v Norwich (h) - Good Friday - 7/4/23, 3pm k/o

[BigUts]

Huge game. 

Really hoping we put on a show for irregulars and also put us massively in the driving seat for a play off berth

Rovers 1 - 0 Norwich

Gallagher 67'

 

 

[BankEnd Rover]

Looking forward to this! I’m never usually that confident in games…Think that’s just because of how we’ve all been let down over the seasons - I feel like this season is different. 

1-0 Rovers.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Could indeed now be approaching a crowd of 20k come kick off time...come on Rovers dont let the fans down!

I think we will really see what the backbone of this team is made of today.

Edited April 7, 2023 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[davulsukur]

Massive game today. A must win really. Putting a bit of daylight between us and Norwich would be a huge advantage at this stage. A loss and Norwich close the gap significantly and you feel the most likely outcome is that they overtake us.

We must hold onto this play off spot. The players have been complete bottle jobs for far too long. 

[superniko]

A ‘bumper’ Rovers crowd usually equals a sub-par performance. 
Let’s hope on the pitch it’s not like Wigan and Bournemouth over the last few years. 

I like the comment someone made about it being a playoff quarter final. Win and I think we’re in, but I wouldn’t be disappointed with a draw. 

[R0verb0y]

23 hours ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

What were our crowds when we went up under Dalglish? I think it was about 12k the day he first appeared (think we played Plymouth and Garner scored a peach).

We're back to those days in a much bigger stadium. 

18k is an excellent turnout all things considered. 

Mike Jackman gives the crowd for that Plymouth - coincidental that they should be the opponents that day, given our crucial home Division 3 game against them in 1975 - game as 10,830; and the seasonal average as 13,245.

My mates gave me grief for not breaking off a long-arranged holiday, staying with family in New York before touring the "Fall Foliage" in New England!

[Gaz85]

3 points is of course the goal here, but a draw would not be the end of the world. I’m classing this as a “must not lose game”. 4 points from the next 2 games would be a decent return

[AllRoverAsia]

All games, all season are games to win.

Any other view is defeatist hidden behind mathematics, possibility and probability.

Just win the damn games, makes life easier.

[Exiled in Toronto Mk2]

Six of the Exiled clan going today, from Settle, York, Dorset and Ontario. Beautiful day to visit the Tockholes childhood home, lunch at the Royal, park outside Grandma’s old Higher Croft council house, walk down under the little railway bridge the way she used to take us to Billy Smart’s Circus. Don’t spoil my day, Sam Gallagher!

[Sweaty Gussets]

Even the loveliest meander through life's rich tapestry of memories somehow ends up at Sam's Gallagher's feet (insert own joke here). 

Gally is a cultural icon. 

[speedies gonna get ya.]

Online ticket site has a 10 min queue. Went on to check sales. Really hope they perform today with a bumper home crowd

Edited April 7, 2023 by speedies gonna get ya.

[Sweaty Gussets]

Norwich haven't won in 4 games.

You'd hope we don't roll out the traditional Ewood welcome matt to a struggling team. 

[MarkBRFC]

If they get the first goal it's game over.

Have to score first to have any chance.

[RoversTilliDie]

2 hours ago, superniko said:

A ‘bumper’ Rovers crowd usually equals a sub-par performance. 
Let’s hope on the pitch it’s not like Wigan and Bournemouth over the last few years. 

I like the comment someone made about it being a playoff quarter final. Win and I think we’re in, but I wouldn’t be disappointed with a draw. 

I remember the Bournmouth game at Ewood last season, huge crowd full of hope, huge disappointment. Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself.

[JohnD]

A must win

Big crowd

Norwich on a losing streak

It's Easter

Board melt down at 5pm 😯

[BigUts]

Blackburn end completely sold out. Jack Walker basically all gone barring about 200 seats so likely Riverside will get very busy now with probably about half gone. 

Going to be a big crowd which is magnificent.

Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, let's hope the dancing feet are out at 5pm.

 

[arbitro]

4 hours ago, arbitro said:

It was chaotic around Ewood yesterday as a three way temporary traffic light system at the Cravens Brow/Branch Road/Bolton Road junction really snarled up the flow of traffic. As I drove last there were some big boulders that had been dug up on the road and it gave me the impression that there was no way the road would be back to normal for today. To compound this there are roadworks on Branch Road and although there were no traffic controls in place there was barely enough room for two cars to pass at the same time.

If anybody is around the Ewood area this morning could they please post an update on the Cravens Brow situation?

I've just driven through Ewood and the TTL's are still there and a sign about match day delays.. Personally I think it will be chaotic as we approach kick off and envisage people who are driving to Ewood missing the kick off.

I haven't seen anything on Rovers social media giving warnings.

[Sweaty Gussets]

Is today's game a must-win or a must-not-lose?

[R0verb0y]

14 minutes ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

Is today's game a must-win or a must-not-lose?

Preferably the former, @Sweaty Gussets; with the latter as our - reluctant - fall-back position.

[Sweaty Gussets]

3 minutes ago, R0verb0y said:

Preferably the former, @Sweaty Gussets; with the latter as our - reluctant - fall-back position.

 A Norwich win gives them a massive boost. It would make them favourites to make the Top 6 if they do because they'd have the momentum (and the players/squad). It's almost a 2nd chance for them after looking like they were falling away. 

They have some very winnable games compared to our run-in. 

I'd probably agree we have to win. 

[arbitro]

The last five matches for Norwich have been W, L, D, D, L so their from isn't too good. I really fancy us today if we play the way that suits us. If Hanley is paired with Gibson at centre back we should really look to get in behind and exploit their lack of pace.

[simongarnerisgod]

20 minutes ago, arbitro said:

The last five matches for Norwich have been W, L, D, D, L so their from isn't too good. I really fancy us today if we play the way that suits us. If Hanley is paired with Gibson at centre back we should really look to get in behind and exploit their lack of pace.

very confident for today,especially as you stated hanley and gibson are a right pair of plodders,get dolan and/or brereton  running at them and behind them,one of them will get sent off☺️

[davulsukur]

51 minutes ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

Is today's game a must-win or a must-not-lose?

Must win for me.

As you say in a later post, if we lose the momentum is with Norwich and we have a habit of bottling these sort of positions.

[Hasta]

Looking at the seat map, it looks like any last-minute walk ons will end up in the Riverside today

Edited April 7, 2023 by Hasta

[Exiled_Rover]

4 hours ago, davulsukur said:

Massive game today. A must win really. Putting a bit of daylight between us and Norwich would be a huge advantage at this stage. A loss and Norwich close the gap significantly and you feel the most likely outcome is that they overtake us.

We must hold onto this play off spot. The players have been complete bottle jobs for far too long. 

I just don't think we have enough firepower.

Losing against Birmingham was the kicker for me - that was our chance to put a big gap between us and the chasing pack.

I can only see a disappointing loss today against a fired up (and more talented) Norwich.