Olsson no.2 (Marcus) and Bradley Orr sign in - Andrews signs out

The window has closed, and Steve Kean has another two players in his squad to help with the fight for top flight survival. Martin Olsson will be delighted to welcome his twin brother (and they look identical) Marcus Olsson to Ewood. He comes direct from Swedish side Halmstads BK. Also a DDay signing was Bradley Orr from QPR. The Liverpool lad is delighted to return to the North West and says it's his dream move. Leaving as the window closed is Keith Andrews. The Irish International got his big break at Ewood when Paul Ince brought him from MK Dons, but more recently he's had a less happy time at the club, and was keen to move on. Andrews has joined up with West Bromwich Albion. It looks like Chris Samba is still a Rover, as is Junior and Nzonzi - all were talked up as likely to leave. At the time of writing Ryan Nelson is still linked with a surprise move to Spurs. He's spent most of the season on the treatment table - but played in a closed door game at Brockhall on Tuesday.
Hear all the latest news on RADIO ROVERS from 17:00 GMT - Wednesday 1st February. 1404am and via the Rovers Player at rovers.co.uk(31st January 2012)

Links: rovers.co.uk (Olsson) ALSO rovers.co.uk (Orr) AND rovers.co.uk (Andrews)

It looks like Rovers favourite David Dunn will now complete ten years service with Blackburn, after the local lad signed an extension to his contract that could now keep him at Ewood 'till June 2013. David left Rovers for Birmingham City in 2003, but was always keen to return to Lancashire. In a strange twist of fate, he almost signed for Bolton, before being resigned for Blackburn in January 2007 - later of course to be managed by the then Bolton boss - Big Sam!
Here's the article we published when Dunny returned back then

Wednesday 17th January 2007 is special for David Dunn and his many Rovers fans. Despite all the expectation, and visits to Bolton - it is Blackburn that welcomes the local lad back. As Steve Bruce at Birmingham City said "He's a Blackburn lad and wants to go back there and play for his hometown club again." As for David, he told reporters "It feels really good to be back. It has been a hectic week but I am glad it is all done and I am back in Blackburn. I am really pleased now that it has all come to a head and I've signed that piece of paper." Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk "We are absolutely delighted to get David. It went right to the wire, but we always felt that once we were given permission to speak to David then it would be to our benefit and we would be able to get the deal done and make sure that he was a Blackburn Rovers player again. I think it was important to us and very important to David as well. He's got a real affection and affinity with the club and the opportunity to come back to Blackburn Rovers was always there in the back of his mind from the time that we made a bid in the summer." So it really is welcome home to the lad that left Rovers for Birmingham in a £5.5m deal in the Summer of 2003. Sam Allardyce had thought he'd captured the former Rovers - but perhaps blood is thicker than water. He told bbc.co.uk " ...sadly, I think his heart is with Blackburn." NEWS LINK: Dunn chooses Rovers over Bolton (17th January 2007)

On his new agreement Manager Steve Kean says: "Everyone knows that, not only is David Rovers through and through, he remains a top player and key member of our squad.He has been at the top of his game over recent weeks and we are all delighted to see him extend his association with the club." (28th January 2012)

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

Jason Roberts leaved Blackburn after five years at Ewood

With less that a week left in the January transfer window, Blackburn Rovers have parted company with striker Jason Roberts. Following a much publicised complex contract issue, he's not been able to play for the club, and his departure seemed inevitable. Roberts has signed an 18 month deal with Championship (and former Premiership) team Reading where he hopes to re-ignite his career. He tweeted "I have enjoyed every moment of my time at the club. I have so many friends at the club that I will always want the best for BRFC. I wish the fans, staff and players success now and forever!"
In a brief statement, Rovers said: "Jason Roberts has today signed for Reading Football Club. The 34-year-old centre forward links up with the Championship with the terms of the transfer undisclosed." He made over 150 appearances and scored 29 goals for Rovers - 3 at the end of last season helping the club stay in the top flight. This season Jason has also been a pundit for BBC Five Life, and will now have to travel to BBC Radio Berkshire after home games, rather than BBC Radio Lancashire in Blackburn. He seems quite keen to develop his media skills, and was also a guest on last week's Match of the Day 2 after Rovers last home win over Fulham, where he wished Steve Kean good luck with his quest for Premier League success and survival . He also said he hoped that Chris Samba would stay with the Club. Good Luck Jason! (26th January 2012)

LINKS: rovers.co.uk (statement) ALSO bbc.co.uk (full story)

Rovers had to come from behind at Everton to claim another point on Merseyside - but they did so with a powerful performance showing plenty of commitment and probably deserved all three. The toffees opened the scoring with a controversial goal in the 23rd minute from Tim Cahill in which Maroune Fellaini's appeared to handball in the build-up. Scott Dann returned and hit the post in the first period, as did David Dunn. Rovers the better team. It was half way through the second period that the visitors claimed their deserved equaliser. David Goodwillie back on the score sheet, making it 3 from 4 for the young striker. Steve Kean pointed out that Rovers have continued their record of scoring in every away game in the league this season! He also refused to blame referee Mark Halsey for missing a handball. This time Rovers managed to hang on despite some late pressure from the home side, and there was no return to the dreaded injury time upset. However they managed to keep their less happy statistic of no clean sheets since last April! It looked like Rovers would be outside the bottom three tonight. But Bolton beat Liverpool 3-1 to move up to 17th just a point above Rovers who return to 18th place. New signing Anthony Modeste came off the bench to replace Goodwillie for the last 15 minutes of the action. There is now Premier action next weekend and so it's Newcastle at Ewood Park next on February 1st at 20:00 hrs. (21st January 2012)

LINKS bbc.co.uk (full report) ALSO bbc.co.uk (Kean interview)

Anthony Modeste comes in on loan

Steve Kean has picked up his first signing in the January window - with Blackburn Rovers officially announcing the arrival of Anthony Modeste from Bordeaux on loan for the rest of the season. He's a 23year old centre forward who started his professional career with Nice. The Lancashire Telegraph quote the Blackburn Manager Steve Kean saying: “Modeste moved to Bordeaux for a sizeable fee and, probably a little bit like Yak when he joined us, he will feel he still has a lot to prove. I don’t think there is anything wrong with giving a player another opportunity to kick on. Maybe it just went wrong for him for whatever reason at another club. He has certainly got attributes I think we can look at to improve us, hence the reason for bringing him. He has pace, power, good technique, he causes defenders problems playing on the shoulder, which I think can give us something else we don’t have.” The deal is just a loan one - and there seems no 'option to buy' . The club hoped to have clearance for the striker to be in the squad for the trip to Everton this weekend (20th January 2012)

LINKS lancashiretelegraph.co.uk (full details) ALSO rovers.co.uk (details)

Eric Black joins as new no.2

Following the departure of Assistant Manager Paul Clements who's moved on to PSG, Blackburn Rovers have moved quickly to bring in the talents or Eric Black . The club announced his appointment today saying that the 48 year old, has a wealth of Premier League experience, having been assistant manager with Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Sunderland. Steve Kean told the clubs official website that he was delighted, adding: "He is someone with extensive coaching experience at the highest level and I feel sure he will play a key role over the coming months." The fellow Scott, was a striker and had a long playing career, he's since picked up a wealth of experience as both a manager and assistant - more recently working with Steve Bruce. (20th January 2012)

Want Away Captain asks for an exit

Following the reported illness, which saw Chris Samba miss the home win over Fulham, he's has now officially asked for permission to leave Blackburn Rovers. In a statement released by his management company, Samba said: "I have today officially requested a transfer from Blackburn Rovers Football Club. I have personally informed the owners, manager and executives at the club that I want to leave in this transfer window. In my five years at Blackburn Rovers Football Club I have always given 100% in every game I have played. I have had several opportunities to leave but I have always stayed. I have decided now is the right time for me to pursue a new challenge and I have asked the club to respect my decision and allow me to leave. I thank the fans for their support and I hope they feel I have served them and their club well."
There was no immediate response to the request (16th January 2012)
UPDATE: Blackburn Rovers have issued a brief statement in which they reject Samba's request to move on. The Club simply say: "Blackburn Rovers reiterate that team captain Christopher Samba is not for sale. The player signed a new contract with the club less than a year ago which runs to June 2015." (17th January 2012)
UPDATE: It's understood that Chris Samba will not be in the squad for Saturdays clash at Everton. The Express also report a statement from Steve Kean in which he reiterates the club position on their captain. Kean says “It’s never a nice position when somebody hands in a transfer request. But when it’s met with a stance that the club have, and the level of authority we’ve given that he’s not for sale, then Chris has to accept that.” (21st January 2012)

LINKS independent.co.uk (transfer request) ALSO rovers.co.uk (Samba statement) ALSO express.co.uk (Kean )

No Samba - ten men - but 3 goals and 3 points!

Team news revealed no captain Chris Samba - apparently not well and might have to go for tests - but Steve Kean still had a much fitter squad to choose from, and he made five changes to the team who traveled to Newcastle last weekend. WIth Samba out fans seemed concerned - but after twenty minutes they were worried, when a high footed challenge saw Yakubu see red, and Rovers were down to ten men. The injustice seemed to galvanize the fans and the team, and from that moment on they showed some serious resolve. Still 0-0 with 3 minutes of first half injury time signaled, and then with almost the last action of the half, Morten Gamst Pedersen placed a free kick perfectly to edge in at the far post and give Blackburn the lead. It was his first league goal at Ewood since November 2010 - and it lifted everyone as they went for the break. Less than a minute after the restart David Dunn had scored his first of the season, (sub) David Goodwillie turning provider. Ten man Rovers with a 2-0 lead and hopes of points to come. Former Rovers Damien Duff tried to ruin the party making it 2-1 ten minutes later - but Mauro Formica secured all the points when he joined up with Steven Nzonzi to make it 3-1 with ten minutes left to play. Paul Robinson made some key saves on his return, and David Goodwillie was unlucky not to claim a fourth for Rovers. The fans were Blackburn's 11th man, and were delighted with a well earned result, No captain, not star striker - but still all three points and out of the bottom three for the first time since the win over Arsenal back in September. Steve Kean was delighted by the result and the support, telling RADIO ROVERS:- "The fans were marvelous again today and I'm sure they'll be delighted..... Scoring just before half-time gave us a little spark and a little lift. Then the second goal was excellent as well, because it takes the sting out of it.You fear things a little bit when it goes to 2-1, but I felt as though we were well deserved in the way we kept the ball. Instead of just lashing it up the pitch, we played little triangles around Fulham and tried to play between them and I thought we did that well.... Psychologically, to come out of the bottom three, with a good performance and playing with 10 men, along with the environment inside the stadium, was excellent." Not back at Ewood 'till 1st February (Newcastle) - next weekend it's a North West derby at Everton. (14th January 2012)

Blackburn Rovers knocked Newcastle United out of he Carling Cup with a last second goal, and the Toon repayed the compliment, knocking Rovers out of the FA cup in the final seconds of injury time. Rovers weathered an early storm in the North East, with Mark Bunn making some excellent saves. Then against the run of play David Goodwille made it two in two, as Pedersen's corner was met by Grant Hanley, parried by the Newcastle keeper and Goodwillie fired home from close range. It remained 0-1 at half time, and indeed until the 70th minute when Hatem Ben Arfa beat Mark Bunn with a great goal to level the scores. Rochina made way for Formica, then Jason Lowe replaced Martin Olsson, before young striker Jordan Slew came on for Goodwille with 8 minutes to go. Rovers looked to have secured an Ewood Park replay as injury time ran out - but with 4'37 seconds played Jonas Gutierrez grabbed the winner to knock them out of the FA cup for another year. Steve Kean admitted that Rovers defense was at fault once again, telling reporters "I think defensively we can pick holes in the two goals that went in against us. Okay it's good skill from Ben Arfa and Gutierrez, but I certainly think we could have defended a little bit better. But I felt as though our first half performance was excellent. Steven Nzonzi and Radosav Petrovic controlled the game in the middle of the pitch and I thought we were certainly worthy of at least being a goal up - possibly two. We would probably have needed that other goal as a cushion and it's a blow not to go through to the next round..... We're disappointed with the amount of time that was added on, because I think we were well over the allocated four minutes."
So now they really can concentrate on the league - and devote all their energies to retaining Premier status. It's back to Ewood next Saturday for Fulham at home, and another 'must win' match (7th January 2012)