NEWS LINKS November - December 2009
(latest stories at the top)
Jason Roberts MBE |
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New Year honour for Rovers striker
JASON ROBERTS MBE
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)
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)
LINKS: rovers.co.uk (full story)
Santo to Stay |
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FRANCO DI SANTO
Talking recently about staying with the Lancashire side, he admitted that he'd be happy to do so - but it would be up to Chelsea to agree the extension.
The Rovers Player has an exclusive interview with the player. (30th December 2009)
2009 'draws' to a close |
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MORTEN GAMST
PEDERSEN
EL HADJI DIOUF
Just like last week against Sunderland - post match opinion was spit with some fans very unhappy with 'two points dropped' and others entertained by a good second half and an important point. Talking to Radio Rovers Sam Allardyce "It was a game where we weren't on song, we weren't at our best form, but we have got something out of the game which is pleasing because we've come from behind twice ....When it was 2-2 and we've had Niko's header go wide, then he sees another saved brilliantly by the goalkeeper and a four yard tap-in by Chris Samba that goes wide, then it is a great shame that we haven't been clinical enough or have the fortune in our favour... In the end we have to be reasonably satisfied with the draw after coming from behind twice. But it is a shame that we weren't at our best today, as had we had been we could have won it."
So Blackburn finish 2009 with 21 points in 13th place - and with two cup games up next will have to wait 'till the second week for January for their next Premier league action. (28th December 2009)
First goal for Benni |
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BENNI McCARTHY
Benni McCarthy claimed his first Premier League goal of the season, as Rovers played their Boxing Day football at Wigan Athletic. The goal opened the scoring after half an hour in which Blackburn tested the home side and seemed to have the upper hand. Coming in to the match with no away wins in the past 12 league games, and only one goal from the past six matches, there seemed little hope of another! In what was to become a competitive second half, Wigan were determined to claim at least a point and took little time getting the equaliser when Hugo Rodallega headed home in the 53rd minute. From then on either side could have won this North West derby - Benni looking likely from an overhead kick, and Steven N'Zogbia's having his shot cleared off the line.
In the end Big Sam seemed disappointed only to get the point and told reporters " Considering our away form coming into this game we would not have been favourites but after 90 minutes we are bitterly disappointed. We've got off to a reasonably good start and not quite taken advantage. We've come out here and matched them in every department. We have to keep creating the chances and believing that if we do they will eventually win us football matches."
So instead of 11th place - Rovers had to settle for 12th and finish the 2009 away fixtures on 20 points, Monday see Sunderland at Ewood, who also played out a 1-1 draw at home to Everton. But they almost pulled of a win, with Everton not getting back on the score sheet 'till the 85th minute!
Beattie to return?? |
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JAMES BEATTIE
Sparky no longer the man for City |
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MARK HUGHES
Blackburn Rovers former manager Mark Hughes has lost his lucrative job as Manager of Manchester City. The club have announced that after spending around £200 million in 18 months and helping take the team to 6th in the Premier League - his time in charge is over. Roberto Mancini will be the new boss, with another former Rovers manager, Brian Kidd as his assistant. And a whole host of other former Rovers staff will also be leaving - Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Kevin Hitchcock and Glyn Hodges all loose their jobs. At Blackburn Sparky established his reputation as a successful manager, regularly challenged for European qualification and reaching
three FA Cup semi-finals. He played his last 90 minutes of top flight football in Cardiff when Blackburn won the League cup at the start of the decade,
Most reaction to the announcement sided with the Welshman - saying that the sacking had come much too soon - and that the owners had probably made their mind up some time ago. Brian Kidd's appointment will anger fans across the City where he was once assistant Manager to Sir Alex at Manchester United. Fans talking to the BBC were all unhappy with the news, and expressed their thanks to Hughes for his time at the Club. (19h December 2009)
Home run come to an end |
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SAM ALLARDYCE
Sam Allardyce told reporters:- "It's very disappointing to suffer two straight losses, and it's something I didn't expect us to get from our last two games, I must say. Unfortunately we have come up against a Peter Crouch in top form in front of goal and we haven't got anything out of a game that perhaps we deserved to. We have made a very, very good Tottenham side struggle. Their first goal was in the second minute of added time in the first half when there should only have been one additional minute, and we think it was a blatant foul by Crouch on the centre-half Ryan Nelsen too. We responded well, though, pushed them on to the back foot and we've had a chance at 1-0 - Benni McCarthy's - that 99 times out of 100 he would score. Credit to the keeper, he has spread himself and it's deflected onto the post, and in the end in the latter stages we've been caught on the break. "In the end, it's Crouch who has made the difference."
Boxing day sees a trip to Wigan, and then on Bank Holiday Monday it's Sunderland at Ewood. (19th December 2009)
No Joy at St. Andrews |
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RYAN NELSEN
Big Sam told reporters:- "We need to stick to basics because for their first goal three Birmingham players were unmarked. We had been comfortable, but that lifted them. Then we go 2-0 down after half-time and that was just suicidal. Our fightback was great and we nearly got something, but we are missing the chances we create and we shouldn't be 2-0 down before we start playing."
Rovers couldn't find another and come home pointless from St. Andrews. They'll face Spurs on Saturday at Ewood - and need to look for another home win if they want to hold on to 12th place going into Christmas.
Another clean sheet - a third 0-0 |
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'JUNIOR' HOILETT
Big Sam told reporters "I thought the chances we created were enough to have sneaked us a win if we had been more clinical in front of goal. When Niko Kalinic came on he had three good chances and unfortunately didn't convert any of them to get us the three points instead of one. But we are getting the defensive side right, which is very important. That is our fourth clean sheet in five games, which is very good." (12th December 2009)
A very well earned point |
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RYAN NELSEN
Blackburn Rovers 0 - 0 Liverpool
Rovers completed a week of home games with a hard fought 0-0 draw against one of the big boys - Liverpool. Having knocked top side Chelsea out of the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, only four changes were made in the team selected to play just three days later. Benni McCarthy and Franco Di Santo started up front as returning boss Sam Allardyce hoped to capitalise on the mid week adrenalin rush. But the first half offered little quality from wither side, and the near capacity crowd hoped for a more creative second period. And that's what they got - McCarthy just failed to score before being subbed for Nikola Kalinic. 'Junior' Hoilett also came off the bench to replace El Hadji Diouf, and Keith Andrews came on for Franco Di Santo. But it was the back four who stole the headlines - able to match anything that the Reds could throw at them. Chris Samba was superb and captain Ryan Nelsen picked up 'Man of the Match'. With 90 minutes already up Kalinic shot from just outside the box but just
misses out on stealing all three points.
Rafael Benitez told reporters: "I'm disappointed because we couldn't win but positive because we kept another clean sheet and we're playing better. Blackburn were physically strong and good in the air. They had the energy and had chances on the counter attack in the second half. They were dangerous."
Big Sam watched proceedings from the directors box - but was never out of touch with the bench below .. He told Radio Rovers
"I'm glad to say there is a slight disappointment in the dressing room that we've drawn. Unfortunately for us it is our fault and we haven't taken the chances that came our way. "At the death Niko should have won it for us, but he put it wide as he got fouled. It wouldn't have mattered if it was a foul or a sending off, a booking or a free-kick to us, if he had just rolled the ball into the back of the net ...We are looking ever better as a team and as a unit, so to get a result against one of the big four is always a great boost, and on the top of getting into the semi-final of the Carling Cup even better.... I'm pleased with the clean sheet, I'm pleased with the point, but it should have been all three!"
The point sees Rovers move up to 12th with 18 points - and the added value that at last they are above Burnley who lost at Portsmouth earlier in the day! And for those who love to collect statistics ... a remarkable run of just two home defeats in the 25 games played at Ewood Park since Big Sam took charge.
Now there's a full week for recovery before the trip to the KC stadium in Hull next Saturday (5h December 2009)
A Night to remember at Ewood |
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PAUL ROBINSON
... Rovers win 4-3 on pens
What a night ... Blackburn knock the mighty Blues out of the Carling cup after 120 minutes of football and a penalty shoot out! And it all started so well - Nikola Kalinic put Rovers ahead with just under 9 minutes on the clock. An attacking Rovers had the youngster, Benni and Jason Roberts all pushing forwards - and Chelsea seemed surprised by the formation. 1-0 at the interval and they needed to change tactics - so Ancelotti made a triple substitution at half-time and when Kalou limped off it left the visitors with 10 men for half of the half. The subs made an instant impact with Didier Drogba making it 1-1 and then Salomon Kalou added a second 4 minutes later. Things didn't look good but far from being beaten Rovers seemed to get their second wind and Brett Emerton brought it back to 2-2. And that's how the 90 minutes ended. Two minutes after the3 restart Benedict McCarthy scored from the spot and Rovers were ahead again ... they maintained their lead right until the 120th minute when with injury time already being played Paulo Ferreira made it 3-3 and penalties would be needed.
The atmosphere was electric - the 18 thousand plus fans would have to ride the final roller coaster. Benni scored the first spot kick, Robinson saved Michael Ballack's effort ... then Emerton gave Rovers the lead Drogba put his away .. Grella made it 3-1, Malouda for 3-2. Nikola Kalinic failed to score and it was all square when Yuri Zhirkov made it 3-3. Junior Hoilett restored Rovers advantage before Paul Robinson became 'Man of the Match' Kakuta saved and Chelsea go out losing 4-3!!
Neil McDonald had hoped to bring Sam some joy - but how good a game of such high emotion was for the boss's recovery is debatable!
"I thought we really deserved the victory," McDonald told Radio Rovers after the game. "We took the lead and played really well, but then they put their big gun on, which we had talked about, and he scores straight away. But I thought we fully deserved to go through and it is a fantastic result for everybody."
The draw had already been made for the semi finals and it looks like Rovers will meet Aston Villa 3 times in two weeks ... firstly in the FA Cup , then home and away in the Caling Cup. The matches are schedules for weeks commencing 4th and 18th of January.
The FA Cup - Round 3 |
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The third round draw for this season's FA cup was made this afternoon - plenty of chances to get a home tie with lower league opposition ... Blackpool, PNE and Accrington Stanley are all in there. But when at last ball 5 came out ... it followed the name of Aston Villa - one of only three all Prem ties to start the new year at the begriming of January. Burnley get a trip away to former Rovers Manage Paul Ince's MK Dons ... Oh well - Chelsea on Wednesday in the League Cup eh! (29th November 2009)
Honours Even at Ewood |
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DAVID DUNN
Hopes were high that Rovers could keep up their excellent home record with the visit of Stoke City to Ewood Park. Three weeks after THE game of two halves against Portsmouth Neil McDonald took charge again as Big Sam returned home from hospital for a few days of R&R. You suspect that his recovery wasn't helped much by a first half which saw the visitors create most of the chances - despite an early effort from Franco Di Santo. Blackburn lost the services of David Dunn on the half hour - with a suspect calf strain - Jason Roberts stepped in to try and create something up front. Paul Robinson was kept busy in the Rovers goal, and after the break the home team certainly found some more form and started to challenge a resilient Stoke defense. Ryan Nelsen and Brett Emerton came close - Chris Samba had the last chance of the match - but the ball stubbornly refused to get past the City keeper. So honours even, and a point a piece which keeps Rovers in 12th place.
The assistant coach seemed to think it was a fair result - telling reporters:- "The boys kept on going, and were trying to win the game right up to the last minute which was good. We've said we want to make people come here and work for the points and Stoke have definitely done that. For us, it's definitely a point gained against a side who are very hard to beat."
Next up it's Carling Cup action on Wednesday night with Chelsea the visitors, then Liverpool next Saturday in the league when Big Sam hopes to be back in charge. (28th November 2009)
Big Sam - doing well |
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BIG SAM
Sam says:-"I would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of goodwill and the entire cardiology team."
He'll miss Rovers next few home games - Stoke City on Saturday and Chelsea in the cup on Wednesday - but hopes to be back in charge next weekend for the visit to Ewood Park on Liverpool. (27th November 2009)
| Bad night out in the Capitol |
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Rovers had hoped to build on the great win at Bolton with a further three points against Fulham - but despite early signs and a first half that the visitors seem to dominate - they failed to score and ended up conceding three at Craven Cottage. De Santo looked likely to open his account in the first few minutes - but it wasn't to be. Blackburn passed the ball well, and retained much of the possession - until the 43 minute, when Erik Nevland found the back of Paul Robinson's net. Within minutes the team were back in the dressing room - and Assistant Coach Neil McDonald must have hoped for continued pressure after the break - instead it was now Fulham who were in charge and with 66 minutes on the clock Clinton Dempsey made it 2-0. Rovers had just made changes with Benni McCarthy on for Jason Roberts, and Nikola Kalinic replacing Franco Di Santo. There was little more created by Blackburn in front of goal - and with minutes to go the Londoners completed a fine evening for the home fans when Clinton Dempsey grabbed a late goal.
Blackburn had had plenty of the ball - but created few true chances. McDonald told reporters:- "You can dominate as much as you like, and we deadened the crowd as well, but the goal lifts everybody. If you don't put the ball in the back of the net you can make one mistake and then leave yourself with a mountain to climb. I spoke to Sam this morning and he will be disappointed because we lost. I will tell him there was a chance to take something from the game."
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