[Archived] Manchester United v BRFC Preview - Sat 31st December

[Rover Down Under]

Man U v Rovers

Saturday, 31 December 2011

K.O. 12.45pm

Not so long ago Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers was billed a top game, not to be missed, described as bitter local rivals, fighting out some intense matches, often decided in favour of the Reds by some utterly inept refereeing decisions. It is only a few years since we watched a newly signed David Bentley become the first player to score a hat-trick against Man U in the Premier League and even the brilliant double by MGP that gave us a rare win at the Theatre of Dreams is still recalled by many.

Now we are so far apart we might as well be in different leagues (well we will be in just a few months.)

Last season the horror show at Old Trafford was more than just the highlighting of the chasm that has grown between us. It was also the infamous Venkys’ party that so embarrassed the Hostess from Hell that she ordered the head of our stable but unstylish Manager a fortnight later. The rest is a long painful story that I don’t need to recount here.

There are a few things we still have in common though;

• We represent half the teams to have ever won the Premier League.
  
• Man U like to nick our defenders – May, Berg, Jones (although the media and Fabio Clodpello would have everyone believe he came through the ranks at Old Trafford). We like to appoint their former players / coaches as Managers, some with great success, others not.
  

That’s about it really.

Despite only 30 miles separating us there are few similarities left between the two clubs;

• About 90% of Rovers fans come from Blackburn within a 10 mile radius. About 99% of Man U fans come from nowhere near Manchester, a fact easily proven by visiting any service station south of the city a few hours before kick-off when Man U are playing at home. There you will see about 40% of O.T regulars passing through, the other 40% taking the train and the other 19% a mix’n’match of visiting foreigners (shafted a few hundred for the “privilege”) and other plastics from all over, hypnotised by the marketing machine that is Manchester United.
  
• One team has a super successful Scot at the helm who nearly got fired before turning his team into one of the most successful teams to grace the Premier League. The other has a super failure Scot at the helm who will never get fired even after helping turn the club into one of the most tragic, ridiculed and embarrassing teams to fall from grace in the Premier League.
  

Oh wait! I just realised one thing we do share – absolutely dire owners.

Although I would prefer the Glazers any day to the chicken bile we have been encumbered with and it really should highlight to the O.T faithful, who don their yellow and green scarves each week, how lucky they actually are.

Perhaps, therein, lie some potentially very useful allies. Half the world watch Man U and what would be more embarrassing than, in a show of solidarity, “Venkys Out” banners and chants were heard throughout the game from all ends of the ground? So Glen et al., write a passionate plea, copy it and hand out before the game to Man U fans, make some anti-Venkys banners for them, call on those glory hunting mates at work who will be there on Saturday to help us rid our club of these vermin. The game will just be another humiliation for us, although not the thrashing we endured last year, I hope! So why not use this fantastic opportunity to start damaging Venkys name, the irony would be magic.

I’ll finish with a quote from one of our own, Rovermatt, who I think best sums up the awful affliction we acquired 14 months ago.

“a pack of foolish, deceitful charlatans who somehow inveigled their way into the Premier League party. Their arrival last year has turned out to be the darkest day in the club's history.”

And finally, while I know the next few months will not be pleasant in the world of BRFC, may I wish you all a happy and successful 2012.

[lowerdarwenblue]

5-0 to United by half time. Then it all depends if Fergie wants them to take their foot off the gas. Could even be double figures if he wants to narrow the goal difference with City. The Weasel to then give one of his infamous verbal diarrhea post match interviews with not one challenging question asked. This one could be very embarrasing !!!

[roversWASmylife]

Where's the rope....

[neekoy]

I picked Liverpool 4-0 zip, this is going to be like water torture for 90 + 17 minutes injury time

[K-Hod]

Great preview. This could get to double figures.....

[Scirocco]

got 10 on rovers to lose by atleast 10 goals

[Doug]

This may be one that breaks the premiership goalscoring record. I seriously believe we could concede more than eight, without reply.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

We'll get buggered but TEFLON Steve says everything be just fine boys 'n' girls.

[Devon Rover]

Good preview. I'll go 4-0 to Utd on this one. Any margin less than that would be a surprise, anything more not really a surprise at all, which is a sad way to 'look forward' to a match.

[Audax]

Man Utd. has won their last two games, 5-0, I see a 3 goal margin but was wrong about this last game. They are hot now.

Earlier in the season they defeated Swansea, Sunderland, Everton by only one goal. Maybe the Rovers can keep it close. Telling game.

Rovers will have a slight lift from the Liverpool game, those two saves at the death were great.

[perthblue02]

After watching both the Liverpool v Rovers and United v Wigan games , the big difference is United have a decent attack, so don't expect any of this pussyfooting about trying to walk the ball in the net that Liverpool tried to subject us to, going to be a lot tougher test for our defence that played today (provided none of them fall out with Keane between now and next week and all of a sudden become injured). Rovers inability to close down the edge of the penalty area is going to be totally exploited. If we keep it below 5-0 will be a good result considering all that's going on.

Wonder during after match drinkies with SAF , United will miraculously know the minimum release fees for any of our saleable players

[Mercer]

United's central defenders falling by the minute.

I'm going for a 3-1 Rovers' win. Hail King Kean !

[Stockport rover]

Anyone know any figures for ticket sales? Even though i cant see us getting anything a full rovers end would be a nice end to the year!

[Audax]

In the past you had upsets, you have had a few in recent years... your QPR over Chelsea was one. I can only hope.

[Scirocco]

After Bunn's performance he certainly deserves another game, he did better than Robinson in that game alone than Robinson has done all year in my opinion.

Also would like to see Henley there again. So if Olsson and Givet is back, put lowe back to mid-field. Looks pretty decent back 4 again.

I'd Play ---------Bunn

--------Henley-Samba-Givet-Olsson

-------------------N'Zonzi

-------Lowe-Formica-Pedersen-Hoilet(if hes out hen Simon or Rochina. If Rochina swap him and Pedersen)

-------------------Yakubu

[Bobby G]

I think Robinson is out for a while, according to nicko at least. He says Grade 2 Tear in his calf (up to 6 weeks).

Dunn should be out of the game too and I think Junior is out as well.

Lets hope Olsson is back but I doubt it.

[Inta Beaver]

I don't think we should risk any player with a slight injury for the Utd game. We should park the bus and hope for the best. The Stoke game is huge so of someone like Olsson is nearly ready he should be rested for that.

In my opinion I'd rest the Yak as well.

[donnermeat]

I don't think we should risk any player with a slight injury for the Utd game. We should park the bus and hope for the best. The Stoke game is huge so of someone like Olsson is nearly ready he should be rested for that.

In my opinion I'd rest the Yak as well.

Are you talking about forfeiting the game?...........

[BRFCfor83]

After seeing manyooouu destroy a Wigan side which I think us stronger than us ATM, this should be the drumming I expected yesterday. The only positive from this game is all are youngsters will be full of adrenaline for this one as its a massive occasion for them, they will be out to impress just the same as a lower league team plays a prem team in a cup game the lower league side give 110%

[Inta Beaver]

Are you talking about forfeiting the game?...........

Yes my name is Steve Kean!

I'm talking about playing as we did against Liverpool but not risking players who have knocks, if the Yak was to get injured we would be in trouble, I know he doesn't work like a mad man but where would we be without his goals.

[Ferrit]

Yes my name is Steve Kean!

I'm talking about playing as we did against Liverpool but not risking players who have knocks, if the Yak was to get injured we would be in trouble, I know he doesn't work like a mad man but where would we be without his goals.

Bottom?

[Inta Beaver]

Bottom?

We would be bottom and on 5pts.

[donnermeat]

We would be bottom and on 5pts.

Don't forget that if we didn't have Yakubu in the team then Roberts would be instead therefore we would have those points back and more.

[1864roverite]

...the owners can see what we are trying to do.....

...we have a young team.........

...the team are together, we are in it together...

...the value of the team has rocketed, its not just about points on the board....

...the owners fully back me, we havent mentioned my job, I have given them my wish list and we go from there...

...after the United game we have a run of games where we can put points on the board, go on an unbeaten run, get some players in and those off the treatment room and it all looks positive....

Apart from that little lot 9-0 United

[EwoodDawn]

Wonder during after match drinkies with SAF , United will miraculously know the minimum release fees for any of our saleable players

Well the last time Coco shared a bottle of red with Fergy, he took it into his head to go off drink driving. Wonder what it'll lead to this time? I have a feeling that all the 'support' that SAF has shown to Kean in recent days is part of his usual mind games, lulling Coco into a false sense of security where he thinks he has a new friend. But no, he's actually Big Sam's long standing buddy and am sure will delight in metaphorically walloping poor old Stevie.