Bentley scores stunning goal!

McCarthy!!!

2-0. Nonda and McCarthy.

http://www.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=903&p=2&stid=8424088 HOT HOT HOT SAV PICS!!1111

Check out Baa Baa Media Sheep. And loving the Black Benni song.

Do Chelsea field a weakened team in this competition? I sure hope so.

I was planning a Lawro Watch for this season, but it's proven irrelevant now. He's no doubt predicted more success than we have actually achieved so far!

Finally, with a win against Manchester City and a good second half performance to kick-start our season, we can now put the fears of a struggle against relegation behind us and look forward to push on up the table, much like we did last season. Next stop is away to Middlesbrough, a match that should be winnable for a reinvigorated Blackburn Rovers. My prediction concludes this preview. Where & When Date: Saturday 23 September Time: A traditional 3:00PM kick-off Place: Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough (capacity 35,100) The Town Middlesbrough is a large, formerly industrial, town in Yorkshire that is is populated by some 140,000 people. The town has come under a hammering during the years by some football players, citing it as a dreary place. It is not as ugly as Walsall, though. Town History Middlesbrough was the place of the famous victory by unfancied North Korea over giants Italy in the 1966 World Cup. The team was the first ever Asian team to qualify and were well received by the locals. A contingent of Middlesbrough fans and residents followed the team to its next match in Liverpool against Portugal. Club History Middlesbrough Football Club won their first ever major trophy in their entire 130 years of history by winning the Worthington Cup in 2004 over Bolton in a 2-1 win. It's a record that makes you glad to be a Rovers fan, eh? Middlesbrough, nicknamed the Boro, also reached the final of the UEFA Cup last season, but were well outplayed by an impressive Sevilla in a 4-0 result. Past Results Results under the Mark Hughes regime have been overall successful. The last three encounters have resulted in clear wins for Rovers. However, the first Middlesbrough result under Hughes was an unforgettable 0-4 result, a season where we struggled against relegation. Some members, reading back, even questioned whether he was the man to lead us out of this mess. How time flies by! 2004 H Middlesbrough PREM L 0-4 2005 A Middlesbrough PREM L 0-1 A Middlesbrough CC W 2-0 A Middlesbrough PREM W 2-0 2006 H Middlesbrough PREM W 3-2 The Last Match Robbie Savage was sent off for the first time of his club career as Blackburn sent Middlesbrough home with their tails between their legs in a 3-2 win. Craig Bellamy put in a man-of-the-match performance by sending the ball into the back-of-the-net twice. Morten Gamst Pedersen scored the other Rovers goal from a free kick. Current Form Middlesbrough are currently on the same amount of points as Rovers in the Premier League, collecting five points from five games. Their only win was a 2-1 win over reigning champions Chelsea. They lost 4-0 to in-form Portsmouth the next match. A Reading L 2-3 H Chelsea W 2-1 H Portsmouth L 0-4 A Arsenal D 1-1 A Bolton D 0-0 Fitness Middlesbrough hosted Notts County at home in the second round of the FA Cup and lost 0-1, while Rovers had the entire week off. This should give Hughes' men the competitive edge, even though some first team players were rested. The New Manager Middlesbrough player-turned-manager Gareth Southgate has taken the managerial reigns since their most successful of former managers (in terms of major trophy), Steve McClaren, took the England reigns after the 2006 World Cup. Initially, the fan reaction was mixed. Those disappointed cited Southgate's inexperience, and the fact that a promise from the club that a proven manager would be appointed was not taken aboard. Others felt that he was familiar with the club's set-up and has the potential to become successful. What the Opposition Fans Say Middlesbrough fans are an optimistic bunch, much unlike our own. They came off a horrific loss midweek to Notts County, acknowledge recent dire performances, and think the result can go either way given their erratic past results, but are still gunning for a win. The following post epitomises the typical Middlesbrough fan. Boro Message Boards This sorry lot makes me thankful for the tidy organisation of topics and the general post quality that we have here at BRFCS. Come On Boro The Boro Forum Fans FC: Middlesbrough Sport Network: Middlesbrough Message Board My Prediction The men in blue and white are finally picking up their game and we have had some excellent results against Middlesbrough in recent history. This time should be no different, so I predict a tough 2-1 win. The stars will shine brightly on Andre Ooijer as he scores twice for his own team. Blackburn Rovers Line-Up Rovers are expected to choose from: Friedal, Emmerton, Ouijer, Khizanishvilli, Neil, Bently, Tugay, Savage, Pederson, Jeffers, McCarthy, Mokoena, Nonda, Gallacher, Peter, Brown, McEvely, Grey, Derbyshire.

You know your Rex Hunt. Well done Rovers!!!

"We're just a small town in Europe," sing the away fans. "A magical moment from Robbie Savage," says the Rovers World commentator.

Play resumes. Edit: Echo in the room.

I'm listening to the Match Console. It's Pop Concert Stadium at the moment.

Players off because of power failure.

They're playing different opposition, though. Maybe we can take them by surprise. A 1-1 result would be terrific, which is also my prediction.

I damn well hope so, not only for Rovers' sake, but also for my hip pocket. I've got a sum of money on them for a win. Have a feeling about them. Man City are looking a poor side at the moment. Anyway, I waited a bit before replying to see the reaction to this thread. It's different, I tell you that, and I read it all, which I almost never do. I'm up for a 1-0 win for Rovers (bold makes it easier for The Gull to spot). It is essential to win this game. If we lose then we really do have to ask questions of ourselves, despite being approximately in sync at this point last season in terms of points. Come on Rovers!

Oh dear. It's a bit too early to start a fit over the state of the team. We have been on a run of two points from four games, which - believe it or not - we did twice last season. (Last year's fixtures and results. With all Hughes has done at the club so far, the least he deserves is fan support. You've already got the casket out, open, and ready for transport!

Friedel, a living legend!

Who do I email at the club to ask them to expand payment options for international customers? I want to pay for the Match Live console, but there aren't any viable payment options for me. http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Con...,,10303,00.html :\

2-0 to the Rovers! Nonda and McCarthy to show a touch of class.

Kuqi might bring you up, but he won't keep you up. All in all, it was one of the best pieces of businesses for a long time to get 2.5 million out of him. He's certainly not skillful enough for the Premiership.

Garbage. Hughes wants to perform in all four competitions, which will allow Jeffers more than enough chances for first team football.

I've never heard him referred to as "Skippy". They probably came up with it. I'm not sure it's the most positive of nicknames either. Funnily enough, pg, I wouldn't mind seeing Emerton and Reid swapping positions in the last 15 minutes of one or two matches. Good old Brett might just might turn out to be the creative spark we need to replace Reid's woeful peformances at the moment. :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r:

Three player analysis and rating time. Friedel - Did quite well. 7/10 Emerton - Best player, almost. 8/10 Ooijer - Give him time. 5/10 Khizanishvili - A mixed performance. 6/10 Neill - Terrific on left. 7/10 Bentley - Best player, amazingly. 8/10 Reid - He went missing. 5/10 Savage - Ran all day. 6/10 Pedersen - Turned up today. 6/10 Roberts - Communication needs improvement. 6/10 McCarthy - Has nice touches. 6/10 Gallagher - Boy done good. 7/10 Hughes - Tactics mostly right. 7/10 Clattenburg - Overawed by Chelsea. 3/10

1-1. Jeffers to equalise!

1-0 to the Rovers. McCarthy to score his debut goal.