More Fire Powers for Rovers ...
Mark Hughes has been talking about his hopes for summer signings, and says that Rovers need to strengthen their striker options ... He told rovers.co.uk "We have not scored as many goals as we would have liked this season; a few more here and there would have helped our situation significantly and it is obviously an area we are keen to improve for next season. We do not discuss names of targets for a whole variety of reasons, but supporters can rest assured that we are already looking."
Paul Dickov is this season's top scorer with a total of 10 goals - 9 in the league and 1 in the FA Cup. Morten Gamst Pedersen has already reached 6 - made up of 2 league, 1 League cup and 3 FA cup successes. (29th March 2005)
rovers.co.uk (full story) bbc.co.uk (more details) t&t0405 (all the goal scorinmg stats for this season)

Rovers 0 - Arsenal 1 at Ewood
Despite a great chance in the first minute of play, and good chances for David Thompson, Bret Eemerton and man of the match Steven Reid, - Rover failed to break down the Gunners at Ewood Park. Only one goal separated the sides at the interval, Robin Van Persie's 43rd minute strike that defeated Brad Friedal. Rover started the brighter, but three games in six days started to show late on in the game. Mark Hughes told reporters "We did okay in the first half but conceding the goal when we did deflated us a bit and we struggled in the second half. "We found it really difficult to get any sustained momentum and we lacked a bit of energy. We huffed and puffed, but the longer the game went on, the less likely it looked that we would get a goal." (19th March 2005)
bbc.co.uk (report) rovers.co.uk (reaction) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)

ROVERS V ARSENAL on Saturday 16th April..
ROVERS will face Arsenal in the semi finals of the FA Cup at 12.15pm on Saturday 16th April, with Manchester United facing Newcastle the day after at 14:00.
Man Utd had asked for their game to be moved 'up North' - but the FA said this morning .."We announced Cardiff as the venue last year and it's proved very popular. The kick-off times are always set after full consultation with the police and other safety authorities, and with safety and security considerations given the highest importance. We have taken a responsible decision bearing in mind these issues and the travel arrangements for fans from the four competing clubs" (17th March 2005)
bbc..co.uk (full story) rovers.co.uk (report)
PLUS thefa.com (BOWEN BACKING BLACKBURN - ARTICLE)

Another valuable point at Anfield for Rovers
It wasn't pretty - but it was clever - Rover succeeded again in stifling the oppositions game plan - and frustrated Liverpool side shared the points in a 0-0 (not) thriller at Anfield. There were few chances for either side - and even though Liverpool raised their game after the break - they couldn't break down Rovers dogged defence.
Rovers suffered from some dodgy passes and the set pieces just didn't come off. Even the usually reliable Morten Gamst Pedersen failed to get it right - but Mark Hughes told reporters that he was happy enough with the point and another clean sheet. There were plaudits a plenty for Ryan Nelson and Andy Todd, and Hughes praised loan striker Jonathan Stead for his effort and commitment.
The BBC says of the game "But, while Blackburn were organised and committed, there was little of the creativity Liverpool needed to unhinge Mark Hughes's determined side."
Hughes told rovers.co.uk "I'm absolutely delighted, it was a great defensive performance. I thought it was important that we were able to build on the performances of late, and we've come through it with flying colours. Brad has had very little to do in goal, I've never known a team at Anfield have so little to do defensively. Andy Todd may have got the man-of-the-match on the TV tonight, but it could have gone to any of our lads. The back four were excellent, ably backed up by our midfield."
Rovers stay 14th now with 32 points - perhaps another win or two will now secure their Premiership future. (16th March 2005)
bbc.co.uk (report) rovers.co.uk (reaction) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)

Robbie ends International Career.
Robbie Savage has announced his retirement as a Welsh International. He told reporters "I feel the time is right, I want to spend more time with my young family and concentrate fully on my career with Blackburn Rovers."
But it's thought that the 'retirement' was probably provoked by news that new Welsh boss John Toshak telephoned the Rovers man to tell him he'd been dropped for the games later this month. Making no mention of Toshak, Robbie told rovers.co.uk "I was fortunate to be part of one of the most successful Welsh teams ever, and to work with a management team of Mark Hughes, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki, for whom I have the highest regard and respect." That Management ream are now of course his current bosses at Ewood Park. Savage is currently out injured an missed the FA cup game against Leicester City on Sunday. (14th March 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full story) rovers.co.uk (full statment)

Big Gunners for Rovers in the FA Cup Rovers could meet Newcastle in the FA Cup final, if they beat Arsenal, and the Tyne siders overcome Manchester United. That's how the draw for the semi-finals of this years competition created a mouth watering opportunity. Rovers are the outsiders for the cup, Arsenal and Man U - the firm favourites, but Mark Bowen told reporters at Brockhall today that "If Arsenal take us lightly, they'll come a cropper". Both games will take place over the weekend of April 16th and 17th at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff - home to Rovers League cup win 3 years ago. Mark Hughes played his last full 90 minutes of football that day, and the 4 times FA cup medal holder now believes that THIS year he might return again to add more silverware to Rovers trophy cabinet. Rovers face Arsenal in the league this Saturday in a dress rehearsal for the big day.

FA Cup semi-final draw: Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers Newcastle v Manchester United

ROVERS AT CARDIFF (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

rovers.co.uk (reaction) roversworld (VIDEO reaction) - subscription service bbc.co.uk (news) facup0405 (FA Cup pages)

ROVERS in the FA CUP SEMI-FINALS!!!
Paul Dickov's 83rd minute penalty assured Rovers a trip to Cardiff for the FA CUP semi-finals for the first time in 45 years!
The game looked like it was heading towards a replay at Leicester when Darren Kenton brought down Morten Gamst Pedersen - and after a few moments of consideration, the penalty was awarded. Dickov (who also scored against another former club Man City) made no mistake against Ian Walker. Craig Levein was "hugely disappointed" with the decision, but Rovers were of course "delighted" to go through to Monday's semi-final draw. Mark Hughes told reporters "Although we huffed and puffed a few times, we still deserved to go through. We kept probing and got our reward." "We probably should have had a goal earlier when the play was brought up a little bit quickly and we had another genuine claim for a penalty. Its exciting times. We've enjoyed the journey up to this point and we'll get a day out in Cardiff.
The draw takes place on Monday lunchtime.(13th March 2005)
bbc.co.uk (report and video clips) rovers.co.uk (reaction) facup0405 (FA Cup pages) t&t0405 (statistics) goals0405 (all the goals this season)

STEAD does it again ..! Everton 0 - Blackburn 1
Rovers reached the magical 40 points LAST season when Jonathan Stead scored the winner at Goodison Park. Today, on as a sub for injured Paul Dickov, the young striker at last broke his duck to score the winner after 71 minutes! A much changed Rovers side kept Everton at bay, and there were excellent performances from Steven Reid and returning David Thompson The win also takes Blackburn up to 14th - their highs position since last August against Southampton (the 2nd game of the season)
Post Match Mark Hughes told reporters "Jon's worked very hard with little reward and he's done very well to come on and score, I was delighted. When you come to Everton you know it's going to be a physical challenge and every one of my players stood up to it. There was a little bit of extra pressure because of other results but we were worthy winners."
The down side was the injury to Paul Dickov after 15 minutes - and Robbie Savage and Brett Emerton failure to recover in time for the match. (6th March 2005)
bbc.co.uk (report and post match interview ) rovers.co.uk (reaction) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)

Rovers go live again on the BBC
Blackburn's next FA Cup game against Leicester City at Ewood Park has been given a 13:05 live slot on BBC tv. The beeb chose the Burnley v Blackburn match at Turf Moor for national coverage, and the quarter final tie is the ONLY game featuring Premiership v Championship. Rovers.co.uk has given details of ticket arrangement today (Thursday) saying Tickets will go on sale from Friday 4th March to Season Ticket Holders only, they have until close of business on Sunday 6 March to claim their own seats. Tickets not held by Season Ticket Holders can be purchased from Sunday 6 March to those supporters with a history of purchasing tickets for Rovers games. Tickets to go on open sale from Wednesday 9 March.
The game will be live on BBC TV, Radio and of course Radio Rovers! (3rd March 2005)
bbc.co.uk (story) rovers.co.uk (tickets)

Three of a kind ... in the treatment room.
Despite the joy of progressing in the FA cup, Rovers today faced up to a long term injury to Jay Bothroyd - and problems for Robbie Savage and Brett Emerton. SKY sports report that Jay, (who came on as a sub - only to be subbed twenty minutes later) could miss the rest of the season. SKY say the young striker went to hospital after the game and chief executive John Williams has revealed that Bothroyd is unlikely to play again this season.
Robbie Savage was substituted at the interval, and feeling his groin, and Brett Emerton completed the game, but then complained his calf.
Mark Hughes now looks likely to have a new look side for this weekends Premiership trip to Everton for Sunday's televised game (16:05) (2nd March 2005)
SKYsports.com (full story) blackburnrovers-mad.co.uk (Jay)

"THE GAMST" the game ... Rovers beat Burnley 2-1 at Ewood
Morten Gamst Pedersen hit the decisive strike, just 5 minutes from time, to see Rovers through to the last eight of this years FA Cup. The prize - another home tie against Leicester City (12th/13th March)
Burnley came with a plan which frustrated Rovers on a night when almost 29,000 fans (7,000 from Burnley) packed Ewood Park. Tugay gave the home side 31st minute lead - his shot taking a wicked deflection off Micah Hyde - who then went on to hit a brilliant equaliser at the other end just 10 minutes later. As 90 minutes and extra time looking likely, it was the young Norwegian who made no mistake with his superb 18 yard shot to secure his clubs place in the 6th round. With Andy Todd suspended, Ryan Nelsen took over the captains armband - and had a fantastic game - picking up one of the sponsors Man of the Match award - with the other going to "The Gamst"!
Radio Rovers post match programme was dominated by dozens of emails from across the globe hailing both Internationals for their workrate, creativity and commitment to the game and club.
But post match Mark Hughes admitted that it wasn't one of their best games. He told Radio Rovers "We are delighted, it looked like it was going to extra time at that point, but Morten has popped up again with a great strike and a great finish .... No way we could say it was one of our better performances. We got through and we are grateful for that. Fair play to Burnley, they worked extremely hard, they have a system of play that doesn't allow a great deal of space in the final third and all credit to them they worked extremely hard." (1st March 2005)
bbc.co.uk (report + video and audio) rovers.co.uk (reaction) facup0405 (FA cup pages) goals0405
t&t0405 PLUS thefa.com (full match report from The FA)