[Archived] Villa Semi Final Match Preview

[BRFC95]

Didn't Sam say he wants us to still be in the tie for the return leg at Villa Park.

To me that means he hopes to defend well and keep Villa's score down, not for us to attack and take an unasailable lead down as some are hoping for.

[10moorgate]

are any rovers fans in darwen end tonight? you don't seem to be able to book any tickets in there online.

[only2garners]

Didn't Sam say he wants us to still be in the tie for the return leg at Villa Park.

To me that means he hopes to defend well and keep Villa's score down, not for us to attack and take an unasailable lead down as some are hoping for.

For all the talk on here of the team really going for it I think it's pretty unlikely given it's a two leg semi final. It would be unusual for the home team in the first leg to throw everything at it - just look back at other 2 leg matches in Europe. Often a 0-0 first leg score is as good for the home team as the away team. I know that will not be what most on here are looking for but I think it's more realistic to expect a defensive format at least for the first hour of the game.

[mellison24]

are any rovers fans in darwen end tonight? you don't seem to be able to book any tickets in there online.

There must be a lot then.

[MarkBRFC71]

I think it's more realistic to expect a defensive format at least for the first hour of the game.

Yeah, cos that's worked really well all season.

We need to be leading by at least 2 clear goals come the second leg to have any chance of going through.

[Hughesy]

are any rovers fans in darwen end tonight? you don't seem to be able to book any tickets in there online.

Yeah the Darwen End Facebook massive will be in there!!

[mellison24]

If ever there was a time for form to go out the window, it is tonight.....we haven't played Villa in the League Cup before, apparently.

[A cup of beans]

Anyone know how the ticket sales have gone?

this is nothing official, but word is... poor ticket sales.

ive heard around 12,000 rovers tickets had been sold... up to yesterday. if we get 16,000 home fans tonight i'd be amazed. disappointing... but not surprising (considering the moral of the fans i know and those i speak too).

[dazmaz]

this is nothing official, but word is... poor ticket sales.

ive heard around 12,000 rovers tickets had been sold... up to yesterday. if we get 16,000 home fans tonight i'd be amazed. disappointing... but not surprising (considering the moral of the fans i know and those i speak too).

ill be shocked if we get 14k home fans tonight

[Hughesy]

this is nothing official, but word is... poor ticket sales.

ive heard around 12,000 rovers tickets had been sold... up to yesterday. if we get 16,000 home fans tonight i'd be amazed. disappointing... but not surprising (considering the moral of the fans i know and those i speak too).

Those people you speak to are obviously not fans then - no excuses tonight, its not the league, its a Semi Final - Make all the excuses all you want

[RoyRover]

This is a game that the players can show what they are made of and rebound from the embarrassing performance on Monday. I'm miffed cause I'm going to miss this one. I booked tickets a few weeks ago to see the play my sister is in and choose tonight, because when does anyone play on Thursday apart from the Europa League! I expect us to win, giving ourselves a chance going into the replay.

[Ozz]

Covered in breadcrumbs??

According to a recent survey, Scotch Eggs are the most stolen foodstuff taken from the Spar chain of convenience stores in the North West. Pound for pound I would suggest the Scotch egg is also the most densely calorific savoury in the chiller cabinet too.

[modes98]

Those people you speak to are obviously not fans then - no excuses tonight, its not the league, its a Semi Final - Make all the excuses all you want

Oh right. So the fact that I haven't got the money to come up because I arrange all my transport the month before or that I can't just get more time off work at a weeks notice means I am not a real fan does it? Don't make remarks about other people that you have no idea what situation they are in. I'm really annoyed that I now can't attend this game or the Fulham game at the weekend because of the first leg postponement. Just grateful that I have my 2nd leg ticket sorted, especially with all these midweek important home games coming up.

I hope you are coming down to the 2nd leg, otherwise you will lose your fan status!

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

I can't make it up either, gutted.

Doing all my assignments this afternoon so I can watch the game tonight. What channel will it be on?

[bob fleming]

Regarding Scotch Eggs. It begs the question why they don't lock them away somewhere safe and just put them behind the counter with the tabs. But that's the Spar for you, they just don't care. I really do hope we don't play 4-4-1-1 again.

[broadsword]

Think I could live on just scotch eggs and bovril.

Afraid I can't make the 600-mile round trip tonight, so I guess that mkes me a casual observer rather than a fan.

[bozrover]

Too bad this isn't the second game, but this is it. This is where we have to shine. A win I feel is necessary, as we'll have trouble containing Villa at Villa park.

Everyone has to play at their best, Dunn and Emerton need to be back, BFS needs to have everyone 100% concentrated. Call me crazy but I think we can do it.

your crazy

[Ozz]

Regarding Scotch Eggs. It begs the question why they don't lock them away somewhere safe and just put them behind the counter with the tabs. But that's the Spar for you, they just don't care. I really do hope we don't play 4-4-1-1 again.

Hoping for 4-4-2 also Bob. Maybe a simple `faux` CCTV camera would put most of the snack thieves off?

[Mr Maureen]

According to a recent survey, Scotch Eggs are the most stolen foodstuff taken from the Spar chain of convenience stores in the North West. Pound for pound I would suggest the Scotch egg is also the most densely calorific savoury in the chiller cabinet too.

Why don't they just sell them in Scotland then there would'nt be this North west problem.

[Gav]

this is nothing official, but word is... poor ticket sales.

ive heard around 12,000 rovers tickets had been sold... up to yesterday. if we get 16,000 home fans tonight i'd be amazed. disappointing... but not surprising (considering the moral of the fans i know and those i speak too).

People won't pay to watch ***** week in week out, regardless of it being a cup semi final or not.

[Ozz]

Enough of this, I'm off home. See y'all at the Navvi later. COME ON YOU BLUEEEESSSS!!!

[broadsword]

Are you going Gav? I can't remember now whether you're going or not now?

[Hughesy]

Oh right. So the fact that I haven't got the money to come up because I arrange all my transport the month before or that I can't just get more time off work at a weeks notice means I am not a real fan does it? Don't make remarks about other people that you have no idea what situation they are in. I'm really annoyed that I now can't attend this game or the Fulham game at the weekend because of the first leg postponement. Just grateful that I have my 2nd leg ticket sorted, especially with all these midweek important home games coming up.

I hope you are coming down to the 2nd leg, otherwise you will lose your fan status!

Wowzers!!

I'm not having a dig at those that can't make it for good reasons like work, uni, money etc - I was aiming it at those that claim they are dillusioned with it all or whatever the term is they use. Tonight is about Blakburn Rovers, not how good or sh!t Sam is. So apolgies if you thought it was aimed at you.

Oh and in answer .....Yes il be at the return leg

[Gav]

Are you going Gav? I can't remember now whether you're going or not now?

I'm going yes, I wasn't going to bother but my son wants to go.

I can't believe I was considering not going, but I’ve no faith in the manager and I’m sick of watching complete and utter rubbish week in week out.

[Blue n White Rover]

I can't make it up either, gutted.

Doing all my assignments this afternoon so I can watch the game tonight. What channel will it be on?

Sky Sports 1

Should be a decent game tonight, but I can't see anything past a Villa win. Hope I'm proven wrong.