[Archived] Villa Semi Final Match Preview

[RevidgeBlue]

Contrary to most on here, Id far rather get to Wembley and lose against Fulham than beat Fulham and get knocked out.

We'd still have 16? games to sort it out.

If it was a straight choice between staying up and getting to Wembley I'd choose the former but I don't see why the two should be mutually exclusive.

[mark1875]

Contrary to most on here, Id far rather get to Wembley and lose against Fulham than beat Fulham and get knocked out.

We'd still have 16? games to sort it out.

If it was a straight choice between staying up and getting to Wembley I'd choose the former but I don't see why the two should be mutually exclusive.

i am of the exact same opinion!

this is one chance to get to wembley and maybe europe! something good to shout about.

failure against fulham can be rectified.

COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!

[JAL]

Do you think Sam would go if we win 3-0 tomorrow and lose 3-0 on Sunday?

Tomorrow is the date at the Coliseum, make no bones about it.

The crowd, the few of us that will be there tomorrow, WILL get behind the team and the club.

But I think there will be a bit of a stand off or silence at one point, most definitely, the initiative then will be upto the players to come through and shine.

I think this is only fair, that in this period the players either crumble or produce a good performance during this stand off. It will be simply be upto them, they, the players, will have to lead the way as its their arena, their profession linked with their immediate ambitions.

A silence from the home crowd with all eyes upon them will show us, are they together, are they strong, do they have bottle. I believe they are but they have to show us and with this even if the result goes against us I dont think the crowd will be too disserving unless we get hammered and allardyce really loses the plot.

Its only half time come the end of tommorrow. Sunday is three vital pionts which will be a final result.

Only a complete hammering will prove you right philipl.

[Tris]

Sod the money, sod the implications for the manager, this is all about Blackburn Rovers and a CUP SEMI FINAL, and PRIDE IN FRONT OF THE NATION IN THE BLUE AND WHITE HALVES.

Look at the TV schedule for BBC1, the nations most popular channel, next week:

Tuesday -> 1900 The One Show ... -> 1930 Eastenders ... (-> 2000 Man City v Man Utd)

Thursday -> 1900 The One Show ... -> 1930 Eastenders

BUT WEDNESDAY -> 1900 The One Show ... -> 1930 Villa v BLACKBURN ROVERS

I don't think we have graced mainstream TV, midweek at peak time, since November 2002 when we played Celtic (Scottish champions). It was a first Anglo Scottish tie for a long, long time and there was so much interest it was almost world cup like.

We played Arsenal (English champions) in the same week, we were everyone's favourite "second" team in the PL, we were proud, we played great football, and it was a fantastic ride.

NEXT WEEK once again we will replace Eastenders on the nations tv screens - so we MUST get to that second leg with our heads held high and a chance of Wembley still up for grabs ... when the titles roll on BBC1 next Wednesday, we as BRFC must be in the game, giving the nation something to watch and enjoy.

Pride is what we need now, a cup SEMI FINAL is an amazing occasion. We have had FAR more than our fair share over the last few years, so the law of averages might mean this is the last one in our lifeitmes, even for the youngsters!!! So ... come on Rovers, play football to make us smile, and come on Rovers fans, let's fill Ewood Park, make some noise, and get this show back on the road. COME ON YOU BLUES!

[Steve Moss]

Here's my line up:

*Robinson

Jacobsen - Samba - Givet - Chimbonda

Emerton - Salgado - Nzonzi - Hoilett

Dunn

Kalinic

* I don't want to play Robinson, but I don't feel Jason Brown is any improvement.

Yes, I've gone for a 4-4-1, because I believe Dunn dropping back will give us extra legs in midfield against Villa's pace and energy. I also believe with Hoilett, Emerton and Chimbonda pushing forward, we'll have enough width and movement to get Kalinic & Dunn in on goal.

I like this. But I'd replace Dunn with Di Santo and go with a more traditional 4-4-2. Dunn can come on for the last third, and revert to the 4-4-1-1, with either the Di Santo or Kalinic staying on (based on performance). I think the priority should be to keep Dunn fit for Fulham and, as an added benefit, Di Santo and Kalinic will get the long awaited pairing.

Jones and Olsen definetly should be on the bench, and should replace anyone who doesn't appear to be giving a 100% from the very first minute.

If the footballing public have a brain cell between them, Ewood will be a complete sell-out tomorrow night

. . .

- and the crowd get a chance to play Emperor Nero. It is like the gladiators all over again. Thumbs up or thumbs down?

I hope big thumbs up. A positive result will be good for the club and, incidentally, Sam

Let's put things in context, at this stage of the competition, the Carling Cup is SERIOUSLY BIG MONEY.

Premier League survival is SERIOUSLY BIGGER MONEY!!!

Let's do both and roll around in the cash for once.

[Presty On Tour]

Leaving in 6 hours.

Very excited and some nice cold northern beer after 300 miles sounds good!

COYB!!!!

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

We're underdogs, we're in poor form, but this is football. Anything can happen.

Dare to dream?

COYB.

[Blueboy Downunder]

i will be there tonight, i will be there on sunday (although slightly more boozed up), i will be at villa next week and should the gods be smiling on us i will be at wembley too. boycotting the game because of tactics and poor form is nothing more than a bullshit excuse, hoping that we go to wembley.

[Atomicrover]

'morning people. I have to travelk down from Carlisle for the game tonight, any word on the local weather/road/pavement conditions?

[my_name_is_Earl]

'morning people. I have to travelk down from Carlisle for the game tonight, any word on the local weather/road/pavement conditions?

The main roads around the whole town have been cleared and the pathways around Ewood have also been cleared. The M65 is fine from Preston to Blackburn (if you're coming that way off the M6). Just make sure you wrap up warm becuase it's bone chillingly cold (like our football )

[Bobby G]

I still believe that.

Whatever the issues are in the squad or behind the scenes, this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of these players to make a final in Wembley, for the manager, and maybe for us supporters too. Who knows when the next time may be.

We have to support them on the pitch and hope that the management can surprise us.

Please, lets see a positive line-up and an attacking performance, not just hoofing it up for poor old Franco or Nico.

I dont mind losing if we play football the way we can, and have an attacking line-up from the outset. Id rather go out gung ho than not try to play it that way and put them under pressure. Because you can be sure that we dont have the team strength to hold off ANY opponent in a cautious manner.

[Guest Kamy100]

'morning people. I have to travelk down from Carlisle for the game tonight, any word on the local weather/road/pavement conditions?

Pleased to report that the weather is ok today, it less cold than it has been in Blackburn. The main roads are pretty much clear of snow now, be careful though of Black Ice if it turns cold tonight. Pavements are full of Ice, walk with caution.

Huge game tonight for many reasons. I am sure that our fans will get behind the team. I expect to see a fully committed display from the team. We must fight for every single ball, we need to see passion and commitment for everyone tonight.

The team need our SUPPORT tonight, so come on lets do Blackburn proud!

[SAS]

'morning people. I have to travelk down from Carlisle for the game tonight, any word on the local weather/road/pavement conditions?

Absolutely fine pal. Although if we were down south i`m sure the army would be drafted in as there is still some snow

As for the game, I`m quite optimistic, but I believe we need a 2 goal lead.

Unfortunately I cant make the game tonight due to work, but I have a ticket, if anyone wants it, £10 in BBE lower.

[Hughesy]

Weather is fine today - not much bad weather last night - so its looking good.

We just need the fans to turn out now - il be there, singing as much as possible & trying to lift my team.

KEEP THE BLUE FLAG, FLYING HIGH!

[Dan]

I still believe that.

Whatever the issues are in the squad or behind the scenes, this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of these players to make a final in Wembley, for the manager, and maybe for us supporters too. Who knows when the next time may be.

We have to support them on the pitch and hope that the management can surprise us.

Please, lets see a positive line-up and an attacking performance, not just hoofing it up for poor old Franco or Nico.

I dont mind losing if we play football the way we can, and have an attacking line-up from the outset. Id rather go out gung ho than not try to play it that way and put them under pressure. Because you can be sure that we dont have the team strength to hold off ANY opponent in a cautious manner.

I agree, we need to go for it big time and play to our players strengths. I think we'll need a 3-0 will though, if we go to Villa and play the usual way we do away we'll concede at least 2 goals.

[Hughesy]

2-0 lead is needed from tonight id say. We can go there and score...

[Majiball]

I just want to see us try and play today.

This is how I would line up tonight.

---------------Robbo---------------

Salgado--Samba------Givet---Olsson

---------N'zonzi---Emerton---------

---------Hoillet---Dunn-----------

---------Di Santo--Kalinic----------

We need to play two up top today, we must score goals at home and I just don't see that happening unless we throw a little caution to the wind for a change. Hoillet must start, Dunn as well, the kids gave us some enthusiasm to our play on Monday and all did well once on so lets play them from the start.

But please lads lets see some enthusiasm, pride and willingness from you tonight.

[Hughesy]

Givet is rated doubtful, and Roberts/ Diouf & Grella are all deffo out.

We need pace, hunger and lots of hard work.

Il go with

--------------Robbo-------------

Chimbonda--Samba--Nelsen--Ollson

Hoilett----Emerton---Dunn----MGP

-------- Benni ---- Kalinic ----

Iv left Di Santo & NZonzi out - however that is only because Emerton would work very hard in the middle & we need pace down the wings.

Iv also left Di Santo out over Benni - as I feel he is our most natural goalscorer and should like up well with Kalinic

[philipl]

You will see the big money aspect when you see the club's media income numbers in next year's accounts. Agreed the Football League pays peanuts relatively speaking but that is not where the benefit comes from.

Massive, massive day for Rovers.

I stick by my point that if we take an unassailable lead into the second leg, it would be virtually impossible to sack a manager who has just guided the Rovers to a Wembley final irrespective of league form being awful.

[Bobby G]

Whilst I dont agree with the theory philipl, a poor home showing against Fulham, coupled with a defeat in our next league game, and I dont think a cup final will be anywhere close to enough to keep the status quo.

[Dan]

2-0 lead is needed from tonight id say. We can go there and score...

You reckon we'll score and keep the goals against down at Villa? I think we'd be up against it even if we win 3-0 tonight. I wouldn't even be confident going into the 2nd leg 4-0 up to be honest. I guess I'm not an optimist like you! ;-)

[Riversider]

Hughsey says "We need pace, hunger and lots of hard work" and then puts Benni in the team!

[Dan]

Givet is rated doubtful, and Roberts/ Diouf & Grella are all deffo out.

We need pace, hunger and lots of hard work.

Il go with

--------------Robbo-------------

Chimbonda--Samba--Nelsen--Ollson

Hoilett----Emerton---Dunn----MGP

-------- Benni ---- Kalinic ----

Iv left Di Santo & NZonzi out - however that is only because Emerton would work very hard in the middle & we need pace down the wings.

Iv also left Di Santo out over Benni - as I feel he is our most natural goalscorer and should like up well with Kalinic

I think Emerton is a good player, but have we seen anything to suggest he is any good in the centre? I suppose if it's him or Andrews you'd have to choose him. Jason Brown would probably do comparable to Andrews, except quicker, with less pointing!

[Gav]

Anyone know how the ticket sales have gone?

[jonv]

Despite the goings on around Ewood at the moment, matches like this are exactly why I'm a Rovers supporter - we always seem to find ourselves in opportunist positions that other clubs around us can never seem to do. Really exciting night ahead and can only hope we're ahead going to Villa Park