Not a Black day - more a gray afternoon at the Valley - as Eric Black took over from Steve Kean, and in London, Rovers had to settle for a point. The visitors seemed to be fully in charge in the early period, and Morten Gamst Pedersen return to the starting line up was rewarded when he set up Dickson Etuhu who scored his first for Blackburn in the 16th minute. Paul Robinson was on form, and needed to be when Charlton were awarded a very soft penalty taken by Johnnie Jackson. He saved it, but before Rovers had time to sort themselves out, Jackson was on the score sheet anyway. There were more great saves to thank Robinson for, and Charlton seemed to get credit as the better side, but neither team could add to the 1-1 half time scoreline. David Dunn replaced Nuno Gomes for the final fifteen minutes, and Grant Hanley replaced Gael Givet.at the interval. Although Eric Black post match seemed rather vague about the reason for the change. Not tactical, and not an injury he said. Considering Blackburn's record in the Capitol, a point and an extension to the unbeaten away record seemed worth celebrating - but they fell to 4th following other results. They had been top after taking the lead. The games come thick and fast with another away trip on Wednesday to Nottingham Forest, before a return to Ewood for the first post Kean encounter. Predictions of a massive boost in attendance could see many stay away fans come back to show their support. (29th September 2012)

Links: rovers.co.uk (report) ALSO bbc.co.uk (details and reaction) PLUS goals1213 ALSO t&t1213

The week started with what seemed to be much more than speculation, that Blackburn Manager Steve Kean would be sacked as the club boss . That was Monday, and by Tuesday Global adviser Shebby Singh had told BBC Radio Lancashire that "It should not have been allowed to escalate like that but it did and the situation gets worse by the day." but no news on if "Kean Out" was going to happen. Even today at the pre-weekend match interviews, the Scott was telling reporters that he'd had good talks with the owners, and gave no clue that he would be leaving his post. Everything was on course - he said - for automatic promotion at the end of the Championship season.
But tonight through his solicitor, Kean has issued a statement resigning from the club after 21 months in charge:- "For reasons that I cannot discuss on legal advice, it is with deep regret, given my hard work and service for the club for a number of years, that I have been forced to resign as manager of Blackburn Rovers football club with immediate effect, due to my position as team manager becoming untenable. I wish to thank all the players and coaching staff for their great support and the majority of the fans, who now see their club heading towards an automatic promotion position back to the Premiership. I wish the club all the very best for the future."
The club supporter group that have pressed for his removal also planned to boycott the next home game against Wolves - with the hope that a further reduction on attendances would put more pressure on Venky's - the Indian owners. Twitter and other social media was immediately deluged with reaction from Rovers fans - almost unanimously celebrating the move, and planning to return to Ewood Park, and get behind their team. The ONLY comment from the club comes in a brief website statement "Blackburn Rovers Football Club can confirm that Steve Kean tonight resigned from his position as manager." No one has been available for interview by local media. (28th September 2012)

Links: bbc.co.uk (full story) ALSO rovers.co.uk (statement) PLUS bbc.co.uk (Derek Shaw in full)

Blackburn Rovers suffered their first defeat of the Championship season in a game that only came to life for the home side as injury time was being played.For the first five minutes they looked to be a much better outfit that the tea, that beat Barnsley on Tuesday. But then Lukas Jutkiewicz scored his first of two, and the visitors simply dominate play for the rest of the match. Rovers looked lack luster, and created few chances. Scott Dann had two shots on target, and was one of the few performers in blue and white. Grant Hanley came of the bench to replace an injured Martin Olsson - and it was the defender who pulled one back in the 88th minute. Then there was a mad period in injury time when it looked like there was a real chance of an equaliser. Steve Kean was sure his side deserved a late penalty shout - but it wasn't given. Blackburn started top of the table, and of course as the only team in action - held on to their place. After Saturdays action, they fell to 2nd. The Manager admitted that it was a poor show: "We didn't get going until much later in the game than we anticipated. We just left it too late. If we had scored a bit earlier, we might have got something out of the game. We felt we should have had a penalty late on. Jordan Rhodes had his standing leg caught. We're disappointed to lose the unbeaten run, but we're still top."
Next Saturday Blackburn travel to Charlton who won at Ipswich on Saturday (22nd September 2012)

A lackluster evening of football at Ewood Park, but the disappointing crowd of 12,772 saw Rovers stay top of the table and collect another three points. It took half an hour for the Tykes to claim the lead, when Jacob Mellis beat Paul Robinson - he'd already made some important saves. The visitors had much of the early possession, and the first half was moments from ending when Jordan Rhodes delighted the Ewood faithful with his first home goal. 1-1 at the break, and Barnlsey continued to cause problems after the interval. They were wasteful in front of goal, as Rovers gave away far too many chances, and Steve Kean decided to ring the changes. Ruben Rochina made way for Nuno Gomes, who the boss was hoping to rest 'till Friday. But it became an inspired decision as the summer signing became Blackburn's top scorer with the winner in the 84th minute. Post match Kean admitted to a below par performance - but celebrated Rovers best start to a league season since 1994! Only a point separates the top 5 - but Blackburn retain top spot on 14 points. Middlesbrough come to Ewood on Friday night - having lost 4-1 at Blackpool tonight. Full coverage on RADIO ROVERS starting at 17:00 BTS (18th September 2012)

Blackburn Rovers have their first away win of the season, but it wasn't as easy as the scoreline suggests! In fact Bristol City had the lead within the opening minute, Albert Adomah finding the target in the 43rd second, and it took almost half an hour before Rovers pulled things back to 1-1. Markus Olsson had already left with an early injury - to be replaced by twin Martin, and Gael Givet also picked up a first half injury to be replaced by Grant Hanley. But the half will also be remembered for big buy Jordan Rhodes claiming his first Blackburn goal and there was much more to come. At times the visitors showed their true colours and played some great passing football, and it was Nuno Gomes who secured the lead when Rhodes turned provider in the 54th minute. It was his 3rd goal in as many games, and the summer signing has quickly established himself as a firm favourite. 2-1 is never a safe scoreline, and Stephen Pearson made it 2-2, this time Albert Adomah turning provider. Off went Gomes to be replaced by Ruben Rochina who made it 2-3 four minutes later. With 9 minutes left surely now Rovers could claim victory, but 90 seconds later Sam Baldock made it 3-3! Five minutes of injury time was signaled and two minutes in Scott Dann made it 3-4 - and this thriller still wasn't over. The five minutes were up, but Jordan Rhodes wanted more and claimed his second and Rovers 5th of the game. A true afternoon of drama at a ground Rovers hadn't seen victory for over a century!
Blackburn remain unbeaten in the Championship and take over the top spot form neighbours Blackpool, who could only claim a draw at Barnsley who come to Ewood on Tuesday evening. Full coverage with RADIO ROVERS starts at 17:00 BST (15th September 2012)

Six goal thiller at Elland Road

LINKS: rovers.co.uk (full report) ALSO bbc.co.uk (report & reaction) PLUS goals1213 ALSO t&t1213

Nzonzi moves to Stoke - Goodwillie out on loan

So as the summer transfer window closes, a last minute deal has seen want away Steven Nzonzi make a move to Stoke, while David Goodwillie has gone on a half season loan to Crystal Palace. The Nzonzi deal is reported to be worth around £3million and probably inevitable - but it looks like Martin Olsson remains a Rover .
Steve Kean completed his summer signings with three more to make it a round dozen incommers. The final group include Poland international goalkeeper Grzegorz Sandomierski and Portuguese duo Diogo Rosado and Nuno Henrique. The keeper comes on a season-long loan from Genk, with Diogo and Nuno agreed three-year deals at the club. The final group of new boys will have joined up too late to be eligible for the tough trip to Leeds United, but with an International break coming up next - there should be plenty of time to work with the new squad ahead of the trip to Bristol City on 15th September. (31st August 2012)

READ much more about transfer deadline day deals on these sites :

rovers.co.uk (A deadly dozen)

bbc.co.uk (Blackburn sign Sandomierski, Diogo Rosado & Nuno Henrique)

lancashiretelegraph.co.uk (Nzonzi completes Stoke City move as Goodwillie leaves on loan)

Striker signs in multi-million pound deal

LINKS: rovers.co.uk (signing) AND bbc.co.uk (Rhodes) ALSO wikipedia.co.uk (biog)