Blackburn Rovers away match day thread

[Jerseybean]

Good day fellow-Reds wherever you reside.

A simple little teaser to start with - there are three English league teams with a colour in their name and one team that sounds like it has a colour in its name - who are the four teams? Answer at the end of this post.

More than 400 tickets have been sold so far to traveling fans and tickets are available today and can be purchased from the away end ticket office which opens at 1pm.

Blackburn Rovers fans have experienced the proverbial highs and lows that all football fans know about. However, this is a club that can teach all of us the true definition of high and low that surpasses most, certainly in the recent era. This period in their history can probably be encapsulated within the era that began with the Walker family take over of 1990, a Division 2 promotion in 1992 and first Premier League Title in 1994, both under Kenny Dalglish, to the sacking of Sam Allardyce days after an Indian Chicken Farmer bought the club in November 2010.

Sam Allardyce, remember, had taken Blackburn to a very respectable, perhaps remarkable, 10th placed finish in his first season with the club and a semi-final in the League Cup in season 2009/10. Two months into the 2010/11 season and he found himself sacked. It cannot be overstated how naive and ridiculous a decision it was for the Venky's to sack a proven winner and then replace him with the inept and inexperienced Steve Kean. It set in train their inexorable fall down the football pyramid with many more stupid decisions to follow this first catalyst.  This article outlines the often bizarre Venky’s tenure: https://www.sporf.com/blackburn-and-venkys-a-bizarre-tale-of-football-ownership/

Blackburn's recent revival can be attributed to two men: Tony Mowbray and club chief executive Steve Waggott, who have worked in tandem since 2017 to put the club back on an even footing. Venky's remain in charge, but Waggott is left to run the club and report back to the owners when required.

Having worked together at Coventry City - a club with a nomadic existence and longstanding issues over ownership - Mowbray and Waggott had previously combined to bring stability to another club that had lost touch with a Premier League past. They relished a similar challenge at Blackburn.

Waggott has said "When I spoke to the owners, I told them that it would be a bumpy ride for a while and that I would be throwing the gears around until we got everything into neutral again. But the end goal was to deliver stability and sustainability. Anyone can fly a plane with the right training, but when it hits turbulence, you need somebody with experience, who knows what they are doing, to land it, and that's what Tony and I have brought to the club."

They have worked to move on the club's older players and turn to youth. Blackburn also use the loan system to their advantage, with five of Mowbray's promotion-chasing squad having arrived on temporary deals from Premier League clubs or top-flight teams around Europe this season.

Despite a dozen summer departures, including striker Adam Armstrong, who joined Southampton for a reported fee worth up to £15 million, precious little spent on reinforcements, a club record home defeat and calls for the manager's head, Blackburn are having a good season. They are currently sitting in fourth place with 58 points from 36 games.  On Tuesday evening they were held to a goalless draw at home to Millwall. Following five games without a goal last month, Mowbray's side failed to find the net once again, with Joe Rankin-Costello and John Buckley guilty of missing glorious chances in the opening 45 minutes. Mowbray said: "We missed three amazing opportunities to score a goal. We dominated all of the areas against a team that has one five on the bounce and restricted them to nothing really. We have to be more ruthless when the chances come, we are left very frustrated but on another day, it could have been three or four nil.”

Their season began with genuine and realistic fears of where the goals would come from. But it's been a team effort, with some members of the squad coming of age with the added responsibility and experience of regular football. Ben Brereton Diaz has scored 20 league goals and the Chilean forward has been looking every inch a top international footballer. However, he damaged his ankle ligaments last month and no timescale has been placed on his return and recently Tony Mowbray said that Brereton Diaz is not expected to feature for the club until after the international break.

With just one win in their last eight games in all competitions, Mowbray will want to see his side start to pick up form as they look to secure a play-off place come the end of the season. With 20 goals in 30 Sky Bet Championship games this season it's clear to see that Rovers have struggled in recent games without the injured Ben Brereton Diaz leading the line. 

Our last away clean sheet was at Blackburn last season. At our place earlier this season it finished 1-1 when a Brereton Dìaz's second half strike cancelled out Callum O'Dowda's opener. Highlights: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/highlights-bristol-city-1-1-blackburn-rovers/

We’ve played them 49 times and won 20, drawn 13 and lost 16.

Tony Mowbray played for Middlesbrough, Celtic and Ipswich Town before entering management. His management career includes stints at Celtic, West Brom, Hibs, Ipswich, Boro and Coventry.

Bradley Dack may return on the bench today following a prolonged absence due to ACL damage. Klose is available for us while Kalas is a doubt.

The referee today is Gavin Ward.

Pubs

• The Fernhurst, 466 Bolton Road, Blackburn, BB2 4JP. https://www.hungryhorse.co.uk/pubs/lancashire/fernhurst/?utm_source=g_places&utm_medium=locations&utm_campaign= and https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g580406-d3836397-Reviews-Fernhurst_Hungry_Horse-Blackburn_Lancashire_England.html
• Navigation Inn, Canal Street, Blackburn, BB2 4DL. https://www.facebook.com/navigation.inn1/ and https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g580406-d5914231-Reviews-Navigation_INN-Blackburn_Lancashire_England.html
• The Golden Cup, 610 Blackburn Road, Darwen, BB3 0AJ. https://goldencupdarwen.co.uk and https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g503938-d5911679-Reviews-Golden_cup_inn-Darwen_Lancashire_England.html
• The Postal Order, 15-19 Darwen Street, Blackburn, BB2 2BY. https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/lancashire/the-postal-order-blackburn and https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g580406-d6878567-Reviews-The_Postal_Order-Blackburn_Lancashire_England.html
• Oyster and Otter, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, BB2 5DQ. Distinctive clapboard and stone building in modern New England style; open-plan interior with cushioned dining booths by big windows on one side, other cosy seating areas divided by shoulder-high walls and large central hearth, end part with comfy sofas, good food including signature fish/seafood from open kitchen, Marstons Wainwright, a guest ale and over 30 wines by the glass; background music; children welcome, seats on decking above road, open (and food) all day.

Blackburn banter

• Blackburn Rovers was established in 1875, becoming a founding member of The Football League in 1888. Blackburn is one of only three clubs to have been both a founder member of the Football League and the Premier League (Aston Villa and Everton are the others).
• Derek Fazackerley holds the record for the most League appearances for the club, with 596 between 1970 and 1987.
• The all time record goalscorer for the club was Simon Garner, who scored 194 goals between 1978 and 1992.
• Ex-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw or Jack John Whitaker Straw to give him his full name is a massive Blackburn Rovers fan. Other famous fans include former Doctor Who star Matt Smith, who played the Doctor between 2009 and 2013, comedian Lee Mack, Bill Beaumont former captain of the England rugby union team and Stephen Hendry, MBE, who in 1990 was the youngest ever snooker World Champion, at the age of 21.
• Holland's Pies, one of the biggest producers of the said football half-time snack, is based in Baxenden, about 20 minutes from Blackburn and exports pastry all around the world.
• Blackburn is one of only a few towns in the country to have its own cathedral - normally only cities have cathedrals. The town is home to one of England's newest cathedrals, yet it is one of the country's oldest places of Christian worship.
• When Blackburn secured promotion from the second division via the play-offs in 1992, it ensured they would be part of the very first Premier League season, and with it, part of an elite set of clubs. Of the 22 teams that made up that very first Premier League season, only three had also been part of the very first Football League campaign back in 1888/89. Blackburn’s promotion the season before made them one, with Everton and Aston Villa the others.
• Blackburn is home to one of the country's biggest CD makers - PDO.
• According to some, the smallest dog ever recorded was a tiny Yorkshire Terrier named Sylvia, from Blackburn, who died in 1945. It is said that she was two-and-a-half inches tall and measured three and a half inches from her nose to the base of her tail. She was reported to have weighed only about four ounces ironically, not as big as a Yorkie chocolate bar!

The four clubs: Blackburn, Blackpool, Forest Green Rovers and Reading.

Enjoy the game and let’s hope for a huge improvement on last Saturday’s performance COYR. 

[Never to the dark side]

I like that wellcoming poster.

[P'head Red]

Not too confident for today, think it might be a 3-1 loss. I hope he doesn't start both James and Williams again, it clearly didn't work last week, we need an engine in the middle and HNM I'd the only one who fits that bill. Would be nice to see a bit of fight. If HNM isn't going to sign a new deal then I'd like to see benarous given a few games towards the end of the campaign. 

[Son of Fred]

52 minutes ago, Jerseybean said:

With just one win in their last eight games in all competitions,

Indeed ..and two goals scored in the last nine ...

With a rumour'd possible starting return for Bradley Dack today the jury may be out on such profligacy in front of goal continuing..

Again,,I feel we need to score twice to at least draw.

Edited March 12, 2022 by Son of Fred

[Never to the dark side]

and this is the team we are up against

[054123]

Don’t see us winning.

Up the City

[Lew-T]

They have only scored 3 goals in the last 12 games, and in that time have only dropped to one place(4th!)

[Curr Avon]

55 minutes ago, Never to the dark side said:

and this is the team we are up against

He always beat me at Subbuteo

Cause he flicked to kick

And I didn't know

Oh, my perfect cousin...

[ralphindevon]

If the club were offering an hour and a half in depth interview with Ryley Towler to watch instead of the football, I think I’d go for it. 

[ralphindevon]

1 hour ago, Never to the dark side said:

and this is the team we are up against

That’s one very small blob of blue paint away from being a hideous thing to have in your house.

[Guest]

Not many would be expecting us to win today, bit of a free hit for us then really with Blackburn expecting to win. Pressure def on them and off us so not impossible that we could surprise them and take all the points. Blackburn 1-2 NP`s Bristol City  

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Never to the dark side said:

and this is the team we are up against

Dont think they will all be lying down today

[Waconda]

Even in "good times" this would be a tough one, player confidence must be rock bottom.

Sit back, defend in numbers and hope to catch them on the break etc, etc and lose 0-3

Or as there are no consequences for a loss and expectations are low just go for it and at least entertain.

 

 

 

[Finley_Smith10]

Can’t see us beating anyone atm so not expecting much. Not sure about team selection either, hard one. Maybe;

            DB

AS TK RC RA JD

    MJ HNM JW

        AS    AW

[Davefevs]

3 hours ago, Jerseybean said:

The referee today is Gavin Ward.

You had to spoilt it didn’t you. 

[Offside]

Like many on this thread I’m not expecting anything from this game. It’s a pretty depressing era we are in when we are beaten so easily. 

[pongo88]

3 hours ago, Son of Fred said:

Indeed ..and two goals scored in the last nine ...

With a rumour'd possible starting return for Bradley Dack today the jury may be out on such profligacy in front of goal continuing..

Again,,I feel we need to score twice to at least draw.

 

2 hours ago, Lew-T said:

They have only scored 3 goals in the last 12 games, and in that time have only dropped to one place(4th!)

That settles it, a 4-0 win for Blackburn 

[Jerseybean]

34 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

You had to spoilt it didn’t you. 

I know, sorry Dave.

[GlastonburyRed]

Am I gonna be a fool and part with £10 again to watch it on Robins TV, only to regret the choice about 17 minutes into the game and rage quit...

[Waconda]

1 hour ago, Offside said:

Like many on this thread I’m not expecting anything from this game. It’s a pretty depressing era we are in when we are beaten so easily. 

"Flaky" is the official term I believe.

 "the defence looks flaky whenever they're under pressure"

[Waconda]

22 minutes ago, GlastonburyRed said:

Am I gonna be a fool and part with £10 again to watch it on Robins TV, only to regret the choice about 17 minutes into the game and rage quit...

[old_eastender]

4 hours ago, P'head Red said:

Not too confident for today, think it might be a 3-1 loss. I hope he doesn't start both James and Williams again, it clearly didn't work last week, we need an engine in the middle and HNM I'd the only one who fits that bill. Would be nice to see a bit of fight. If HNM isn't going to sign a new deal then I'd like to see benarous given a few games towards the end of the campaign. 

Agree, also be good to drop Martin, and give Conway some game time. Most of all I hope he doesn't start Bell at RB again!

[maxjak]

Anything better than conceding  2 goals or more is an improvement..........how sad is that?         Just fortunate  that  Bereton Diaz is injured.     

[cityloyal473]

If you were Blackburn on a poor run of form and looking to re-kick your promotion charge we are exactly the team you’d want to be facing.  I see us shipping four today. 

[EstoniaTallinnRed]

5 hours ago, Never to the dark side said:

and this is the team we are up against

If we are playing them, then we may stand a small chance of winning!

[Major Isewater]

5 hours ago, Curr Avon said:

He always beat me at Subbuteo

Cause he flicked to kick

And I didn't know

Oh, my perfect cousin...

Poetic undertones there Mr A. 

[Roger Red Hat]

2 hours ago, old_eastender said:

Agree, also be good to drop Martin,

[RedM]

[petehinton]

[Tin Soldier]

I would take a 2-0 defeat today. Can’t see anything else but a defeat.