Anyone who has followed Rovers exploits over the years will know what a soft touch the Ewood outfit are when it comes to playing bottom of the league clubs. Therefore, I’m a bit concerned at the run in to the end of the season, not because of home games against Liverpool and Chelsea but the three away fixtures against relegation candidates Sunderland, Birmingham and Portsmouth. The first of those fixtures starts tomorrow, when they head to the north east to take on bottom club, Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, which on form should be a nailed on 3 pointer for Rovers, but one only has to look at last months 2-0 defeat at the hands of West Brom at the Hawthorns, to realise how prone Rovers are to slipping up when favourites to win. Rovers fellow European challengers have also been pitted against relegation candidates this weekend. (Arsenal away to Portsmouth, Spurs at home to West Brom, Man United v Birmingham and Bolton v Middlesborough). I cant see any of the other European challenging clubs slipping up, so the pressure is on Rovers not to slip up against Sunderland tomorrow, if they are to keep up with the chasing pack. A task that won’t be helped with the absence of Savage, whose constant running and chasing would have been a great asset against the industrious if not skilful Black Cats. Rovers should however have the rejuvenated Tugay available after injury and if he can deliver some penetrating balls for Bellamy to get behind the cumbersome Sunderland defence Rovers could hopefully get a hat trick of wins against north east clubs, having already beaten Newcastle at St James Park and Middlesborough at the Riverside in the premiership.

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Rovers 3 Middlesborough 2 Craig Bellamy epitomises the Rovers’ motto “Arte et labore” ("by skill and labour"). His constant running off the ball and unselfish work rate, together with a lethal finish in front of goal has paid dividends and given Rovers a new dimension this season. Against Middlesborough yesterday, he increased his premiership goal tally to 11 goals, with two of the sweetest strikes to have been seen at Ewood Park since the championship glory days, when Alan Shearer was the darling of the Blackburn End. Bellamy opened the scoring on 11 minutes with a pin point left-foot curling shot thorough the Boro defence to beat the outstretched arm of Mark Schwarzer at the far post. However the Welsh striker topped his first strike with his second and winning goal in the 68th minute. Collecting a neat through pass from Pedersen, Bellamy cut in from the right hand side to strike a powerful tight angled shot passed the helpless Schwarzer in the Boro goalmouth. In between Bellamy’s goals, Boro had managed to equalise twice, firstly through Viduca, who capitalised on a poor throw in by Lucas Neill, leaving Viduca to beat Khizanishvili and fire a right-shot past Friedel's near post in the 16th minute. Within 10 minutes of Viduca’s strike Rovers were back in the lead, when Pedersen curled a free-kick from the right through a packed penalty box to the far post past Schwarzer. With Rovers in total command the game change in Boro’s favour in the 54th minute with another inconsistent refereeing decision, when Robbie Savage was sent off for a second yellow card offence, attributed to a dubious hand ball. With Rovers down to 10 men, Rochemback equalised for Boro firing in a low effort from 16 yards on the hour mark. However the never say die attitude of Rovers paid off within 10 minutes, when Rovers’ Norwegian midfielder Pedersen flick on pass to the right hand side, allowed Bellamy to cut in and fire home his second and Rovers winner to keep them in touch with the chasing pack for European Qualification. Exciting times are back at Rovers and who wouldn’t bet on Rovers qualifying for Europe whilst Bellamy the Prince of Wales is being crowned the new King of Fortress Ewood, in recognition of his skill and labour.

Whilst Craig Bellamy was hitting the headlines at Ewood Park, Paul Gallagher currently on a season long lone at Stoke City got one of the biggest cheers of the afternoon as he condemned Burnley to their the sixth consecutive defeat. No doubt the travelling thousands from East Lancs would have taunted the young Rover, but revenge would have been sweet for the Blackburn bred striker as he half volleyed his 52 minute goal, in to the back of the net to give Stoke a 1 – 0 win. Meanwhile another on loan Rovers striker, Matt Derbyshire scored his sixth league goal in seven games to give Wrexham victory at Rochdale.

Yes Im adding already to a lengthy debate, but I havent had access to the internet to vent my thoughts until now. No one has backed the club more than I have, but the latest lack of consideration of their own fans just stinks. In order to accomodate Liverpool, Rovers supporters have to change their Easter weekend plans. The excuse of being requested to do so by the premiership, doesnt wear when the official Liverpool web site quotes Chief Executive Rick Parry as saying: "As soon as we were knocked out of Europe and other fixture dates became available, we contacted both Blackburn Rovers and the FA Premier League and we're delighted it has been possible to reschedule the game. It would appear that if they hadnt been knocked out of europe Liverpool would have been happy to play on the already rearranged 5-15 Saturday kick off. I feel sorry for Hughes and the team, but this latest PR exercise by the club stinks.

The next seven days could be crucial in Rovers hopes of achieving European qualification. With two home games in the next week, starting with Villa today, Rovers have to forget last weekends defeat at White Hart Lane and raise themselves for the challenge ahead. For this afternoons game Rovers have goal ace Pedersen available, who should resume on the left hand side of midfield in place of the Emerton, and with Tugay still out due to injury, I suspect that Bentley will get Tugay’s central midfield role along side Savage, allowing Reid to move out on the right, giving Rovers plenty of width and attacking options. Whilst last weekends defeat was a set back in regards to points on the board, at least I hope it opened the eyes of the armchair supporter to what a skillfull footballing team Rovers have become under Hughes. For the neutral supporter last weekends game must have been a thoroughly entertaining afternoons entertainment and an advertisement for the tv company on all that is good about the English Premiership. Rovers are encouraging attendances by providing entertaining football on the field, whilst the club are attempting to boost support for the team by promoting "Kids for a Quid" for this afternoons game. TICKET DETAILS HERE

Emerton and Bentley will replace the injured Pedersen and Tugay for this afternoons game against Spurs, with Steven Reid moving into the centre of midfield. Paul Dickov returns from injury to claim a place on the bench.

Tugay out injured, Bentley and Emerton play with Reid in the centre

Fixed now.

You know your getting old when optimism on Rovers results disappear.

Gorman could always send Simon on for a cameo appearance, I certainly wouldn't bet against him scoring. An added benefit of having Simon around again will be the increased sales of beer and ciggies.

OK, lets cut out the abuse and stick to debating the topic.

Thanks Jan, great read. Ironic that we play Spuds on Sunday as well.

Mark Hughes has revealed that Rovers have offered new contracts to, Paul Dickov, Michael Gray and Tugay.

After last weekend's win against the Arsenal I should be looking forward to Sunday's clash with Spuds at White Hart Lane, however, if you look at our away form then it's rather depressing. With only 4 away wins, the last one against Newcastle in the middle of January, I'm not to optimistic about our chances against the Spuds, who haven't lost at home since August, when they were beaten. 2-0 by Chelsea. One saving grace appears to be that Spuds along with Villa are the draw specialists in the premiership, each one having drawn 10 games so far this season. With the exception of last weeks goal scorer Pedersen, (hamstring injury) and subject to the internationals returning free from injury, Hughes should have a full complement of players to select from. Rovers will also have available, long term injury casualty, Dickov, who had a run out for the reserves in their 1-0 defeat by Newcastle midweek. At the moment I think the team picks itself and I would suggest that the only change from last weekend will be a replacement of Pedersen. At a guess I would say. Friedel. Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Gray Reid, Tugay, Savage, Bentley Pongo, Bellamy. I tend to be realistic on the result and would suggest a 0-0 draw. Consecutive wins against North London clubs would more than likely see the club being advertised for sale on ebay.

Rovers supporters will be happy to learn that The Times on line are reporting that Rovers have opened negotiations with Mark Hughes and his back room staff, over a lucrative new long-term contract. Currently in 5th place in the Premiership, Hughes has turned the club around during his 18 months in charge. Mark Hughes was saying the right things at the begining of the season, that the supporters had wanting to hear for a few seasons, that his main objective was European qualification. He is now coming up with the goods and there is a renewed confidence around fortress Ewood, as Rovers push for European qualification, starting away at Spurs on Sunday.

Ryan Nelsen has been warned at an FA hearing today as to his future conduct after the FA charged him for improper conduct after making comments to the media. Nelsen was charged with improper conduct by the FA over comments relating to the sending off of Andy Todd by Mark Halsey in the 2-0 defeat to Everton.

dave, not very good in this country. In fact the mention of pension schemes here is a very sore point for many.

As I understand it, even people within the club can only speculate.

No problem Bobby, it was hidden away in the gate debate topic.

Ive moved them over here.

At home against City. Having followed Rovers for so long, I know they wont make it easy. Easter fixtures should indicate our final standing.

A real problem for travelling jouralists from down south.

eg Grabbi. Buy for £7m - sell free transfer. = loss