Looks like we will have a few more options for the weekend. Would go like this: Kaminski Nyambe Lenihan Branthwaite Douglas Travis Davenport Elliott Dack Dolan Armstrong Subs: Pears, Harwood-Bellis, Trybull, Rothwell, Holtby, Gallagher, Brereton, Downing, Bennett Back 4 and keeper pick themselves. Dack must play in his best position, Armstrong is obvious as is Elliott, and Travis again despite his rustiness picks himself. As ever, the main dilemmas come in CM and on the left. 50/50 between Holtby who looked decent last week and the less gifted but more industrious Davenport next to Travis. And wide left its between 3, Dolan is more suited to being an impact sub perhaps with his pace against tiring defenders, with his end product and decision making questionable, but id be tempted to go with him for the start with Brereton poor in recent weeks and Rothwell never consistently impressing, although I'd be happy to see the latter start too.

So here we are again. Not quite on "the cusp" of the play offs just yet, but not far off it. Luton have been a bit of a bogeyteam for us of late, but surely this is a game where we stamp our credentials and go on a run that brings us deep into the play off places 🙂 I can feel it 😉 I would go with the following Kaminski Nyambe Lenihan Brantwhaite Douglas Travis Rothwell Elliott Dack Brereton Armstrong If 4-3-3 Kaminski Nyambe Lenihan Brantwhaite Douglas Dack Travis Rothwell Elliott Armstrong Brereton

Just to get the talk started.

We usually lose games which I start match threads for so I guess this is a free hit. The only game I have seen this season where we were unambiguously the worse side/not at the races/ totally out classed and out played was Swansea away so there is little reason to believe Tuesday night will be any different (checked- it is Tuesday night but watch the kick off time of 7pm in the UK, 8pm for me). Venue is a ploughed field near Lower Darwen or a remote in your living room. Weather outside cold but that's academic because none of you are allowed out anyway. Yes we were particularly badly hit by injuries at the Liberty then but so were they. I guess we might be surprised to discover our returned walking wounded are better than their's so hope springs eternal but then snubbed out by their boss blossoming in the meantime while our's has wilted to a shrivelled gurning presence somewhere near the tunnel. As for selection, I would much prefer Davenport alongside Travis than Johnson but I guess we might get Buckley who probably would be an upgrade on Johnson on current form. And if it is essential to have somebody hugging the touchline in the Mowbray world of playing as though we actually have wingers in the squad then I'd opt for Brereton over Rothwell who has to have the option of space either side of him to really express himself. Probabilities for this one: 80% defeat and Swansea to put automatic promotion a mere 16 points out of our grasp (this will be only game 25 of this anticlimactic underwhelming season) 19% draw 1% the moon is made of blue and white halved cheese.

Locked in and snowed in here in Huddersfield so thought I may as well start a match topic for this weekend’s game against Stoke. Weather not looking too promising for Ewood on Saturday, with heavy rain forecast which of course will guarantee the pitch to be even worse than it has been in recent matches. As for Stoke we know exactly what they are about having played them just before Xmas since when they have added a few players to their squad, the latest being Jack Clarke from Spurs, a promising wide player originally at Leeds. Lets hope we have a full back capable of handling him. Will Nyambe be available? Who knows? Hopefully Rovers bring in the lad from Everton to shore up the defence but its all a bit last minute with Rovers transfer dealings so don’t be surprised if we wait until January 31st! EDIT Seems the deal is now done and he will play on Saturday! As for the rest of the team, its likely to revert to the usual midfield but depending if Johnson is required in defence. Up front will be the usual suspects, Brereton, Armstrong and Elliott.

Our FA Cup adventure begins... Will we take it seriously? Will fringe players get a run out, whilst key players are rested? Pre-season and in the League Cup were dealt with lower league teams fairly easily, can that continue? For me, I’d hope we take it seriously. A cup run generates interest, builds confidence and gives an opportunity for a few players to get some game time. Starting places for Dolan, Davenport, Buckley and Carter - I suspect he will also start Dack and Downing. I’d rest Armstrong, Johnson, Travis and Gallagher - on the bench. Pike, Lyons etc also on the bench. I believe the game is shown via the FA website.

Well where do we even start? Birmingham took a thumping midweek off Derby and they are midst a poor run with precious few goals. Surely even our defence will not crumble again? Starting XI - I’d bring in Dolan, at least to mix it up on the right and swap Davenport for Johnson to give him a rest (looked off the pace against Huddersfield). Both managers under real pressure.

When I saw the next two fixtures when the list came out, I just knew we would lose them both. Both are Mowbray designer banana skins he will unfailingly fall over, I thought.. Well here we are: - let's be honest we have a far better squad than any of us dared hope when the fixtures were published BUT - we have to win these two to keep our league season alive. I have no idea how we are going to do it. I guess together with Tony Mowbray, that makes two of us...

My apologies to any fellow BRFCS poster(s) if you'd been lined up / ready to write this thread, but given it was less than 2 days to go, and most of us being somewhat pre-occupied tomorrow, I thought I'd give it a go... (but not 'a right good go'...) Up next at Ewood are the sleeping giants of Sheffield Wednesday, currently slumbering along second bottom of the Championship. The all time record between the two clubs is very evenly balanced, with Rovers having won 57, Owls 59 and 38 drawn. Managed by another of TM's contemporaries whose better days seem well behind him, Tony Pulis, Wednesday are having a torrid time this season, having started some 12 points adrift due to FA sanctions (recently reduced somewhat, but still a negative start). Their record over recent games should give Rovers fans some hope for a result, having only won one from the last 5 with the other 4 being losses. Pulis is no mug though, so Rovers will need to be on their game in order to overcome what will most likely be a packed rearguard, well drilled and organised midfield and a manager with some tactical nous. Rumours are that Big Ben is ready for a comeback, which would be a boost, particularly if he can reproduce some of the sparkling form that has seen Rovers convert high possession stats into goals. Without him it may be difficult to break down a big and bruising back four, regardless of how much of the ball we see. Players that have graced both clubs? I'm sure there are loads! Three favourites from recent years that I've seen are Paul Warhurst (very unlucky with injuries and scored some great goals for and against both clubs!), Tommy Spurr and of course Jordan (He scores when he wants!) Rhodes. Looking for a quick bounce back from the disappointment last time out. 3-1 Rovers Merry Christmas to all! COYB! A repeat of this would be nice...

Next up, The Potters away at The Britannia Stadium. Having won our first game in the last four, Stoke City are our next opponents, in what is likely to be another tough fixture in the run up to Christmas. Michael O'Neill's side sit just a couple of points above ourselves after 19 games, following Tuesday night's goal-less draw at Loftus Road. They've had a pretty mixed bag of results so far this season, not too dissimilar to ourselves, having won 2, lost 2 and drawn 1 of their last 5 fixtures. The Britannia has been a happy hunting ground for The Rovers in recent seasons, winning the last 2. Season before lasts encounter particularly sticks in the memory when, after being 3 up courtesy of goals in the first 46 mins by Dack, Graham and Harrison Reid, Rovers were pegged back, conceding in the 79th and 80th minute to hang on to the 3 points by the skin of their teeth. Even surviving a late penalty which would have brought the scores level. I've many memories of games against them, particularly away, over many, many years and I thought it important to get the thread up and running, following our absolutely 'exhilarating win' (shit show) at Ewood against The Millers. This particular fixture evokes extremely sad memories for myself and my fellow Darreners: 10 years ago, 6th February 2010, an avid Blackburn Rovers supporter left The Craven Heifer in Darwen, on a coach along with 51 other Roverites, to attend our away game at The Britannia Stadium. There were high jinks at half time, as is often the norm at some of our away games, but nothing at all malicious. Tragically, one of our own, John Taylor, lost his life in the stadium concourse at half time that day. It is an event that those present will never forget. Moreso those that witnessed it and tried to revive John but in vain. So, for us Darreners (and hopefully all Roverites), please could we remember him, raise a glass and toast John Taylor RIP, he was one of our own. COYB!!

Can’t see a match thread for tomorrow’s game at Brentford. Still recall the delight and disappointment at Griffin Park 3 years ago where despite winning 3-1 we were relegated to League 1. Well tomorrow we won’t be playing at Griffin Park but some shiny brand spanking new stadium in West London (what is it called?) and we will potentially be playing for a top 2 spot? Brentford have had a change of personnel since we last played them in London, losing Watkins and Benhrama to the Premier League but still seem to be able to consistently produce the goods and with Ivan Toney signed from Peterborough in the summer, they have one of the better strikers in this League. He will be a danger. David Raya likely to be in goal for the Bees and we need to put him under pressure as we all know he’s likely to oblige with a clanger of some sort. Maybe not but worth a try. Rovers haven’t played their best football in the last few games but if we can recreate some of our earlier form we can come away from ??????? with a result. Hopefully we will have Wharton and Douglas available for selection Brereton will be a miss after picking up what looks like a serious injury on Wednesday but it gives others an opportunity to stake a claim for his spot up front. Most likely Gallagher, Elliott and Armstrong to start. COYB

After a thoroughly depressing week of football, 3 games and a solitary point gained, we welcome The Millers to Ewood Park on Wednesday night. They've struggled so far this season particularly away where they've only won once in 9 outings. They also picked up their 2nd win since October yesterday, turning over Bristol City 2-0 at The New York Stadium. Rovers' team selection causes that many conundrums all over the park, I really wouldn't know where to start, other than Kaminski in goal and Elliott fitted in somewhere! I hope our intrepid leader keeps his mouth well and truly shut to any form of media for the foreseeable future, so that he doesn't inflict any further inadvertent damage to club and supporter morale. Old cliché it may be but if ever there was a 'must win game', it should apply here. COYB!! (FFS!)

Norwich next up at Ewood, as the fixtures continue to role on thick and fast. They're currently top, as the top half of the table is starting to look pretty congested as the season develops. Recently suffering from horrendous injuries, they have started to stutter, not least demonstrated better than by a tame loss against Luton. A much win game for me, if we are intent on closing the gap on the leaders. A 4 point return from the last 3 games would be acceptable but should we lose this rubber, 1 point would be a poor return. Will Darragh be back to partner Ayala in the centre of defence or will Williams retain his place after getting a game under his belt after injury at Ashton Gate? How and with who, will we set up in midfield or attack, with several players showing signs of tiredness on Wednesday night?

Next up is Bristol City at Ashton Gate. Can The Rovers extend their unbeaten streak in another tough encounter? We've played pretty well there in recent seasons and if on the front foot, there's no reason why we can't come away with 3 points. Our defensive line up should prove interesting to say the least. I haven't looked at other teams' fixtures this week but theoretically, if we follow a win here by beating Norwich on Saturday, we could be top on Saturday night! Unlikely I know but time for a nose bleed?!

The second of our series of 2 home games, we welcome 'The Lions' of Bermondsey, Millwall to Ewood Park. As a result of Covid-19, Harry the Dog and his chums will have to watch on iPlayer along with the rest of us. (Fannies!) They currently sit (before the weekends fixtures) one point above ourselves, having drawn 7 of their 13 games so far this season. It's always been a tough game against Millwall and no doubt next Wednesday night won't be any different. We''ll have to be at our very best to overcome a really resilient team and any point that we manage to win, will have been extremely hard earned. Hopefully we'll manage all 3. COYB!

Durham will be livestreaming their match v Rovers Ladies this Sunday via their Facebook page facebook.com/durhamwomenfc The stream will be free but Durham request that fans contribute £6 (the price of a ticket) to the #endchildfoodpoverty campaign that is spearheaded by Marcus Rashford. Durham currently sit top of the table with Blackburn in 5th. Last season, Rovers went to Durham with no points in the League & Durham were top of the table with a 100% record & Rovers won 0-1 thanks to a gritty away performance & a penalty scored by Ellie Stewart. This season, Durham are again top of the League while Rovers sit in 5th.

If Blackburn gets put into Tier 2, do you think Rovers will be able to organize having 2000 on against Barnsley ?

Still on a high following last night's performance and result, thought we'd better get the next match day thread up and running. The Tykes are at Ewood on Saturday and have had a topsy turvy start to the season similar to ourselves. They currently sit only 2 points behind us having won three and lost 2 of their last 5 games, the latest being a home defeat by Brentford last night. They would have been tipped by most though to be relegated at the start of the season but appear to be bucking the trend and I expect a tough encounter. I read an article yesterday that linked Mario Balotelli with Barnsley. He's currently a free agent but whether there's any truth in the story or not, who knows. Perhaps if Big Sam were manager there, the story could have legs. We need the 3 points in the first of a couple of home games, Millwall to follow midweek, to build on the 4 points gained in the past 2 away fixtures. Were we to finish up with 10 points from that series of 4 games, then perhaps we could start to believe. COYB!

Tuesday night it's North End v Rovers. Surely it's about time we gave them a bloody nose!

First game after the international break we face The Hatters at an empty Kenilworth Road. It's the first of a series of 4 away games in the next 6. North End away is on the Tuesday after, with Barnsley and Millwall at home to follow and Brentford and Bristol City away after that. A tough series of games where the aim should surely be a minimum haul of 12 points, starting with 3 here, if we are to have serious aspirations of promotion.

Well it's Thursday and we've a 'home' match the day after tomorrow and thought someone had better start a thread. If ever there was a must win game, then surely this is it. Amongst the current state of depression regarding Rovers, I'm struggling to come up with a line up. Some of my distinct memories of games v QPR are Shearer's thunderbolt goal that bounced in after almost breaking the crossbar, Sutties winner at Loftus Road and wondering who that lanky, 6'7" bloke was, with chicken like legs, as he came on as sub at Loftus Road. It was Peter Crouch. Does that annoying QPR supporter in full kit w****r style, still annoy away supporters? As always, COYB and surely we can do enough to turn this lot over.

Now then, next match brings bonny Boro to Ewood, managed by the Neil Warnock who predictably has instantly turned the club around from last season's relegation candidates to one now sitting in the top 6. "Colin" is not everyone's cup of tea but he's one of my favourite managers, a tough nut who takes no nonsense and produces pragmatic, tough teams that are hard to beat and get results. His record of promotions is second to very few, if any. I stand to be corrected but I think Colin was actually pencilled in for the Rovers job when the club changed its mind at the mind at the 11th hour and, unbelievably, gave the job to Owen Coyle. He was also out of work for a brief period last year before Boro grabbed him to sort out their own mess. So that's 2 chances to we've had to appoint him, and I've no doubt we'd be back in the Premier League now had we done so the first time. Anyway, in the dugout it's Tony v Colin on Tuesday night and the contrast between the approaches of the 2 managers could not be more different - one an indecisive but apparent nice guy and the other who fashions a team in his own hard image. What the Rovers team will be is anyone's guess and I doubt Tony will decide until an hour before kick off. But I doubt it will make much difference. On current form I can't see anything other than another defeat. Rovers 0 Boro 1

Swansea away not a happy hunting ground. Remember them terminally destroying our back to back promotion hopes in 1981in a sardine packed Vetch. Boy we gave Leighton James some stick and he replied with a fine goal- he was a really classy player. To Saturday and I have hope but realistically we are going to get beaten and perhaps badly. By all accounts Swansea have really clicked in their most recent games. We will also find out how bad our covid crisis so am expecting a very odd line-up and to be forced to discover if Aynsley Pears is actually any good. At least there are the under 18s and under 23s tomorrow against the toughest opposition in their respective age groups to distract us from getting totally paranoid before Saturday. Or maybe make it even worse...

This season, it has been possible to follow the Rovers from the comfort of your front room with a beer for a measly tenner on iFollow. Plus the quality of our play so far - we are an attacking team - and the hatful of goals we'r currently scoring and chances we are creating. This adds up to a boon for the club. Fans who normally wouldn't attend Ewood maybe because of distance, other commitments or who have simply got out of the habit have seen possbily some of the best football in the last ten years. The club couldn't have timed the situation better if it had tried. Hopefully, Waggott is lining up some interesting deal to get us out of our armchairs and into the ground. Because that day will surely come. And I hope it is before the end of this season. Because, if we keep up our present levels of intensity and key players remain injury-free, (Ayala and Kaminski are recent incumbents on the treatment table as I write) we must have a decent chance of the playoffs. All we have to do is keep this up for the next 39 games. ? Our ground will open up to all fans sooner or later. We could be building up a decent TV following. if we played in front of a paying crowd, what would the attendance be? Has our play warrented a big attendance or has the famous Rovers fan scepticism - in evidence throughout my fifty-plus years, it has to be said - started to give way to genuine enthusiasm and translated into higher attendances? Plaudits from the armchair are one thing, creeping praise on the messageboard is emerging, but the real proof times are a-changing would be in terms of attendances. Rovers vs Reading Tuesday 27 October 2020 Reading are top of the league with some fans saying they are not playing that well. Not a club to get you out of your warm seat on a wet and windy Tuesday evening in Blackburn with doubts after two mediocre home performances still in the air. I'd predict 11,000 hopeful virtual souls scattered around the ground largely expecting a dour draw against a resilient Reading team with Lucas Joao leading line like he did for the occasional brilliant ten minutes in games for us. 250 Reading fans adding nothing at all to the atmosphere. Come On You Blues - We're virtually there. ?

The David Speedie derby. Play like we did Wednesday, cut out the sloppy defending, and we can be confident of a win. Coventry 1 Rovers 3