Rovers away at Preston NE: 24th November 2018 - 3pm. The match thread.

[Proudtobeblue&white]

Well with a devalued International weekend ahead, and the good news that we sell out our full allocation at our noisy neighbours, time to look at the match in prospect.

When I did the Villa preview, I had a Villa acquaintance, but in this case I have never befriended a Nob Ender. Too cocky and lack sensible conversation. So my facts are mainly based on books (banned in the city), the internet (most are on SHPO's not to access the www), and personal observations.

Again, both clubs were inaugural members of the 1888 football league, where unfortunately they did the league and cup double. Despite being beaten at their hovel (att: 9,000), we could only draw at Leamington Road, but still our attendance was 12,000.

Since then, our fortunes have improved, and whilst our head to head in the league is still in the red (W 31, D 29, L 41), we have won more league titles then them, 3-2 (I include the PL title as the top division, a place they have never met us of course).

Their highest home attendance in the league is 42,684 against Arsenal in 1938, whilst we entertained them on the Boxing Day 1921 where 52,656 turned up.

Their capacity is now somewhere just north of 23,000, average attendance this season 13,329. That will be swelled by the massed hordes of blue and white on the day. They are currently 18th, and have eight fewer points. Their home form has included three wins, QPR, Brentford, and the thumping of Wigan. They have lost to Reading and WBA.

Our last win there was the 2-1 game November 15, where a certain Jordan Rhodes penalty secured the points.

Preston the facts:

The first bit of motorway in Britain was the Preston bypass, constructed in 1958. If I'd have had my way, it would have been built a lot sooner, as anything to avoid driving through Preston can only be a good thing.

The word teetotal was apparently coined by the Temperance Society of Preston in 1833. Perhaps as a tribute there should be a blanket ban of their fans talking total shite whilst under the influence on the day?

Apparently the first KFC was installed, outside the US of A, in the then town (1965). There was a queue to Penwortham on day one to experience the town's first fine dining emporium.

It was the first town to be lit by gas. Shortly after the first KFC was opened allegedly.

Blackburn, the facts:

We have a proper Cathedral, despite being the most successful town team of all time.......

We have the better ground....thank you Jack, the best benefactor of all time.........

We have the better history of winning trophies...........

We do not consider PNE as a rival....

We have had a supporter play Doctor Who.....

Oh, and a bit of bully........

The Beatles featured us in a song......

The smallest dog in British history (a Yorkie) was born in the town..........

All you need to know.....

A little rest for our players can only help. Charlie should hopefully be back. TM will tinker a bit because he always does. Debate will rage as to the starting eleven (not my job), and the Nobbers will still believe it's their biggest game ever.

So whilst I cannot be there, I wish the five and a half thousand true blues a safe trip, a rampant return, and three points.

Put simply, TM's blue and white army!

 

 

Edited November 22, 2018 by Proudtobeblue&white

[Bigdoggsteel]

Nice one. Enjoyed reading that.

What Beatles song is that?? 

Edited November 15, 2018 by Bigdoggsteel

[Stonesrick]

A Day in the Life (4000 holes in Blackburn Lancashire)

[Proudtobeblue&white]

Just now, Stonesrick said:

A Day in the Life (4000 holes in Blackburn Lancashire)

As in our fanzine.

[Stonesrick]

Really good preview Proudtobeblue&white.

Talking about Holes. We all have our top 10 Rovers players, our top 10 Rovers matches and our top 10 Rovers goals. Whenever we go to Deepdale, I always think about one of my top 10 goals. Occurred in a brilliant 5-3 win in 1967. I was 12 years old and still remember a 25 yard left footed pile-driver from Barrie Hole. Similar to the Steven Reid strike at Wigan. I will forever remember that match and also got the legend Bryan Douglas's autograph outside the players entrance. 

Barrie Hole was a talented left half with a magic left peg.

Still got the Programme.

 

 

[Proudtobeblue&white]

Privileged to be at the shed of a ground in the open side when Souey's side took us back up in 2001. Matty in his prime, May 2nd. 17,000 there, and did we party!

[SBlue]

5 hours ago, Proudtobeblue&white said:

The smallest dog in British history (a Yorkie) was born in the town..........

It’s this kind of quality content that makes me come back here day after day...

 

 

And here she is ladies and gents, in all her tiny glory...

 

Rather aptly for a PNE thread, she’s in a quite fabulous Tin Pot.

Edited November 15, 2018 by S8 & Blue

[perthblue02]

8 hours ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Nice one. Enjoyed reading that.

What Beatles some is that?? 

Norwegian Wood (the feeling you got when Pedersen hit one in the top corner)

Edited November 15, 2018 by perthblue02

[philipl]

PNE pulled themselves out of relegation bother with a really good run (W2 D3 in last 5). 

I see this as a weather vane fixture- one we need to win if we are going to get into the play off mix at the end of the season.

All about character and there is no doubt Rovers are now no longer lacking in that regard.

Feeling optimistic but don't want to jinx it.

 

Great preview!

[Admiral Nelsen]

They're clearly back in something like some form now, albeit with a team that doesn't really frighten me.

Don't think there the sort of team that are going to outplay us all that much, but will probably be very difficult to play against all the same. Can see a 2-1 for either side. 

[tomphil]

Difficult test even before you throw in the derby angle, tight blood and thunder game with a pen or two and maybe a red. No love lost on or off the pitch...

Nobbers  2    Rovers   2

[Hasta]

Good preview. Thanks

 

I like the fact that on their bitter forum thread they are all having a bitch at us until somebody posts:-

Quote

"To be fair though, not many of them (Rovers fans) will be old enough to remember our last league championship win, 128 years ago☺

Sadly, they've been a lot more successful than us over the years with 6 FA Cup wins, a League Cup win and 3 league championships."

And then it goes quiet.......   

Edited November 15, 2018 by Hasta

[1864roverite]

Will be over in Yorkshire but will have a watching brief whilst her indoors does her Xmas shopping as our trip was booked long before the fixture list.

Brfc be loud and proud and bring the points back to Ewood 1-0

[Bigdoggsteel]

1 hour ago, Hasta said:

Good preview. Thanks

 

I like the fact that on their biter forum thread they are all having a rant until somebody posts:-

And then it goes quiet.......   

Definitely a Rovers mole after infiltrating their site 

[Bigdoggsteel]

I reckon this will be a mad game 

3-2 rovers 

DACK X 2

BRERETON X 1

Brereton with the 97th minute winner 

[CP Company Lad]

Gone early with the matchday thread ? Waccoe can only post on the day of the match. Although these international breaks are as dull as dishwater. 

Preston fans make me laugh with the song "we are superior" ?? In what way exactly ? Only big (loosely termed) Lancashire club  that haven't had a stint in the Premier League. Blackburn Burnley Bolton Wigan and Blackpool all have. PNE yet to taste it not that it tastes that good in reality. Championship is better. 

They did though have one of the greatest players ever if not the greatest. Reckoned by many to be the best English player ever. The Preston Plumber. 

 

[CP Company Lad]

Another score draw for me this one. 2-2.

[BankEnd Rover]

1-1 draw - Dack

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Small town in Blackpool.

1-2 Rovers.

[Gone to seed]

I remember walking to Deepdale from Revidge in the early 1980s for a night match against the Nobenders. I have a vague recollection that we won, but the gloss was taken off the victory by being set upon by a group of angry yoofs out looking for trouble. Although I emerged relatively unscathed (I got a hefty kick up the arse from a mad haridan after tripping over one of my mates who'd been wrestled to the floor), I had to make the rest of the long trot home alone, past the UK's first KFC, Tickled Trout, 5 bar gate Salmesbury Hall and all, and I vowed never to darken Deepdales despairing doors ever again. The vow remains intact to this day and will continue to do so for the foreseeable. 

Let  footballing prowess and team spirit rule the day. (as long as that means we sneak a win!)

C'mon you Blues!

[roversfan99]

Raya

Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Williams

Reed Evans

Palmer Dack Armstrong

Brereton

Subs: Leutweiler, Rodwell, Bell, Smallwood, Bennett, Rothwell, Graham

Hope we play this team which is a bit more attacking.

[Bigdoggsteel]

Maguire came on and off for Ireland in the space of 20 minutes last night, so he is a doubt for them. 

Robinson is a handful, we will need to keep a close eye on him. 

[JacknOry]

55 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Raya

Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Williams

Reed Evans

Palmer Dack Armstrong

Brereton

Subs: Leutweiler, Rodwell, Bell, Smallwood, Bennett, Rothwell, Graham

Hope we play this team which is a bit more attacking.

What I like about our squad at the moment is that you could argue a place for our entire bench in our starting eleven. 

[Andy Kennedys Hairdo]

19 hours ago, CP Company Lad said:

Gone early with the matchday thread ? Waccoe can only post on the day of the match. Although these international breaks are as dull as dishwater. 

Preston fans make me laugh with the song "we are superior" ?? In what way exactly ? Only big (loosely termed) Lancashire club  that haven't had a stint in the Premier League. Blackburn Burnley Bolton Wigan and Blackpool all have. PNE yet to taste it not that it tastes that good in reality. Championship is better. 

They did though have one of the greatest players ever if not the greatest. Reckoned by many to be the best English player ever. The Preston Plumber. 

 

In the main, North End fans are a decent lot. Of course there's the odd helmet amongst them but what team doesn't have fans like that ? Rovers included.

I live over here now so mix with quite a few of them and my take is that's there's a lot of frustration within the fan base that they remain - despite coming close on a couple of occasions - the one 'big' team around here that haven't made it to the 'promised land' of the Premiership. I think that can manifest itself as bitterness and resentment towards other clubs and their fans, particularly when they are coming up against them. It's almost a siege mentality.

So, whilst I can process all that, what I struggle with is this idea that Preston are rivals of Rovers. That is in no way meant to be condescending. I simply don't see it. It's always been Burnley for me. I've been watching Rovers since the late 70s and whilst there's been the odd match against them, Preston just aren't on my radar and I have no feelings towards them one way or another. It all seems to be very one sided.

As for the match itself, I'm seeing a score draw. Pearson is a decent player for them and, like Dack, if a big money bid comes in, he'll be off. That's the nature of modern football.    

[Ewood Ace]

                                    Raya

Nyambe      Lenihan             Mulgrew        Williams

                    Reed                   Evans

Armstrong               Dack                        Palmer

                                 Graham

 

Subs: Leutwiler, Rodwell, Travis, Bennett, Smallwood, Rothwell, Brereton