[Archived] Rovers vs Bolton - Possibly our most important game in years

[den]

Roque a huge injury doubt.

[otto man]

If we lose this match we will basically have no choice but to win away to West Ham and Wolves. Seeing as the chances of that happening are remote to say the least, we really, really must win this one. We've cocked up the home games against Blackpool and Birmingham, we can't afford to do the same here.

Anything other than a win and we really will be staring into the abyss. I'm praying that the players are going to rediscover the confidence and belief that gave us such a fantastic record at Ewood in the past. If they can forget Steve Kean, just ignore his presence entirely, and try and remember what it was like before he slithered into his role... perhaps we will scrape a win.

Personally.. I think it'll be a draw, 1-1, and this season is going to come down to our final game against Wolves. It's going to be a hell of a ride between now and the end of the season

Bit harsh considering the way he set them up for monday night. Let's hope we get a similar performance without the cr@p reffing

[otto man]

There's a flaw in your argument and I think I've just spotted it Phil.

Only joking. I've already said in another thread (before the Chuckle Brothers barged in) that this game has got 1-1 written all over it.

I hope you stay up - and I'm not too bothered about losing this one if it helps you stay up.

Wolves, Wigan and West Ham (please God, make it so!) for the drop for me. Blackpool should be twitching a bit too. I think you'll make it.

Then you've got the major problem of sorting out your ownership and managerial shambles before next season. Hold on to your hats! The louder you scream the faster we go!

Thanks for the support Zulu. Have a word with Coyley will ya? Remind him of the support he received from us when leaving our six fingered neighbours. Tell him he owes us one!

[RoverInWigan]

Anyone have any spare tickets going for the darwen end for this. Need one for a family member.Ive rung up the ticket office and apparently theyve sold out :/

[SamTheShrew]

Roque a huge injury doubt.

suprise suprise. I was all for him coming back but its hardly worked has it.

No doubt Kean still wants to sign him permanently.

[broadsword]

Only prediction I can confidently make is that my nerves will be in bits by the time this is over.

[DE.]

Bit harsh considering the way he set them up for monday night. Let's hope we get a similar performance without the cr@p reffing

I didn't agree with his set up monday night and we got battered in the first 20 minutes, were lucky not to be a couple of goals down. We improved after that but never looked like scoring and ended up losing again. So yeah, if they ignore Kean i'm fine with that.

[Amo]

Roque a huge injury doubt.

Next you'll be saying Grella's out.

[Derby Blue]

Hoilett only rated 50/50 to play

Rovers site

[Tom]

Without Hoilett we look devoid of any creativty especially if Emerton plays.

[92er]

Roque a huge injury doubt.

Dunn out, but could be available for West Ham.

Hoillet is also very doubtful.

Radio Lancs.

[Toodling]

Santa cruz is a joke, Part of me thinks venkys told kean to get him back but either way im pretty sure his career is over at top level.

[imy9]

The biggest game of our season, probably in the last few years. We simply MUST win the game to survive, if we lose I feel there is very little chance of survival. If there was ever a time for the players to raise the bar it has to be on Saturday.

[tony gale's mic]

If Hoilett is out it'll be absolutely devastating.

[Muddboy]

If Hoilett is out it'll be absolutely devastating.

I think the story about Hoilett being out is a load of tosh.

He's our most deadly weapon at the moment and Bolton will know that. Therefore, put up a story before the game saying he's out and then watch Bolton systematically sh!t their pants as his name is announced on the team sheet before kick off on Saturday.

Kean said he was agonisingly close to a return on Monday night against Man City. How can he all of a sudden be out five days later when he hasn't trained and has spent his time working with the physios?

It's a mind game that works for me.

[mode_m]

Must win - simple as.

Hoilett has to go straight back in, but I wouldn't be so quick to bring Roque back as he looks at best half fit and half interested.

I'd line up like this:

..........................Robbo

Salgado....Samba....P Jones....Givet

..............J Jones......N'Zonzi

Hoilett.........Rochina........Olsson

.......................Benjani

The defence picks itself. Roberts would be dropped from the squad entirely, and be made to work on scoring free headers for 12 hours a day for the next month after his awful attempt on Monday. Can't believe Kean had Niko scoring 'into an empty net' when Roberts can even miss those.

Dunny's not got the legs for more than a 30 min cameo, MGP lacks the heart, fight and form to play any part for me, and Bert puts the effort in but with little end product.

I'm sure Kean's team will look nothing like that though!

I would really like to see MGP back in the starting 11. Rovers miss him dearly for set pieces, nobody else seems to be able to take a free kick either on net or for crosses into the box. I might be dreaming here but with RSC up front instead of Benjani and MGP instead of Rochina, there might be a chance to place some balls in the air for some headers -- add Samba in there for corners and free kicks and there is a good chance Rovers can score a few.

...In other words let's bring back the big Sam tactics until the end of the season.

[EWOODACE1]

what worries me is that the teams below us will win some games as the play each other. we need a minimum of 4 points i think to stay up. if we can beat bolton which is hard to see then we can play for a draw at wolves and west ham.

[Guest roverite1991]

This was in the other Bolton thread, but I'll put it here too:

I think we'll have to score at LEAST 2 goals if Sturridge plays against us. I'd go with a similar tactic to the Citeh game (and hopefully the same committment and enthusiasm from the players) using this formation:

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

Sally -- Samba -- P.Jones -- Givet

---------------J.Jones

Hoilett ----- Peders ----- Olsson

---------Benjani ----- Kalinic

Bench: Bunn, Emo, Hanley, N'Zonzi, Rochina (I keep calling him Cheena for some reason, sounds cooler in my not-quite-right head), Roberts and Santa)

That is a VERY solid defense (our best imo) with J.Jones instructed to break up the play and pass to our mid/wingers. Hoilett and Olsson will be great on the wings (as always) and Peders can do some defensive work as well as link the mid and attack (and his set-pieces could be vital, as I felt they would've been against Citeh).

Now, I pick Benjani to start as he is a big lad and will chase lost causes. He can be replaced by Roberts (who is a better impact player anyway) after the halfway point. Kalinic is our top scorer and can create a moment of magic when needed. He has a decent touch and CAN score at important times (no time is more important than now)!

Trouble is.....Kean won't let it happen

[den]

This was in the other Bolton thread, but I'll put it here too:

I think we'll have to score at LEAST 2 goals if Sturridge plays against us. I'd go with a similar tactic to the Citeh game (and hopefully the same committment and enthusiasm from the players) using this formation:

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

Sally -- Samba -- P.Jones -- Givet

---------------J.Jones

Hoilett ----- Peders ----- Olsson

---------Benjani ----- Kalinic

Bench: Bunn, Emo, Hanley, N'Zonzi, Rochina (I keep calling him Cheena for some reason, sounds cooler in my not-quite-right head), Roberts and Santa)

That is a VERY solid defense (our best imo) with J.Jones instructed to break up the play and pass to our mid/wingers. Hoilett and Olsson will be great on the wings (as always) and Peders can do some defensive work as well as link the mid and attack (and his set-pieces could be vital, as I felt they would've been against Citeh).

Now, I pick Benjani to start as he is a big lad and will chase lost causes. He can be replaced by Roberts (who is a better impact player anyway) after the halfway point. Kalinic is our top scorer and can create a moment of magic when needed. He has a decent touch and CAN score at important times (no time is more important than now)!

Trouble is.....Kean won't let it happen

So I believe.

[Guest roverite1991]

Roque a huge injury doubt.

Yes, GET IN!!

Hoilett only rated 50/50 to play

Rovers site

Aw poo

So I believe.

I used 'CAN' with good reason haha.

[den]

Dunn out, but could be available for West Ham.

Hoillet is also very doubtful.

Radio Lancs.

Did you have to do that 92er?

Good gawd.

[Ozz]

Jeez, we really are in trouble now.

[RIML]

John McB******s Column

"I hear talk of them wanting to be a top eight side but they haven't invested anything like the amount of money it takes to do that."

"Sixth place might seem a long way off but while it's mathematically possible, we've got to keep going."

Ehhhhh? Rovers can't be top 8 (obviously not this season) because we haven't invested but Bolton can finish there or thereabouts without breaking the bank, what a load of b******s.

[OJRovers]

Is Keith available?

[CaliRoverNYC]

Im actually happy this one isn't on in the states, checking the score after its all over will only mean a few seconds of nerves for me rather than 90 mins.

Lets hope sturridge is out and Junior is in... I think that will be enough to eeck out a 1-nil win... If other results go our way we can be 4 points up with 3 games to go.