[Archived] Arsenal V Blackburn Rovers 2 April 2011

[Lathund]

Bottom line is this; Ahead of todays games we were one point off the drop zone. Now we're two points off, and improved our goal difference against West Ham and Wolves. Today is a good day.

I expected a 4-0 thumping today, never in a million years did I think we'd keep a clean sheet, nor get a point. Despite our positive first half all I could think was of the cruelty of giving me false hope ahead of the inevitable collapse. Some defensive heroics all around; the Joneses, Nelsen, Samba and key blocks from Salgado and Olsson. I'm too happy to go into any negatives.

This is huge, not only because of the unexpected point, but it'll raise spirits among staff, players and supporters. Whether it was the genius of Kean, the leadership from our two centre-halves, or the sacrificial ritual I performed this morning that deserves the credit doesn't matter to me. Today is a good day, the first in a long time for Blackburn Rovers.

[tony gale's mic]

The manager has been ripped apart day after day on this forum.

Today he deserves the credit for a hard-fought point.

The players and manager both deserve credit for this result.

But it should take a lot more than one off results to change peoples' opinions on the manager.

[Mattyblue]

The manager has been ripped apart day after day on this forum.

Today he deserves the credit for a hard-fought point.

I've made my opinions perfectly clear on the bloke, but he ain't going anywhere and the players are behind him.

Fair play to him and the players.

[RibbleValleyRover]

[Gogger]

Phil Dowd. Arsenals best player. How on earth was that a red card, and how on earth is it a drop when you stop Phil Jones from having a shot by blowing when a player is down (which you didnt do at all when Blackburn players were down with injury and Arsenal had a chance to go forward..

Great result btw, didnt expect a point today.

[Pugg]

So nervous until the whistle went. Excellent point. Just hope we continue like this and don't roll over again. We should always be hard to beat and try and keep clean sheets, not the 'we'll try and score more than them' tactic.

[Bobby G]

I will say this Jermaine Jones is a lung machine. He has quietly emerged as a vital ingredient in our midfield. Best all round midfielder we have at out club. Box to box. Shame he is leaving in the summer.

[OsloRover]

I'm sure the players will get the credit. Or the fans. Or the spirit of John Williams.

But not the manager.

Yeah, Kean deserves his share of the credit for this.

Set the team up defensively in a 4-5-1 and it worked.

[Balwer]

So proud of the boys. Credit to the manager as well. Use the momentum now boys and we'll have no trouble staying up.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

Feels like a win.

Great performance.

[Amo]

The players and manager both deserve credit for this result.

But it should take a lot more than one off results to change peoples' opinions on the manager.

Oh, I agree. The players worked their socks off today.

But I'm sure we'll hear that the players never listened to Kean etc etc.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

Oh, and J. Jones was MOTM for us, up and down all day long. Speedier than I thought too.

[Iceman]

Steve Kean is a legend

[Bobby G]

We must win our home games now. Birmingham and Bolton this month at home are so important.

[booth]

I wondered who he reminded me of.

And whilst you're laughing at that you can laugh at these poorly chosen words.

http://goonerholic.com/2011/04/this-will-be-a-good-day/?

[Steve Moss]

I'm going to reverse myself out of a spirit of contrariness and as I need something to hope for in regards to the Rovers, not matter how unlikely. I think/believe/have faith that we'll get something out of this one.

Was I right?

The manager has been ripped apart day after day on this forum.

Today he deserves the credit for a hard-fought point.

The Rovers deserve credit for the hard fought point. The manager is part of the equation that equals the "Rovers". Whether he was the leader or carried by the squad will be determined by more than one match. Only time will tell.

Personally, I'll believe Kean competent in a leadership role when I see a trend of postive results and the Rovers clawing their way up the league ladder. In the meantime, I would not weep if he were sacked tomorrow.

Bottom line is this; Ahead of todays games we were one point off the drop zone. Now we're two points off, and improved our goal difference against West Ham and Wolves. Today is a good day.

. . .

This is huge, not only because of the unexpected point, but it'll raise spirits among staff, players and supporters. Whether it was the genius of Kean, the leadership from our two centre-halves, or the sacrificial ritual I performed this morning that deserves the credit doesn't matter to me. Today is a good day, the first in a long time for Blackburn Rovers.

Absolutely 100% agreed.

I will say this Jermaine Jones is a lung machine. He has quietly emerged as a vital ingredient in our midfield. Best all round midfielder we have at out club. Box to box. Shame he is leaving in the summer.

Forget a 'marquee" signing. Sign JJ. He can do the job in the midfield that we've desperately needed for sometime now.

[SamTheShrew]

This result is the perfect catalyst for a home win against Brum.

A lot of hope for me from today.

Even some towards Kean's ability to keep us up(!)

[beerwins]

Great stuff RVR

[Ferrit]

Really happy with the way we battled, especially after going down to ten men. First time this season under Kean we've looked solid at the back as well.

Dowd ... what can you say, yet another dreaful performance from him. Never been a red card in a million years, he bottled it. Explain to me how Song lasted the full game as well? Should've been sent off, again, Dowd bottled it.

Great result considering our recent form, and that we were playing 10 vs 12. We really need to ensure we build on that though, and pickup a vital 3 points againts Birmingham otherwise this result will be wasted.

First time in weeks i've felt positive about our chances of staying up though, so today is a good day!

[booth]

Shalke want to keep JJ now though

I likes him.

[Iceman]

Steve Kean is amazing, genius. Well done lads. Salgado and Samba almost going toe to toe. Wonder who would win.

Massive result for us, and a win against Brum and Bolton and i reckon we will be safe.

[Exiled_Rover]

I will say this Jermaine Jones is a lung machine. He has quietly emerged as a vital ingredient in our midfield. Best all round midfielder we have at out club. Box to box. Shame he is leaving in the summer.

That much was obvious on his debut. I swear half of our fans don't actually know anything about the game.

[Hekla]

Beat B'ham and Bolton and we are probably safe?

[tonyoz]

Shalke want to keep JJ now though

I likes him.

Let's hope they are just trying to talk up the price!?!

[jim mk2]

Well played Rovers - unexpected point. Now we must not lose to (and preferably beat) Birmingham or today's effort will have been wasted.