to thank him for. He’s off now to his last big pay day and I can’t really hold any hard feelings against him. So goes a legend…

Now lets get Robbo in…

Sadly, this will be the beginning of the end for the time of Big Brad. The stipulation with Rovers before he could sign with Villa is that Rovers needed a replacement. Robinson was their first choice and now that he has put pen to paper, the departure of the American will not be long to follow. Let me be the first to thank Brad for his many years of professional and exceptional service to this proud club, though a more fitting goodbye will be drawn up when the time comes.

That Brad stuff is bringing me down, so members of Ince’s Blue and White Army, how do we feel about this, our first official signing?? 3.5m isn’t a terrible price for a keeper as young as that, and I’m very excited. “Oh but what about his spell as the England keeper?”I can hear some whine already. Rovers are notorious for turning bad apples of clubs (RSC and Samba just right off the top of my head) and re instilling in them the confidence they need to perform at their best. Hell, name two people you know who thought Friedel was better than Flowers when we signed them. You can’t? Right. Me neither.

This is a new period at Ewood Park, and if Robbo is any indication of the type of signing we’ll be expecting, Ince will be a loved Gaffer by all. Now, contrary to popular belief (or just mine and my mother’s) my word opinion isn’t always perfect and right? So what do you think about Robinson between the sticks?

And unless you’re a South American reader (or world football anorack), you probably don’t either.

However, what I do know has excited me somewhat. His name is Carlos Villanueva (no, not the Brewers pitcher…), a 22 year old Chilean, and he has come from Audax Italiano of the Chilean league for about £4million (though some sources say it is a season loan). He was due to join ambitious Spaniard’s Real Sociedad in May, but the deal fell through. Perhaps what is more exciting is that Real Madrid were interested in January.

He is an attacking midfielder (exactly what we need) and has scored 50 goals in 125 games for his club (which is quite fantastic). According to skysports.com Ince had approached his agent with a view to signing Mauro Zarate, but Zarate has since joined Lazio. However the agent (a clever bloke clearly) showed Ince Villanueva. I don’t think Ince is one to be mucked around by agents so he must have been suitably impressed by the lad. The only question is (and we are all asking it): can he survive the EPL?

That question is quite possibly the most cliched in English football, but we’ll wait and see. However, if this guy can deliver what I think he can, then he should fit in really well.

Oh, and he did this in his first competitive game for Chile in last years Copa America….a 90th minute winner:

In other news………..

- New Chelsea signing Jose Bosingwa says he is relished playing against our very own Morten Gamst Pedersen of all people. Take that Ronaldo!

- We have rejected bids for Bentley from Villa and Spurs. Villa claim to be looking elsewhere (though I think they may be back if/when Gareth Barry moves on). If Spurs sell Berbatov then I think they will be able to up their offer to something acceptable.

-Perhaps the worst news of the summer so far (which is an achievement): Brad Friedel wants to leave and will probably go to Villa or Man City. He has been fantastic for us, and I can’t understand why he wants to go. However, the great thing about goalkeepers is that they are the easiest players to replace – a good keeper is a good keeper – but who will replace him? Paul Robinson is being mentioned (for only £2million aswell), but is he as good as Brad? He can be, but his consistency is suspect. I can’t remember watching MOTD in the last 2 years and seeing Alan Hansen or Lee Dixon criticise Brad for a fundamental cock-up. There’s more to come in this story….

•Ecuadorian international Segundo Castillo is linked heavily with Rovers right now. There’s the standard problems with that however as usual; work permits, transfer fees, wages etc etc. Watch this space.

• Robbie Fowler. Remember him? Well he’s been invited to train with us (and by us I mean the first team squad….stay with me)over seas. This is just a “trail” to see if Robbie is “match fit.” Yeah, okay. i was kind of shocked at first, then appalled, then angry…and in that order. But imagine Matty Derbs coming on in the 76th and Robbie in the 80th. We shall see.

• There’s been confirmed interest from Man City and Aston Villa for our Big American Brad Friedel. Man City might not have enough cash though.

• Staying with the Brad story, it is rumored that if it goes through, Paul Robinson will be first in line as the replacement for him, possibly in a move with Robinson and a ton of money coming to us and Bentley going to Spuds.

You really can’t make this stuff up. Tons to comment on, debate and discuss; readers: the floor is yours. (and mine too when I comment back.)…(And David’s too, cause he’s been known to comment.)

Santa Cruz (who else?) put us ahead with a toepoke from Pedersen’s long throw, and having not seen the game (girlfriend gets priority apparently), I get the impression that it was practically one way traffic for most of the time then on. Friedel saved from Ronaldo, Tevez and O’Shea but could not keep out Tevez’s equaliser 3 minutes from time. Tevez both denied us a huge win, and he may well have won United the title. This is especially annoying – how great would it be if we were the team to help deny United the title?

But it makes you think – just one pass or a moment of brilliance by one of our players could have given us a second goal and a historic victory, but (Santa Cruz apart), we seem to lack that kind of player. Bentley and Pedersen have got the technique but perhaps not the brain, and our central midfield isn’t exactly inspiring. If I were Sparky I’d be tempted to spend the majority of his funds on a match winning central midfielder – a true flair player. If anything we are too much of a team, in the sense that almost everyone has to play well for us to win. Too many times this season we haven’t been able to turn draws into wins because there was noone on the field who could really take the bull by the horns. We lack someone unique and special, particularly in the middle, so can we find someone?

I have one idea, and I’d love to see him at Ewood. I’ll continue in my next post.

Highlights: