Another poor night - at the King Power Stadium

If last weeks trip to Hull City was a disappointment - another Tuesday night game ended in defeat - and this time by 3 goals to 0. In the ten days since the memorable trip to Arsenal, Rovers have failed to score any goals, and Jake Kean has watched 5 fly past him. Tonight even top scorer Jordan Rhodes failed to finish the 90 minutes, subbed for Nuno Gomes in the 72nd. Already 2 down by the break, Michael Appleton also replaced Morten Gamst Pedersen with Markus Olsson and youngster Karim Kekik with Adam Henley. But Blackburn created just two shots on target and 5th place City were well worth the 3 points. The final goal came two minutes into injury time. With Peterborough next up at Ewood - Rovers MUST improve even though hopes of making the play-offs now look to be fading fast. They dropped to 11th place, still 7 points behind 6th placed Brighton who now have a game in hand. (26th February 2013)

A point was probably the right result

There was a home Debuts for returning Rovers favourite David Bentley and loan defender Karim Rikik - but if Leeds United came to close the home team down - they did their job. The stats show the two teams canceling each other out, and an afternoon that was frustrating to watch offered few clear cut chances for either side. Colin Kazim Richards came close in the first half, and there were a couple of decent shots from Jordan Rhodes in the second. But Michael Appleton will be more worried with the loss of Kaz to injury on the day that the club revealed that Martin Olsson had collected an eye injury in training and could miss a month. Dickson Etuhu could miss the rest of the season, as it was revealed that he has a recurrence of his knee ligament just after a return to the reserves. The Manager told RADIO ROVERS " There have been a lot of things that have gone against us over the last 48 hours. We've had three players go down before the game who are going to be out for 4-6 weeks. Now with Kaz going down early in the second half we'll wait for the diagnosis tomorrow and have a better idea of what is going to happen."
On the game Appleton said: "It could have gone either way. I thought it was two sides going hammer and tongs with each other. I thought it was a good game to be involved in, but I think Neil would have thought it a little harsh had we got the winner, and I'd have thought it was harsh if they had got the winner. There are 13 games to go and we just have to keep knocking on the door. There were a lot of shots at goal, a lot of crosses into both boxes, a lot of good defending, maybe both sides just missed that little bit of composure at the right time." It's a trip to Leicesteron Tuesday, and then back to Ewood next Saturday for Peterborough (23rd February 2013)

A night to forget

Jake Kean followed his wonderful form at Arsenal with some more quality saves at the KC Stadium. But sadly for Rovers he we unable to do anything about the goals for Hull City from Mohamed Gedo and Ahmed Elmohamady - both in the second half. Rovers also saw new signing Lee Williamson stretchered off to make it a miserable night all round for Michael Appleton. Around ten hours had elapsed since Blackburn last conceded in open play - and all records are there to be broken. DJ Campbell and David Bentley both came off the bench, but did little to help the quest for a goal. Even Jordan Rhodes didn't manage a shot on target - and perhaps following the outstanding performance at the Emirates, it was never going to be a similar outcome. So in a busy schedule it's back to Ewood on Saturday to welcome Leeds United who play their midweek game tomorrow night. This result, and others tonight, saw Rovers fall to 10th place, 7 points outside the play off. (19th February 2013)

FA Cup quarter final away draw for Rovers

Blackburn Rovers reward for overcoming Arsenal in this years FA Cup is an away tie at Milwall - on the very day they were due to play them in the league! Ball no.5 was the last to come out in the 'live' draw on ITV - with all the big sides already selected and Premier League teams largely avoiding each other. Millwall are in 13th place - just 3 point behind Rovers in the Championship table and have already beaten neighbors PNE, Aston Villa and Luton Town on the way to the quarters.
The full draw is:
Oldham Athletic or Everton v Wigan Athletic
Manchester City v Barnsley
Manchester United or Reading v Middlesbrough or Chelsea
Millwall v Rovers (Sunday 10th March at 14:00)

LINKS: rovers.co.uk ALSO facup1213

Rovers historic FA Cup win to reach quarter finals

Michael Appleton took Rovers to the Emirates to make a bit of history - his third team this season in the FA Cup. He went down in history for being the Rovers manager to take his side into the Quarter Finals after a memorable afternoon saw Colin Kazim Richards score the only goal in the game in the 72nd minute to secure a fantastic win and knock the Arenal out of the competition! It was a game that was largely dominated by the Gunners - with the stats showing 26 shots to the home side, and only 6 to the visitors. They hit the woodwork and continually tested Jake Kean the the Rovers back four - but Blackburn stuck in. David Bentley was on the bench and replaced Markus Olsson on the hour mark, With Goodwillie on for Rhodes for the final ten minutes.
Michael Appleton told the clubs official website:- "I've just said to the players that you don't have many days like this. That is the first time Arsenal have lost in the cup here, the first time they've lost to a team from a lower league. You've got to enjoy them and I'll allow them to do that for the next 24 hours and then it is time to concentrate on Hull. We've got a group of players that will work their socks off, are organised, fully focused and are just desperate to keep clean sheets. I believed we could do it, I said to the staff that I genuinely believed we could win the game, I just had a good feeling. There's that vibe about the place, there's great team spirit, there's a really good togetherness. The dressing room is bouncing, we're delighted to be in the semi-finals."

David Bentley and Karim Rekik sign in

Blackburn Rovers have added two more names to the squad who hope to return to the Premier League at the end of this season. And the one that grabbed all the headlines is the former Rovers - David Bentley - back after his move to Spurs back in 2008. Also signing on is Manchester City defender Karim Rekik - a Ducth youth International who worked with Michael Appleton at Portsmouth. "The boy is full of quality. I'll put my neck on the line and say that the boy will be a Premier League player for many years. City are very lucky and I feel lucky that we are able to bring him in for the short-term. Hopefully we can use him to the full extent. I'm sure he'll be a great asset and hopefully push us towards what hopefully would be a great end to the season." Rekik joins 'till the end of the season, and is likely to go into the squad to play Arsenal in the FA Cup tomorrow.
David Bentley has been linked with a return top Rovers for some time. He left after already being selected as an England player - who many thought would replace David Beckham as the new No.7. Sadly for David things at Spurs haven't worked out as expected. He's had loan spells at Birmingham and West Ham, but on both occasions he returned following injuries. He's more recently been on loan at FC Rostov in Russia. bentley has seven senior caps for England, and is here on a 93-day loan. He's likely to be a very popular signing, and will be out of contract in London at the end of he season - so could possibly stay on at Ewood if things and money work out!

The Fa Cup 5th round game at Arsenal is being beamed back to Blues bar in Blackburn on Saturday afternoon. Full commentary is available on-line via the Rover Player at rovers.co.uk. Fans will get their first chance to see Bentley back at Ewood next Saturday, if selected to play against Leeds United. Before that Rovers are away on Tuesday night at Hull City in the Championship. (15th February 2013)

LINKS: rovers.co.uk (Bentley) ALSO rovers.co.uk (Rekik) PLUS bbc.co.uk

Hard fought for point - and another penalty - at Brighton

When Brighton came to Ewood Park a few weeks ago - they fought hard and claimed a 96th minute penalty to spoil Michael Appleton's first home game in charge. On Rovers first trip to the AMEX stadium they were denied a clear penalty decision only to concede one for exactly the same foul at the other end ! For large periods of play Brighton dominated, and Rovers struggled to claim possession. Jake Kean made save after save and then against the run of play Danny Murphy took a corner and Scott Dann headed home with 23 minutes on the clock. Still the home side dominated and continued their onslaught after the break. Then Jordan Rhodes shot struck the arms of a defender and Rovers looked to be in line for a clear penalty - but the referee waved play on. Moments later an almost identical incident saw a hand ball decision go against Rovers and Rodriguez Vicente scored from the spot. As the clock ticked down it was all hands to the pump as Brighton continued to test Kean and the defense but they held on and but it finished one a piece with Rovers delighted to pick up the point. Rovers have now not conceded in open play in the last five games - and stayed in 8th place - now 6 points behind Middlesbrough in 6th who beat Leeds United 1-0. (12th February 2013)

Another win - another clean sheet, and up to 8th!

Last week the dispute was which of Jordan Rhodes goals was no. 100 - today the striker again looked to have scored - equaling a club records, and claiming his 20th Rovers goal of the season. But some sources say it as an og and credit Ipswich stand in keeper Stephen Henderson as having had the final touch. (UPDATE) [GOAL GIVEN TO RHODES] The Blackburn man certainly believes that he reached the 60 year old record, and won the match for Rovers. In a scrappy game, Michael Appleton was delighted to keep another clean sheet, and after a first half that had little to celebrate, the second saw much better passing and possession for the home side and just ahead of the hour mark the goal came. Rhodes reacting after Grant Hanley's shot had been cleared off the line and then it appeared to be deflected off Stephen Henderson and into the back of the net. Whoever is credited, it certainly lifted the crowd, only minutes after DJ Cambpell had replaced Morten Gamst Pedersen to make his Ewood debut. The Manager told RADIO ROVERS:- "I thought we were much better in the second half, the tempo was much better in our play. The introduction of DJ probably gave everyone a lift, the crowd included, and eventually we got our reward by sticking in there. It is all about the three points, it doesn't matter about shots on target or the way we have played, all that matters at this stage of the season is the result. The reaction in the dressing room was fantastic and for me, winning the game 1-0 is hugely enjoyable." Initially the win lifted Rovers to 7th place - but Brighton won the late game to leapfrog the team they meet on Tuesday night at the AMEX stadium. Blackburn are now just 4 points away from a play off place - but face Arsenal in the cup next Saturday. Exciting times! (9th February 2013)

Two more added and "more to come"

As the loan window opened, Blackburn Rovers were able to sign one player on an 18 month deal -free agent Lee Williamson - and as expected DJ Campbell on a three month loan. DJ looked to have already become a Rovers player during the transfer window, but time ran out on deadline day. He's now here 'till the end of the season, although he might miss out on a second play-off game if Blackburn were to make it through. The QPR man says he hopes he'll have already done his bit if things go well - and Appleton says he's here to score goals. Williamson is 30 and last played for Portsmouth where he worked with the Blackburn boss. DJ has just completed a 3 month loan at Ipswich Town scoring 10 goals in 17 outings.
Michael Appleton told rovers.co.uk: - "I want players who have a point to prove, players who are desperate to be successful, I don't want to bring players in who are just here for a last pay cheque. I want players who a desperate to get back into the Premier League and prove themselves at that level. I think DJ and Lee are two players of that pedigree, I'd like to think that with the other players we bring in are the same type of players and characters I want in the building. With DJ, he is someone who brings goals to the squad, he is someone with vast experience of this level. With the greatest of respect to Lee, he is probably not as high profile as DJ, but I had him for a short time at Portsmouth and I think very highly of him. He is very underrated and will be a success at Blackburn." "He's got bags of energy, he's aggressive, he puts his foot in, he likes to be competitive. He is someone that probably favours central midfield but did ever so well last year for Sheffield United on the right side of midfield scoring 13 goals for them. There's a bit of versatility about him, he's a good person to have around the club." And the manager hopes to bring in more players over the next few weeks.
DJ will go into the squad to possibly play against his former club Ipswich on Saturday - Lee is currently unwell and not instantly available. (8th February 2013)

LINKS rovers.co.uk ALSO bbc.co.uk

Rhodes double - Appleton first home win

There was some confusion as to whether Jordan Rhodes had scored 100 or 102 career league goals - but there was no doubt that he added two more to his total with goals in each half as Blackburn had an easy afternoon at home to Bristol City. Rovers have now beaten them three times this season - home and away in the league and in the FA Cup. They arrived at Ewood following back to back wins under their new Manager, but it was Rovers new boss who celebrated as he collected his first home win and a valuable 3 points . Rovers too made it back to back wins - following last weekend's 3-0 over Derby County in the Cup. Michael Appleton made just one change to that side bringing back in Bradley Orr to bolster the defense. It was the visitors who played some of the better football at times with some decent spells of possession. But they never really tested the home side and when Morten Gamst Pedersen took a 28th minute corner, he also collected the clearance and then chipped over for Jordan Rhodes to make it 1-0. The second half again saw the visitors push forward, but never seriously threaten Jake Kean. Just past the hour City brought on former Rovers striker Jon Stead to warm applause, but the crowd were on their feet minutes later when Rhodes collected his second of the match. It was his 19th goal for Blackburn - 21st this season and by some stats 100th career league goal, but post match the striker corrected the stat telling RADIO ROVERS he thought it was no.102! Either way at just 22 it was a special day to be a centurion, and Appleton also celebrated his first home win as Blackburn Manager. Post Match the boss told RADIO ROVERS: "For me I think the most pleasing thing is another clean sheet. If it wasn't for the very late goal in the Brighton game it would have been three on the bounce and I'd have been delighted. But if you keep clean sheets then one thing's for sure, you can't lose a game of football and when you've got someone like Jordan Rhodes in your team you always have the opportunity to get a goal. It was a solid performance, it was never going to be pretty, we've seen Bristol City two or three times over recent weeks and they do get the ball forward quickly and are very direct so it was never going to be a classic, we knew what we were coming up against. Today, and the next 17 games are all about the result, I don't care how we play to be honest, there is a lot of football to be played, over 50 points to play for. If we get the opportunity at the end of the season to be around that top six then I'll be delighted. Today there was a determination not to concede a goal." 
It's home again next Saturday to Ipswich Town, as Rovers hope to get closer to a play-off place - now on 40 points, 7 behind 6th place. (2nd February 2013)

LINKS rovers.co.uk (Reaction) ALSO bbc.co.uk (report) PLUS goal1213 AND t&t1213