The biggest crowd of the season were at Ewood Park for an entertaining battle of the roses against a Leeds United who Rovers last beat in the league at Ewood in 2002! David Dunn came close again, but the Leeds keeper was on top form as other chances failed to penetrate. But with first half injury time almost completed, Rovers were awarded a corner and from the cross Tommy Spurr slotted home from the center of the box. He scored his first goal for Rovers at Wigan in October, and this was his first in front of a home crowd. The second half saw more chances for Blackburn, but little to worry Jake Kean, but when tested by Danny Pugh the young keeper made an "outstanding save" according to his manager.
Talking to RADIO ROVERS post match, Gary Bowyer said: "The reason that we have won the match is because of the goalkeeper. He's had a bit of stick off the supporters, but he's a young lad and people have to understand that it doesn't help us one little bit. He was strong and he pulled off a great save, the lad is through and you think it is a goal, but full credit to him he stood tall and got his size 12 to it. It played a massive part in us winning the game. It is very easy to get after somebody when they make mistake, we make sure that we stick together and we get round each other, that is important. I'm only talking about the minority but before the game I was made aware that somebody has had a pop at him." And the boss was full of praise for Tommy Spurr: "He's been a fantastic signing for a free transfer. You know exactly what you're going to get and fans love him because of that. His performances have been very, very consistent for us and we're delighted for him. We've encouraged him to score more goals and he always gives us a good celebration when he does! We showed some unbelievable character. We matched what Leeds threw at us but still had bravery to play our game and that was important and we played some good stuff today."
It's now beer well over 6 hours since Rovers conceded their last goal at Ewood - and the win secured 13th place - just 4 points outside the play off places. (30th November 2013)

Loan striker come in with option to buy

Rovers have signed Cardiff City striker Rudy Gestede on loan 'till January with the option of making the move permanent in January. He needs International clearance and also carried a minor injury - so wasn't available for Rovers tie with Leeds United on Saturday. He told the clubs official website: "I'm very happy to join Blackburn. It's a massive club with a great history. Of course we [Cardiff] played against them last season, so I know it's a good club with a good atmosphere. The fans are amazing, like they are at Cardiff, and maybe that's why I chose this club." is 25 and a tall 6'4" (1.93m).

(30th November 2013)

Rovers share the points

For the first of two back-to-back home games after the International break, Rovers hoped for a fit Jordan Rhodes, and the striker was indeed fit to return to action . And with David Dunn also fit - the bench included Rubin Rochina for the first time since the start of the season. It was a game that saw most of the best chances for Rovers in the first half, and in total the home side managed 6 on target to a meager 1 for the Royals! But even with Rochina coming on for the final ten minutes, it tuned into a frustrating afternoon where in the end a useful point might well have been a fair result. Gary Bowyer told radio rovers POST MATCH: " I thought we dominated the first half and some of the football we played was excellent. Again we made the opposition change their formation, Reading changed to 4-3-3 to get in the game because of the dominance that we had. But again we are talking about the fact that we've had enough chances to win the game but we haven't, so that is the disappointment. Full credit to our lot in a sense that you see those games where they go down the other end and score and nick it 1-0, so I'm delighted with the clean sheet, but we just lack that composure in the final third. There are lots of positives to take from the game, but there's frustration that we've not won the game."
So it's back at Ewood next Saturday for Leeds United who moved up to 6th with their win at home to Middlesbrough. Rovers a 6 points behind them (23rd November 2013)

No joy at the sea-side

The day in Brighton belonged to the Albion keeper who seemed to have an answer to all Rovers had to offer. Creating plenty of chances - many on target just wasn't enough and Blackburn suffered a rare 3-0 defeat when at least a draw seemed the more likely result. Ashley Barnes scored first and last - initially from the spot when 3 minutes after coming on Dickson Etuhu gave away a penalty just past the half hour mark. Their second came ten minutes after the break when Jake Forster-Caskey headed home, Barnes made it three with a close range shot with fifteen minutes to go. Blackburn Manager Gary Bowyer shared his disappointment with the media saying:- "We are very disappointed to leave without anything, but we found their keeper inspired. He was the man of the match. Unfortunately, we gave three goals away and must cut out individual errors. They are very costly at this level.Had Jordan [Rhodes] scored just before half time it might have been a different game."
The result saw Rovers fall to 13th, and there's now an international break before two home games seeing Reading and Leeds at Ewood Park. (9th November 2013)

Great goal - great strike - great win!

Just a week after signing a new deal that could keep Jason Lowe at Ewood Park 'till 2017 - he scored the goal that secured all the points for his team. Up until then the man of the match might well have been the Middlesbrough keeper, who was having a great day keeping out anything Rovers sent his way. Jordan Rhodes had looked certain to score before the break, as did Josh King. Meanwhile at the other end Jake Kean played his part with some impressive saves to thwart the visitors chances. When it came the goal was well deserved, with some help from King, Jason Lowe';s shot came from outside the box and lodged in the top left hand corner. The crowd went wild, and all his teammates celebrated his first for the club. A delighted Gary Bowyer told reporters: "I thought their goalkeeper made an outstanding save from Jordan Rhodes in the first half and we had a couple of half chances in the first half, and we had a great shout for a penalty in the second half. It was a tough game though, there wasn't much in it, that's for sure. We know what we're trying to do and how hard everybody is working. We just go game by game and treat each game with the respect that it deserves." And the manager told RADIO ROVERS: "We had ten missing, Tommy Spurr limps off, then Killa limps off so the sprit and the character of the squad shone through today. The lads that came on were also magnificent. Chris Taylor, Josh Morris, it was a big massive squad effort. It was a tough game, they came buoyed with their victory last week, but I can't praise our lot enough, they were magnificent with their work rate, they stuck at it and we won it 1-0, it was about time we won one of them. We need more of them and we are delighted with that."
The result lifted Rovers up to 9th place - now on 19 points and that's just 4 outside a playoff place (2nd November 2013)