Almost a decade ago Blackburn Rovers returned from the Welsh Capitol triumphant after winning the then Worthington Cup. This trip had no happy ending and as November comes to a close they lost again - and this time also bowed out of the competition. The big prize of a semi-final was awarded to the Bluebirds' on an emotional night after applause and silence honoured the sad passing of Gary Speed - the Nation's football manager. Steve Kean made five changes, with Mark Bunn in goal and a rare start for Nick Blackman. The visitors certainly had chances - and dominated the first quarter of an hour of the game, but when Rovers gave the ball away it left Kenny Miller with just two to beat to open the scoring in the 19th minute. David Dunn was captain for the night, and provided some good balls for the front men, but the half ended with Cardiff City 1-0 up. A bright second half for Rovers didn't last long .. less than five minutes in Anthony Gerrard doubled City's advantage, and effectively extinguished Blackburn 's hopes of making the semi-finals. Steve Kean left it late to make attacking substitutions , brining on Yakubu and Roberts for Goodwillie and Blackman - but despite some good chances they pair were unable to dint the Cardiff defense. The home side had been on a good run of form, and they now take that forward into 2012 with their first set of semi's for over half a century. For Blackburn it's more Welsh opposition on Saturday with Swansea at Ewood Park - and it really is a MUST win game. (29th November 2011)

Another must win game - and another big disappointment as Rovers shipped three more goals for the third time in a row away from Ewood Park. The trip to Wigan last week and Stoke today were supposed to be games that Blackburn could win and relieve some of the pressure on the Manager. But last week an injury time penalty salvaged a point, and at The Britannia a late consolation goal did little to help Rovers plight. Now rooted at the bottom of the table - two points behind Wigan and Bolton. A win next Saturday at home to Swansea, would do little to help the situation. Rory Delap opened the scoring for the Potters just ahead of the half hour, Glenn Whelan made it two just short of the hour, and Peter Crouch guaranteed a home win on 71 minutes just after former Rover Jonathan Walters shot to the left of Paul Robinson's goal. To their credit Rovers had 12 shots on target, to Stokes 5, and with just five minutes left to play Ruben Rochina scored a cracking consolation goal from outside the area. It's still just one win this season in the league, and the traveling fans showed their frustration with continued calls for a change on Manager. He told reporters: "The miss from Mauro Formica at the start of the second half was crucial. If that goes in it changes things completely. But I don't think we played that badly today. What we've got to do now is work on the training ground at shutting the door at the back - and the good news is that we have senior players like Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba to return and strengthen us in defense. There are some good things happening here but at the moment our play is not getting the rewards it deserves."
And before they try again in the league, it's the League Cup next Tuesday night in Cardiff - with the reward of a place on the semi-finals . More protests are expected at Ewood when Rovers return home fro the first time in a month next Saturday. Some festive cheer would be very welcome, perhaps in the cup and then at home to Swansea. (26th November 2011)

Yakubu scored in the first and last minute of an amazing encounter at Wigan, as Rovers fought back to claim an essential point in a 'can't loose' game. Things got off to a great start for Rovers with the striker on the score sheet on the minute mark before many fans were even in their seats. But the excitement was quickly quashed when Jordi Gomez gave the home side an equaliser five minutes later. Rovers guilty of some poor defending. Morten Gamst Pedersen hit the upright with a brilliant 30 yard shot and then should have claimed another, but it was Wigan who headed in the next through Gary Caldwell. So 2-1 at the break and after a flurry of first half booking Steve Kean told his players to be careful when they went back out. So a second yellow just two minutes in for David Dunn was NOT what was ordered. Down to ten men, and behind with virtually the whole half still to play. But as is often the case the smaller Rovers team seemed more determined and a more united outfit. As the hour mark arrived 'Junior Hoilett headed in to make it 2-2. However the goal came from an extraordinary corner with Yakubu NOT touching the ball and Pedersen appearing to pass to himself (I can't explain it! ) The goal should not have stood - but none of the Latics players or the referee seemed to see a problem! With just 3 minutes of normal time left Albert Crusat looked to have secured all the points for Wigan - but Blackburn were more than prepared to battle on. Following a number of second half injury breaks in play and subs another six minutes was added - and with almost every second gone Paul Robinson came up for a corner taken by The Gamts. Robinson got a kick in the head for his troubles and Rovers were awarded a penalty! The early hero Yakubu placed the ball on the spot and fired home to claim a well deserved point. An amazing afternoon at the DW stadium, and one you feel David Wheelan would find particularly hard to watch. Blackburn Manager Steve Kean praised his teams determination - particularly playing with ten men. "It tells you everything about the spirit at this club that we twice came from behind to earn a point. The lads just don't stop. They just keep working. There were some outstanding performances. We're owed some luck because we've had some bad decisions go against us. We're all fighting hard to climb out of the bottom three."
The point left Rovers second bottom - but no worse off with both Bolton and Wolves beaten. Stoke City lost at the Britania - Rovers next visit live on TV next Saturday.(19th November 2011)

Another frustrating afternoon for Rovers

And early chance for Yakubu then one for Grant Hanley before Gael Givet hit the bar showed Rovers intent - but another game saw no reward for effort as Blackburn slipped to another home defeat. The first half lasted almost 55 minutes, after the Chelsea keeper was injured as the Yak placed his just wide of the left had post, The interruption saw a 7 minute break in play, and Petre Cech didn't look at his best when play restarted . Yakubu should have scored, and the rest of the half saw few chances for either side . Blackburn would have been happy enough going into the break with a clean sheet, but it was only five minutes after the restart before Frank Lampard headed home the only goal in the game. The first half also saw the loss of influential captain Chris Samba who'll now be out for several weeks with a hamstring injury. He almost made it to the break - but was subbed during injury time with Grant Hanley brought on as his replacement. Rovers have now gone 14 games without clean sheets in the league, but despite going behind a Morten Gamst Pedersen free kick could have salvaged a point when Cech spilled the ball and Hanley had a chance from the rebound. As the clock ran down Gael Givet was only denied by the cross bar.
The 'Kean Out' campaign hired an aircraft to fly their banner over Ewood for around fifteen minutes - and some fans also stayed behind after the game to show their concerns and wishes to have the Manager replaced. But Kean showed little sign of concern when he talked to the press after the game. "We're not far from going on a really good run. We created a lot of good chances and but had a lot of bad luck. For vast spells in the game we played very well and we're very disappointed not to get anything. Yak maybe should have done slightly better, but I can't fault him because he's getting into goalscoring positions. We're convinced with the run of games coming up that we will put lots of points on the board."
And that's where the big test comes. After the International break it's away to Wigan and Stoke before the next home game on December 3rd to Swansea. Points are certainly needed, and the prize might be some pressure off the beleaguered Manager. Perhaps not a 5th November to remember! (5th November 2011)