VILLA SIGN WARNOCK ... ROVERS SIGN CHIMBONDA
One out and another one in
As expected earlier this week - Blackburn Rovers have parted company with popular player Stephen Warnock, who's signed a four year deal at Aston Villa. His new team paraded him last night ahead of their game and departure from the Uefa Europa League. Warnock told the Villa website "The main aim is pushing for that top four spot in the Premier League." Warnock came to Rovers from Liverpool when it was thought Lucas Neill would go the other way. In the end Neill left for West Ham, and Stephen became a fans favourite. He was on the bench for Blackburn's 3-1 win at Gillingham on Tuesday night. Last term he was awarded 'Player of the Season' - and he'll undoubtedly be missed.
Pascal Chimbonda is Sam's latest addition to the Blackburn squad - with injury worries and Warnock's departure, Pascal could be very useful. He plays at centre-back or left-back but often right-back, so anywhere in defense really! At 30, he's moved about a bit recently - and this is his third move in the past year. He's thought to have cost Rovers around £2 million and comes on a two year deal. Sam is quoted by the BBC as saying "We've got an experienced player who is desperate to play football again, having missed it at Spurs. The experience of the player, the adaptability of the player in a number of positions and his past record means we will have a good player on our hands and will not miss Warnock too much. We all know his favourite position is right-back. We are well covered there, but he can play centre-back and left-back." So that should see the Frenchman have an instant roll - and is eligible to play at Ewood on Saturday against West Ham. (28th August 2009)
bbc.co.uk (Warnmock) AND bbc.co.uk (Chimbonda)

STILL NO POINTS FOR ROVERS
Sunderland 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
It started so well for Rovers - all the early pressure and Jason Roberts had the ball in the net only to have it ruled out for off side. Starting with Franco di Santo up front with Roberts, he was to be replaced after just 13 minutes with an injury. That gave new boy Nicola Kalinic the chance to make his Blackburn debut. But the honour of Rovers first goal of the season went to Gael Givet who found the back of the net after just 20 minutes. After that all the stats continued to be in favour of the visitors. Blackburn playing some good football and likely to add to their lead. But then after half an hour Kenwyne Jones put one past Robinson from inside the box to make it 1-1 at the break. More problems for Rovers at the restart with Ryan Nelsen replaced by Martin Olsson and just seven minutes in to the half Kenwyne Jones headed home to claimed his second. But again Blackburn appeared to have scored but another one was ruled out for off side. The commentary teams seem to agree that there was little wrong with either of their disallowed strikes. Rovers final sub saw El Hadji Diouf replaced by Benni McCarthy to help try and find an allowed goal! From a free kick McCarthy and Kalinic both looked set to score - but somehow the ball stayed out - again! McCarthy has another chance, but Marton Fulop made another save. Deep into injury time Nicol Kalinic placed his shot wide and failed to be Rovers hero.
Sam Allardyce told BBC Sport:- "I'm really quite sick as our performances are not achieving the results we perhaps deserve. We have to be more ruthless in front of goal and have to concentrate for 90 minutes, particularly defensively. We feel a bit hard done by on the goals disallowed, certainly the first one. If that's an infringement, then there would be 20 free-kicks and penalties given in every game."
A game they should have won easily, finished with a 2-1 defeat. Gillingham next in the League cup and then West Ham at Ewood next Saturday (22nd August 2009)
bbc.co.uk (report & reaction) ALSO rovers.co.uk (full report) PLUS goals910 AND t&t910

ANOTHER DEPARTURE??
Stephen Warnock Villa move?
Reports this morning suggest that Stephen Warnock could be the latest player to say goodbye to Ewood Park in the summer transfer window. vitalfootall.com say that Villa's latest bid for the defender might have met Rovers expectations. They say "There are reports eminating that suggest that Aston Villa have made another bid for Stephen Warnock and he has been withdrawn from the matchday squad to face Sunderland." The website also say the figure of £8 million could be involved in the move. Last week ahead of the new season Warnock talked about his ambition to be in the England squad next summer, and perhaps he needs a bigger shop window to make that happen. This afternoon, Rovers look for their first points of the season having missed out on their mid week game at Fulham as they had a European match. With the 2 goal deficit from the opening day, Big Sam will be keen to get something in the North East. There's full commentary via the ROVERS PLAYER - a rovers.co.uk subscription service. (22nd August 2009)
vitalfootball.com (Warnock) AND rovers.co.uk (Rovers Player)
rovers.co.uk (comment from Sam Allardyce)

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