To Hell And Back. Dingles 0 v Rovers 0

[Ste B]

John Cooper Clarke once wrote.

I'll tell you now and i'll tell you firmly

I dont ever want to go to Burnley

What they do there dont concern me

Why would anyone make the journey ?

A very good question indeed, except because of some expert ball fondling by Mark Lawrenson and Peter Reid, there is the small matter of an FA Cup Fifth round Tie on Sunday 20th Feb, and 3955 Rovers will be officially crossing the Lancashire/Yorkshire border into what posters on Clarets Mad have described as "HELL". I was going to be more charitable, but seeing as they have pointed it out then we might as well use it.

Roy Collins in the Sunday Telegraph stated after the Southampton V Portsmouth cup tie that "As local spats go, this hardly matches up to the passion of the Rome derby, Celtic-Rangers or, as Southampton assistant manager Jim Smith will testify from his days at Ewood Park, the sheer nastiness of Burnley against Blackburn Rovers." This quote was more than prophetic, and now BBC viewers have a chance to witness this for themselves.

There have been plenty of famous games between the 2 sides, the famous boxing day encounter at Turf Moor being the one that stands out. Simon Garner particularly enjoyed playing against them rating hitting the winner on boxing day higher than scoring 5 against Derby County.

Our last meetings need no introduction, the 2-0 scoreline at Turf Moor led to widespead chaos in Burnley, and the 5-0 drubbing at Ewood on April Fools Day (how apt) was an integral part of our eventual promotion that season.

Previously in the FA Cup, Rovers played Burnley on the 16th March 1960 at Ewood where they beat them 2-0 in a replay, Rovers went on to appear in the final that season.

My own favourite memory of Burnley games came in the late 80's when as a young whippersnapper we got the bus from accy and watched a certain Tony Finnigan hit a screamer for us from what must have been miles out. (though in fact it was probably a tap in, but alcohol and age tend to mean things get exaggerated) The locals were certainly not amused. Finnigan is now an agent for players such as LuaLua and Jason Euell.

Rovers should have a full strength squad available for the game, which should mean that Andy Todd will captain Rovers against his old club. Burnley have lost Chaplow and Blake to small midlands teams, but have Whittingham and Cahill from the Claret part of Birmingham on Loan. From our last 2 encounters Friedal is the only Rovers player certain of his place, but Craig Short, Gary Flitcroft, Matt Jansen may feature on the bench. Mark Hughes also played in both games, and will be more than aware of the hostility of this game. For Burnley only Ian Moore remains, the memory of his disallowed goal at Ewood probably also lingers.

There can only be one prediction for this game. Rovers to Win... anything else is just unthinkable. Passions will be runnihg high both on and off the pitch, and hopefully we can show the rest of the UK just how big this derby is without the unsavoury elements creeping in.

Q&A to follow. Let the Banter commence.

[Ste B]

Thanks to Longsider1882 for answering the following questions

What is your favourite memory from Rovers/Burnley derby Games ?

Not many as I am to young to really remember the days when the clubs competed on more even footings, and we often had the upper hand (until the last 4 games we had actually won more than Rovers!!). I do remember getting chased in 82 on my new Xmas present – a shiny Raleigh BMX. Not sure I laughed at the time but looking back it seems quite funny

How happy are you with your form this season ?

We have far exceeded my expectations to be honest. The team have been resolute and determined if not always pretty. As with all fans though I am now looking and thinking if we could add a few decent players to the squad we could really give the play-offs a go – are you sure we can’t borrow Stead?

How will losing your 2 best players in the transfer window affect your performance ?

Less than may have been expected. We have so far coped very well. I think the big worry is if things are not going well we cannot change it and have nobody who can create something from nothing. On the other hand we have a French winger, Valois, who has good feet, Oster seems to be finding some fitness and of course we have just added Whittingham from Villa to add to the midfield

What sort of welcome are we going to get ?

Hostile, seething, menacing.

Andy Todd was on loan to you last season, any comments ?

Todd was outstanding for us and I think any honest Rover will admit he went back playing better. I would have loved to have been able to keep him. The main thing that struck me about the loan signing of Todd and young Jay is that, aside from a few message board posts, there was no stick and a genuine appreciation for their efforts – maybe a sign a friendlier relations to come??

Do you still have Window man doing the prematch warmup ? Will Zak Dingle help reinforce Stereotypes by doing the halftime draw again ?

Zak I doubt – Window man yes we do. I like Jeff – he’s a great guy but the whole pre match experience is being ruined by the clubs determination to have Music/Jeff/PA man blasting right up until the whistle – then they expect us to simply start cheering on cue – not that I imagine there will be any issue on Sunday

Who are the players to watch ?

Still hoping for a striker signing, though Ian Moore has an excellent record of scoring in the Cup. Valois if at it, hopefully Oster. Mainly keep an eye on the resolute defending, especially the Kaiser (John MCGreal). Also young Cahill on loan from Villa - what a player at such a tender age

What Line up can we expect on Sunday and what is your prediction ?

I’d expect:-

Jensen

Sinclair, Cahill, McGreal, Camara

Oster Grant, Hyde, Whittingham, Valois

Ian Moore

Effectively it will be 4 -1 – 4 – 1, though it may be a straight 4-5-1 as we now have 2 authentic wingers.

Prediction – are you sure? OK 2-1 to the Clarets

What advice would you give to any fan thinking of making their own way via train/car ?

Don’t – there will always be idiots willing to spoil your day and everybody else’s so why risk it when there is free transport laid on. If you must then be prepared to be ‘herded’ by the police who have these things well under control.

[Tris]

Because Liverpool's involvement in the Carling Cup Final means that Rovers have a clear weekend following this massive cup game, Mark Hughes has the perfect opportunity to really treat this fixture with the respect and vital importance it deserves.

Even a replay would take place before our next Premier League fixture, so it'll be our strongest team and I expect that training this week will be focussed only with this fixture in mind.

Hughes has shown he can set tactics to suit every occasion. He's played in two of these particular "occasions" wearing blue and white (in the league) ... and in so many big FA cup occasions I've lost count.

So I fully expect a proper performance and a respectable victory. I'm not into predicting scores - so I'll just predict a Rovers win.

[thenodrog]

I have a horrible suspicion that Sav may be out injured.

[James No. 7]

I think that sheer class will ultimately be the difference in this encounter.

A 3 - 0 win to Rovers.

[Paul]

My main concern is the players' attitude. This isn't a cup game against a lower league side, it's what some describe as the most intense derby in the country. Savage, Todd, Dickov and Friedel will understand that, will the rest? Player reaction to the on and off pitch atmosphere will be very important.

If we score first I'm confident of a win. Should Burnley score first it will go to a replay.

Burnley (Blake) 1 Rovers 1 (MGP)

I hope on Sunday the fans of Blackburn Rovers FC and Burnley FC can show the country what a real derby game is about. I hope we can show the country a fabulous game, a real atmosphere, and some proper behaviour. The last thing we need is hooligan headlines to follow the Yorke incident.

[Zak]

My main concern is the players' attitude. This isn't a cup game against a lower league side, it's what some describe as the most intense derby in the country. Savage, Todd, Dickov and Friedel will understand that, will the rest? Player reaction to the on and off pitch atmosphere will be very important.

If we score first I'm confident of a win. Should Burnley score first it will go to a replay.

Burnley (Blake) 1 Rovers 1 (MGP)

Nice to see Blake back for this game,Steve Bruce must be a Burnley fan.

Is Blackburn so far in the backwoods that you have not heard that he now plays for Brum.

[Paul]

Now you mention it I did know that ......truth is I had so little idea as to who the main Burnley threat is I just looked up your top scorer on the BBC stats. I truely couldn't name a single player that you will put out on Sunday. Sorry but that's the truth of it.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

The side that keeps a cool head will win this one.Have a gut feeling it will be a close affair but hopefully our all-round better quality will shine through in the end and see us home to victory.

A Rovers win- welcome as usual.

A draw- begrudgingly exceptable.

A Rovers defeat-UNTHINKABLE!!!!!

COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!

Edited February 15, 2005 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[Cocker]

I was speaking to the Mrs about this and she said that I was more nervous about the Norwich game than this one. My reply was that I fully expected us to bag at least 4 goals here and she laughed in my face but I dont care

0-6 ROVERS - COME ON

Edited February 15, 2005 by Cocker

[Flopsy]

Just coz Im not going to tempt fate im not going to make any predictions at all about this except that Jordan will get so drunk he ends up "singing slap a dingle" at 5:30pm sunday evening in the middle of Burnley Town Centre

[Duff's Minder]

right - I'm having to leave London at the crack of dawn to get up in time for this. It had better be worth it!

can't see us losing though, this team seems to do the business when it reall matters (if not the rest of the time). If we can get through the first half without Savage/Mokoena/Dickov seeing red then I think this could be 3 or 4-1.

fingers crossed!

[ihtd]

Bburn to win 4-0 at the dingles, maybe Stead to get two goals, he needs to score at the top level again and a goal against the dingles will get his confidence back. The other two goals to be scored by the new darling of bburn, Morten Gamst Pedersen, his play the last few weeks has been brilliant and if he continues to progress the way he is, he will be a player to be afraid for other teams in the league.

[philipl]

Expect it will be very tight with Rovers just shading it and Burnley playing some surprisingly good stuff as well as scrapping like mad.

However, if Rovers score early and keep their discipline at the back it could turn into a romp.

1-0 Rovers and at least one sending off.

[broadsword]

Now you mention it I did know that ......truth is I had so little idea as to who the main Burnley threat is I just looked up your top scorer on the BBC stats. I truely couldn't name a single player that you will put out on Sunday. Sorry but that's the truth of it.

I think Leighton James still plays for them ... in wellies.

[Dan Furness]

they sold out yet

[SouthAussieRover]

Burnley 0 Rovers 5

[BRFC4EVA]

I think we are all being slightly over confident here. It will be a very close and difficult game, in what will be a intense atmosphere. I not bothered so long as we dont lose, thats the important thing to me. If we draw, its back to Ewood and the chances of the dingles coming to ewood and doing us over is very slight indeed so we'd be huge favourites. However a defeat is totally unacceptable as they would be able to hold over our heads until the next time we play them

I predict a 0-0 or a 1-1 and for us to comfotably go through in the replay.

Please dont loose!!! PLEASE

[LeftWinger]

I'm not going to tempt fate with a prediction (didn't make a prediction for either game in the promotion season). Whoever scores for us will become my hero, I'd love to see Stead or MGP getting the goals- but it doesn't really matter who gets them.

[rosie]

Well, I'm going to be the voice of doom. 1-0 to Burnley and a broken leg. They're going to be very dirty indeed.

[BRFC4EVA]

Den, seeing as you've locked the other dingle thread, hows about that 1 for the message board Gold?

Edited February 15, 2005 by BRFC4EVA

[1864roverite]

rovers win

[ainscough99]

too tight to call but hopefully a rovers win, we MUST not lose!!

GET IN TO EM!!!

[SharrockDownSouth]

A nervy 2-1 to the rovers

[frosty]

Rovers 3- 1 Burnley