WHO'S THE DADDY! DERBS DOES IT
Newcastle United 0 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
The stats show show that Newcastle concede rather a lot of goals in the final five minutes ... and so it was this afternoon after the Tynesiders had claimed 60% of the possession - testing Rovers defense and forcing Brad Fiedel into some fine saves. Not that Blackburn hadn't had plenty of opportunity to score via captain Andre Ooijer and Roque Santa Cruz ... plus a hot of other chances. But with the score stubbornly stuck at 0-0 Mark Hughes decided to make a change and brought new father of two Matt Derbyshire off the bench. Derbs became a Dad only this past week & obviously wanted to mark the occasion! It was on the hour mark that Brett Emerton made way for the striker, at the same time changing Benni McCarthy for Jason Roberts. But despite the fire power, it still looked more likely that Keegan's men would get at least a home point. As time ticked away Zurab Khizanishvili cleared a Newcastle free kick and David Bentley provided Matt with the perfect cross at the other end from the centre of the penalty area. St. James's were stunned - it was the 90th minute. Referee Rob Styles added on a further five - but Rovers weathered the storm to pour on more misery for the toon army. That's the second double in the week - having beaten Bolton home and away last weekend.
Mark Hughes said: "It was a hard result on Newcastle but our concern is more about what we're doing and our ambition is to get into Europe. "We are in the mix and back on track. It will be an interesting run up and we just have to do our job now. "We felt there was something in the game for us and kept going. It was a cool finish from Matt Derbyshire." (1st march 2008)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) ALSO bbc.co.uk (report) PLUS goals0708 AND t&t0708

Ooijer missus! - Andre gets another year
Dutch international signs a new deal
The Times report that Rovers have invoked an option to extend Andre Ooijers contract at the club. Currently out through injury - the Dutchman has had some great games this season, and Chairman John Williams is quoted as saying: "We had until March 31 to exercise the option but we have decided to do it now because Andre has been brilliant for us. When we negotiated the original deal, we always felt that was something that we'd want to do and who is to say Andre won't be with us for many more years to come?"
Ooijer signed from PSV Eindhoven in Summer 2006 - and rumours had suggested he might return to his home country. Meanwhile The Lancashire Telegraph say that talks are 'on going' with David Bentley, Benni McCarthy and Stephen Warnock ... also preliminary discussions with Morten Gamst Pedersen. (28th February 2009)
timesonline.co.uk (Ooijer) ALSO lancashiretelegraph.co.uk (others)

CHANGES - for TV games in April
Rovers on SKY and Setanta
Just when you thought it was safe to watch football at 3.00 on a Saturday - the TV guys have scheduled three more matches for broadcast in April. SKY plan to move two games to a Sunday lunchtime kick off - and Setanta have named one for Saturday teatime. There's also a chance that Blackburn's game with Spurs might move if the cup winners continue to progress in Europe.
The effected games are:-

Liverpool v Blackburn NOW on Sunday April 13th at 13:30 on SKY
Blackburn v Manchester United NOW on Saturday April 19th at 17:15 on SETANTA
Portsmouth v Blackburn NO on Sunday April 27th at 13:30 on SKY

(26th February 2008)

No world Tour for Prem Clubs
Blatter Blasts the idea ...
Last week, it looked as if the 20 Premier League sides were keen to explore the idea of league games played overseas. The plan would add an extra game to the standard season, and Rovers could have played that game anywhere in the world. Tonight Sepp Blatter said it would 'never' happen. What's more the FIFA President has told the BBC that it could harm England's hope to host the 2018 World Cup. He said: - " ...This does not take into consideration the fans of the clubs and it gives the impression that they just want to go on tour to make some money ... This is something I cannot understand and definitely the Fifa executive committee will not sanction such an initiative."
Premier League chief executive Peter Scudamore had said that he believed that Fifa could not stop the plan, if the clubs got the go-ahead from England's FA. Fans have not shown much enthusiasm for the concept - with some pointing out that popping off to the other side of the world to watch a league game would be unlikely to be affordable by the majority of supporters. (14th February 2008)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

Better - but unbeaten run ends
Brad Friedel makes some crucial saves
Arsenal 2 - 0 Blackburn Rovers
Last season it was an embarrassing 6-2 scoreline - so 2-0 isn't that bad! And in fairness Rovers latest trip the Emirates saw a much improved performance - despite many key figures missing through injury and suspension. But things got off to a bad start when Blackburn conceded a 3rd minute corner and Philippe Senderos headed home. But despite the early setback Rovers didn't loose their commitment and for the next 87 minutes gave the league leaders a tough test at their place. With 9 Arsenal shots on target, Brad Friedel had to be at his best - and he was. Rovers only managed a couple of shots that testes the gunners keeper. The game ended as it had begun - with a second home goal from Emmanuel Adebayor - right on 90 minutes.
The result sees Arsenal 5 points clear of Man Utd who lost yesterday at home to Man City. Blackburn now have a week off - and return to Ewood Park for a great local derby with Bolton on February 24th. (11th February 2008)
bbc.co.ik (report) ALSO rovers.co.uk (reaction) PLUS goals0708 AND t&t0708

The next DB - DB!!
David Bentley plays a full 90 for England
England 2 - 1 Switzerland
Is David Bentley England's next David Beckham? Well tonight at Wembley the Rovers star tried to make the no.7 shirt his own and impressed all the pundits with his game. Getting a full 90 minutes on the right of mid field, David took the challenge and rewarded the new Manager with some excellent play. As the first Englishman to score at the new Wembley last year (at under 21 level) he must have been delighted to get a chance against Switzerland. He certainly impressed the BBC pundits in the studio - with former Rovers Alan Shearer picking David out as one of the nights most impressive performers. Mark Hughes had hoped that Bentley would start - and will be equally pleased he played the full game. Fortunately for Rovers their next Premier League game isn't 'till next Monday - unfortunately it's at Arsenal! As much as Rovers fans will want to see their player in the spotlight for England - lets hope other clubs dont start getting any ideas. He's a Blackburn player and proud of it - long may that continue. Did he fill the other DB's boots? For me he did, and what's more he's only 23!!
England 2-1 Switzerland - gaols Jenas (40) Wright-Phillips sub (62) Derdiyok sub (58) (6th February 2008)

New Deal for Big Brad
Keeper signs on 'till 2010
Blackburn have announced that Rovers remarkable shot stopper Brad Friedel has agreed a new deal that will keep him at Ewood Park 'till 2010. Keeping a clean sheet on Saturday - the American also notched up a fantastic 300 appearances at the top level in England - with Liverpool & Blackburn. He came from Merseyside on a free in 2000 - so now should see out a full decade with Rovers. He's started every game for the past 4 seasons - notching up 138 successive Premier League appearances!
Brad told reporters: "I am delighted to have extended the agreement. "It was not a difficult decision to make. Blackburn Rovers is home to me. This is my club and I have a special affinity with it." (5th February 2008)

rovers.co.uk ALSO bbc.co.uk

It's February and the window is closed
Nothing really happened!
So the January transfer window is now closed, and for Blackburn Rovers it's been quite a quiet month. On the final day a few players went out on loan - but there were no new signings. It's a week ago since Johnny Flynn came in - and Mark Hughes says the young man impressed them when he first arrived on trail & that was back in November. Now he's signed for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half year deal. Bulgarian Valeri Domovchiyski also came to Brockhall, but a possible loan deal never materialised. Robbie Savage was the first to leave - and joined bottom club Derby County - surely he'll play in the Championship next term. Peter Enckelman joined Cardiff City on loan for the rest of the season .. young defender Andy Taylor left for Tranmere Rovers - rather than Blackpool where Simon.
Grayson wanted him. Then late today Paul Gallagher returned on loan to Stoke City and Rostyn Griffiths joined Gretna on loan. Mark King joined Accrington Stanley and Eddie Nolan went on loan to Hartlepool.

So - Mark Hughes has had a quiet month - and now prepares for a big home tie this Saturday against Everton hoping he can continue the current run of points in the Premier League. (1st February 2008)