[Archived] Back The Team

[BRFCS Content]

Published: Tuesday, 15 March 2011

Back The Team

by Kamy

Saturday's game against Blackpool is a huge occasion for Blackburn Rovers Football Club. In many ways it can be described as a "season defining" game: a win and Rovers will put themselves in a favourable position to retain their Premier League status; a loss or even a draw, however, could see the club slide into the relegation zone. Over the last few weeks it has started to become clear that relegation this time could mean the club falling into real financial trouble and facing a fight for its very existence. With that in mind, we the fans have a massive part to play on Saturday.

Since the departure of Sam Allardyce, the on-the-field fortunes of the team have not been good and, with the off-the-field turmoil continuing with the departure of John Williams, fans have rightly been asking: "What the hell is going on?". Rovers have gone from a stable club to one that is now fighting for its survival.

Rightly a large proportion of fans are angry about what has happened at Rovers, but surely Saturday is not the time to vent that anger. Saturday is about putting aside negative feelings that people have about Venky's, Kean, SEM and so on. Saturday is about getting behind the team and roaring them to victory. Make no mistake: we can be the proverbial "twelfth" man. A negative atmosphere will only serve to encourage the Blackpool players and have a negative impact on our players.

BRFCS understand that since the defeat at Fulham the players have been working extremely hard on the training ground, with the atmosphere being described as serious and focussed. Preparations for the Blackpool game started early last week, which is much, much earlier than usual. There is collective recognition at Brockhall that the club is now embroiled in a real dogfight for survival. What has also become clear over the last week is that the players are totally behind Steve Kean. Hopefully the players are ready to step up to the plate.

Whatever happens in the rest of the season, one thing is for sure. While owners, managers and players will come and go, it is we the fans that remain the one constant. We are the ones who will be here regardless of how well or badly the club does. There is a time and place for people to air the grievances that they have concerning what is happening at the club, but that time and place is not on Saturday. The game against Blackpool could turn out to be one of the most important in our recent history and we the fans have to play our part. Get yourselves down to Ewood and get behind the lads!

[dcbrfc]

Here here. Well said. And NO BOOING.

[RIML]

Here here. Well said. And NO BOOING.

Hear, hear

[dcbrfc]

Haha and I'm supposed to be a journalist. Can see why Telegraph's full of mistakes eh?

[Mattyblue]

I'm bricking it already!

Up the Rovers!

[Ferrit]

You're living in a dream world if you think people will refrain from boo'ing if things aren't going to plan.

If we're 1 down at half time, I fully expect the abuse to be flying towards Kean from all angles.

[Iceman]

Agree, if things go pear shape, then war will be aimed at the dugout. Will smash the tv if we lose, and Kean will feel the full force of it lol

[dcbrfc]

I was mainly referring to boos directed at players, one in particular

[davulsukur]

BRFCS understand that since the defeat at Fulham the players have been working extremely hard on the training ground, with the atmosphere being described as serious and focussed

How is the atmosphere normally around the training ground? If they haven't been serious and focussed all season then there is no wonder we are in such a mess.

I agree with whats said above though, if we are losing at half time the boo's will definately be out.

We have to back the players, but Kean has to help us out a bit by getting his team selection right. No keef would be a good start.

[blue_and_white]

Great article and fully captures the importance of this match. Seems strange to be talking about make or break in mid-March but thats certainly the case this time, we simply have to win. Anything else will spell turmoil and relegation or an almost impossible salvation (in the form of another manager). This has to be one of those matches where the fans switch into the mode for Newcastle in 95, Burnley last season, the 1-0 against Chelsea to make Europe under Hughes. We have to be amazing. If we win this we have a much better chance of beating Birmingham, if we win that we'll stay up.

[JAL]

This should be billed as Kean and Jensens last chance.

[Mattyblue]

Where should that be billed JAL?

In the programme?

[jim mk2]

In view of the relegation run-in this is last-chance saloon for Rovers and the manager.

Anything other than a win and the knives will be out for the owners and Kean.

Bobble hat and rattle are at the ready. Play up Rovers.

[Rovers Gals]

la la La la la la il be screaming and spurning my rovers on ! my mate Matty is The LOUDEST shouter on eo4 riverside end !

[imy9]

The one big positive for Kean to come out of this situation is that the players are all clearly backing him. Ince did not have this support and there were a number of posters on this site who made references to the training sessions and the lack of support he had.

That being said IF Kean gets a win AND we play well, then we would be on the exact same number of points as last season going into the final round of games, come on you Rovers!

[RIML]

The one big positive for Kean to come out of this situation is that the players are all clearly backing him. Ince did not have this support and there were a number of posters on this site who made references to the training sessions and the lack of support he had.

That being said IF Kean gets a win AND we play well, then we would be on the exact same number of points as last season going into the final round of games, come on you Rovers!

Good point and Burnley, Hull and Portsmouth where in the bottom three at that stage and we all know what happened to them

SING YOUR HEARTS OUT FOR THE LADS

[CaliRoverNYC]

Come on Rovers!... not sure if I'll be able to watch the match over here in the states... but the lads need the support I imagine many of them are just as upset as the fans with the way things have gone.

[Ben-2000]

Shove your boo'ing up your a***... full vocal backing is needed, anything else will be detrimental - if people can't see that then they might as well stay at home.

Bring your scarves, show you colours, make some NOISE!!! Even if we go behind, keep it going... intimidating atmosphere required!!

COME ON ROVERRRRRS!

[Tom]

I hope the support extends to number 17 if he's playing!

[Presty On Tour]

Jase Roberts couldn't trap a wet sand bag and hasn't got the shooting accuracy of a sniper rifle but he still gets my full support if selected like every other Rovers player.

Andrews, Grella or whoever can only play better with vocal support. Their confidence will grow.

[47er]

On the day, every worry, criticism we have about the owners or the manager go out the window. The only thing that matters is winning the game.

I've always believed that, no matter who the manager is , who the owner is or who plays.

[Al]

I think on Saturday everybody will be cheering on anybody in a blue and white shirt, whover it may be. Time to get together and forget personal preferences.

[m1st]

The one big positive for Kean to come out of this situation is that the players are all clearly backing him. Ince did not have this support and there were a number of posters on this site who made references to the training sessions and the lack of support he had.

That being said IF Kean gets a win AND we play well, then we would be on the exact same number of points as last season going into the final round of games, come on you Rovers!

And won't we "be on the exact same number of points as ... etc., etc. " if Kean gets a win and we play poorly?

For me, playing well would be a bonus; the three points on Saturday are the main [the only?] thing. I'll be cheering my team on to them, irrespective of which 11 players + subs represent us.

[Darwen Rover]

I'm no fan of our no17 but if people do boo him, it says more about the 'booers' than it does for him...

COYB!!!!!!!!

[Seedstral]

Whilst i share Kamy's view 100% the 1 thing that i cant get my head round is the quote which as been mentioned by many but oblivious to me "that relegation this time could mean the club falling into real financial trouble and facing a fight for its very existance" I've asked 2-3 people on this messageboard who have quoted more or less the same thing but had no reply via PM.

I mention this as to me it all sounds a bit surreal when we have new owners who have put money into buying the club!!

Hopefully someone can either divulge their info on here or pm in confidence with their info as tbh i'm baffled at this proposition!!