[Archived] Villa Semi Final Match Preview

[ABBEY]

People like you make me sick trying to get the game postponed and using animals in the process, have you no shame?

A pup is for life not just for Christmas!

pmsl..lol..just been down ewood its ok on main roads the streets and car park at the blackburn end are very bad!!

ticket office area is the only place with any grit,footpaths are frozen solid ice and snow.

[Gav]

Tbf i think they have been one of the more vocal set of supporters to come to ewood park

Well my memory and ears are certainly not what they used to be, but I don't recall them ever being very loud, and they brought nothing this season either so couldn’t have made much of a noise.

The only time they made any noise was when Savo Milosevic spat at them in the Darwen end

[TrentVilla]

We don't take the most away we don't take the least, we aren't the loudest we aren't the quietest. Sometimes we are loud sometimes we aren't, sometimes like earlier this season we don't see out at others like last season we take plenty away with us. That is football.

Not really sure why so many people are obsessed with this topic really or the issue of how many tickets we have for tomorrow and why. Does any of it really matter? I don't think it does.

There will be some Villa in home sections but not the numbers suggested by some although I've not seen any Villa fans on here mention the numbers some Rovers fans are quoting and I've seen no evidence of claims of a mass invasion on the Villa site I'm from either so not sure where this has come from.

As I've said before though its not really important, it would be nice to discuss what matters, the football. The line ups, the strengths and weaknesses of the sides, who people think will play what the key battles will be around the pitch.

There is plenty to talk about without going on about who will be going, where they will be sitting, who they'll be supporting and what noise they may or not make.

I know I'm only a visitor here but I come on here because its normally a great place to talk football... anyone want to talk about the game?

In my view I think it will be a lot closer and harder than some of you guys seem to think, I think it will be a draw.

[ABBEY]

we dont take kindly to carrot and poo in the bbe!

[JAL]

A good (THE important) source next door says the game will go ahead unless there is more significant snow.

End of speculation please.

It would be criminal Plastic Head to allow this game to go ahead now. ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL!

The authorities would be showing the highest possible account of negligence there could possibly be of their duty of care to the public if they allow this game to go ahead.

For all those people who moaned about the state of the area around the DW stadium, Ewood is in a far worse state than that now and aint going to improve.

[bobsterbrfc]

To be honest Trent Villa, I think the fascination with our ticket sales for this one, is to do with just how extraordinarily poor they might be.

[ElTwis]

Anyway, enough about the football, let's get onto the important stuff. Firstly, I can't find anything on the official site about the "free pie with every pint" offer I've been looking forward to. Secondly, can anyone confirm if beer is cheaper in the ground 90 mins before kick off?

[RibbleValleyRover]

Weather Forecast next 24 hours (need to click on 24 hour tab):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2104

Not looking good...

[Gav]

can anyone confirm if beer is cheaper in the ground 90 mins before kick off?

I can confirm that its cr@p, not sure about the price though.

[RoverInWigan]

I just had a walk through Ewood earlier and i must admit the conditions around the ground do look quite bad. With snow forecast tonight i wouldn't be surprised if the game were called off.

Blackburn Rovers F.C - Singing Section - Darwen End

[JAL]

Weather Forecast next 24 hours (need to click on 24 hour tab):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2104

Not looking good...

Plastic Head talked about needing more snow to call it off, we dont need anymore snow around here, Ewood, theres more than enough already.

[RevidgeBlue]

Anyway, enough about the football, let's get onto the important stuff. Firstly, I can't find anything on the official site about the "free pie with every pint" offer I've been looking forward to. Secondly, can anyone confirm if beer is cheaper in the ground 90 mins before kick off?

The "free pie with every pint" promotion has been run on an individual match by match basis between certain times before certain games in an attempt to get people drinking in the ground as opposed to in the Pubs.

It requires considerable support from Hollands pies to sustain so whilst it might be seen again from time to time you shouldn't automatically assume it will apply every game.

I'm not aware that beer has ever been cheaper the earlier it gets but I'm not certain about that.

[Ricky]

My mate just phoned the ticket office to see what the latest was in respect of the game being called off and the very nice young lady he spoke to said it hadn't even been considered at this stage. She said that they didn't envisige it being called off.

[JAL]

My mate just phoned the ticket office to see what the latest was in respect of the game being called off and the very nice young lady he spoke to said it hadn't even been considered at this stage. She said that they didn't envisige it being called off.

I'm trying to let you all know what the state of play is around here, and its not good.

Putting my safety reps head on here, it isnt safe out there Ricky. To allow people to walk in what will be freezing dark in and on snow and icy conditions is a recipe for disaster.

No one has gritted the pavements up here today so with even further freezing conditions which go beyond tommorrow nights game the possibility of playing is zero like the temperature.

Sky sports news need to stop running their carling cup semi final add and start planning to show something else.

[Bobby G]

It does say it will be sunny from noon tomorrow though, doesnt it?

[Plastic Head]

I'm trying to let you all know what the state of play is around here, and its not good.

Putting my safety reps head on here, it isnt safe out there Ricky. To allow people to walk in what will be freezing dark in and on snow and icy conditions is a recipe for disaster.

No one has gritted the pavements up here today so with even further freezing conditions which go beyond tommorrow nights game the possibility of playing is zero like the temperature.

Sky sports news need to stop running their carling cup semi final add and start planning to show something else.

The game will go ahead, just been watching them training and walking around is fine as long as you take reasonable care. I have been assured again it will go on.

By the way saw Chimbonda coming out of the ground at 1.20 looking like a cross between Huggy Bear and Mr T, then got into a gold 4x4.

Bring back Jim Branagan and his Ford Sierra I say.

[den]

My mate just phoned the ticket office to see what the latest was in respect of the game being called off and the very nice young lady he spoke to said it hadn't even been considered at this stage. She said that they didn't envisige it being called off.

That decision wont be one that the club will have any influence on will it Ricky? Surely the police will make that one.

[broadsword]

But the air temp won't get above freezing, so that won't matter.

Seems a little lax not to be gritting the pavements NOW.

[Steve Moss]

I think fan support does help the squad. It is probably a poor analogy, but more guys appear up for a fight when their girl is watching than not.

The players are out under the eyes to 20,000 Rovers fans. They want approval and they want acclaim. Cheer them on and the good ones will dig deep and give that extra ten percent.

I'm predicting a Rovers win, 3-1.

[Nafe_rovers]

I think fan support does help the squad. It is probably a poor analogy, but more guys appear up for a fight when their girl is watching than not.

The players are out under the eyes to 20,000 Rovers fans. They want approval and they want acclaim. Cheer them on and the good ones will dig deep and give that extra ten percent.

I'm predicting a Rovers win, 3-1.

Good lad.... 2-1 Rovers.... COME ON BOYS!

[JAL]

The game will go ahead, just been watching them training and walking around is fine as long as you take reasonable care. I have been assured again it will go on.

Dont be so FOOLISH PLASTIC HEAD !

It does say it will be sunny from noon tomorrow though, doesnt it?

Yes, but at what temperature to thaw everything out?

[ABBEY]

he made of plastic so it wont hurt him if he falls will it

[TrentVilla]

Off topic but some good news for you boys..

Burnley have confirmed Owen Coyle is in talks with Bolton

[Tris]

Dont be so FOOLISH PLASTIC HEAD !

You don't half go on once you've got a bee in your bonnet.

There's been frozen snow on the ground around Ewood / Blackburn / Darwen for 17 days ffs - Christmas wasn't cancelled, the shops and businesses didn't give up, the schools will be back tomorrow ...

Why on earth would the game be postponed?

People aren't daft - so will wrap up warm, wear sensible footwear and take extra care.

You're making it sound like the next ice age has started and nobody should step out of their front doors!

Where we are in Darwen we've not seen a single visit from any salter / gritter since this all started, so of course the roads and pavements are dangerous but people just get on with it.

[JAL]

You don't half go on once you've got a bee in your bonnet.

There's been frozen snow on the ground around Ewood / Blackburn / Darwen for 17 days ffs - Christmas wasn't cancelled, the shops and businesses didn't give up, the schools will be back tomorrow ...

Why on earth would the game be postponed?

People aren't daft - so will wrap up warm, wear sensible footwear and take extra care.

You're making it sound like the next ice age has started and nobody should step out of their front doors!

Where we are in Darwen we've not seen a single visit from any salter / gritter since this all started, so of course the roads and pavements are dangerous but people just get on with it.

This is a public event which will have a massive amount of people concentrated in one area, for a short period of time, who cant change their time to suit the weather that would allow them to be able to safely attend this event.

Your looking at Public safety.

What if theres crowd disorder in or around the ground, how would this be tackled ?