TUGAY

Tugay - to stay ...
It looks almost certain that Rovers midfield star Tugay will extend his stay for a further season at Ewood Park. Mark Hughes told the clubs official website rovers.co.uk "Tugay knocked on my door and shook hands so I took that to mean that he is happy with the deal and that he is going to sign. That represents very good news for us....With the quality that he has and his ability to set the tone of games, he is a great talent and we are lucky to have him here.
Tugay came to Blackburn from Rangers in 2001 for £1.3m and opened his scoring in the memorable 7-1 win over West Ham in October of that year. It had been thought that The 35-year-old has recently been linked with a lucrative move to Qatar to finish his playing career - but now at 35 it looks likely that Blackburn will enjoy the benefits of one of the Premiership's top performers. (30th March 2006)
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Rovers back to 5, thanks to Reid winner
Sunderland 0 - Blackburn 1
Steven Reid's long range shot, was the only ball to find the back of wither net in a scrappy game at vthe Stadium of Light. Blackburn took the lead after 15 minutes and then hung on despite some good chances for the home team. There was NO glory goal for former Rovers John Stead, who was subbed on the hour mark. Blackburn had to take Criag Bellamy off after he picked up a knock on the 70 minute mark, and there was a yellow card for former Sunderland man Michael Gray. The win sees Blackburn overtake Arsenal to move back up to 5th place wit 52 points - with Arsenal's game at Portsmouth postponed thanks to a waterlogged pitch.
Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk "It was important that we picked up points on our travels as we've got big games to come and it will no doubt go down to the wire, I'm sure it'll go down to the last weekend of the season. That's another three points on our travels to the North East. We've played up here four times and returned with four wins and a clean sheet on each occasion."The win keep Blackburn in touch with their dream of Champions League football. (25th March 2006)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

10 man Rovers take all the points and keep home run going ..
Blackburn 3 - Middlesbrough 2
Rovers had to manage with 10 men for the last half hour after a contentious sending off (second yellow) for Robbie Savage. It's was his first ever Red in domestic football and the card was awarded for a ball on hand that reporters claimed to be no foul. It was a Craig Bellamy who opened the scorning for Blackburn after 11 minutes, and scored the winner on 68. In between, Morten Gamst Pedersen scored from a free kick - his 9th league goal this season. Bellamy is now on 11 league and a total off 15v in all competitions. The win keeps Rovers in touch with their quest for top 4 - and they stay 6th level with Spurs on 49 points.
Mark Hughes told RADIO ROVERS he was delighted with the result and strengthening Fortress Ewood. "The players were absolutely magificent. Obviously losing Sav when we did you fear the worst, but the resolve and the desire to get something out of that game was magnificent. We've got a certain fellow up front called Mr Bellamy who's capable of those things and when we got our noses in front we weren't going to be denied. (18th March 2006)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

Final date change for Liverpool
Rovers have agreed a second and final date and time change with Liverpool for the home game that had clashed with the annual Hillsborough Memorial service at Anfield . Rover had already announced that the match would move to a 17:15 kick off - but after further discussions between the clubs Rovers are now happy to accommodate their visitors wishes.
Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk:- "It's a very emotive issue for Liverpool Football Club, and we understand that. We actually flagged up the issue, so we have always been receptive to every sensitivity there is about the actual day although we are mindful that people had made arrangements and the kick-off had already been changed once." (17th March 2006)
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10th home win, and back to 5th
Blackburn 2 - Aston Villa 0
Villa probably had good reason to feel aggrieved with today's result - they should and could have scored 4 in the first fifteen minutes - their first chance on 32 seconds. Blackburn just weren't at the races 'till after the break and seemed to struggle to retain possession and keep the visitors in front of their defense. But if last Sundays encounter at Spurs was cruel on Rovers, today's result was the total reverse - played great last week and got nothing - played poorly today and claimed all three points!
The first goal came a minute into the second half, as a ruck of players filled the Villa box, and Andy Todd toe pocked the ball over the line for his second league goal of the season. Rovers second was another beauty from Craig Bellamy on 71 minuets - his cross box ball finding the bottom right of the net.
Aston Villa manager David O'Leary told reporters:- "...Blackburn had two chances and scored while we had about 10 and missed them all."
Mark Hughes told RADIO ROVERS "Last week we played exceptionally well and got nothing, today we were nowhere near the level that we showed last week but we got three points. It is an old cliché, but that's football."
The result moved Blackburn back to 5th place with 46 points and just 3 behind 4th place Spurs. (11th March 2006)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

First for Pongolle, Rovers come from behind, but loose at Spurs
Tottenham 3 - Blackburn 2
Two controversial goals from Spurs Robbie Keane gave Rovers an up hill challenge which they never gave up chasing. At one stage they even reached 86% possession, but at 2-0 down Blackburn started to turn it around with a first for Blackburn from Florent Sinama Pongolle just before the break. Rovers were level after a beautiful finish from Craig Bellamy, but sadly within 3 minutes Mido had scored Spurs 3rd and decisive goal. Blackburn continued to push forward, Michael Gray hitting the cross bar, David Ballemy testing Robinson with a wonderful long range free kick. It was one of Rovers best performances this season, and cruel that they received no reward. For the impartial fan, great football - excellent top 6 Premiership action. (5th March 2006)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506