[Archived] Where did it all go wrong?

[rog of the rovers]

And so the inquest should begin!

Seasons shambles in review.

Wolves (h) - lost 1-2. N'Zonzi (a defensive midfielder) and Hanley (at that time, very inexperienced) as the starting CB pairing. Salgado looked his age, and strength of squad already a major concern. Rovers bench on the opening day was; Bunn, Ribeiro, Anderson, Henley, Blackman, Rochina, Goodwillie.

P1 W0 D0 L1 F1 A2 Pts 0. Position 19th

Aston Villa (a) - lost 1-3. Nelsen forced to start at CB due to the injury to Samba and the fragility of the squad. Agbonlahor, Heskey and Bent goals sealed a comfortable victory for Villa. Petrovic made his debut and did little in his 15 minute cameo. This was to be Nelsen's last game for the club.

P2 W0 D0 L2 F2 A5 Pts 0. Position 20th

Everton (h) - lost 0-1. After beating Sheff Weds reserves in the Carling Cup, Rovers resumed their league campaign at home to Everton. Two, yes TWO missed penalties later (the first a tame effort from Hoilett which was saved, followed by Formica sending Howard the wrong way, but hitting the post), they succumbed to the first of many last minute goals when Arteta scored from 12 yards for Everton. Emerton's last game for the club.

P3 W0 D0 L3 F2 A6 Pts 0. Position 20th

Fulham (a) - Draw 1-1. Rovers' first point of the season, Scott Dann's debut, Yakubu was an unused substitute. Rochina scored the goal of the season (yes I know, it wasn't as good as Hoilett's vs. Norwich) but the lead lasted all of 5 minutes! A desperate second half, which saw Rovers penned into their own half for 45 minutes was as good as it got.

P4 W0 D1 L3 F3 A7 Pts 1. Position 20th

Arsenal (h) - Win 4-3. Rovers' first win of the season, and against the Gunners! Yakubu's home debut saw him score a brace, but fortune favoured us as Song and Koscielny own goals helped us lead 4-1 in the second half. Of course this being Rovers we were hanging on at the end and Arsenal may even have had a penalty when Walcott was tripped by Robinson. With Venky's in attendance and the first organised protest the crowd was torn with many wanting to give Kean a chance. However, this was to be Rovers only victory in their first 14 league games!

P5 W1 D1 L3 F7 A10 Pts 4. Position 14th ** Rovers highest league position in the 2011/2012 season **

Newcastle (a) - Lost 1-3. Rovers' response to their first victory was to beat Leyton Orient in the League Cup. After which, they travelled to the North East to what was the first of two abject performances at St James's Park (later lost 1-2 in the 3rd round of the FA Cup). Junior Hoilett's goal was a mere consolation as Demba Ba bullied Samba and Dann all game and scored a brilliant hat-trick. Vince Grella made a rare appearance from the bench, and surely his last for the club. It would aslo be assistant manager John Jensen's last game with Blackburn Rovers. The poor run of form was obviously his fault!

P6 W1 D1 L4 F8 A13 Pts 4. Position 18th

Man City (h) - Lost 0-4. Rovers then faced high flying Man City who totally outclassed Kean's men (as predicted) on a baking hot Saturday in October! 35% possession showed City's dominance.

P7 W1 D1 L5 F8 A17 Pts 4. Position 19th

QPR (a) - Draw 1-1. Finally 5 points for Rovers! Samba's headed equaliser cancelled out Heidar Helgusson's opener. Yakubu was dropped for Roberts and Martin Olsson made his long awaited return. The point at least stopped Rovers two game losing streak. Some fans clinged to the hope that new assistant manager Steve Clement could revitalise the team and help lead us to safety.

P8 W1 D2 L5 F9 A18 Pts 5. Position 20th

Tottenham (h) - Lost 1-2. Rafael van der Vaart inspired Tottenham to victory at Ewood Park. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp started what was to become and unwanted trend by saying "Kean's men gave us a real test, Kean deserves a chance." The words were scant consolation for Rovers fans, but not for Kean who trotted them out for weeks to come. A rare start for Simon Vuckevic saw him withdrawn after 70 minutes.

P9 W1 D2 L6 F10 A20 Pts 5. Position 20th

Norwich (a) - Draw 3-3. After throwing away a 2-0 lead at home to Newcastle in the Carling Cup (only to win 4-3 AET) Rovers clearly didn't learn any lessons, as the second last minute heart break of the season, a dubious penalty, denied Rovers the victory yet again. That said 3-1 up with 10 minutes to go should equal a victory, but not for Kean and his players. Most blamed his substitutions as Dunn, Goodwillie and Petrovic came on for Yakubu, Hoilett and Rochina and the walls started to tumble. Maybe Rovers can count themselves unlucky and on the wrong side of a big decision, but the opposite would happen in their next away game.

P10 W1 D3 L6 F13 A23 Pts 6. Position 18th

Chelsea (h) - Lost 0-1. Actually a decent performance from the team, but they were left to rue missed chances, particularly Yakubu's chance when clean through in the first half at 0-0. AVB's men were unconvincing, but got the job done. Rovers named an unchanged eleven for the first time and the protests continued to gather pace.

P11 W1 D3 L7 F13 A24 Pts 6. Position 18th

Wigan (a) - Draw 3-3. The biggest game of the season so far as 19th placed Rovers took on 20th placed Wigan. Rovers had a dream start when Yakubu scored after 40 seconds but it was downhill from there! Wigan deservedly took a 2-1 lead before half time whistle. The drama then began, Dunn was sent off for two stupid bookings, Rovers drew level with an illegal corner kick, Wigan pushed and thought they had scored the winner when Crusat made it 3-2 in the 88th minute, only for Robinson to win a penalty in the 90+7th and Yakubu ensured Rovers stole a point. The drama off the pitch was equally dramatic. The team bus was delayed due to a dead body being found near the DW, Bilaji and Venkatesh Rao were abused by some supporters both pre and post match, whilst the 3,000 plus travelling fans displayed banners, chicken outfits and Qatar flags! Only Robinson came over to acknowledge the travelling support, and protest organiser Glen Mullan was attacked in a pub!

P12 W1 D4 L7 F16 A27 Pts 7. Position 19th

Stoke (a) - Lost 1-3. A damp squib of a game against a weary Stoke side bang out of form, yet 3 goals later the Britannia was rocking. N'Zonzi stupidly gave away a free kick for the first Stoke goal then tried his best to be sent off. A ban from the FA post match was nothing less than he deserved for a petulant display. Formica's fresh air shot at the start of the second half, just about summed up Rovers' day.

P13 W1 D4 L8 F17 A30 Pts 7. Position 20th

Swansea (h) - Won 4-2. After the debacle of the Carling Cup Quarter final at Cardiff, Rovers faced the other Welsh opposition, Swansea, and finally picked up their second win of the season. Yakubu scored all four goals in a game where Swansea looked way off the pace. The fans were criticised for booing Yakubu was he celebrated with Kean, and while the booing was probably unnecessary, the deep rooted concerns the fans had with the owners and managers would be realised in the next three games.

P14 W2 D4 L8 F21 A32 Pts 10. Position 18th

Sunderland (a) - Lost 1-2. As Rovers fans called for a change in manager, so did the Sunderland fans. Bruce was replaced by Martin O'Neill and going into the game hadn't been victorious in several games, in fact the Mackem's were just 1 point and 1 place better off than Rovers at the start of the match. Once again Rovers would end their poor run of form, as 90th minute heartbreak number 3 would strike for Rovers fans! Vukcevic scored his only league goal of the season as Rovers threw away a 1-0 lead with just 6 minutes remaining. The game would be Michel Salgado's last for Rovers.

P15 W2 D4 L9 F22 A34 Pts 10. Position 19th

West Brom (h) - Lost 1-2. Another 90th minute goal against Rovers, the fourth of the season so far! Rovers were poor throughout, but looked to have snatched a point before Odemwingie's late strike. Scott Dann's ruptured testicle just about summed up the game.

P16 W2 D4 L10 F23 A36 Pts 10. Position 19th

Bolton (h) - Lost 1-2. The biggest game of the season to date and Rovers were two down within half an hour. Yakubu's second half goal dragged Rovers back into the game and Samba really should have stole a point when he headed wide at the death, but the team was in free fall, and the crowd rightfully dismayed by the lack of talent and effort on display. Certain sections of the media, including the LT campaigned for Kean to go at this point, but to no avail. Bottom at Christmas = relegation, we really knew back then didn't we?

P17 W2 D4 L11 F24 A38 Pts 10. Position 20th

Liverpool (a) - Draw 1-1. Rovers fans no doubt where expecting a hiding at Anfield, but in fact they were treated to a rare away point. Bunn was magnificent in the goals for Rovers and Adam Henley made his senior debut. Charlie Adam's own goal in front of the Kop was a perfect present for all Roverites. Little did we know that this performance would become a calling card for Kean for the rest of the season. Simon Vuckevic, a 75th minute sub, would not play for Rovers again in 2011/12.

P18 W2 D5 L11 F25 A39 Pts 11. Position 20th

Man Utd (a) - Won 3-2. Unbelievable scenes at Old Trafford, as Rovers managed to spoil Fergies 70th birthday party with a famous victory. Amazing to think that the Rovers team that won that day included, Henley, Morris, Slew, Bunn, Rochina and Petrovic. Even Linganzi got a place on the subs bench! Man Utd were without several regulars themselves. But this was by far and away the performance of the season.

P19 W3 D5 L11 F28 A41 Pts 14. Position 19th

Stoke (h) - Lost 1-2. Back down to earth with a bump, as Peter Crouch tore Rovers' defence apart (once again). David Goodwillie's first league goal was thanks to a one yard scramble as Rovers' mini revival came to an abrupt ending. This would be Chris Samba's last game for Rovers as he was ruled out of the next few games due to "illness" before leaving to join Anzhi.

P20 W3 D5 L12 F29 A43 Pts 14. Position 19th

Fulham (h) - Won 3-1. After being dumped out of the FA Cup, Rovers responded in style with their best performance at Ewood, beating a Fulham side 3-1 despite playing the majority of the match with only 10 men after Yakubu was sent off. Dunn, Pedersen and Formica with the goals.

P21 W4 D5 L12 F32 A44 Pts 17. Position 18th

Everton (a) - Draw 1-1. Another decent display from Rovers who were unfortunate to be behind as Fellaini appeared to handle Donovan's cross in the build up to Cahill's goal. Goodwillie's goal rescued a point for Rovers as Modeste made his debut from the bench.

P22 W4 D6 L12 F33 A45 Pts 18. Position 18th

Newcastle (h) - Lost 0-2. A game which summed up Rovers' season. Newcastle had little of the ball and weren't a threat for the majority of the game, but ran out 0-2 winners. The Toon were without Cabaye, Tiote, Cisse and Ba and it showed as Rovers dominated. But Ryan Taylor's deflected shot and Obertan's 90th minute strike, the 5th against Rovers in the season at this stage, showed why Newcastle were challenging for Champions League football. Rovers missed the presence of Yakubu as Modeste missed at hatful of chances, Dunn also saw his tame penalty saved by Krul.

P23 W4 D6 L13 F33 A47 Pts 18. Position 18th

Arsenal (a) - Lost 1-7. A day to forget for Rovers, as Givet was sent off and the floodgates opened. Chamberlain, van Persie and Henry all got on the score sheet for the Gunners. Bradley Orr made his Rovers debut.

P24 W4 D6 L14 F34 A54 Pts 18. Position 19th

QPR (h) - Won 3-2. A lot of good fortune saw Rovers lead 3-0 at the break thanks to goals from the reutrning Yakubu, N'Zonzi and an Onuoha own goal. Typically Rovers were loose at the back and hanging on towards the end after a quick fire double from Jaime Mackie, but the just about managed it.

P25 W5 D6 L14 F37 A56 Pts 21. Position 18th

Man City (a) - Lost 0-3. Another away peformance to forget at the Etihad as Roves tried to avoid shipping 7 like they had on their last away trip. It took until stoppage time to have a shot on target (although on reflection at least they had one!). Martin Olsson made his debut on the left wing. 31% said its own story.

P26 W5 D6 L15 F37 A59 Pts 21. Position 18th

Aston Villa (h) - Draw 1-1. A game of two halves indeed! Villa dominated the first but could only score once. Rovers dominated the second, but could only score once. Dunny's late header was the only highlight in another poor game.

P27 W5 D7 L15 F38 A60 Pts 22. Position 18th

Wolves (a) - Won 2-0. A clean sheet!!!! Finally after 28 games. Junior Hoilett's double lifted Rovers spirits and belief survival could be achieved. On reflection the result only went to prove how dire Wolves had become.

P28 W6 D7 L15 F40 A60 Pts 25. Position 16th ** First time Rovers had been out of the bottom three since beating Arsenal back in September **

Sunderland (h) - Won 2-0. Another clean sheet, and ultimately a false dawn. Rovers took advantage of a tired Sunderland side who had played Everton in the FA Cup QF just 48 hours earlier. No Cattermole or Sessegnon also helped Rovers cause. Cue mass hysteria in the media and a Kean love in, with one journalist going as far as saying Steve Kean should be the manager of the year!

P29 W7 D7 L15 F42 A60 Pts 28. Position 16th

Bolton (a) - Lost 1-2. A real poor performance in front of a maginficent travelling support at Bolton. The Rovers fans sold out their allocation, but were probably left wondering why at half time as Wheater's double and a general lack of intensity from the boys in yellow gave the fans a brutal reality check.

Kean often refers back to a penalty shout we didn't get and having to play Bolton after the Muamba incident. Both feeble excuses.

P30 W7 D7 L16 F43 A62 Pts 28. Position 16th.

Man Utd (h) - Lost 0-2. A negative/defensive performance from Rovers once again saw them defeated. United exacting some revenge for the defeat at Old Trafford earlier in the season. The disappointing thing is that when Rovers did go forward, they looked dangerous. De Gea made three vital saves right on the stroke of half time to keep United level.

P31 W7 D7 L17 F43 A64 Pts 28. Position 18th

West Brom (a) - Lost 0-3. If the Bolton game was poor, this game was atrocious. Olsson's 7th minute own goal set the tone in a game where out of form West Brom cruised to victory.

P32 W7 D7 L18 F43 A67 Pts 28. Position 18th

Liverpool (h) - Lost 2-3. If ever a game summed up the season Rovers have had it was this one. Shambolic defending, poor tactics, missed opportunities and the seventh last minute goal against us this season. Liverpool's team, which was essentially a reserve side, came to Ewood bang out of form with a £35m striker who couldn't score for love nor money. Of course that would all change at Ewood! 2-0 down thanks to a Maxi brace, Doni (Liverpools 2nd choice keeper) was sent off for bringing down Hoilett. Third choice keeper Brad Jones replaced third choice right back Flanagan and then saved Yakubu's penalty! Yakubu made ammends shortly after and drew Rovers level from the spot in the second period. But Carroll had the last laugh as his 90th minute header beat Robinson and struck the first nail in the relegation coffin.

P33 W7 D7 L19 F45 A70 Pts 28. Position 18th

Swansea (a) - Lost 0-3. See West Brom above, virtually the same game. Awful from start to finish against a Swansea side who were on a poor run themselves.

P34 W7 D7 L20 F45 A73 Pts 28. Position 19th

Norwich (h) - Won 2-0. Rovers once again rode their luck, but eventually ran out 2-0 winners in their penultimate home game. Formica's volley was good, but Hoilett's goal was world class, could this be Rovers' last ever goal in the Premier League? Once again the media sung the praises of Steve Kean, who decided to ring Radio 5 live's 606 program to pat himself on the back.

P35 W8 D7 L20 F47 A73 Pts 31. Position 18th

Tottenham (a) - Lost 0-2. A game where Rovers had 0 shots on target and 0 shots off target, yet Kean praised his players for their efforts and vowed to take the positives. Sky pundit Ray Wilkins was asked what positives he could take, his answer was.............."erm, none."

P36 W8 D7 L21 F47 A75 Pts 31. Position 19th

Wigan (h) - Lost 0-1. And so relegation has been confirmed. Once again Rovers put in an abject performance with only two shots on target and a general lack of desire and commitment. Wigan dominated and where worthy of their victory. Kean vowed to fight on and lead us back next season, we can only hope major changes occur over the summer and we can bounce straight back.

P37 W8 D7 L22 F47 A76 Pts 31. Position 19th ** Rovers Relegated **

Chelsea (a) ?

[Mattyblue]

Obviously the Allardyce sacking, appointing Kean, Williams and Finn departures were the triggers for all this.

However, as the leaked letter shows, even in December we had a chance for salvation as the entire club wanted Kean out.

Alas, Desai killed us.

[24right]

It went wrong when the Premier League introduced a so called fit and proper test. Ask supporters of Liverpool, Manchester United, Portsmouth, West Ham and of course Rovers if the Fit and Proper test was worthy of the name?

[Puffsan]

Man united away. The imposter saved his ass from venkys at the very last minute. That's where it all went wrong

[Waggy76]

Man united away. The imposter saved his ass from venkys at the very last minute. That's where it all went wrong

I would say Arsenal at home ..Always thought if we had lost that one , he was on his way out !

[Jordan]

Man united away. The imposter saved his ass from venkys at the very last minute. That's where it all went wrong

Agree - said it at the time that I felt that tis result kept kean his job. Had we of lost and kean had gone then it may have been a different story. Thinking back though keen could have lost every game this season and still be in a job

[Beta Ray Bill]

December defined our season and effectively sealed our fate.

After a decent win against Swansea, vs Sunderland we were one up, had a clear penalty and last man red card offence waved play on. Could easily have been 2-0 at half time against 10 men - even we'd have been hard pressed to screw that up.

Then West Brom and Bolton were probably the worse two consecutive home performances I can remember. That was a sequence of 3 we should have been getting at least 7 points from. But not a single one.

The sheer inadequacies then get papered over by a draw at Liverpool (which isn't that great a result considering the other results at Anfield) and a strange day at Old Trafford. Media turns even more against the fans and some doubters think The Deluded One might actually be ok afterall. Could be what stopped Mrs D from actually listening to Paul Hunt?

Realistically never recovered from that point.

[1864roverite]

It went wrong the day KEANSCUM took the reigns. From day one we have plummetted down the league and our home record, once so proud has been left in tatters by KEANSCUM inability to rganise a team, use decent footballing tactics, get his players fit for purpose, utilise proper substitutions, inability to replace players with decent signings and basic lack of every day footballing knowledge not to mention the utter shyte this person spouts in the media.

The outcome would have been so much better if the owners had listened.

To lose games to the likes of Bolton, WBA and all without them getting at least a good game out of Rovers is shocking testemant to KEANSCUMS abilities as manager.

The clueless one has not got an ounce of credibility, a shred of dignity nor indeed has he any pride.

We at Rovers have seen poor fayre in the 70's and early 80's, KEANSCUMS efforts go beyond that lot put together.

[Amo]

Agree - said it at the time that I felt that tis result kept kean his job. Had we of lost and kean had gone then it may have been a different story. Thinking back though keen could have lost every game this season and still be in a job

Come on. Everyone knows it was the Arsenal game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F61KaZRPTM

[matt83]

This season it all went wrong one day after wolves away last season. That was the time to sack Kean. No other time well not giving him job in first place truth be told.