[Archived] Post-Hull Rovers Getaway

[Bobby G]

What kind of story would unfashionable "small team" Blackburn Rovers provide exactly? We barely get any coverage in the press.

[philipl]

Diouf in the capital of bling....

[Beta Ray Bill]

What kind of story would unfashionable "small team" Blackburn Rovers provide exactly? We barely get any coverage in the press.

Don't forget Rovers were the leaders in getting gagging orders on the press for players away-from-home activities...

[savage8]

Don't forget Rovers were the leaders in getting gagging orders on the press for players away-from-home activities...

When was this? Which players? Other than perhaps Flitty (although not even sure of that one).

[ABBEY]

Instead of spas in Dubai I'd have them training in the cold at Ewood shooting from close range until they can't miss in their sleep, and have to earn the privilege to go home for a rest, but ok.

Me too...get em running up to the tower.

[Hughesy]

Its a disgrace that Zzzzam takes them away when we are going down and they dont deserve it....its an outrage!! Oooops Abbey mode was switched on the keyboard....now off

I have no problems with the trip, its the norm for most teams throughout the season now and if it helps us then so be it!

[Plastic Head]

Mrs Terry might be looking for a good night out in Dubai...

Maybe 1 or 2 of our chaps can help her out?

[mellison24]

Mrs Terry might be looking for a good night out in Dubai...

Maybe 1 or 2 of our chaps can help her out?

Are they not just going to keep an eye on Terry?

[Uxbridge rover]

I work in a very security controlled environment and so I probably come across this sort of thing more than most. Any information no matter how small or seemingly insignificant can be used to an aggressors advantage, that's why companies, the Military and high profile people etc keep details such as movements travel and locations under strict control. This may not be the case for Rovers but I would be very surprised it wasn't.

[waggy]

well if dunny has made the trip,jt will be able to cry on his shoulder,they have been big mates since there under 21 days

[philipl]

I work in a very security controlled environment and so I probably come across this sort of thing more than most. Any information no matter how small or seemingly insignificant can be used to an aggressors advantage, that's why companies, the Military and high profile people etc keep details such as movements travel and locations under strict control. This may not be the case for Rovers but I would be very surprised it wasn't.

All is revealed.

This explains why our players have to hoof the ball and hope it finds a blue and white shirt...

[ewoodpo]

Ive heard from a few people, including Rob Mccafrey that Rovers are headed to Dubai after the Hull match cause we dont play for another 10 days I believe.

Anyone knows where we will stay and where we will train? Id love to see the team up close and have a chat.

Will JW be headed over too? I know he makes time for the fans who visit Ewood Park and even has a sit down in some cases, I would love to have the privilege to meet him here!

The Rovers squad is stopping at the Meridian . Why don't you take a trip down there if you get the chance. Also if you can get to the training please post some pictures.

[ewoodpo]

I would imagine every sleaze bag of British journalism is in Dubai for the blood sport that is the Terrys marriage. Any Prem club over there at the moment is a PR disaster waiting to happen so it is understandable Rovers are keeping it quiet.

Can't be keeping it that quiet they are in the same hotel as Terry.

[Bobby G]

Just came back from my birthday at the Roberto Cavalli Club and guess what the Rovers players were all there!

I got there and saw Morten and Lars having dinner, looking tanned already. Went up to them when they were done had a brief chat. Both looked relaxed. Pedersen says he prefers playing centrally cause at least he sees the ball, cause when he was on the wings, the long balls werent helping. Lars says he has been injured for a month but would be available next weekend. Pedersen says we will finish between 8-12 in the league. I told him if we stay up most fans will be happy to get this season over with and see some changes at the club. Pedersen says he is happy here, even though he didnt look that happy, but he will evaluate his options. He says its 6 years at this club and its a great family club. I said players dont appreciate that about us, but it seems all the current players know that. I said wheres the boss, he said he's with his own group but the assistant and other coaches were with them. Theyll do light training here.

Before I knew it Emo, Nelsen both joined them but I had left their table by then. The players were in "groups". The "married" or family group which consisted of the 4 players above spent the whole night sitting at a dinner table.

Then Dunny, Robbo, Phil Jones and Michel Salgado came in together, sat at the bar and left rather quickly to somewhere else. Martin Olsson, Kalinic, Doran and Junior came together, and I went up to them. Spoke to Olsson who seemed chatty. He was shocked that there was a Rovers fan in Dubai. He said the players think if we beat Bolton we will stay up for sure. He said we are on a good run at home but cursed the away form. Nico was really shy and reserved. He just kept on saying he is happy. I asked him do you like the Premier League, he said yes. Olsson said his English is £$%" I told Olsson I hope that we see some changes in the summer to strengthen the side, then he tapped Nico on the shoulder and said or we give the young players a chance. He said he doesnt mind where he plays but loves scoring. I asked them where Franco was and Nico said he is in Italy doing his drivers license test and they both laughed. I told Martin I felt sorry for Nico having long ball after long ball shot up at him to which they both smiled.

I asked Junior are you staying or not but he was a bit shy and was like lets see. But Olsson said he loves the club.

Then Samba, Nzonzi and Givet came (Gael is so much shorter and smaller than I thought and it makes it more impressive how he is a good center back). They went up to the VIP area where Chimmy and Diouf were already up there. Diouf was suited up nicely. Nzonzi towers over Samba. The players all left soon after in their same groups.

I didnt see Andrews there, and it made me feel a bit sorry for the lad, if he is being ostracized.

[DanLad]

Is anyone sure that they've not just gone to Derby?

[Bobby G]

Can't be keeping it that quiet they are in the same hotel as Terry.

Le Meridien? There are many of them in Dubai, which one is it? The one on the Marina I guess.

[Brfcrule1]

Bobby if you get a chance can you please post some pics on here would be very interested to see the tans they have acquired

[Martin]

Good work Bobby G.

Dioufy likes Buddha Bar. He was in there in the summer.

Do we know where they are staying yet. Jebel Ali?

[Mr. E]

Just came back from my birthday at the Roberto Cavalli Club and guess what the Rovers players were all there!

I got there and saw Morten and Lars having dinner, looking tanned already. Went up to them when they were done had a brief chat. Both looked relaxed. Pedersen says he prefers playing centrally cause at least he sees the ball, cause when he was on the wings, the long balls werent helping. Lars says he has been injured for a month but would be available next weekend. Pedersen says we will finish between 8-12 in the league. I told him if we stay up most fans will be happy to get this season over with and see some changes at the club. Pedersen says he is happy here, even though he didnt look that happy, but he will evaluate his options. He says its 6 years at this club and its a great family club. I said players dont appreciate that about us, but it seems all the current players know that. I said wheres the boss, he said he's with his own group but the assistant and other coaches were with them. Theyll do light training here.

Before I knew it Emo, Nelsen both joined them but I had left their table by then. The players were in "groups". The "married" or family group which consisted of the 4 players above spent the whole night sitting at a dinner table.

Then Dunny, Robbo, Phil Jones and Michel Salgado came in together, sat at the bar and left rather quickly to somewhere else. Martin Olsson, Kalinic, Doran and Junior came together, and I went up to them. Spoke to Olsson who seemed chatty. He was shocked that there was a Rovers fan in Dubai. He said the players think if we beat Bolton we will stay up for sure. He said we are on a good run at home but cursed the away form. Nico was really shy and reserved. He just kept on saying he is happy. I asked him do you like the Premier League, he said yes. Olsson said his English is £$%" I told Olsson I hope that we see some changes in the summer to strengthen the side, then he tapped Nico on the shoulder and said or we give the young players a chance. He said he doesnt mind where he plays but loves scoring. I asked them where Franco was and Nico said he is in Italy doing his drivers license test and they both laughed. I told Martin I felt sorry for Nico having long ball after long ball shot up at him to which they both smiled.

I asked Junior are you staying or not but he was a bit shy and was like lets see. But Olsson said he loves the club.

Then Samba, Nzonzi and Givet came (Gael is so much shorter and smaller than I thought and it makes it more impressive how he is a good center back). They went up to the VIP area where Chimmy and Diouf were already up there. Diouf was suited up nicely. Nzonzi towers over Samba. The players all left soon after in their same groups.

I didnt see Andrews there, and it made me feel a bit sorry for the lad, if he is being ostracized.

Interesting stuff, man, thanks.

Funny that you mentioned the long-balls to Nico. Maybe he agrees but doesn't want to challenge BFS.

[Bobby G]

Yep I mentioned the long balls to which Olsson cracked up a bit. But they were in good spirits, although all significantly "separated" into packs. Only Nelsen went to "socialize" between the groups. He walked up to Dunn and Robbo and spoke to them, then went up to the VIPs and said hi to Diouf and the rest and went back down to sit down. Actually Emo arrived with Dunn and Robbo and Phil Jones and Salgado but slotted into the dinner area with Morten, Lars and Nelsen quickly. Its easy to "characterize" the groups from the outside Id say.

The French-speaking lads were quiet and kept to themselves. The "settled" table were having an intelligent dinner it seemed. The youngsters stuck together and wanted to see where they could go after this place. It was actually the first thing Olsson asked me!

Sorry guys no pictures. It wouldve been awkward in that atmosphere to pop out the camera so I mustered the guts to just talk to them instead.

PS. Buddha Bar blows in Dubai now. Its deteriorated alot and hence Cavalli is the top "lounge/bar" in the city now.

[Manc Rover]

Yep I mentioned the long balls to which Olsson cracked up a bit. But they were in good spirits, although all significantly "separated" into packs. Only Nelsen went to "socialize" between the groups. He walked up to Dunn and Robbo and spoke to them, then went up to the VIPs and said hi to Diouf and the rest and went back down to sit down. Actually Emo arrived with Dunn and Robbo and Phil Jones and Salgado but slotted into the dinner area with Morten, Lars and Nelsen quickly. Its easy to "characterize" the groups from the outside Id say.

The French-speaking lads were quiet and kept to themselves. The "settled" table were having an intelligent dinner it seemed. The youngsters stuck together and wanted to see where they could go after this place. It was actually the first thing Olsson asked me!

Sorry guys no pictures. It wouldve been awkward in that atmosphere to pop out the camera so I mustered the guts to just talk to them instead.

PS. Buddha Bar blows in Dubai now. Its deteriorated alot and hence Cavalli is the top "lounge/bar" in the city now.

I hope they didnt head off to the Arif Castle afterwards!

[John]

Le Royal Meridien is quite touristy, so slight surprise they are staying there.

At least they have Buddha bar over the road, a cracking night out!

[ewoodpo]

Le Meridien? There are many of them in Dubai, which one is it? The one on the Marina I guess.

Sorry mate don't know which one it's the same one as John Terry's stopping in . It must be close to Jumeriah Beach as I can't see them stopping in Deira.

[alexanders]

Happy to hear that you got to meet them Bobby!

Must have been a great surprise and a pleasent evening. I can imagine Kalinic being reserved when he probably has problems with the language.

Didnt like that Andrews was nowhere to bee seen. Maybe he already was at a naughty-place.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Brief mention of Rovers on the JT media frenzy in the Mirror (bottom of the article):

" The Blackburn Rovers team are taking a break at the same resort and they found his appearance amusing. At one stage some of the players saw a group of tanned woman at a bar and started laughing and yelling: “Where’s JT?”"

JT in Dubai