[Archived] Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United

[RovertheHill]

I would have taken a draw beforehand but somehow I feel cheated. I don't think it was ever a penalty. The ball was out before there was contact and I thought a foul was where you interfered with play, which it didn't. Regardless, Robbo made the wrong decision and it's things like that that ultimately change matches.

Overall I thought the team was excellent and maybe, just maybe, the manager is starting to learn his trade and prove he can do the job. Not that I'd want him to next year I might add

Finally, I remember getting called naive when we held back against Wolves when 3-0 up and plenty on here thought it (and Allardyce) was the right thing to do at the time. You could argue that it was more important not to concede today but what I saw at the end today I still think was p*ss poor and I blame the manager (as I did against Wolves). If that all makes me naive and an idealistic then so be it. Incidentally, I wonder if those that defended Allardyce and who hate Kean will be out defending Kean on this one?

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Apparently Dowd was checking with the linesman as to whether the ball was out of play when Robinson made connection. Yeah right

I noticed this wasn't replayed in slow motion to see whether it was or not. Unlike our goal when they played from all angles to see if it could have been all over the line.

Whether the ball was out or not, it was going out and Hernandez had nothing to play for other than the penalty. The rules encourage it though, whereas in the past the ref would have waved it away. Definitely dodgy.

It was a foul regardless of whether Hernandez would have kept it in. It was the right call. Suck it in. Get over it.

[deftangel]

Hoiletts probably not fully fit. I don't blame Kean re other results, they can be a distraction. You need to concentrate on the game in hand and play it as you see it.

Anybody know what happened with Samba ? I wouldn't have thought that was a tactical switch.

Hoillet played an hour at West Ham last week. Why take him off after 55 today? We were more comfortable in the first 15mins 2nd half than I envisaged, there was no need to change so early.

At this stage of the season, I think he should be aware of the other results. He certainly bloody should be next week.

I'm a lot less harsh on him than a few on here but substitutions are definitely the weakest facet of his tenure. Andrews came on as Samba looked like he had a knock but was the only option as he'd already used up the other two subs. Didn't do anything wrong today our Keef but it's a risky business throwing him in at home given previous, rightly or wrongly.

[Andy]

I can't believe anyone is disputing the penalty to be honest - an absolute stonewaller.

Yes, the ball was heading out of play but the fact is that Robbo came storming out, missed the ball and took the player out.

If we're talking dodgy decisions, what about that ball that Olsson pulled from over the line to set up Emerton's goal?

Either way, a decent point in the circumstances and one that hopefully nudges us a step closer to safety.

[Gogger]

I can't believe anyone is disputing the penalty to be honest - an absolute stonewaller.

Yes, the ball was heading out of play but the fact is that Robbo came storming out, missed the ball and took the player out.

If we're talking dodgy decisions, what about that ball that Olsson pulled from over the line to set up Emerton's goal?

Either way, a decent point in the circumstances and one that hopefully nudges us a step closer to safety.

Do you think we would have gotten a penalty for the same thing? I dont..

And how on earth didnt one of United players get the yellow card after jumping the linesman when Dowd went to talk to him.

[Ricky]

Only person to blame for the penno is kean.... Sorry I mean robbo... Force of habit sorry.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Anyone else had problems with United fans in home areas - we had quite a number in the Jack Walker stand - but the stewards did nothing. Please could somebody PM me Tom Finn's mails address if they have it - I am absolutely disgusted how the club have handled this. Yet again threats made to home fans - but nothing done to away fans - even the 7k all standing the DE. Rovers must be one of the few clubs in the premiership that gives so much preference to away fans.

Back to the match - a defensive master class - if we can keep them Samba and Jones can be immense for us next season. Kean had his tactics absolutely spot on - and but for some poor play at times by Roberts we could have done even better (overall though Roberts did have a reasonable match). We were desperately unlucky with the timing of the injuries - especially Samba going off and Olsson having to move back into defence.

Samba has to be the biggest worry for the Wolves match - Kean mentioned a groin injury and hamstring strain - doesn't sound good. Also Hoilett going off again doesn't bode well. Though we got a point - lots went against us today. BTW - how can the FA allow referee's to show such obvious bias towards teams like United. Don't know about the penalty - but you can bet it wouldn't have been given to Rovers. But in general play he gave decisions against Rovers but not United. Most blatent was Jones booking for shirt pulling - and yet Rooney got away with similar three times.

[brian nelsen]

Where's GAV when you need him. Bring on the positivity. Some people on this forum really get on my wick.

[Roverdale]

If we had pressed United right at the end chances are they would have started playing again and the last thing we needed was them coming at us in the 93rd minute with no Samba at the back. When we were passing the ball about I don't really blame the team imagine if we had lost it in the midfield and United had broken and scored this messageboard would read very differently, 'why didn't we just keep the ball' etc etc.. Whether it was boring or not a point is better than none and with 5 minutes to go I'm glad to see we didn't do anything stupid. If anything it shows some composure from Kean to not frantically chase the ball and leave us open to a loss. 1 Point isn't enough for safety but it's a point none of us thought we would get so look on the bright side. It took an error from Robbo to give them a penalty, they couldn't challenge us the way they've been challenging others lately, that against the Champions is fantastic in my eyes.

Now let's try and get a point from Wolves, a setup like today will be impossible to break down by Wolves.. they're very poor and we've proved now we can steady the ship and after the point today we deserve to be in this league Kean or no Kean.

[davulsukur]

did a Utd player even get booked?

[Ferrit]

Penalty aside, Phil Dowds performance was a complete and utter disgrace. The guy doesn't even try to pretend to be non-biased anymore.

The bookings of Olsson and Nzonzi are testament to that, as well as the non bookings of Scholes and Vidic. The guy is just a cheat.

Apart from that, obviously happy with a point and that should just about see us safe. Yes Blackpool and Wolves results were poor from our perspective, but it's going to take Wigan to win 2 games and Blackpool to beat Man UTD at OT to put us down, and that's with us losing as well. It's not completely out of the question, but fairly unlikely.

JJ was man of the match by a mile for me, another solid performance. If we stay up, we must pull out all the stops to buy him.

Last point, the club should look into the 2 idiot Man United fans who got thrown out of the Riverside after their goal. If the tickets came from season ticket holders, those people should never be allowed in the ground again.

[BuckyRover]

Where's GAV when you need him. Bring on the positivity. Some people on this forum really get on my wick.

It was a fantastic performance in the circumstances. If Kean is at fault for a lot at this club then he also has to take massive credit for our turnaround. It's very hard to bounce back from such a poor run of form.

I certainly didn't expect it.

Chris Coleman was raving about the way we had set up tactically. Saying we gave Man Utd little to no space and made it incredibly difficult for them.

[brian nelsen]

If we had pressed United right at the end chances are they would have started playing again and the last thing we needed was them coming at us in the 93rd minute with no Samba at the back. When we were passing the ball about I don't really blame the team imagine if we had lost it in the midfield and United had broken and scored this messageboard would read very differently, 'why didn't we just keep the ball' etc etc.. Whether it was boring or not a point is better than none and with 5 minutes to go I'm glad to see we didn't do anything stupid. If anything it shows some composure from Kean to not frantically chase the ball and leave us open to a loss. 1 Point isn't enough for safety but it's a point none of us thought we would get so look on the bright side. It took an error from Robbo to give them a penalty, they couldn't challenge us the way they've been challenging others lately, that against the Champions is fantastic in my eyes.

Now let's try and get a point from Wolves, a setup like today will be impossible to break down by Wolves.. they're very poor and we've proved now we can steady the ship and after the point today we deserve to be in this league Kean or no Kean.

here, here. Well said. Perfect summary.

[deftangel]

He also gave a free kick for two Man Utd players running into each other. Didn't have a great 2nd half did Dowd

[yeti-dog]

He also gave a free kick for two Man Utd players running into each other. Didn't have a great 2nd half did Dowd

...my least favourite ref by a country mile is Mr Dowd..too much ego and loves being the centre of attention.

[RibbleValleyRover]

You do know we were playing the champions, right?

Of course, just pointing out I don't see this superb tactical plan by Kean. I thought we were lucky today but of course it was a welcomed point.

Chris Coleman was raving about the way we had set up tactically. Saying we gave Man Utd little to no space and made it incredibly difficult for them.

The same Chris Coleman that could only manage Fulham because of his old pal Steve Kean?

[Darwen Rover]

Think the lads did really well today..

The other thing I'd say is think kean got it absolutely spot on today re tactics.. Perhaps he's learning????

[Tom]

Hoillet played an hour at West Ham last week. Why take him off after 55 today? We were more comfortable in the first 15mins 2nd half than I envisaged, there was no need to change so early.

This is nonsense, I was watching Hoilett and he wasn't moving freely at all and headed straight down the tunnel yet you say because he played longer last week we should leave a struggling player on?

Kean got it right today with line up and substitutions given the situation for me.

[Stuart]

Physically and mentally exhausted. Gutted about the penalty and, although I've not seen a replay, I thought Robbo was slow to come out and made it easy for Hernandez to go over. I agree with the comments about Phil Dowd. The guy was so biased it was untrue. For instance, Jones booked and Dowd indicates shirt pulling. Free kick against Rooney, Dowd indicates shirt pulling, yet doesn't even speak to the player let alone book him. Disgusting, and milked the situation for the penalty. I imagine there being a nice bottle of red wine coming his way.

I found the last 10-15 minutes depressing. I sincerely hope that point is as sufficient for us as it was for Rovers. That period really took the shine off what had been an exciting game.

Some other observations:

- Venkys in attendance, can we expect another announcement?

- I can't see anything but Kean being manager next season.

- And if he is, I think we can expect Keith Andrews to be a big part of the future of the playing staff.

- And if he is, I can only see another season like the second half of this.

Got to hope that Blackpool don't beat United next week...

[BuckyRover]

Of course, just pointing out I don't see this superb tactical plan by Kean. I thought we were lucky today but of course it was a welcomed point.

The same Chris Coleman that could only manage Fulham because of his old pal Steve Kean?

What's that I can hear?

A metaphorical barrel being scraped

[Stuart]

Did anyone see what went on in the middle of the Riverside? Looked like a bloke got a bit of a beating immediatel after United scored their penalty.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

A good battling display from Rovers today and nowhere near the Utd fan infiltration as feared...good to see.If only we could have taken all three points but that's been the story of the season for us.

I will be thankful when we are safe and this turd of a season is over!

[Tom]

Once again we had away fans in the boxes behind N01 winding home fans up. Really not a good idea, just because people pay corporate rates they shouldn't be treat like royalty

[Ferrit]

Did anyone see what went on in the middle of the Riverside? Looked like a bloke got a bit of a beating immediatel after United scored their penalty.

It all kicked off because of 2 Man United fans celebrating the goal....

[Commondore]

Apparently Dowd was checking with the linesman as to whether the ball was out of play when Robinson made connection. Yeah right

I noticed this wasn't replayed in slow motion to see whether it was or not. Unlike our goal when they played from all angles to see if it could have been all over the line.

Whether the ball was out or not, it was going out and Hernandez had nothing to play for other than the penalty. The rules encourage it though, whereas in the past the ref would have waved it away. Definitely dodgy.

That bugged me as well. You could clearly see that the ball wasn't over the line on every one of those replays, and yet they kept rolling it from angles I didn't even know existed.

I think it's worth mentioning that Kean got his substitutions right today. No need to risk both out central midfielders picking up a red card for the last game, same thing with Samba's injury. I was perplexed to see Pedersen replace Hoilett, but he made a lot of good defensive work and actually offered some good set pieces.

Also, when was the last time Emerton was this good? He kept putting in devilish crosses throughout the whole game and worked his legs off in midfield. If he can keep that up (which I somehow doubt) he should start every game on the right wing.