Unbelievable result at Carrow Road!!

With eight minutes to go - Rovers were coasting to a well earned 3-1 win over the Canaries. They scrambled two very late goals to make the long journey back to Lancashire seem a whole lot further. Thing were going well for Rovers on the back of their Carling Cup win on Wednesday. They took the lead in Norwich after long periods controlling the game. The opener deep into first half injury time when 'Junior' Hoilett fired home a wonderful strike from well outside the area. It was the last action of the half and couldn't have come at a better time. But it only took eight minutes of the second half for the home side to pull things back square. Another great strike, this time for Steve Morison and all to play for. But Blackburn were working well as a unit, and less than ten minutes later Mauro Formica set up Yakubu to give Rovers the lead once again. And just two minutes after that Morten Gamst Pedersen fired in for Chris Samba to head home and make it 3-1. Now it looked like an invaluable away win - and things certainly seemed to be going Rovers way. But with eight minutes of normal time left to play Bradley Johnson's shot took a wicked deflection to give Norwich a chance at 3-2. Surely the anguish of another injury time strike couldn't ruin Rovers day? Yes it could. with 93'00 minutes on the clock the ball hit Steven Nzonzi's arm as he appealed for a free kick. Amazingly the referee awarded a spot kick and Grant Holt rescued a point for the hosts. Instead of a win Blackburn were shocked into a draw that they never deserved.
Steve Kean told reporters after the game: "I feel as though three points have been grasped away from us. I asked the referee about the penalty and he told me that Steven had handled the ball. But I've seen it 10 times now and he only had his arms up because he was appealing for a free-kick. If the referee sees it again then I'm sure he will admit he was wrong to award it. We've just got to keep going. It's tough but we've got to move on." The point moved Rovers up to 18th - but next up it's Chelsea at Ewood Park - never easy - but they lost 5-3 to Arsenal this afternoon - and Blackburn beat them 4-3! "Funny old game" (29th October 2011)

Rovers away - but it's at Cardiff City

Young star to stay 'till 2016 - or beyond!

Blackburn Rovers have announced that 19 year old Jason Lowe has signed a new deal that could keep him at Ewood for a further five years. Jason who comes from Leigh, first came to Blackburn 8 years ago - but has really shown his skills at first team level over the past few weeks. He's played in midfield and at right back, getting compliments and plaudits for his ability. He also recently made his England under 21 debut and couldn't be happier with how his career is developing.
Jason told the clubs official website: "It is something I've been working towards and I'm just glad I've signed it off and delighted to be here long term and can now concentrate on my football here. I've been here a long time, delighted to have signed a contract and now I just want to work as hard as I can. I arrived here as an under 11 so it has been a long time and hopefully there'll be more yet, so I'm looking forward to it." (27th October 2011)

LINKS : rovers.co.uk (full story)

Rovers took the not so pretty route to the quarter finals of this years Carling Cup - coasting through at 90 minutes - then facing extra time to claim their spot. Steve Kean made five changes to the side who faced Spurs on Sunday, and it looked to be going really well when Rubin Rochina continued his excellent cup form giving his side the lead in less than 5 minutes. Newcastle felt they deserved a penalty just after the break, and then it was Rovers who got the spot kick when the Toon keeper seemed to bring down Rochina and Yakubu made it 2-0. There were a number of other questionable decisions, but Rovers looked certain to ease through still with a clean sheet when the extra time board went up. Five minutes were added, and it took three of them for Danny Guthrie to pull it back to 2-1 and then as the clock ticked on to 96 minutes Yohan Cabaye forced extra time with an amazing long distance free kick. So all square and two more periods of play needed - plus the possibility of penalties! Nine minutes into the first period Morten Gamst Pedersen trumped Guthries free kick withy a strike from 35 yards. His shot took a deflection - then beat the keeper to make it 3-2. Amazingly two minutes after that period should have ended Newcastle were awarded a spot kick and this time Peter Lovenkrands put it away. 3-3 and one last period to play, It was end to end and penalties looked likely when with just seconds left Morten took another free kick, which Chris Samba nodded on and 'man of the match' Gael Givet headed home the winner! An extraordinary 120 minutes of cup football enjoyed by almost as many of the Toon Army as Rovers fans. Both sets applauded an amazing evening and Rovers ended the Magpies unbeaten start to the season and are in the draw for the quarters on Saturday.
Steve Kean told reporters: "Gael Givet encapsulates the whole spirit we have got here - he had a hamstring nick but would not come off. He's a warrior, he has put his head where other people wouldn't put their feet. He was fantastic. It's tough mentally when they scored so late to go and score again but we did it. We are always going to score goals but we have been working day in, day out defensively so that when we lose possession we get a good shape."
Now it's back to the Premier League on Saturday with the long trip to Norwich City where a win is desperately needed. (26th October 2011)
EXTRA : As a result of the reserved date for the next round - Rovers scheduled away game at Stoke will now be played on Saturday 26th November at 12:45 instead of Monday Night Football on SKY. (27th October 2011)

LINKS: bbc.co.uk (full report) ALSO rovers.co.uk (reaction) PLUS goals1112 AND carling1112

If a consistent battling performance was what was wanted, then the latest defeat at Ewood Park certainly shouldn't have been one. Blackburn dominated play for most of the match, and showed determination supported by an enthusiastic crowd. So it was a disappointment when Rafael van der Vaat managed to beat Paul Robinson for the opener on the quarter hour mark. But it didn't take too long for Rovers to pull things back to 1-1, Mauro Formica beating former Rover Brad Friedel in the 27th minute. Blackburn continued to create chances and that included after the break, but it was van der Vaat who claimed the next goal with a great shot that found the bottom left of the Blackburn goal. Still Rovers kept pushing forward and when Yakubu and David Goodwillie came off the bench they looked even more likely to score at least one more goal. If not one, then all the points should have been delivered. But it ended 1-2, and Rovers returned from 2nd bottom to 20th place with just the one win this season.
A frustrated Steve Kean told reporters: "Not to even get a draw is tough. We gave it one almighty go, we're going to play worse than that and win. We had them rocking a bit and continued to keep the pressure on but if we keep playing like that we'll climb the table. I'm sure the fans will see that. Each supporter is allowed an opinion and I respect that but they were fully behind the team. I've got broad enough shoulders and I'll protect my players, we'll organise, get back out there again and win games."
A group of a few hundred fans marched before the match and stayed behind afterwards asking for the Manager to be sacked. The players certainly showed their support for him, and will try and bring the same fight to the Carling Cup match at Ewood on Wednesday night against Newcastle. (23rd October 2011)

Martin Olsson almost made it three points - Chris Samba scored his first of the season - but Rovers dropped to 20th in the table with a useful draw in London. Blackburn last played at Loftus Road ten years ago, and in the top flight back in 1996 - but the Capitol is rarely a happy hunting ground for Rovers, and they must have feared the worse when just Heidar Helguson connected with a corner to score a very cheeky opener. But Blackburn didn't waste too much time returning the compliment when Chris Samba played the same trick less than ten minutes later. Jason Lowe took the corner, and Samba had little trouble heading home into the top left of the home goal . That lifted spirits and the first half continued to offer some entertaining stuff. The second half was another story , described by one commentator as 'dull'. Neither side seemed to get far away from the center of the pitch, and there were few chances at either end. Michelle Selgado almost gave away a penalty, but the referee said no. WIth just a few minutes of added time signaled, Martin Olsson almost stole all the points, but his shot was cleared by the keeper, then the final action saw and inswinging corner taken by Jason Lowe, trying to repeat his first half success, but this time Christopher Samba's shot was saved by Patrick Kenny.
Blackburn boss Steve Kean told reporters:"I am happy enough with a point in one respect but I think they scored against the run of play. I was disappointed but we got back into the match straight away and, on balance overall, the stats on the game are pretty equal. The point gets the momentum moving again, which is important."
Sadly with Bolton getting a win at Wigan, they leapfrogged Blackburn to move out of the bottom three and Rovers dropped to the bottom on goal difference, with Wigan and West Brom level on points - the latter having a game in hand. It's more from London next weekend when Spurs come to Ewood on Sunday after a midweek Europa League tie. And then of course it's Newcastle in the Carling cup just a few days later. (15th October 2011)

LINKS: bbc.co.uk (full report) ALSO rovers.co.uk (reaction) PLUS goals1112 AND t&t1112

New man arrives to assist Kean

Blackburn Rovers have appointed a new assistant manager - to replace John Jensen who left a few weeks ago. Steve Kean has worked with Clement before when the two were together at Fulham. The new man is 39 and has spent two spells at Chelsea, most recently as assistant first team coach under Carlo Ancelotti. He's quoted in the Lancashire Telegraph of his delight in moving to Rovers: "I'm excited to be here at a big club like Blackburn Rovers and am really looking forward to the challenge. ... It's great to be linking up with Steve again, having worked with him previously at Fulham, and I can't wait to get started."
First trip tomorrow will see Paul head back to London as Blackburn pick up their Premier League season at Loftus Road to face QPR - who they last played in the top flight back in 1996. That was just after Rovers had won the title! (14th October 2011)

LINKS: lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

Rovers well beaten by four from City

If Arsenal was going to be tough - Manchester City was always going to be MUCH tougher! But Rovers managed to pull of a remarkable win over the Londoners, and couldn't repeat the trick in this North West derby. And it was also going well 'till half time - even some scoring chances on the break for Blackburn and 0-0 when the interval arrived. On the hottest October day for a generation or more - City turned up the heat and ten minutes into the second period Rovers defence were beaten when Adam Johnson opened the scoring. The home side had hardly had time to recover before Balotelli added a second - and any chance of salvaging even a point looked a distant dream. Simir Nasri came off the bench to make it three and with less then five minutes left Stefan Savic (also a sub) put the fourth past Paul Robinson. The 8,000 visiting fans went wild, and a few hundred Blackburn fans prepared for a sit in protest on the final whistle. There were a couple of late chances for Rovers - but in the end they were well beaten, and the pressure continued to mount on the beleaguered manager. Steve Kean later told reporters he was no quitter and was 100% committed to the cause. "If the fans want to vent their frustration I'd rather they vent it at me than the team" he said. "I told the lads I will battle on for my players. Even the ones I didn't bring to the club I consider my players. I'll take the criticism on my shoulders and take it away from them."
The International break will see Kean travel with much of the squad to India where owners Venky's have laid on some special games and much publicity for one of only four teams to have ever lifted the Premier League title. It will be in two weeks time when they have a chance to collect more invaluable point as they visit Loftus Road in West London to play newly promoted QPR. Blackburn are already looking for a new assistant manager after the departure of John Jensen, and there have been rumours that a 'Director of Football' might also be brought in. Whatever happens, some wins and soon, will probably be the only thing to silence the critics (1st October 2011)