[Archived] Rovers Vs Sunderland - Dec 28Th Preview (Well Sort Of...)

[MarkBRFC71]

Lol.

Sad thing is that's a chillingly accurate pictorial portrayal of the dirge Allardyce has served up this last 12 months. Fine when we are scrapping to stay up (last season) but we now need someone to move us forward - and all Sam has done for me this season is prove he is absolutely NOT that man.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

That would be funny if it wasn't so true

[Laurence]

We used to do "oles" back in the day when we passed the ball around, perhaps now we should try an "AVE IT" each time it gets punted up in the air - might get a bit tiring after a while tho'

[American]

Watched the highlights on Football first. The first half was dire, but I thought the second half was quite entertaining, even in addition to the 4 goals, it just seemed more open.

[John]

Watched the highlights on Football first. The first half was dire, but I thought the second half was quite entertaining, even in addition to the 4 goals, it just seemed more open.

Anyone watching Villa v Liverpool? Dreadful first half too....

[tomphil]

The team with Ashley Ward was in deed poor but the football then served up was more pleasing on the eye than that dross yesterday. Even Steve Bruce admitted that the first half was the worst he'd seen in his time in football.

Hand on heart time, can you say Ward was worse than Roberts - to me no different. The midfield of McAteer and Carsley worse than N'Zonzi and Andrews - Close but to me that midfield pairing is one of the worst I've seen. Pedersen or Wilcox well Wilcox wins again.

Tactically both sides were poor but at least the side of 10 years ago treid to play football.

THAT team did try to play football and THAT team got us relegated. Stupid comparison. Im no fan of whats on offer at the min but were stable at the moment that lot was a complete shambles all over the park never mind the management.

[47er]

Hughsey, you're a good supporter but you need to take some of your views on Andrews (usually correct) and direct them towards Sam from time to time. There are times when your blind faith is extremely admirable and times when it seems like you are a Rovers employee in ear-shot of JW!

Every supporter should accept that sam has made some mistakes---Salgado and Kalinic for two. i don't buy this stuff about Kalininc being one for the future. He was signed for NOW and we need a goal scorer NOW! However the manager does seem to be going for youth, we aren't in the relegation zone and the football hasn't been as different from days gone by as some would like to make out.Much of the football in Hughe's last year was dire and he had Bentley. He should be given time to build a team as he did at Bolton. However I'm afaraid that too many on here were sharpening their knives as soon as the appointment was announced.

Most significant we we won't make any real progress until we have our key central mid-fielders back and/or we sign one or two in the Jan window. That would be the case whoever was managing us.

[John]

Every supporter should accept that sam has made some mistakes---Salgado and Kalinic for two. i don't buy this stuff about Kalininc being one for the future. He was signed for NOW and we need a goal scorer NOW! However the manager does seem to be going for youth, we aren't in the relegation zone and the football hasn't been as different from days gone by as some would like to make out.Much of the football in Hughe's last year was dire and he had Bentley. He should be given time to build a team as he did at Bolton. However I'm afaraid that too many on here were sharpening their knives as soon as the appointment was announced.

Most significant we we won't make any real progress until we have our key central mid-fielders back and/or we sign one or two in the Jan window. That would be the case whoever was managing us.

Good post. Yes, Sam has made mistakes, but he also recently said he needs time to build/improve the team.

You would think with some of the reactions on here we were cast adrift at the bottom of the league. I can understand why some are concerned but some of the reactions are a bit OTT.

[cletus]

I was sat at the back of the Darwen End, and it got increasingly heated as the the goals were exchanged with the travelling fans upstairs, a number of objects got thrown at us, including coins, and there were a number of arrests/ejections made. Got quite tasty at one point.

You must`ve be just along from us Ozzie. Sunderland fans old enough to know better, screaming abuse & hanging over the edge of the top tier when they scored.

It was funny when Rovers fans sang Shearer songs. That wound them up a bit lol

[mellison24]

Give Sam time and we'll be okay. We are 13th, which is where we have budgeted for. Not doing TOO badly. Sure there are positives. There are negatives. But there is one thing that SHOULD (but sadly doesn't) stay constant, and that is fan support. This is from 'racist fans' to 'football is dire so I won't go'.

Racist fans: Please rot in hell.

People who don't go due to dire footy: Well, I can kind of see your point. Yes it's dire AT TIMES, but we also play some good stuff. We are a Small East Lancs team in a town known for Jack Straw, the veil row and the cotton mills of our heritage. We are also known for our team. Our plucky little team that managed to win the league with Jack Walker's millions. Now those have seemed to dry up and yet we are still in the Premier League. While the team deserves some criticism, it NEEDS our support. If you are a fan of the club and a follower of football, you will pay decent money to see the team play, but wait you don't have to. You can pay 20quid TOPS to see most games. Our little, unfashionable team needs our support now more than ever.

I just think some fans over-react. I think we'll be okay. Meaning we will finish roundabout where we are now in the table. And I'd be contented with that. I'd be contented with finishing 17th every season as it means I get to see my team face the best in England, rather than play in the second best tier. If you don't turn up, you only have yourselves to blame when you complain about seeing football in lower divisions if we get relegated.

[bellamy11]

I just think some fans over-react. I think we'll be okay. Meaning we will finish roundabout where we are now in the table. And I'd be contented with that. I'd be contented with finishing 17th every season as it means I get to see my team face the best in England, rather than play in the second best tier. If you don't turn up, you only have yourselves to blame when you complain about seeing football in lower divisions if we get relegated.

Understand the sentiment but I have no interest in finishing 17th to watch us get our tummies tickled by 'the best in England'. We can't get relegated because it would be a financial nightmare for the club from which we could potentially never recover, but if this wasn't the case I'd rather see us be competitive in a lower league and watch whole-hearted,exciting football every week. I don't consider it an honour to watch other players play against us and roll us over - I want us to give these guys a fight. Don't get me wrong - I don't expect to match these teams which are considerably more wealthy than us, but I do expect us to get amongst them. Being content with 17th is a dangerous, dangerous attitude which will screw us over in the end. We have to aim higher than that.

[mellison24]

Understand the sentiment but I have no interest in finishing 17th to watch us get our tummies tickled by 'the best in England'. We can't get relegated because it would be a financial nightmare for the club from which we could potentially never recover, but if this wasn't the case I'd rather see us be competitive in a lower league and watch whole-hearted,exciting football every week. I don't consider it an honour to watch other players play against us and roll us over - I want us to give these guys a fight. Don't get me wrong - I don't expect to match these teams which are considerably more wealthy than us, but I do expect us to get amongst them. Being content with 17th is a dangerous, dangerous attitude which will screw us over in the end. We have to aim higher than that.

That's a fair point actually. I started supporting the rovers just after we were relegated in 1999. I must admit I was more excited in those years and our first year back up in 2002 than any time recently. Apart from our European adventure under Hughes, I haven't had any real excitement in footy. I get my buzz from simply being out with my mates and going to Ewood is a relatively cheap way to do this imo. But your point is very valid in the eyes of most supporters. I would only see us relegated if I felt we could come back up like we did over 2 years from 199-2001. But I don't think we could do that with the losses relegation would bring. If we get relegated, I fear for the existance of the club. I'm very much in 2 minds.

[LDRover]

Id be willing to have a £20 bet with anyone who fancies it - I get that 'we wont go down' and you get 'we will go down'. £20 put your money where your mouth is!!

No-one will take you up on that when £2 at Ladbrokes at 9-1 would give them the same potential return.

[S15]

Il let you decide.........Im 25 and clearly annoying you - maybe im neither!

For someone to annoy me I need to respect them. Every response you give is unrelated and slightly cretinous, so respect is the last thing I have for you and your opinions.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

THAT team did try to play football and THAT team got us relegated. Stupid comparison. Im no fan of whats on offer at the min but were stable at the moment that lot was a complete shambles all over the park never mind the management.

No comparison is justified. The only thing I did not mention was the manager. One was tactically naive which cost us the other is stubborn and won't admit when he gets it wrong.

The other thing is that I did not make the comparison, Hughsey did. My original posting was about Monday's team not the entire season.

[Hughesy]

For someone to annoy me I need to respect them. Every response you give is unrelated and slightly cretinous, so respect is the last thing I have for you and your opinions.

Ah thanks - Ditto - You have to earn respect.

[den]

Understand the sentiment but I have no interest in finishing 17th to watch us get our tummies tickled by 'the best in England'. We can't get relegated because it would be a financial nightmare for the club from which we could potentially never recover, but if this wasn't the case I'd rather see us be competitive in a lower league and watch whole-hearted,exciting football every week. I don't consider it an honour to watch other players play against us and roll us over - I want us to give these guys a fight. Don't get me wrong - I don't expect to match these teams which are considerably more wealthy than us, but I do expect us to get amongst them. Being content with 17th is a dangerous, dangerous attitude which will screw us over in the end. We have to aim higher than that.

Yep. you have to set your sights high, even if it turns out to be unattainable. The first principle of football is that you can't stand still. You either go forwards or backwards.

[Beta Ray Bill]

QUIZ RESULT & ANSWERS

it is with great pleasure that I can announce that Jisty has won the quiz, with 28 out of 28 - although one was a different answer than intended but was still correct.

Congratulations, and thanks to all those who took part.

Rovers vs Sunderland

1 Rovers played Sunderland 5 times last season, but which Rover almost kept it at just the 4 by shooting inches wide very late on in the FA Cup?

Pascal Chimbonda (bit of a trick question as he was still at Sunderland)

2 This will be the 3rd successive season Rovers have played Sunderland over the festive period, and a record equalling 4th time since the formation of the Premier League which other club(s) have Rovers faced 4 times over Christmas/New Year since 1992/93?

Middlesbrough and Manchester City

3 And why dont Sunderland already hold the record?

Due to postponed game 28/12/05

4 Rovers away at Sunderland on 18th Jan 1997 saw a notable first what?

First time Rovers and Sunderland had played in Premiership. (accepted: First time Rovers kept 6 consecutive clean sheets/5 in league in Premiership era)

5 And the same match saw a notable last what?

The last time Blackburn Rovers played at Roker Park

6 Why did Rovers directly lead to Sunderland being deducted 2 points in one season?

Ted Doig was signed by Sunderland from Rovers but not officially registered when he turned out on 20th September 1890. The football league deducted two points as a result.

7 Which player featured in over 400 games across the two clubs?

Michael Gray 363 for Sunderland plus 64 for Rovers. (Also technically Ted Doig played 417 games plus 0 for Rovers.)

8 One hundred years ago, in the 1909/10 season, Rovers were riding high at the top of the league when they entertained Sunderland. What was the score that day?

0 - 0

9 The year before, Rovers were below Sunderland until the match at Ewood. The match was a lively affair and saw Rovers win by what scoreline?

Rovers 8 Sunderland 1

10 What connects the following results from different seasons and no other pairs of results:

Rovers 3 0 Sunderland & Sunderland 2 Rovers 0

Sunderland 1 0 Rovers & Rovers 1 2 Sunderland

These were the scores for the Rovers Sunderland fixtures in the seasons immediately following the breaks caused by WW1 and WW2 respectively.

Rovers in 2009

11 Which coaches left Rovers in 2009 and had a particular effect on the Riverside?

Fraser Eagle

12 What was the name of the pricing initiative launched towards the end of the 2008/09 season in the Darwen End?

The Crucial Three

13 Which team did Rovers have to wait over 2 months to play twice in 2009?

Fulham due to having two re-arranged fixtures during 2009.

14 Which team did Rovers play just once but had to wait over 109 years to play?

Blyth Spartans

15 2009 was the year a Junior became a Senior; how long had it taken him?

He joined Rovers academy age 13, so 6 years.

16 Which player gave fans the hump when rumoured to be signing?

Camel Meriem.

17 Rovers have scored (to 25th Dec) 52 goals in all competitions, one of which was an own goal. Of the remaining 51 goals, how many different goal scorers has there been? a ) 17 b ) 20 c ) 22

22

Which current Rover is an anagram of:

18 I wanted Shrek! = Keith Andrews

19 Better mentor = Brett Emerton

20 My chic, decent brat = Benedict McCarthy

21 Gem demonstrates porn = Morten Gamst Pedersen

22 Rare snot jobs = Jason Roberts

What links:

23 actor Jim Carrey, Halloween serial killer Michael Myers & Tugay? = Masks.

Jim Carrey played The Mask, Michael Myers wore a mask and Tugay had his own mask, for Tugay day.

24 actor Patrick Stewart, actor David Duchovny & Franco Di Santo? = X.

Patrick Stewart played Professor X in X-Men, David Duchovny was in X-Files and Franco was Mr. X. in Nicko's ongoing teaser on brfcs

25 wrestler Big Daddy, actor John Wayne & Nikola Kalinic? = All have traditionally female names.

(Shirley, Marion, Nikola)

26 Daz automatic washing powder, Michael Scott from Dunder Mifflin & Paul Robinson? = Clean Sheets as an aim.

Daz (bedding), Michael Scott (paper, he is the manager in the far superior US version of the Office, played superbly by Steve Carrell), Paul Robinson (not conceding)

27 scientist Louis Pasteur, actor Gerard Depardieu & David Dunn?

Share a birthday all having been born on 27th December (hence the 27th question).

Really Hard Last Question

28 Who won when Burnley visited Ewood on 18th October?

Blackburn Rovers

Tie Breaker

Christmas wouldnt be Christmas without BRFCS.com because one type of cold turkey is more than enough!

[AggyBlue]

Cheers BRB, my attempt was pathetic

Really looking forward to the NEW YEAR QUIZ

[brfcs5359]

Just as there are too many out with the sharp knives for Alardyce there are too many who aren't the sharpest tool in the box and want him to stay. It's opinions.

I want him gone. Our roadsweeper could tell you Selgado is sh1te and so too a few others. I bet Joe Royle, Bobby Gould (long list of arrogant managers) wished they had not been so arrogant and that now applies to Allardyce. He has to change and change quick or it's his P45 regardless of what any sympathetic starry eyed fan says on here because the vast majority see no future under his management. Tactics clueless, team selection clueless, transfers clueless, ideas none.

Managers survive or fail by their transfers and so far Allardyce's have been poor. And if John Williams wants me to do the dirty job I'll do it for free. SAM, I'M AFRAID YOU'RE FIRED!

Grayson, Clark, Davies.... all these would be better. Swallow. Dare I say it that Dingle down the road.

At least we wouldn't be in danger of games being called off for low cloud or interfering with departures from Ringway.

[Hughesy]

Managers survive or fail by their transfers and so far Allardyce's have been poor.

Grayson, Clark, Davies.... all these would be better. Swallow. Dare I say it that Dingle down the road.

Ha ha ha look at your choices of managers - pathetic!

As for Sams Signings:

Givet - Success

Diouf - Success - although potentially needs to go soon - but did the main job when we needed it most

NZonzi - Success - 20 years old & 400k - bargain!

Kalinic - Not had a chance to prove himself yet - Looked good in the cup

Di Santo - 60/40 in his favour - just needs a few goals

Jacobsen - Success - Solid freebie

Salgado - Looks a dodgy decision agreed

Go on Graeme give us your take on things.......

[S15]

[FourLaneBlue]

Understand the sentiment but I have no interest in finishing 17th to watch us get our tummies tickled by 'the best in England'. We can't get relegated because it would be a financial nightmare for the club from which we could potentially never recover, but if this wasn't the case I'd rather see us be competitive in a lower league and watch whole-hearted,exciting football every week. I don't consider it an honour to watch other players play against us and roll us over - I want us to give these guys a fight. Don't get me wrong - I don't expect to match these teams which are considerably more wealthy than us, but I do expect us to get amongst them. Being content with 17th is a dangerous, dangerous attitude which will screw us over in the end. We have to aim higher than that.

Sam doesn't seem to be accepting that 17th is good enough however. Otherwise we would not be in 13th with him seemingly being extremely disappointed with how we are doing. Souness was the one who made all the excuses about survival being the priority yet when Hughes came in there was none of that. Under Ince it was even worse than Souey...blah blah, no money, smallest squad, I don't have a chance, somebody get the beers in, Jason B you go and drive for some, being 19th is an achievement etc. Since then Sam has aimed higher even if what we have seen at times has been woeful.

So...when it comes to "ambition" I dokn't think it is fair to level that at Sam. Each year, however, due to minus net investment in the team relative to sales, it goes more and more difficult to be looking towards the stars...

[philipl]

Brilliant stuff by brb and jisty!

[RIML]

Tactics clueless, team selection clueless, transfers clueless, ideas none.

You must be forgetting his substitutions against Portsmouth and Sunderland. He turned 0 points into at least 1 or 3. I think you're also forgetting some of the decent football we've played this season when we had Dunn in the team, our best midfielders are out injured what do you expect? I personally think it's the players who are under-performing.