Rovers Vs Man Utd. 1st Leg

[jim mk2]

Ferguson is quoted in tomorrow's papers as definitely fielding his second string players tomorrow night. The insinuation is that even if United lose the first game, he thinks his first XI will be able to turn it round at Old Trafford.

[theresonly1alj]

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/sport/fo...overs_risk.html

We'll be playing a weakend United side and be at home. I think we should be able to get a good advantage. I say 2-0 to Rovers.

I wish I could be there.

[Hypo-Luxa]

It's good to see Ferguson is adding to the level of my disgust for him. His 1st eleven couldn't even turn us over earlier in the year so his confidence is pretty ballsy.

Whatever the case, if ManU play like they did on Saturday our lads better not play down to their level and only run out winners by a goal. We need to get a few of them in hand so as not to be under THAT much pressure at the Traff...

Makes the game tomorrow that much more delicious!

[andyrovers]

If you want to go, and getting there is ok then go....

If you dont then dont go.....

I too have to travel some distance to get there...

"Where there's a will there's a way"

If you can't afford it then that's fair enough....

See you there.......

[bellamy11]

One game at a time guys. We can't take a win for granted, reserves or otherwise. I will take a 1-0 win with bells on.

Step one is to win by a goal. Step two is to go to OT, show no fear, and get the draw we know we're capable of.

The only bad result is a defeat. Old Trafford is a scary place but we know that if we play to our full capability we can get a result there. Going there needing a win may well be too much though.

[joey_big_nose]

Don't know if anyone has posted this nut read this here.  The decriptions of Matteo and Kuqi are the work of a genius 

373299[/snapback]

Whoever wrote that is a complete nutjob. To describe Matteo or Kuqi as skillful is ridiculous!

If Man Utd are turning out their second striong I think we should try and get 3-0. Very very difficult, obviously, and will leave us open to the counter but if we spook their defence we have a chance.

If Pedersen, Tugay and Bellamy hit top form we could paste them!

[bellamy11]

Man Utd squad:

Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Bardsley, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Evra, O'Shea, Richardson, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney, Rossi, Solskjaer.

Yup - that's the second string.

[AggyBlue]

Man Utd squad:

Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Bardsley, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Evra, O'Shea, Richardson, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney, Rossi, Solskjaer.

Yup - that's the second string.

373327[/snapback]

We should be looking to build up a sizeable first leg lead then, I'll settle for 4-0

[Eddie]

Man Utd squad:

Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Bardsley, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Evra, O'Shea, Richardson, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney, Rossi, Solskjaer.

Yup - that's the second string.

373327[/snapback]

Yes but you could see a veryweakened looking starting line-up from that.

Van de Sar

Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Richardson

Ronaldo, Fletcher, Smith, Giggs

Rossi, Solskjaer

Somehow don't think that's what it will look like though...

[joey_big_nose]

Man Utd squad:

Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Bardsley, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Evra, O'Shea, Richardson, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney, Rossi, Solskjaer.

Yup - that's the second string.

373327[/snapback]

Ferguson will probably start with Giggs and Scholes on with Rooney, Ronaldo and the horse face on the bench, I reckon.

I have an absurdly good feeling about this game.

[RevidgeBlue]

Ferguson is quoted in tomorrow's papers as definitely fielding his second string players tomorrow night. The insinuation is that even if United lose the first game, he thinks his first XI will be able to turn it round at Old Trafford.

373304[/snapback]

Unless Ferguson is convinced the referee will help them overturn any deficit at OT.

After tonight's result the powers that be, Sky, and the advertisers must be seriously crapping themselves over the prospect of a Rovers v Wigan final.

Good though it would be for the health of the game as a whole.

IF Ferguson does underestimate us and/or puts out a very weak side AND we play to recent form there's every chance we'll give them a right pasting later on tonight. THEY could be out of the tie by the second leg.

I don't think he'll take such a gamble. Probably just mind games.

[rhys25]

You knwo what Fergie's like though, he's all about mind games.

He's making it sound like the weekend's derby is all that matters at the moment, but you can be sure he is far more concerned about finishing another season without a trophy.

Even if he doesn't start with a full strength side you can bet that within three substituations his full strength side will be on the pitch.

[philipl]

this may have been asked but i'm lazy...is the game live on tv at all tomorrow?

373300[/snapback]

Its on live at Ewood Park at 8pm but you've got to get tickets by 5pm.

I think its only on TV internationally.

By the way- that weak Man U squad. Am I missing something or did I not see the names of all RFW's current first XI there? Perhaps this quote from the old bruiser is the give away:

"I will make changes from the FA Cup game at Burton because I have to look at the City match on Saturday morning."

He's telling the truth- he's dropping the second XI he put out at Burton and going full strength tonight.

Edited January 11, 2006 by philipl

[Nate]

I'm actually quite nervous about this game.

I think we will draw, 1-1.

[rhys25]

"I will make changes from the FA Cup game at Burton because I have to look at the City match on Saturday morning."

He also said:

“Blackburn will play their strongest side tomorrow but we won’t,”

Full article in M.E.N. Manchester Football

[Kremmin]

"I will make changes from the FA Cup game at Burton because I have to look at the City match on Saturday morning."

He also said:

“Blackburn will play their strongest side tomorrow but we won’t,”

Full article in M.E.N. Manchester Football

373357[/snapback]

That same source predicts this unlikely match-up!

DOMINIC MATTEO v RUUD VAN NISTELROOY

With Andy Todd struggling with a knee injury Matteo is likely to take his place in central defence. The Liverpudlian has not been a first-team regular this season and must use his strength and intelligence to compensate for a lack of pace. Van Nistelrooy remains as deadly as ever in front of goal and Ferguson may highlight this area as one to target.

Close football observers...

[philipl]

Thanks a LET

When the home town newspaper spends 75% of its article interviewing Mark Hughes bigging him up for the Manc job, what hope is there?

The LET has to be the biggest load of garbage going- sack them and put Jason in charge.

[Bobby G]

One of the best interviews, very inspirational I found it. Almost makes the hair on the back of your neck stand, or is it just me?

Makes you proud to be a Rover!

http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Stor..._939599,00.html

[SuperStella]

Hope we do it tonight - you just never know what to expect with Rovers; but I'm a lot more confident than if SouMESS was manager. The key is Nelsen v Rooney and keeping Giggs and Ronaldo quiet. I think the best form of attack is defence, as proven at Old Trafford in September. We went for it, and got our rewards. Bellamy should be able to use his pace and power to worry their defence. We need our midfield to be right up, and in there faces and not give them any space. Massive game for our 2 central midfielders.

My team:

FRIEDEL

NEILL NELSEN TODD GRAY

REID SAVAGE TUGAY PEDERSEN

BELLAMY DICKOV

Subs: KUQI, BENTLEY, ZURAB, EMERTON, LEE

[Flopsy]

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/...1683676,00.html

good news? Rooney Van Horseface and others might well be rested before the Man City game.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

It really is difficult to belief what Ferguson says - he has played his mind games so often in the past.

He knows that any form of deficit for United will make the return match very difficult for them - as they struggle with the pace of Bellamy. A 1 or 2 goal lead from tonight would give us the ability to go to OT, defend deep and hit them on the break.

Though we may see the odd youngster - it will essentially be his first team I feel. Lets not forget - even if he rests HorseFace - Saha isn't a bad replacement - and probably cost as much as our whole team !

[Paul]

I haven't bought the LET for years and nothing in that article tells me there is any reason why I should start now. What garbage.

[Bobby G]

Sir Alex is playing the conniving fox. I bet you we will see more regulars starting than not!

And anyways, United have a good enough squad that "subs" like Park, O'Shea, and now maybe even Vidic can be considered regulars!!!

[berkshireblue]

On hols in Seville, Spain and just found an Irish bar by the Cathedral showing tonights game, bet I´m the only rovers fan in there come 9pm but I´ll be the only one smiling..

2-0 rovers

Back for notlob Saturday

[Bobby G]

Jazeera Sport 2 is showing it in the Middle East. Its Arabic language.

Better than nothing.

Not sure if you can get it on Hotbird though.

I know you get it on Nilesat and Arabsat for free.