[Archived] Rovers V Aston Vanilla

[joey_big_nose]

Just read through the thread, there's been some stupid comments during the game but this one is the winner.

Grella was excellent again today, 3rd home game in a row where he's been amongst the best performers. The challenge for the second yellow was rash, but the first yellow was typical of his performance today, he was having to clear up the mess left by others the best way he could. He saved a very likely goal and took a yellow for it.

He's been good so far this season on the whole. Very unfortunate to be sent off.

It's funny, I usually like him but I thought he was okay but not brilliant today. NZonzi out shone him considerably.

He is good on the ball and more imaginative than most, but when the opposition run at him I get scared. He is aggressive but off the pace which is a dangerous combo. I think he may come under a bit of pressure for his place generally. And if we go 442 he is a gonner as he lacks the athelticism of Dunn and Nzonzi.

[daveoftherovers]

Excellent result today, after 3 mins I thought we were very good and worthy of our win.

The ref had an absolute shocker, we've seen one sided ref's at our place but this guy took the whole bloody biscuit tin! And the linesman on the riverside end, another clown. They flick the ball on to our player when our player starts from an on side position when the ball is delivered it's our ball, numpty!

Anyway, my big club mates are happy that we have done "The pink" we FINALLY get one over MON and we only needed 10 men!!! Finally put their deluded fans (With their poor turnout) in their place.

Loads of positives today: Big Chris, N Zonzi (V Impressive display), Grella (Until he lost the plot, no need to do that near the half way line fella, not on a yellow) Dunny was superb (Even when he was kicked off the park!) Bert came on all guns blazing, Santos is showing what he can offer us now, Diouffy was also the only shining light in the first half. Robbo earn't his corn at the end, great saves by Englands number 1.

Only time I've enjoyed watching Brad pick the ball out of the net at our end.

Keith Andrews, do me a favour BS. We can all see it, why not put Salgado in Centre Mid if you needed someone on? Jason Brown even, ANYONE But Keith???

Thought some of the subs were mental, but we won and BS is the boss, so who am I to tell him? (Apart from the valid dig about KA)

BRING ON THE BA**ARDS!

[DE.]

Just read through the thread, there's been some stupid comments during the game but this one is the winner.

Grella was excellent again today, 3rd home game in a row where he's been amongst the best performers. The challenge for the second yellow was rash, but the first yellow was typical of his performance today, he was having to clear up the mess left by others the best way he could. He saved a very likely goal and took a yellow for it.

He's been good so far this season on the whole. Very unfortunate to be sent off.

It was a comment made 'in the heat of the moment', and at the time it was true . If we'd lost the match because of that it would have been a shame, considering we were in control until that point. It's credit to the lads that we stuck at it despite the sending off and showed real character.

My comment was not in regards to his entire performance, just the sending off at a crucial point in the match. Grella's performance was alright (not one of the best performers, mind, but fine), but his lack of pace could be a problem and lead to situations like today. He wasn't "very unforunate" to be sent off at all, it was deserved, whether he was saving a goal for us for the first yellow or not.

[Plastic Head]

I'd no idea that it was Clattenberg until after the match. He looks a right gayer. Has he come out of the closet this summer? Not only a bad ref but he seems well 'dodgy' and with a dodgy barnet too.

He was suspended last season....allegedly someone thought he was bent.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Great performance today from Rovers - made Villa look very ordinary and deserved the win (though I feared the worst after 2 mins).

Firstly - kudos to Sam for completely dropping Roberts and explaining during the pre game interview that he was off form. Just needs to do the same with Pedersen - surely Hoilett deserves a start (or even Emerton on the right, Diouf left.)

Secondly - Rovers look a much better team without Andrews. Nzonzi brings so much more to the table - good tackler, keeps it simple. He does panic a little when he crosses the half way line with the ball at his feet, but his aerial ability at set pieces both at the back and up front, provides another dimension.

Thirdly - One up front can work if Di Santo was available every week. Very impressive. He ran the back four ragged, closed down the keeper, won plenty in the air and showed excellent technical ablility.

It's such a shame that we haven't paid 6 million for this guy and had Kalinic on loan. Demonstrated a first class attitude and was really celebrating Dunny's goal.

Let's hope that Chelsea's transfer ban is lifted and they sign a worldy in Jan.

Only gripe would be the Diouf/Andrews sub. Nobody around me could understand why he came on instead of Hoillett. You would think that with 10 men, the option of a winger for a winger (especially one with pace to burn would allow us to counter attack and force them defend a little deeper. Yes we won but Andrews contributed nothing.

Good game, appalling ref. Great atmosphere - after the equaliser. Thought Dunn showed alot of composure with the penalty.

Nice to come away from Ewood buzzing with a win over the Claret and Blues. Oh yeah and good work Spurs!

[Jim Royle]

Notice not one of those patronising villa fans that have infested this board have put in an appearance - keep it that way and keep your warnock we're happy with lars and pascal

And how does o'neill reckon they deserved "at least a point" - one mis-hit shot and not not much else for Robbo to do until that save late on - against ten men for 25 mins - how much money has he spent on that defence and they were bad, very bad

Great day - well done Dunny and thought Nzo was special and great not to see JR - I bet he had a tantrum - dedums

Villa fans - 6 wins on the trot and cannot sell 3000 tickets - they really are not football fans in the second city, excepting the Baggies I suppose

[LDRover]

Fantastic result and performance with real heart, passion and desire. Made me proud to be a Rovers fan.

Thought Dunn was the stand out player alongside Di Santo.

Grella kind of polarises opinion, he didn't have a bad game, but not good either compounded by the stupid challenge that led to his dismissal. IMO he isn't good enough at this level and strangely enough we looked a darn sight better when he was off the pitch, even with the hapless Andrews.

Onwards now and the tough away games are now 'free' for us as we have these 3 points in the bag. Also, defeating the Dingles now seems a more confident prediction.

[RovertheHill]

I'd no idea that it was Clattenberg until after the match. He looks a right gayer. Has he come out of the closet this summer? Not only a bad ref but he seems well 'dodgy' and with a dodgy barnet too.

As I said earlier - he used to have a thinning top. That's either a weave or a syrup. No other explanation...

[1864roverite]

A Villa view

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/373170756?-11198

[Flopsy]

I'm interested why because he's had a thatch that he's gay. Although it would explain Shane Warne over compensating

And also, if he is gay, so ###### what? He'll have considerably more taste than to even look at you.

[broadsword]

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!

Fancy that, not being eyed up by Mark Clattenberg! I'll have to remember to put some foundation on next time.

[Hasta]

Had to many to read the thread but thought it was a game of two halves.

First half we were OK but second best and didn't play much football.

Second half was superb. Dunn was outstanding and deserved the winner regardless that it needed to be a (blatant) penatlty.

Di Santo, Diouf and Emerton did well and the defence was OK apart from the goal. (which sounds a bit silly).

Only downside was MGP.

[Ricky]

The lino on the riverside stand side of the pitch was shocking!!!

I do recognise him, was it garrett?? Seem to recall him being involved in some high profile howlers.

[Roost]

Hope all the pathetic doom merchants, that fill this thread over the first 13 pages … with nothing but utter sh*+e Keep well away from celebrating this evening as one game obviously wont make a ounce of difference to the sad state they see our club in…

I shall head into Basel for a top night while I record MOTD beaming with pride

Well done lads!

Well said Derbs!

[Claytons Left Boot]

My uncle died last week. He was responsible for getting me into the Rovers in 1966 and becoming a lifelong Rover.

I knew all along that we would win the game.

AJ, that was for you.

[Big Fat Sam]

Only gripe would be the Diouf/Andrews sub. Nobody around me could understand why he came on instead of Hoillett. You would think that with 10 men, the option of a winger for a winger (especially one with pace to burn would allow us to counter attack and force them defend a little deeper. Yes we won but Andrews contributed nothing.

I must admit I was also of that mind at the time as I wanted to see him come on, but on reflection Sam made the right choice. Hoillet is young, in-experienced and at a crucial stage of his development and we where down to 10. Had Hoillet come on in that pressure situation and made a crucial mistake his confidence would be shattered. As it stands its not and will still be high, it just wasn't the right senario to bring him on. Even though Keiths not to good at following even the instruction of several thousand fans, he will work hard and try his best. Keith will also just sit there where as Dunn would still have pushed forward as much as possible perhaps leaving gaps for Villa to exploit.

And Keith did contribute a highly sognificant contribution today, his stuttering stanley impersionastion had me in stitches!

[Ozz]

Navigation. Match. Tears. Beer. Sleep.

Correction-Navigation, Match. Joy. Beer. Takeaway. Beer. BRFCS. Beer. Telly. Beer. Sleep. Beer.

[RIML]

I thought N'Zonzi today had a look of Vierra about him!

I watched the Premiership's 50 Greatest Goals last night on Sky 2 and Vieira scored some amazing goals for Arsenal, that's probably the only downside to NZonzi's game (at the moment). He's still young but his performance today was flawless.

Imagine him scoring goals like this for us

[Bobby G]

What a difference to one's mood it makes after we win and play half-decent football.

I havent been this high being a Rovers fan in a while. Coming back from behind and winning with 10 men AND a bonus of a GOOD cup draw, giving up the opportunity to get into the final 8.

[Jan]

Are you serious? You have watched both teams and you honestly think the top player on the pitch will be David Dunn??? Really? I just can't see how he is going to be the player that decides the game and he will struggle to have more influence than some of our midfielders like Ashley Young, Milner, Petrov or Reo-Coker.

Well, well

Would you care to rethink that now????

David Dunn is our best player BY A MILE. If he stays unbroken all season, he'll win player of teh season by a country mile- and maybe break the hoodoo as I don't see him wanting to be off anywhere.

[Manchester Blue]

Just read through the thread, there's been some stupid comments during the game but this one is the winner.

Grella was excellent again today, 3rd home game in a row where he's been amongst the best performers. The challenge for the second yellow was rash, but the first yellow was typical of his performance today, he was having to clear up the mess left by others the best way he could. He saved a very likely goal and took a yellow for it.

He's been good so far this season on the whole. Very unfortunate to be sent off.

Fully agree, can;t believe how many negative comments i've read about Grella who I thought had a very good game. Ok so he shouldn't have made the foul for 2nd yellow but compared to some of the fouls going on today it was not that bad. How Young avoided a yellow for going through the back of Dunn. Clattenberg was inconsistent all day and Grella paid the price. But he certainly doesn't deserve the grief he's getting on here.

It must really a case of people needed a scapegoat of some kind, Andrews missing so Grella gets it instead.

[RovertheHill]

Well, well

Would you care to rethink that now????

David Dunn is our best player BY A MILE. If he stays unbroken all season, he'll win player of teh season by a country mile- and maybe break the hoodoo as I don't see him wanting to be off anywhere.

I'd never thought of the player of the year hoodoo but now you mention it...

QUICK - EVERYONE VOTE FOR KEITH

[Stuart]

A Villa view

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/373170756?-11198

A fair view really. Definitely agree with "You couldn't tell, though that Blackburn had a man less" and his point about ticket prices is a common complaint.

[Ricky]

Thought grella did well up to the sending off. His first one was definitely 'one for the team' he got booked after trying to clear up someone elses cock up.

God knows why keef didn't shoot!!!

Dunny and di santo were a class above anyone else. Didn't think chimbonda deserved mom, thought jacobsen had a better game then him.

[Bobby G]

Dunn has been brilliant in the hole. Key point is if he stays fit...On this form, is there a better English player playing in attacking midfield? I wouldnt completely rule him out of the England reckoning, would you?