[Archived] Villa Semi Final Match Preview

[RevidgeBlue]

I think the reason for us playing the game on Thursday is because Sam see's reaching the Final as a bigger priority than the Premier League, quote from today Lancashire Telegraph:

"“The Carling Cup remains more important than the Premier League for us at this stage. The prospect of reaching a major cup final has to be our priority."

I am not having a go at Sam, but for me it is the opposite at the moment, I would love nothing more than see Rovers get to Wembley but Premier League points are just as important, if not more important for me. The other way to look at it is of course that Sam is ultra confident that Rovers will be ok in the league and therefore the focus is on reaching the final.

I disagree. Sam's approach has to be the correct way to go, if we lose against Fulham we still have another sixteen? games to sort it out. If we lose in the Cups that's the end of that.

He has to have the belief in himself and the players we can get out of any potential trouble surely.

I was actually worried he'd go the other way if we lose at Citeh. Prioritise the Fulham game and let the Cup ties go.

I'd have played a full strength side in the FA Cup as well but that's a separate issue.

Look at Chelsea, they've hardly won a game since they chopped their side around and lost to us in the Carling Cup. Before that they looked unbeatable. Villa's season fell apart last season after O'Neill effectively "threw" the UEFA Cup and Megson never really recovered from playing a weakened side in the latter stages of the same competition at Bolton.

[Roaming Rover]

I think Sam sees us as being pretty safe from relegation. I know we are only a few points off but there are worse teams than us and if he can get Brett and Dunny we should be safe.

We are 2 games from a cup final, that beats finishing 10th to 18th in the league by miles in my book. As tcj_jones says, if we were in the bottom 3 it would be a different story, but as things stand push on in the cup and who knows.

[Guest Kamy100]

Just had a press release from Rovers regarding the Re-arranged 1st leg:

I write to advise that our Carling Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg game against Aston Villa to be played at Ewood Park has now been re-arranged to take place on Thursday 14th January and will kick-off at 8pm.

Consequently, our Premier League game at home against Fulham has moved to Sunday 17th January , with a 3pm kick-off.

The Carling Cup Final 2nd Leg game at Villa Park will remain on the 20th January with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Please note that the Premier League fixture at Manchester City will remain on Monday 11th January 2010, 8pm kick-off.

[bobsterbrfc]

Buggery can't make the rearranged date

[mellison24]

The easiest thing to do would be to bring forward the Manc City game to Saturday, but clearly it couldn't have happened because it is too convenient

[cn174]

The easiest thing to do would be to bring forward the Manc City game to Saturday, but clearly it couldn't have happened because it is too convenient

As someone said earlier there though, it isn't just Rovers playing in these games. I'm sure that the home teams will have most say as to when the games are going to be, so maybe City didn't want it moving.

[Daremz]

Get realistic:

1. Even if we beat Villa over 2 matches, we won't win the League Cup. We'll face one of the Manchesters, and both have too much quality for us, even if they play their second string, which they won't do in the final. As winning the cup is the only road to Europe, that shouldn't be priority.

2. Relegation is killing. We'd better get 4 or 5 points throughout these weeks instead of beating Villa. Our best players are very injury-prone (Dunn, Grella) and we can't miss them because of a match-overload. Not getting relegated is SO MUCH more important than winning the cup. If we relegate this season, I won't see us returning to the top flight in the upcoming 5 years. Simple lack of quality.

[RevidgeBlue]

ESPN certainly wouldn't want it moving and even if the Clubs were technically entitled to over-ride ESPN I'm sure neither Citeh nor Rovers would want to lose the TV revenue.

[Blue n White Rover]

Won't be able to make the Fulham game now

[RevidgeBlue]

Get realistic:

1. Even if we beat Villa over 2 matches, we won't win the League Cup. We'll face one of the Manchesters, and both have too much quality for us, even if they play their second string, which they won't do in the final. As winning the cup is the only road to Europe, that shouldn't be priority.

2. Relegation is killing. We'd better get 4 or 5 points throughout these weeks instead of beating Villa. Our best players are very injury-prone (Dunn, Grella) and we can't miss them because of a match-overload. Not getting relegated is SO MUCH more important than winning the cup. If we relegate this season, I won't see us returning to the top flight in the upcoming 5 years. Simple lack of quality.

Let's just forfeit the Villa games now then eh?

No-one could say for sure we'd lose in the Final over a one off 90 mins - I haven't seen a decent game at the new Wembley yet, everyone seems to complain about the grass being too long and the ball not running truly or something.

Even if we lost in the Final, it would be a dream come true to reach the new Wembley for the first time in a "proper" competition. We never managed it at the old Wembley whilst I've been supporting.

Despite the current obsession for finishing 4th and getting in the Champions League and not being relegated etc it's still what being a fan's all about - getting to finals and winning stuff.

[modes98]

Great. I already have my train tickets for the Fulham game, I doubt they are refundable either.

[Mr. E]

Do the club not realize that even Chelsea or Real Madrid would struggle to play two solid games vs Man City and Aston Villa in the space of three days? I mean, we're not giving the players much of a chance here. An attempt should have been made to move the City game for later.

[duffbear]

Damn really want to go to the re-arranged game but person I was going with cant make it and dont fancy the 208 mile trip on my own.

Anyone down South (I live in Stevenage,Hertfordshire) fancy going to the game?

You can have my mates ticket for nothing if you dont mind chipping in for some petrol?

[Beta Ray Bill]

Do the club not realize that even Chelsea or Real Madrid would struggle to play two solid games vs Man City and Aston Villa in the space of three days? I mean, we're not giving the players much of a chance here. An attempt should have been made to move the City game for later.

How's it any different (bar a few hours) than a team playing Saturday - Tuesday? Or Wednesday - Saturday?

I can't go now it's on the Thursday (ironically I'll be a couple of miles from Villa Park on business all day Thursday) but the gap in mid week matches shouldn't be an issue for any team.

[mellison24]

How's it any different (bar a few hours) than a team playing Saturday - Tuesday? Or Wednesday - Saturday?

I can't go now it's on the Thursday (ironically I'll be a couple of miles from Villa Park on business all day Thursday) but the gap in mid week matches shouldn't be an issue for any team.

I'd be more concerned about 5 games in 2 weeks (as it currently appears).

[BigJackWalker]

haa a new date been set?

[RevidgeBlue]

The Arsenal game tonight has been postponed but there's just been a real 20 minute PR job on SSN about how hard Arsenal tried to get the match played. It even showed them clearing the snow around the stadium in mini snow ploughs.

That contrasts somewhat with the rather terse announcement made yesterday that "Tonight's Carling Cup semi between Blackburn and Aston Villa has been called off. Conditions on the roads are unsafe and it's not much better inside the ground as you can see"

It then cut to pictures of a partially snow covered pitch no doubt taken some time after the game had been called off and clear up efforts had no doubt subsided.

They then went on to rattle on about how hard Stoke were working to get their game on last night thereby creating the clear impression we'd not done all we could to get our game on.

Also whilst they kept tressing our game was off yesterday, I heard not one mention the Man Ure game had already been called off as well.

SSN might as well be Arsenal or MU TV at times.

[Manc Rover]

As someone said earlier there though, it isn't just Rovers playing in these games. I'm sure that the home teams will have most say as to when the games are going to be, so maybe City didn't want it moving.

City wont move it forward as they're trying to get players fit. They've aalso had a result tonight because being postponed means their players have more time to recover for their rearranged 1st leg too.

[Iceman]

We have played Saturday, then Tuesday, then Saturday again. I dont see what the problem is by playing 2 games in 3 days. And as for not caring about Semi Final, feck off i want to see us at Wembley. It should have no bearing on our league games, because the players should be up for any game.

[mellison24]

We have played Saturday, then Tuesday, then Saturday again. I dont see what the problem is by playing 2 games in 3 days. And as for not caring about Semi Final, feck off i want to see us at Wembley. It should have no bearing on our league games, because the players should be up for any game.

I've mentioned elsewhere that MY issue is playing 5 games in 2 weeks, just like xmas......so soon after xmas.

[Eddie]

Yes...but we will also have had 9 days off before that run starts.

[mellison24]

Yes...but we will also have had 9 days off before that run starts.

Fair point, but it will still be very draining for our players. It gives time for our injured lads to come back, but how long will they last playing 5 games on the spin?

[ABBEY]

I've mentioned elsewhere that MY issue is playing 5 games in 2 weeks, just like xmas......so soon after xmas.

xmas bears what consequence into this?

jhc they do NOWT else besides play footy and keep fit.

[martonrover]

I'd just prefer it if we were going into the First leg of the Carling semi on an even footing with our opponents.

Villa will have two extra rest/preparation days.

Also,the sequence of games we've got next week is actually equivalent to playing Saturday,Tuesday,Friday, which is not the norm.

Have to say I wouldn't be sorry if the City game gets postponed.

[mellison24]

xmas bears what consequence into this?

jhc they do NOWT else besides play footy and keep fit.

Lighten up a bit! I know they get paid outraeously for a hobby, but being a pro footballer (going on the experiences of a few mates who are at SEMI-pro level) must be bloody exhausting! My mates (and they are well suited to the game in terms of fitness, strength etc) come home from games exhausted. I'm sure it's worse being a pro-footballer, especially with constant media pressure on you and public speculation about both your working AND private lives. Xmas was 5 games in 2 weeks, that was my point. Stop reading into every tiny detail Sherlock and you might see that it was merely a demonstration of an example. Managers always say how xmas is draining because of the amount of games and our relatively small squad must do that AGAIN fairly soon after. Simple!