Blackburn Rovers have announced that David 'Junior' Hoilett has agreed a new 2 1/2 year deal with the club - which keeps the Canadian born youngster at Ewood Park until Summer 2012. Junior first came to the club when he was just 13 ..but spent the last few years away in Germany. It took a while for the club to obtain a UK work permit for him, but last summer they succeeded and the striker first came to fans attention in pre-season games. He claimed his first senior goal against Gillingham in the Carling Cup last August. There had been concerns that one of the German clubs he'd played for would want his signature - but Junior is now most defiantly a Blackburn Rovers senior! He turns 20 on June 5th.
You can read a full interview with the player on the clubs official website (link below) (26th February 2010)

Blackburn Rovers have few Saturday games left at home this season ... It's Chelsea on Sunday 21st March, then the rearranged Birmingham City match on Wednesday 24th. The big home tie with Manchester United would have been on a saturday - but no longer! Thanks to an offer from SKY the game has been moved to the following day (April 11th) and will now feature a 13:30 kick off on TV. That should please the accountants, adding more pennies to the coffers as a broadcast game.
Everton and Arsenal are still scheduled for Saturdays - April 17th and May 1st - but who knows what the TV gods might decide! (22nd February 2010)

From the sunshine of Dubai to the snowstorms at Ewood Park - what a week of contrasts it must have been for the Rovers players who returned from some R&R to dispatch Bolton 3-0 in blizzard conditions. Blackburn started brightly and dominated the early stages of play. Ryan Nelsen collected an injury which might keep him out for up to a month and Vince Grella came of the bench. Keith Andrews impressed as he slipped in to take on Ryan's defensive duties. It looked only to be a matter of time before they opened the scoring and with just 5 minutes left to the break, Nikola Kalinic claimed the honour and his second league goal of the season. Owen Coyle must have read the riot act at the break because Bolton returned to claim much of the possession, but couldn't break down a resilient defense. 'Junior' Hoilett had been given a start when Bret Emeton collect an injury - but the youngster was replaced by Jason Roberts on the hour mark and the striker didn't waste much time before making it 2-0. El-Hadji Diouf played another good game and provided Givet with the ball for him to nod in Rovers 3rd with six minutes of normal time left to play. Paul Robinson made some important saves, but over all it was a confident and entertaining game that Blackburn dominated.
Big Sam told RADIO ROVERS: " It was an unusual day, the snowflakes were that big you could hardly see the ball for a while .. It was an excellent performance in very difficult conditions and we've sent the fans home happy with our fourth home win on the trot" And he told reporters: "It's our biggest win of the season. We're making everyone sit up and think what a game they're going to get here - and they certainly are."
The win leaves Rovers 12th but now with 34 points and 11 points clear of Bolton who stay third bottom. As Bolton are also the only team Blackburn have beaten away - the game was also their first double of the season (21st February 2010)

It might only have been a reserves game at Wigan - but last nights action gave Big Sam some extra ammunition for the weekend. New boy Amine Linganzi scored his first goal for Rovers to rap things up after Maceo Rigters claimed two in the first half. Yildiray Basturk managed an important 80 minutes, and Vince Grella completed the full game. A combination of youth and experience that the Manager will also hope can help the first team with the run in as Rovers continue their league campaign on Sunday at home to Bolton. (17th February 2010)

Bolton and Birmingham Cup Clash

Following the weekends FA Cup games, It looks like two of Rovers home fixtures will have to be rearranged. The big derby with Bolton Wanderers is scheduled for Monday week (February 22nd) - but they drew their cup game with Spurs - and will now need a replay. As a result that Monday might now be spoken for and a new date for the league games should be confirmed tomorrow. Also now causing a clash is the home game with Birmingham City scheduled for Saturday March 6th. That is also the date for the next round of the Cup, and Birmingham's 2-1 win yesterday sees them busy that day! Blackburn Rovers official website says a new date will be announces 'in due course'.
So with just 6 games left to play at home this season ...two will now change. Watch this space (14th February 2010)

Whether you believe that Boaz Myhill helped Martin Olsson's strike into the net - or (as Rovers fans would hope) it was a brilliant bit of play - the only goal in the game secured a third successive win for Blackburn. Hull played the second half of match with 10 men after George Boateng saw a straight red for "serious foul play" in the 39th minute following a challenge on Pedersen. Unquestionably Rovers should have scored more ... conservative stats give them 10 attempts on target and 'Man of the Match' Olsson should have bagged a couple more. Kalinich, Nelsen, Emerton and Gael Givet all came close. SKY sports say that "Blackburn thoroughly warranted their victory" - and a battling performance secured the three points that lifted them back up to 11th place with 31 points from 26 played.
Big Sam told reporters "It's three home wins on the trot and that's a very pleasing thing. That's top-eight form, and here at Ewood Park we're a force to be reckoned with. Olsson's goal was a piece of outstanding ability, so I think it would be a shame if it was taken off him. He has lots of ability and he has now learned to use it now to great effect. Technically, Boateng's offence was a red - but, for me, it wasn't intentional."
Before kick off, one minutes silence was observed in memory of Blackburn fan John Taylor who died following the match at Stoke at the weekend (see below).
Sam told RADIO ROVERS that the team wanted to dedicate the win to John's memory - and passed on their condolences to the Taylor Family. (10th February 2010)

Rovers trip to Stoke City has been overshadowed by the news of the death of Blackburn season ticket holder John Taylor from Darwen. The 30 year father died in hospital from "a head injury" a post-mortem revealed. In an emotional interview on BBC Radio Lancashire, his family paid tribute to the "best dad in the world, just the kind of person you wanted to be with all the time. He was the life and soul of every party, everyone knew him. He lived for his weekends, going to football."
A special 'Facebook' page has already attracted nearly 8000 members ... and the family write:- "We'd just like to thank everybody for taking time out to remember our Son. John was one in ten million. He was so easy to love, with his cheeky smile. Our life will never be the same, we're all struggling to come to terms with his death. It just doesn't seem real. We've spoken to Tom Finn the managing director of Blackburn Rovers about a minutes silence before the Hull game, and he even mentioned the teams wearing Black Arm bands in Memory of John. We will all be there on Wednesday night, with all his family and lots of his friends. Please sing your heart out for the team he loved. Thank you all again for your lovely messages from All over the world, and from nearly every team. It's helped to ease our pain." John's Mum.
Blackburn Rovers Chairman John Williams said:- "This is a tragic situation, and our thoughts are with John's family at this deeply distressing time". (8th February 2010)

Rovers poor away from continued at the Britannia stadium - with Stoke city changing places with them as Blackburn dropped to 12th place. Chris Samba saw red fro a second bookable, and ten men played the last half hour. Rarely did the visitors look like scoring - but should have with their first real chance when Morten Gamst Pedersen provided a cross for Franco Di Santo, but instead the ball went over bar from close range. Samba's header was also cleared off the line, and might have provided some reply.
Danny Higginbotham was first on target, as Rovers failed again to defend a corner. There wasn't 8 minutes on the clock, and the traveling fans must have feared the worst. Stoke manager Tony Pulis was in change for the 300th time - and couldn't have hoped for a better way to celebrate. With 45 minutes already played Mamady Sidibe made it 2-0 deep in to stoppage time, with a tap in, and whatever team talk Big Sam had in mind was probably ripped up in an instant.
Blackburn managed to force a run of corners - but failed to penetrate while Matthew Etherington made it 3-0 with 66 minutes gone.
Sam accepted that some poor defending from Rovers contributed to the result. Yet again he pointed to a potential penalty that he felt should have been awarded for Blackburn - and complained about the decision to send off Chris Samba. So although it was a 3-0 beating, Sam felt that the referee contributed to the result .
Most other results went against Blackburn - but they fell just one place to 12th and will now face Hull City (who beat Man City 2-1) on Wednesday at Ewood. (6th February 2010)

The January window has closed - and with it the chance of much in the way of transfers - in or out of Ewood. As expected Bennie McCarthy has moved on to West Ham United and signed a 2 1/2 year deal. And it looks like that's where he wanted to be all along. BBC Sport report the striker as saying:-
"I am very pleased and extremely happy. I am looking forward to making up for lost time and I can't wait to make my debut. All I want is to score goals....The reason why I am happy that it has finally happened is because about five years ago I had a disappointing experience when I thought I was going to be a West Ham player until Porto pulled out and I had to go back. I would have loved this to be my first Premier League club. I went to Blackburn instead but West Ham kept on pursuing me and eventually I am here." That should go down well with Rovers fans! He's not been replaced at Blackburn, despite plenty of speculation all day linking the club with potential targets.

Rovers also parted company with Keith Treacy who moved to neighbours Preston North End also on a 2 1/2 year contract. The Irish winger came through the Blackburn Academy, and returned from a loan spell at Christmas. So Yildiray Basturk and Amine Linganzi remain the only business at the start of 2010.

Big Sam appeared on SKY TV on Sunday morning and suggested that he had started talks about a number of players - and the Rovers Chairman John WIlliams would complete any business. It seems that no deals could be done and he'll spend the second half of the season developing younger players like Martin Olsson and Nikola Kalinic who's both shown great promise of late, as the club try and finish in the top half of the table. Blackburn stand 10th at present - a position they haven't reached since October 2008 - just 9 games into the 2008/09 season. (1st February 2010)

It's been years since Rovers collected even a point at West Ham - but this afternoon saw Blackburn make it 7 point from a potential 9 in the last three Premier League games. And as happy as they will be to move up to 10th (the highest place this season) with the extra point - they'll believe they did more than enough to win a contests they dominated for long periods of play. They might even claim they did score when the ball was judged NOT to cross the line, and probably deserved a penalty decision too.
Paul Robinson was in fine form, and met any incoming threat - and Rovers hammered at the Green's goal at the other end. In form Morten Gamst Pedersen hit the bar from a well taken free kick - Martin Olsson came close on a number of occasions. Subs Junior Hoilett looked a likely to be goal scorer, Jason Roberts should have found the target from just 7 yards out. Big Sam, might feel it was the one that got away - but mist be happy to keep a clean sheet and move into the top 10 of the table.
Sam Allardyce told reporters it felt like two points lost:- "We're bitterly disappointed we haven't grabbed all three points. Our plan was to see what West Ham had to offer and nullify it but what we weren't doing was causing enough problems with the ball. In the second half we started to outplay them and was a mixture of poor finishing, good saves and what should have been a definite penalty for us wasn't, because if he has not handballed it, it was in. That aside, we have had enough chances to put the ball in the net more than once, and we failed to do that."
Rovers have had some dreadful results at Upton Park in recent years, and they maintained their unbeaten league start to the decade but remain just a point from the relegation zone. Another tough test follows for Blackburn - with a trip to Stoke City next Saturday - very hard to beat at home! (30th January 2010)

LINKS: rovers.co.uk (Amine) ALSO bbc.co.uk (Yiliray)

Morten Gamst Pedersen scored one and created the other in Rovers 2-1 win over Wigan at Ewood Park. And just for good measure, the midfielder also headed onto the cross bar! Rovers fans were also rewarded with a first league goal for Nikola Kalinic - following his brace away at Villa last week. 'Junior ' Hoilett caused Wigan plenty of trouble, and Blackburn continued their run of much better form. For Morten, the new roll in central midfield seems to suite the Norwegian. He even picked up 'Man of the Match' - quite a turn around to the perceptions only a few weeks ago. Rovers went ahead after just 20 minutes, and hung on to the lead until the hour mark, when Gary Caldwell headed home from close range to level the scores. Less than ten minutes later Pedersen took a corner for Rovers, and Nikola Kalinic connected to head in the winning goal.
Big Sam told reporters:- "We put enormous pressure on Wigan with the quality of our football, pressing them in their own box and it looked like it was going to be a case of dominating the play without scoring. Then all of a sudden Morten came up with an outstanding goal. You would have to go a long way to see a better goal than that in the Premier League this season." Ironically The Gamst is out of contract at the end of the season - and has already been linked with a number of other clubs for a move in the summer. The win sees Rovers move up to 11th place - level on points with 10th place Fulham. On Saturday, they travel to West Ham, who are just a point outside the drop zone - and who hope to sign Benni McCarthy before the window closes on Monday. (28th January 2010)

As the Benni McCarthy saga drags on (the written bid is on the table) - news that David has 'dunny' the right thing and signed a new deal to keep him at Ewood Park 'till the summer of 2012. There had been concerns that Blackburn's local hero might be ready to move on - but he told Radio Rovers that he's seen the grass on the other side - and it's not always greener!
The contract adds another 21/2 years to his return to the club. He's now made 250 appearances for Rovers and already bagged 46 goals ...
If Big Sam had hopes of brining in Eidur Gudjohnsen (should Benni go) he might need to think again. Some reports now say that the stiker will initially be signed on a six month loan from AS Monaco. (27th January 2010)

It's looking more and more likely that Benni McCarthy will be fulfilling his wish to leave Blackburn Rovers. The club have confirmed that they now have an official offer from West Ham for the striker, and Big Sam was less than impressed that the South African failed to turn up for training at Brockhall. Reports last week suggested that there might still be a problem with his move - even if the money was right. It appears that he might need to re-apply for a work permit, and that could push the potential transfer past the end of the January window. Sky Sports quote the Hammers' new joint-owner David Sullivan as saying: "All of our irons are in the fire and hopefully in the next few days all will become clear. We've really gone the extra mile and what we must be pleased about, what I'm pleased about as a West Ham fan, is that we have stopped the sale of two, maybe three top players. That is the main prize and the bonus is if we can now bring in one or two players."
Sam has said for some time that Benni could go IF the money was right and a replacement could be found.
Meanwhile Zuarb Khizanishvili, who returned from a loan at Newcastle for the new year is off again .. this time to Championship side Reading. Rovers have confirmed that he'll be with them for the rest of the season.
In other news - there are reports that Morten Gamst Pedersen (who's out of contract this summer) could make a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce . ClubCall say that they have opened talks with Blackburn over a possible move. The window (of opportunity) only has a few days to go - and whatever happens Sam will still need to bring in players to replace any repartees. Another rumour suggested that Alan Smith might interest Allardyce - if Keith Andrews was to move up to Newcastle ... fascinating! (25th January 2010)

Following the news that Gavin Gunning was to join Rotherham United for a month 'emergency' loan, team mate Marcus Marshal will also be playing for the second division side over the next four weeks. Gunning started for United in their 2-1 win over Grimsby Town this afternoon, with Marshal a 90th minute sub. The team are now 4th in the table, just outside a promotion spot.
Meanwhile table topping Rochdale have taken Andy Haworth on a six month loan from Rovers. The youngster played 85 minutes for Dale as they easily beat third bottom Cheltenham away 1-4. Andy was credited with the assist for their second goal, and hit the post just ahead of the first. Text commentary suggests he had a very valuable game for the team.(23rd January 2010)

The latest games to get the SKY sports treatment have been announced, and two of Rovers fixtures scheduled for March will now be televised. The first will be the tough trip to Chelsea, which will now be played on Sunday 21st March at 16:00hrs. and there's little surprise that the satellite broadcaster has also chosen to screen the Lancashire derby when Blackburn travel to Burnley. That game will now also be on a Sunday, but at the earlier time of 12:00 noon on March 28th (23rd January 2010).

No one could have predicted the way this Cup tie would start ... or finish. Yes, there's no Wembley this season for Big Sam and his men - but he can be proud of how his team never gave in and battled to the very last moment. It couldn't have started any better - a goal down from the home leg Blackburn new they needed to get an early goal to get back into the tie. And it was the man who came so close at Ewood Park who claimed the first and second - Nikola Kalinic heading home after less than 10 minutes. Martin Olsson, who was having a wonderful game, helped Niko make it 2-0 with 25 minutes gone ... and a deflated Villa were 2-1 down on aggregate and looked unlikely to find a reply. Big Sam will point to the next incident as the turning point - with Ryan Nelsen clearly fouled and pushed to the ground, former Rovers Stephen Warnock claimed the home sides first - which probably shouldn't have counted. If that wasn't bad enough Christopher Samba was sent of with a straight red for an unfair challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor. James Milner scored from the spot and suddenly it was advantage Villa all over again, with Blackburn also down to 10 men. 2-2 at the break, and still 45 minutes to play - but for this half Blackburn had lost a key defender, and then had to take off David Dunn after he picked up a painful knock. Within 5 minutes, and inswinging corner taken by Stewart Downing seemed to hit Steven Nzonzi and pass Paul Robinson. Just minutes later Gabriel Agbonlahor made it 4-2 and it looked to be all over. But Blackburn had no intention of giving in. Even after Emile Heskey made it 5-2 they broke forward whenever possible, and Martin Olsson claimed his first goal of the season with a superb overhead kick to make it 5-3. And still Rovers had belief , as the clock ran down Brett Emerton finds the net to score Rovers 4th of the night. If Blackburn have lacked anything this season it's been goals and away form - so to score 4 in one game was the best return this term! Sadly a flagging and weaker Rovers could do nothing to stop Ashley Young claiming Villas 6th well into injury time.
So a remarkable night that all the pundits had failed to forecast. Again controversy surrounded at least one decision, and Sam Allardyce was more than a little unhappy with the foul on Nelsen and admitted that it was"difficult to take ... scoring 4 goals and NOT getting to the final ... The referee allows a blatant foul on Nelsen to be unpunished ...The major part of us not getting through is the referee."
Blackburn can be proud of their efforts, if frustrated by the outcome. They must be delighted for Kalinic and have found a real star in young Martin Olsson. It's a week for their next game - at home to Wigan in the league next Wednesday night when Chris Samba will be missing through suspension, and David Dunn could be out injured. (20th January 2010)

Sam Allardyce had admitted that Rovers at home to Fulham had become a 'must win' game ... and just 72 hours after playing Villa in the cup he needed to find the right squad to do the business. An early fitness test for Pedersen ruled him out, with Jason Roberts and Lars Jacobson also among the injured. Sam also wanted to have some fresh players for the cup second leg on Wednesday - so David Dunn watched from the bench with Franco Di Santo (among others).
Some of the recent criticism was that Rovers failed to get going until the second half in many matches. That certainly wasn't the case this afternoon! From the start they were much more determined and committed to the cause. Martin Olson was drafted in to the starting eleven and had an impressive game. Kalinic and McCarthy played up front answering fans hopes for 4-4-2. But it was central defender Chris Samba who opened the scoring thanks to a Benni McCarthy corner. A rare first goal for Rovers, and despite pressure from Fulham, it remained 1-0 at half time. The second half saw more chances for both sides, with Paul Robinson pulling off a number of class saves. Then McCarthy did it again - this time Ryan Nelsen met the incoming ball to head Rovers in to a 2-0 lead. Despite plenty of possession for the visitors - Blackburn managed to keep them at bay enough to keep a clean sheet and secure the all important three points. The irony of course was that with two strikers up front, it was the defenders who provided both goals. 2-0 the final score, and a first league win since beating Bolton away on November 22nd and Portsmouth at home back on November 7th.
Big Sam was relieved telling RADIO ROVERS:- "It is a massive relief for the players. We've had a huge period of games, this being our third game in six days, whilst Fulham haven't had a match at all.But we've beaten an in form Fulham side who are riding high in the top half of the league.It has been a magnificent effort from the players, and I'm really pleased for them. Hopefully it will give us a bit more confidence for Wednesday now, to go down and get the ultimate prize, after securing three points today, and that is a wonderful trip to Wembley if we can."
The win takes Blackburn up to 12th place - with Wigan and Hull City up next at Ewood - but as Sam said Aston Villa in the Carling cup is the next BIG challenge. (17th January 2010)

Another game of two halves at Ewood Park - but this time they were quarters as Rovers still have two more to play next week at Villa Park. The first half started with promise as David Dunn's shot took a deflection - or it would have been 1-0 Blackburn after 3 minutes! But despite an early bright spell from Rovers, it was Aston Villa who took charge when James Milner turned in Stewart Downing's cross to make it 0-1. Rovers rode their luck, and despite some nervous looking goal keeping from Guzan, were unable to find an equaliser. Undoubtedly the second half was much better. Nikola Kalinic should have scored at least twice - only the width of the post stopped him. Benni McCarthy replaces Morten Gamnst Pedersen, but his fire power failed to find the target. Brett Emerton and David Dunn had further chances and once again the woodwork saved Villa from another Kalinic shot. Finally as stoppage time started Steven Nzonzi headed over and the visitors had their win.
Sam Allardyce told reporters:- "It was a disappointing first half for two reasons: we didn't play and we gave away a very sloppy goal. In the second half, we created the chances but we didn't put them away. We hit the woodwork twice. Unfortunately, that's the way it is at the moment. If we're going to have a chance to get through to the final, we have to score the first goal."
The sponsors 'Man of the Match' went to Niko - with the manager saying he felt that the striker was getting better and better. He'll hope to find the right man to find the target on Sunday when Fulham are next up at Ewood in a crucial Premier League match. (14th January 2010)

Things started badly - and got worse! After a weekend of postponed matches, the Premier League focus moved to the City of Manchester stadium for 'live' football tonight. Man City showed off their new boy, Viera, before things got under way. When they did - it took under seven minutes for Carlos Tevez to claim the first of three with a close range shot straight past Paul Robinson. Micah Richards made it 2-0, again at close range. Some weak defending from the back four and plenty for Big Sam to say at the break. But whatever was said - made little instant impact as Tevez made it 3-0 within three minutes of the restart. All three came via Benjani and City looked home and dry. Now Rovers turned on a bit of form, Nikola Kalinic on for Franco Di Santo, and Keith Andrews replaced by 'Junior' Hoilett. Next to go was David Dunn as Martin Olsson came off the bench. As Blackburn regrouped it was Morten Gamst Pedersen who put a great shot past Given to make it 3-1, and there seemed some self belief that Rovers might claim some more. Sadly they didn't and with 90 minutes up Tevez claimed his hat trick with City's 4th.
Benni McCarthy got injured before the start - and Nzonzi clashed heads with Givet just before the close with both players looking dazed and out of it.
So a bad night for Big Sam who told reporters that he accepted the better team won .. but:-" ...we could have defended properly to stop some of those goals. Instead of keeping the game tight in the second half, within four minutes they scored the third and it was game over. These players have to consistently have to play better. They are good enough but they have to keep believing and get that confidence back and produce more consistent performances away from home."
The once rock solid defense looked less that convincing - and a lack of finishing leaves Rovers without a league win since November at Bolton.
Thursday (weather permitting) it's the rearranged first leg of the Carling Cup semi final against Aston Villa at Ewood - then home to Fulham on Sunday afternoon. (11th January 2010)

Considering how cold it is - you'd think someone would shut the window! But the January chance to do some winter shopping is well under way and a few of Rovers first team regulars are in the spotlight. Benni McCarthy told the media that he wanted regular football and a move might be needed to put him in he shop window for the World cup. Big Sam has made it known that he would listen to offers for the striker - but just like interest in Jason Roberts - he would need to know he could bring in good replacements front the two front men. Morten Gamst Pedersen seems to have attracted the eye of at least a couple of sides - but the Lancashire Telegraph say that the Rovers ..."need to decide whether to offer Morten Gamst Pedersen a new deal, with his contract expiring this summer. Olympiakos and Celtic are both understood to be considering bids for the Norwegian".
And according to the Daily Express - "BLACKBURN are poised to offer James Beattie a way out of Stoke and a chance to rejoin the club where he began his career ... Stoke will listen to offers for Beattie, 31, as they want to use the cash for an ambitious move for Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones."
Despite the Big Freeze - the usual cold feeling from Big Sam for this window sees no chance of thawing ! (7th January 2009)

The weather not only saw the end to any chance of Blackburn Rovers playing Aston Villa in the Carling Cup - but the Manchester City/United semi is also off tonight (Wednesday). Rovers have wasted no time in rearranging the their match which will now be played next Thursday - January 14th at 20:00 hrs. As a result the club have also moved the Premier League game at home to Fulham. That will now be played 24 hours later on Sunday 17th January at 15:00 hrs
There should be no change to the second leg at Villa Park - but of course the cold weather is likely to be around for a while yet! (6th January 2010)

Blackburn Rovers have announced that this evening's Carling Cup semi-final at Ewood Park is OFF ... following a night and morning of heavy snow ...
The club say that the safety of fans and staff was of primary concern - even though the under soil heating would probably have made the pitch playable.
In a statement on the official website they say:- " Whilst the Ewood Park pitch is playable we believe it would be unadvisable to expect fans, staff etc to attempt to get to the match. Even if fans are able to get to Ewood Park we would not like to speculate on what type of journey home they may face at 10.00pm tonight when temperatures will be sub-zero.
Further information concerning rearrangement of the fixture will follow in due course. Match tickets will be valid for the rearranged fixture but fans who have purchased tickets and are unable to attend on the new date, can obtain a refund by applying to the ticket office in advance of the fixture."
Conditions in the town a pretty bad - with abandoned cars on many of the main roads making driving conditions even more difficult. Forecasters believe that the cold snap will continue for at least the rest of this week. (4th January 2010)

Ten man Rovers went out of the FA cup at the first hurdle, meeting Aston Villa for the first time in the next few weeks. David Dunn and Steven Reid returned, but Dunny missed a penalty (when Reid was brougfht down) and El Hadji Diouf was sent off with a straight red and will miss the next three games. Nathan Delfouneso gave Villa the lead after just 11 minutes, heading home passed Jason Brown. Steven Reid was fould in the area and David Dunn stepped up to level the scores, but saldy Bradley Guzan (infor Brad Friedel) saved. Carlos Cuellar made it 2-0 just five minutes later. Then with half time approaching, El-Hadji Diouf was shown a red card for professional foul and Rovers were down to ten men. Blackburn have played much better in second halves of late, and so it was again today. Nikola Kalinic scored his third of the season with a headed goal to make it 2-1. Blackburn seemed to have found some form, and despite the one man defecit looked the more likely to score the next. But with 90 minutes played, Gael Givet challenged John Carew to give away a penalty, and the Villa man scored from the spot to make it 3-1 and Blackbrun bowed out of this year FA Cup. With the Carling Cup semi final first leg at Ewood on Tuesday, Big Sam might feel that his priorities lie elsewhere , and a chance of getting to Wembly over two legs would seem a more exciting prospect.
He told reporters:- "All the damage was done in the first half for us.We gave ourselves such a big uphill battle.Even though we played as well as we did in the second, we couldn't quite get back to where we would like to.I've given the players great credit for the way that they've played in the second half, apart from just giving that silly penalty away at the death which was a shame really because it was a really good recovery from us.It was a really good performance from the ten players that were out there." (2nd January 2010)

The Queen has honoured Rovers striker Jason Roberts with an MBE in the New Years honours list published today. It's be lived that he has been rewarded for his charitable work and in recognition of his services to sport in Grenada.In early 2007 he founded the 'Jason Roberts Foundation', which hopes to "provide a range of sporting opportunities for children and young people in the UK and Grenada" Jason has been at Blackburn Rovers since he moved from Wigan Athletic in 2006, signing a four year deal.
Manager Sam Allardyce told the clubs official website:-
"It is magnificent. From his point of view it is a great honour for him, for all the work he has done in his foundation. I think we all should look at it and say there is a lot of negativity around the world of football about what players do and don't do - most of it in the papers is on the downside. This is one of the upsides on the much charity work that goes on in football by people like Jason and many others." (31st December 2009)