[Archived] Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers-Match Preview

[Ozz]

Match Preview

So-this is the situation as we go to Wigan on the 19th. Rovers are next to bottom, above only Wigan and a loss would clearly see us rooted to the foot of the table. Indeed, should a few simple results go against us we could well be five points from safety. If that were to happen, based on the form we have shown so far (six points from twelve games) it would be difficult to see us anywhere other than bottom three for the remainder of the season.

Our big problem seems to be letting goals in. Does not seem too bad when you say it like that, but really letting goals in is a bad bad thing. You see if you let one in, you have to score two to win-at least. Under Steve Keans leadership, I reckon we have only kept FOUR clean sheets in the league. The last one was Bolton at home in April (The last game I attended). We won 1-0. Before that a 0-0 at Arsenal, before that 0-0 home to Newcastle, before that 2-0 home to WBA. Those four clean sheets have garnered 8 points out of 12-very nice work Keano.

But recent games at Wigan have tended to be goal fests-we've conceded 13 goals there in the last four games. And in most of those games Wigan have been struggling for goals and form too. So this game will surely provide a really tough test for Rovers defenders, especially so with Samba missing.

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Personal Thoughts

I have not watched much football this season, I fell out with Rovers after thirty years after the Venkys, Kean, etc shenanigans this summer. I did not renew my long running season ticket, and only watch the highlights of our games on MOTD. But I do care. I care very much indeed. Every game that passes with another defeat makes my heart sink.

Modern Premier league football stinks. From top to bottom, the whole set up reeks of childish, greedy, backstabbing, racist, petty criminals. It has done for years. I don't like the fans, with the crap songs passed from one ground to the next, each with a slightly different wording of the same song that the club who came last week sung. I detest the players, whose renumeration policy seems to defy logic. I am eternally perplexed by chairmen who employ serial underperforming managers on ever baffling contracts, and I abhor the cartel that retailers and clubs operate that sees each team changing the official shirt every five minutes and charge the mug punters vast amounts of cash for the pleasure of purchasing them.

But among all that, I was always proud of the Rovers- my club-my team, Blackburn Rovers; a shining light of honesty, integrity and and a model of how to run a modern, successful small town outfit.

I am going to Wigan to watch Rovers in a bid to try and re kindle that pride. If I like what I see in the performance, and the crowd, and I see hope-then all is not lost. IF I don't, it could well be the end of football for me.

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Stuff From Previous Trips

Wigan away is always a handy trip for me. 362 bus from Big Lamp and bobs your uncle. I won't bore you with car parking facilities or similar. But these are a few experiences from the several previous trips there.

PUBS.

Last season I went to The Anvil-a great pub, with plenty of cask ale and Continental beers too-Right next to the bus station (very nice) next to what used to be The Grand hotel (Closed by trades descriptions people I believe...)

The Anvil

There is a Wetherspoons if you like them, called The Moon Under Water. Another decent pub is The Swan And Railway, which is right next to Wallgate railway station, opposite North Western, which I guess makes it handy for the train based visitors.

Swan And Railway pub.

I remember some good times at Wigan-2-0 win a sub zero night in a league cup quarter final, when we had all the side of the ground.

Pedersen and Reids wonder goals on New Years Eve in a three nil romp.

Bellamy and co drubbing them three nil a year later.

Losing 5-3 after coming back from 3-0 down to 3-3 with Roque getting all three and donning a Santa hat.

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In summary,

Am going on the bus to watch Rovers lose at Wigan whilst getting a little drunk probably.

Watch out for the nasty bridge heading back into town, its a nghtmare.

Anyone who would like to meet up in The Anvil let me know.

[Ozz]

Bad times. Here is an ant missing a penalty.

[rebelmswar]

Good job as always Mr. Ozz.

I had not looked at a league table until now...

[colin]

Nice one Ozz,

Hope it goes well on the day for your return to football.

Here's that Stephen Reid goal Perhaps the most violent strike of a ball I've ever seen. I was there and seeing it again puts the fear of god into me.

[philipl]

Great preview Ozz.

Now Hugo Rodalega has not scored all year and missed two monumental sitters against Wolves.

We all know what is coming next.

Rovers will probably need to score four just to be sure of at least a point.

[AggyBlue]

Enjoyed the rant ozzy, much of which I agree with

[Paul]

Agree with all you say Ozz. Can't see the ant though, even with a big arrow pointing at it.........

[yeti-dog]

Good preview..especially the reviews of the watering holes!!

Whilst I often hope for the best but quietly fear the worst, I honestly can't see anything but a Rovers win here. Wigan have been appalling so far this season.

We need to be brave and go for it..3 popints are there for the taking and a win could very belatedly kickstart our season.

[cn174]

We should be winning this one. Wigan are terrible this season. But we'll see.

Will be on the 362 to Wigan also (£4.40 day ticket from Chorley if anyone needs to know!). Ozz, the last Wigan rugby game I went to in October the Swan & Railway looked properly closed.

[Plastic Head]

Wigan v Rovers.

Who cares. If we win it will change nothing in the medium to long term.

Venky's out.

The club is in dire straights on and off the field.

Listen to the podcast.

[eire3382]

Realistically we need to win but who reaaly knows anymore.

I find myself dreading match days lately mostly because it gives KEAN a chance to stick his ugly mug infront of every camera he can search out. The depression is deepening with every passing day.

KEAN OUT!!!!!!!!!

[forumquizmaster]

Great preview Ozz. I like the Wigan away game as its easy to get to on t'train from Glasgow and we shall be partaking lunch in that pub next to Wigan North Western. Last time I was in Wigan was the 'Ince' game, and the time before that was listening to Russ Winstanley spin his discs at the Casino in about 1980.

Think we'll win 4-2, with Rochina emulating Steven Reid's effort from a few years back, Hoilett bagging a couple and Pederson scoring from distance.

I would urge everyone to get right behind the lads, but if it goes wrong, protest with all your might at the end of 90 minutes.

[Ozz]

By the way I am not suggesting I think that my turning up at Rovers v Wigan mans that the wrongs of football will all be righted. I just hope that seven months away from the gane may have allowed me to be less negative, and give my full support to the Rovers PLAYERS on the pitch. God knows they need it.

[Rovers_786]

I hope we can win this, but for now under that kean we will go nowhere.

[1864roverite]

This could easily well be my last ever away game in the Premiership.

Wigan have lost 8 on the spin - Rovers are due in town what will happen ?

Rodellaga hasnt scored recently - Rovers are due in town what will happen ?

It hasnt rained on a Saturday in Wigan for a few weeks - Rovers are due in town what will happen ?

Both Martinez and Kean are fighting it our for worst manager of the season - Rovers are due in town who is going to win that particular fight ?

Who will be rooted to the bottom spot on Saturday week at 5pm - Its Rovers who are due in town and guess who will take the spot ?

Wigans crowds are dwindling quicker than Ewoods. I predict a decent Rovers following will see another nearly performance where we play well, have x amount of shots, present x amount of chances for our strikers, see NZonzi's value increase by a quid and hear yet again more drivel from our inadequate and useless leader as Rovers lose 2-0.

I genuinely fear this game could be the one that breaks the camels back and we may well see some serious vitriol spewing from the Rovers end towards the current manager and the team in general as things go from bad to worse on the pitch.

I really do have some serious fears for BRFC and this game.

[Athlete]

This could easily well be my last ever away game in the Premiership.

Wigan have lost 8 on the spin - Rovers are due in town what will happen ?

Rodellaga hasnt scored recently - Rovers are due in town what will happen ?

It hasnt rained on a Saturday in Wigan for a few weeks - Rovers are due in town what will happen ?

Both Martinez and Kean are fighting it our for worst manager of the season - Rovers are due in town who is going to win that particular fight ?

Who will be rooted to the bottom spot on Saturday week at 5pm - Its Rovers who are due in town and guess who will take the spot ?

Wigans crowds are dwindling quicker than Ewoods. I predict a decent Rovers following will see another nearly performance where we play well, have x amount of shots, present x amount of chances for our strikers, see NZonzi's value increase by a quid and hear yet again more drivel from our inadequate and useless leader as Rovers lose 2-0.

I genuinely fear this game could be the one that breaks the camels back and we may well see some serious vitriol spewing from the Rovers end towards the current manager and the team in general as things go from bad to worse on the pitch.

I really do have some serious fears for BRFC and this game.

I fear for this game Wigan have lost 8 on the bounce - the law of averages says they are due too not lose one !

IF Rovers don't win here it surely is the end and the only way is relegation as Wigan are the woefull !

[Lurid Coat]

2-4 loss against a horrible Wigan outfit, with Kean, grinning from ear to ear after having signed a bumper new deal that will see him at Rovers until 2020, praising the lads for being positive throughout the entire game and getting into the opposition's box 22.5 times

[JAL]

Good stuff Ozz, hope you enjoy the day.

As for the game Rovers should win this one by at least a couple of goals.

No Kean out banners for the DW stadium please.

[Athlete]

Good stuff Ozz, hope you enjoy the day.

As for the game Rovers should win this one by at least a couple of goals.

No Kean out banners for the DW stadium please.

Dave Whelan will not refuse entry to any Kean OUT Banners he said from the start '' the Rovers takeover doesn't seem right ''

[LeChuck]

I fancy a draw here.

Wigan are in a similar situation to us - they've been perceived to be putting in good performances, but haven't been getting results. To be honest that's a trait of many sides that go down.

They had a lot of chances against Wolves, and even more against Fulham (look at the stats here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/15413397.stm).

If either team are to get out of the relegation zone then this could be the turning point. If one team happens to lose then I think they're guaranteed to go down. It's a massive game.

Is Dann back for this? If so I would go with the same team that started against Chelsea, but with Dann instead of Samba.

[joey_big_nose]

The way we have been playing we really should win this. But then I wouldn't put my house on it.

On the positive side in the last four games we have looked capable all over the pitch. While losing Samba is a blow, Dann should slot in as a direct replacement next to Givet who has been excellent recently. I have been blown away - considering how hit and miss they generally have been over their rovers careers - by the assurance on the ball of Pedersen and Nzonzi, some of whose passsing has been really first rate. Olsson and Lowe have show ability defensively and offensively against quality wingers, while Hoilett and Rochina look dangerous. Even Formica, who I have not really been too taken with, seems to be settling. And most important the shape of the side, defending narrowly and in an organsied and coordinated fashion, has improved markedly.

However the issue is scoring goals. Yak gets in the right positions and can finish, but he is very slow and has a poor work rate. Also, for all of Kean's talk of 'box penetration' we rarely get anyone else in there to help the Yak out.

Also while the majority of the goals we have recently conceded have either been bad luck or outstanding finishes, you do have to wonder when exactly are we going to have some good luck? Or prevent these finishes, for all of our organised defending...?

Really need an emphatic victory here to go into a run of eminently 'winnable' games...

[eire3382]

If winning this game results in the most useless waste of human flesh getting a new contract I hope we lose.

That is such a depressing way to feel but he has to go.

KEAN OUT

[LeChuck]

The way we have been playing we really should win this.

But Wigan have been playing well too. Their performance against Fulham was miles better than anything we've put in under Kean. The Wolves game could have gone either way as well.

It could be a great game actually, both teams can't defend and have managers trying to play attacking football.

[yeti-dog]

If winning this game results in the most useless waste of human flesh getting a new contract I hope we lose.

That is such a depressing way to feel but he has to go.

KEAN OUT

This is the kind of comment we see too often around here and it makes me seethe.

The "most useless waste of human flesh"?? Really? You need to have a look at yourself,at worst he's a poor football manager who seems to be made of teflon.

As for hoping we lose...pathetic. I will NEVER wish for a loss for my team.

[Clitherover]

Got my tickets for this game today.

Could be the last match I attend in a long while.