Ins and Outs on D-Day

UPDATE 00:15
Blackburn Rovers website confirm: "Duo Ruben Rochina and Diogo Rosado have headed back to their respective homelands on loan."

UPDATE 00:00
It NOW appears that the DJ deal didn't make the deadline - with reports also saying that other hoped for signings also missed out. Andy Cryer of the Lancashire Telegraph said on Twitter at midnight that the club had told him "No incoming deals completed before deadline"
If true Rovers seem to have parted company with a number of regular players and added none to their first team.
The paper updated their story to say:
"BLACKBURN Rovers' attempts to sign DJ Campbell and Jerome Thomas have broken down at the 11th hour.The duo put pen to paper on deals at Rovers but neither move was completed in time, before this evening's 11pm transfer deadline.The last-gasp drama leaves manager Michael Appleton having signed just one player this window, Everton youngster Anton Forrester.Meanwhile, Simon Vuckevic's contract has been ended by mutual consent, with Diogo Rosado joining Benfica on loan."

Posted at 23:00
So the January Transfer window has closed with Blackburn Rovers doing a bit of business! As the clocked ticked down SKY SPORTS reported that DJ Campbell had left QPR to return to the North West and join Rovers for the next few years. DJ impressed when at Blackpool with 13 goals in 31 appearances. No confirmation from Rovers on the deal. Rubin Rochina then tweeted that he was to leave Ewood going out on loan to Zaragoza for the rest of the season. He said "Thank you to all fans - but I think that is the best option to me now! I will never forget my time at Blackburn." He's scored 5 league goals this season. Again no word from Rovers.
Perhaps surprisingly Blackburn also terminated the contract for Simon Vukcevic - by mutual agreement. He'd struggled to keep down a regular place but had many fans.

Yesterday 18 year old Anton Forrester signed from Everton - having been on trail at Brockhall. He says he hopes to break into the first team soon and stands a better chance with Rovers than he did back on Merseyside. The young striker had been at Goodison since he was just 9, and has signed up to a 2 1/2 year deal. (31st January 2013)

LINKS rovers.co.uk (Vukcevic) ALSO rovers.co.uk (Forrester) ALSO skysports.com (DJ Campbell) PLUS lancashiretelegraph (latest)

The January trasfer window is almost closed - and Rovers have added to the back room staff at Brockhall - with a former team mate of boss Michael Appleton. Darren Moore was a defender at the Baggies and now joins Blackburn as first team coach. The clubs official website also report that he's joined by Luke Dowling as Head of Senior Recruitment and Chris Neville taking on Head of Sports Science. They have left their roles at Portsmouth to team up at Ewood.
Darren told rovers.co.uk ;- “When the gaffer asked me to come up here and be part of his staff, I was really excited and I can’t wait to get started. We were team-mates together at West Bromwich Albion and after sustaining an injury early in his career, the gaffer started to pick up his coaching credentials and setting the foundations to be a really top coach and manager now. My career continued, but we’ve always kept that friendship going and it’s presented itself where we find ourselves working together and I’m really looking forward to working alongside him and the challenges that lie ahead. He’s someone that I’ve believed in from day one. He’s got excellent tactical awareness for the game and his all-round manner is perfect for the football club. I’ve seen it first hand and I’m just really looking forward to working alongside him and the rest of the staff and bringing some good times back here to Blackburn Rovers.”  (29th January 2013)

LINKS: rovers.co.uk (full story)

LINKS bbc.co.uk (full draw) PLUS rovers.co.uk (reaction) AND FAcup1213

A first win for Michael Appleton, also saw a clean sheet, three goal scorers and progress to the FA Cup 5th Round at Derby this afternoon. That should please the new Blackburn boss who started with Josh King in the eleven, but the youngster only lasted 10 minutes before being subbed for Ruben Rochina. Not the most inspiring first half came to an excellent conclusion when Jason Lowe provided Colin Kazim Richards with the ball and with a minute left to play, he put it away to give the visitors the lead at the interval. Rovers were much improved after the half time team talk, and next on the score sheet was Scott Dann with a shot described by Rovers commentary team as one of "the best goal we'll see this season". 2-0 up and 65 minutes on the clock and still plenty of time to claim a third. Five minutes later Markus Olsson provided Jordan Rhodes with the cross and the Blackburn top scorer claimed his 17th for the team this season. Game over! Derby never tested Rovers with the stats showing NO shots on target at all.

The Rams boss Nigel Clough told the BBC: "Blackburn were a bit too good for us although there was nothing in it until we paid for a bad mistake with their first goal just before the break.After that, their experience and physical strength shone through and our young lads found them hard to handle. Jordan Rhodes and Colin [Kazim] Richards are as big a handful as any attacking partnership at our level and it was also a tough task for our kids to come up against a player like Danny Murphy in midfield."

And for Michael Appleton a very happy afternoon - his first win and into the fifth round. He told the BBC he also has plans to get even better:- "I'm delighted to be making progress in the competition but I still believe we need to bring in a couple more players before next Thursday's [transfer] deadline if possible. There is still plenty to play for in the league and areas where I would like to see us being able to call on reinforcements. I don't have a budget as such but I am sure the owners would support me if I went to them with a viable deal for the right players. Victory is all-important in the cup but keeping a clean sheet at a place like Pride Park is also a big plus for us. I believe in trying to build a platform and a structure that makes it hard for the opposition to score or get behind us and there were very pleasing signs of that sort of shape developing." Blackburn will hope to continue with their form next Saturday at home when Bristol City return to Ewood Park. (26th January 2013)

Another goal for Jordan Rhodes should have been enough to see Michael Appleton collect all the points and secure his first Rovers win. But a deep into injury time foul saw the visitors equalise from the spot and spoil what would have been a great night. The new Blackburn boss made two changes from the eleven who started on Saturday, with Markus Olsson and Morten Gamst Pedersen playing on the flanks of midfield. Rovers started the brightest and should have been ahead before Brighton managed to get a grip and almost play out the first half on level terms. But with a couple of minutes left to play an unfair challenge on Morten Gamst Pedersen by Adam El-Abd.gave Rhodes the chance to claim his 16th Blackburn goal and he easily beat the Seagulls keeper from the spot. If Blackburn had had a good first half the second period was even better with a very controlled performance keeping Albion well away from Jake Kean's goal. All looked set for a big night and with five minutes left the impressive Markus Olsson was replaced by David Goodwillie. Five minutes later five minutes of additional time - and with that already elapsed Goodwillie brought down Lopez who went on to score in the 96th from the spot. "Gutted" seemed to sum up everyone's reaction - two point defiantly dropped. Talking to RADIO ROVERS Appelton shared that sentiment: - "Finishing the game 1-1 it feels like a defeat for myself and the players, and I'm sure it almost feels like a victory for Brighton." he said post match. "It was a game that I thought we controlled, it went exactly how it went in our heads on what we were working on all week in training. We knew exactly how we would play against Brighton, we pretty much controlled the way they wanted to play and how we wanted them to play. Everything was working to plan obviously until the last seconds of the game. The fans were fantastic for us tonight, they responded well after Saturday's game. I just thought there was a real controlled play to us tonight, I felt so relaxed on the sideline, I just didn't think we'd concede a goal which is credit to the players. It is a bit disappointing when you've got the fourth official screaming for 45 seconds down his mic saying 'that's it, that's it' to then concede." The result leaves Rovers 14th - 9 points away from a play off place. The FA Cup is next on Saturday at Derby, then it's back to Ewood to face Bristol City again - this time in the League. (22nd January 2013)

Not an 'Appy Day for new Blackburn Boss

411 Charlton Fans came to Ewood from London - the Blackburn Rovers owners came all the way from India - no prizes for deciding who had the happier trip! After 3 wins and a draw under Gary Bowyer, Michael Appleton had hoped to start as Blackburn boss with all three points - and he kept the same starting 11 who drew at Wolves for 'Team GB' last week. But the best laid plans came to nothing, when after a bright start from Rovers, it was Dale Stephens who opened the scoring for Charlton after 25 minutes. The Londoners looked comfortable, and a tough team talk was needed at the break. Whatever Appleton said worked! Just 2 minutes after the restart Jordan Rhodes had claimed his 15th Blackburn goal and leveled the scores. But that's where the positives ended, as it was Yann Kermorgant who spoiled the day for the home fans with the winner on 64 minutes. A few more chances, and couple of subs, but there was to be no 'appy ending for the Gaffer or Venkys as they returned to warmer climbs! Post match Appleton told RADIO ROVERS "It was frustrating, but it was helpful. It has given me an idea of the players who are going to be able to cope with the pressures that come with playing for the football club. I've just said to the players that we are a big fish in a smaller pond to what they were used to playing in last and previous seasons and you've got to be able to cope with the pressures that come with that. You've got to be brave, you've got to want to get on the ball, you've got to play with an urgency and we struggled a little bit today with that.Also you've to keep it nice and tight and the goals that we've given away, one is a wonder strike, but the second one was disappointing to concede." And on the day that the owners were watching along side Shebby Singh, he told BBC Sport:- "I think the atmosphere in the stadium was a strange one. I'm sure the supporters just want to see a committed performance from the players. I think they huffed and puffed today but I'm not sure how committed they were once we conceded the second goal, which was a disappointment." The result sees Blackburn drop to 14th place - now 10 points away from a promotion play-off place. There are only a few days before he can try and sort things out, with the rearranged game against Brighton at Ewood on Tuesday evening. (19th January 2013)

Just hours after Blackburn Rovers had announced the appointment of Michael Appleton as their new Manager, Gary Boyer was in charge of the team for the last time at Wolverhampton Wanderers. And 'Team GB' completed their 4 match run undefeated, collecting a valuable point with another former Rovers in charge of his first game as the Wolves boss! Dean Saunders side dominated the early stages of the televised game, but when Ruben Rochina was fouled in the box by Bakary Sako, Jordan Rhodes scored his 14th Blackburn goal from the spot in the 25th minute. In an even game over all, it was the home side who came out stronger after the break, and sub Jamie O'Hara made an instant impact providing the cross for Roger Johnson to head home an equaliser in the 74th minute. A tense final period saw chances for both sides, but a draw was probably the fairest result. Bowyer was delighted with his final fixture as the boss, telling the BBC: "I thought it was a very hard-working point. With Dean [Saunders] coming in, we knew it would be a battle and that they would be up for it from minute one. That showed in the first 10 minutes, where they put us under a lot of pressure, but we coped admirably. We got the penalty, which was a penalty, and Jordan Rhodes was magnificent.The referee took ages before he was allowed to take it, but he slotted it away nicely. We just got done by one long pump into the box, but I can't fault the players. They've been magnificent for us for the four games and they need to now kick on."
The point sees Blackburn as Lancashire's top team after 26 games. Up one place to 12th - ahead of Burnley on goal difference, and two places and two points ahead of Blackpool. Their ex-Manager Michael Appleton was not at the game - but should take over at Ewood on Monday. Well done to Gary Bowyer and Terry McPhillips for a wonderful run of 4 games. Won 3 - Drawn 1 - Scored 9 - Conceded 2. A Challenge for the new management team! (11th January 2013)

After days of speculation, and a day of negotiation, this evening Blackburn Rovers have announced that Michael Appleton is the clubs latest Manager. The former Blackpool boss has signed a 2 1/2 year deal and takes over with his assistant Ashley Westwood from next week. It's believed they will watch Rovers match tonight at Wolves where Gary Bowyer will still be in charge. Starting the season with Steve Kean, Blackburn asked Eric Black to take the helm when Kean resigned. Then it was on to Henning Berg, before Bowyer lead the club to 3 wins in 3 outings after the Norwegian was sacked after just ten weeks in charge. Appleton told the clubs official website:"I’d like to thank everyone at Blackpool for their efforts during my time there and the Chairman for allowing me to come here. I wish them all the best for the future.”  And Rovers Managing Director Derek Shaw says: “We are delighted to welcome both Michael and Ashley to the football club. They are both highly regarded within the game and we are confident that they have the drive and ambition to take this club forward. We will do everything in our powers to support them in our quest to make an instant return to the Premier League.” 
Gary Bowyer will be a hard act to follow - with tonight'saway game at Wolves his final test. Social Media has been full of comment, much of which suggested that the new Manager will have a hard job convincing Rovers fans of the clubs choice for boss. But others seem keen to 'give him a chance' - The owners set the agenda for this season as being simply promotion back to the Premier League. Ahead of today's fixture they are just five points outside a play-off place. (11th January 2013)

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

Blackburn Rovers may be about to find their next manager in a move that some see as surprising and unexpected. This evening in a brief statement on the clubs official website Blackburn Rovers Managing Director says "I can confirm that we have made an official approach to Blackpool FC about our interest in speaking to Michael Appleton. This is the only candidate we have approached for the manager's job." That is all!
The Tangerine's boss has only been at Bloomfield Road for a matter of months. BBC Sport publish his management career statistics as:- Took charge of West Brom for one game in February 2011. Appointed Portsmouth boss in November 2011. Pompey record - P51 W13 D11 L27. Appointed Blackpool boss November 2012. Blackpool record - P12 W2 D8 L2
First news of the possible move came when the odds on his taking over at Ewood shortened dramatically yesterday. He's now 4/1 on to take over. (9th January 2013)

UPDATE:
This evening (Thursday) Blackburn Rovers have issued a further statement following permission from Blackpool FC to talk directly with their Manager. Initially the Seasiders had refused the request - but Rovers now say: "Following lengthy discussions with Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston, Blackburn Rovers can confirm that the club has been granted permission to speak to Michael Appleton and Ashley Westwood about the vacant manager’s position at Ewood Park. Talks will take place tomorrow (Friday)" (10th January 2013)

LINK rovers.co.uk ALSO bbc.co.uk AND the-championship.com ALSO rovers.co.uk (update)

Rovers have brought in 19 year old Todd Kane on a one month loan from Chelsea, as Gary Bowyer heard that he'll be without the services of Adam Henley for a period of weeks after a scan. The Under England Under-19 defender is also captain of the London clubs Under-21 side. The Blackburn official site says:- "Kane gained his first taste of senior football during a six-week loan spell with Preston North End, which ended on January 5th. He is available for Rovers’ Championship games against Wolves, Charlton Athletic, Brighton, Bristol City and Ipswich, but is cup tied for the fourth round clash away to Derby County."
He won't be available for the 4th round FA cup tie at Derby - having already played for PNE in the competition. (10th January 2013)

LINKS: rovers.co.uk

LINKS: Myles Anderson ALSO Bruno Ribiero

Rovers will play fellow Championship side in next round

The draw for the 4th round of this years FA Cup saw Blackburn Rovers drawn away at Derby County. Following the 3rd round win over Bristol City, they had hoped for another home tie - and possibly a lower league side - neither were granted!
The Full draw made on Sunday afternoon is:- Norwich City v Luton Town - Oldham Athletic v Liverpool - Macclesfield Town v Wigan Athletic/Bournemouth - Derby County v Blackburn Rovers - Hull City/Leyton Orient v Barnsley - Middlesbrough v Aldershot Town - Millwall v Aston Villa - Leeds United/Birmingham City v Tottenham Hotspur - Brighton & Hove Albion v Swansea City/Arsenal - Crystal Palace/Stoke City v Manchester City - West Ham United/Manchester United v Fulham/Blackpool - Southend United/Brentford v Chelsea - Reading v Sheffield United - Huddersfield Town v Leicester City - QPR/West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield Wednesday/MK Dons - Bolton Wanderers/Sunderland v Everton.
Rovers will play their game on Saturday 26th January 2013

LINKS: bbc.co.uk ALSO facup1213

'Team GB' make it 3! Rovers into the 4th round of the Cup

Gary Bowyer kept his 100% record since taking charge of Rovers first team. After an away win and home win, the stand in manager guided his team to a 2-0 win in the 3rd round of this years FA Cup - and of course collected a second clean sheet. Bowyer had said ahead of the fixture that keeping winning ways was a priority, and he made only one change to the team who beat Nottingham Forest on New Years day. New signing Josh King started on the bench, and Diogo Rosado was in the starting eleven. Captain Danny Murphy was on the score sheet in the 7th minute with a stunning strike that whizzed passed Tom Heaton. Blackburn never looked under any threat and kept creating chances, but had to settle for the one goal lead at the break. Ten minutes into the second period defender Grant Hanley combined with Scott Dann to make it 2-0 and from that point on the game never looked in doubt. Jake Kean pulled off a few excellent saves, but City never really tested the Rovers defense, and even former Rover Jon Stead failed to create any serious challenge.
Just a week after claiming his first Blackburn win, Gary Bowyer with the help of Terry McPhillips was delighted to have made it 3 in 3 and a memorable week for 'Team GB'!
He told RADIO ROVERS: "We wanted to get through to the next round and that is what we have done. We had the added bonus of an early goal and that settled us down quickly. We needed the second goal, Bristol City kept going, they've got a threat up front so we needed Grant's goal. To be fair to Grant at youth level he always contributed with goals and this time last year he scored at Old Trafford so he must like this time of year. It was an important result because it just keeps that momentum, we spoke with the players yesterday and we were honest with them and said we didn't want an 'after the Lord Mayor's show' performance, but I felt they were magnificent once more, the energy and the character showed was truly tremendous. It was a great way to finish the week.... it has been an emotional week, they'll deserve their days off this week and we'll go again against Wolves next Friday."
So Blackburn will be in the draw for the 4th round, and hope to get a home tie with lower league opposition. Both Burnley & Preston were knocked out of the cup, but Blackpool and Bolton both earned replays - so a derby is still possible. However Wolves were beaten by Luton and as a result sacked their manager Stale Solbakken. So Friday nights Championship fixture has now added spice! (5th January 2013)

Blackburn convert loan to buy deal for United youngster

Blackburn Rovers have wasted no time making the loan deal for Joshua King a permanent one. The 20 year old Norwegia International has completed a move from Manchester United after impressing during his 6 week loan spell with the club. He's already scored two goals for Rovers, and yesterday's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest would have been his last appearance. But today Rovers announced that he's singed a deal to keep him at Ewood till at least Summer 2015. Joshua told the clubs official website: "I've enjoyed my time here, we've a great group of lads and I think I've settled in well. I'm happy to be here and I'm really looking forward to the next two-and-a-half years that I've signed for. Everybody has made me so welcome here, I feel comfortable here, I'm happy to make the deal permanent." The fee has not been disclosed, but is believed to be a 'small' one with some sites reporting in the region of £1 million. (2nd January 2013)

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

Gary Bowyer brought Blackburn Rovers into the New Year with the same winning ways as they'd finished 2012! And there were three more goals to celebrate - but this time with a clean sheet and in front of a home crowd. Just one change from Saturday saw Colin Kazim-Richards make the starting eleven. The first half started brightly for Rovers - but then both sides seemed to cancel each other out - and with no real chances for either side. 0-0 at the break seemed a fair reflection. But it was after the break that things really looked up, with Rubin Rochina making it two in two as he opened the scoring within two minutes of the restart. Forest should have had an equaliser minutes later - but a superb save from Jake Kean kept the home side in front. Jordan Rhodes claimed his 13th Rovers goal when sub Morten Gamst Pedersen set him up to make it 2-0 in the 75th minute. Then just three minutes later Kazim-Richards claimed Rovers third with a fine strike to put the game beyond doubt. The fans were delighted with the performance and back-to-back wins, and the team guided by Bowyer moved up to 13th, with a game in hand and just 5 points off the play offs.
The boss told RADIO ROVERS: "It was truly magnificent wasn't? In the first half I felt it was a typical game after two games over Christmas, both teams took a while to get going. In the second half we got the break with the goal and from then on I thought we were magnificent. The goal lifted them and they found even more energy which is astonishing when you consider the effort they put in on Saturday at Barnsley.... The save from Jake Kean was top draw. Then you have Danny Murphy heading the ball off the line. The desire from everybody from front to back was just amazing. It is hard not to single anyone out, they were all tremendous, you could name everyone for their efforts today, they were all fighting for each other and it was great to see, I can't give them enough praise."
No news yet of who will take over as the new Manager, but Twitter was full of praise of Gary Bowyers success, with plenty of calls for him to be given the job!
The FA Cup 3rd Round is next up at Ewood on Saturday (1st January 2013)

Rovers put Gary Bowyer in charge for the important final game of 2012 at Oakwell, and his team delivered! Just days after parting company with Henning Berg, the reserve team coach took over for the trip to Barnsley, and was rewarded with a decisive 3-1 win against the Tykes. As a result, former Rover Keith Hill lost his job as Barnsley manager in another crazy day in the Championship. Bowyer selected a side who looked united and 'up for it' and they were 1-0 up within the first half hour. Josh King scoring his second Blackburn goal assisted by Jordan Rhodes. Just before the break Ruben Rochina - who'd looked dangerous throughout - made it 2-0 when he scored a cracking goal at the near post - all his own work! So far so good, and perhaps a clean sheet? Sadly not, when Stephen Dawson grabbed one back for the home side just 15 minutes from time. Suddenly things looked less certain. Having made their 3 subs, Barnsley had to finish the game with ten men after Marcus Tudgay went off on a stretcher. Nine minutes of injury time was added, and with just one left Jordan Rhodes scored his 12th of the season for Rovers to guarantee all the points and a happy late Christmas present for the stand in boss and all Blackburn fans.
Post match he told the clubs official website: "It is brilliant for the lads to get the three points, I can't praise them enough. They were magnificent yesterday in training and they've done the same again this afternoon. The level of the performance from everybody was first class. From the way we defended, through to the pace that we showed in the goals that we scored. I'm truly proud of the way we have gone about it, they really worked hard, I know it is a cliche but I can't praise them enough. The players spoke yesterday of how they wanted to do it for the club and for the fans, they've ended the year on a high by coming here and winning three points, now they have to try and reproduce that on New Years Day."
The win lifted Rovers up to 15th place with 32 points, 8 away from the playoffs with a game in hand. The New Year starts at Ewood with Nottingham Forest as the visitors. They had a 2-2 draw today under their new manager Alex McLeish at home to Crystal Palace. (29th December 2012)