[Archived] Rovers v Bournemouth

[damo gally]

Johanson ? Never been given a decent run in the side of late so you van expect mistakes. The lad should be given a chance

Why????

He played last night, and was bloody awful at best against Bouremouth! He had one good game last season against Man City. Every other time he's played he's been poor. He is simply not good enough!

Like i said, he hasnt been given a spell in the team.

When was the last time he started and finished say 6 games in a row for the 1st team?

What utter rubbish! This is a professional football club not a socialistic gathering! If you play well you play, if you play crap you dont, simple as that!

Wake up and smell the coffee Hughesy!

How often do you see players come out from the cold, get thrown into the team and play exceptional?

Not very often! It takes a few games to fit in again

Maybe not exceptional, but they at least put in a half decent performance if they want to keep their place in the team.

Against a second division team, with second division strikers, Johannson was utter rubbish! He isnt good enough!

[krislu]

Johanson ? Never been given a decent run in the side of late so you van expect mistakes. The lad should be given a chance

Why????

He played last night, and was bloody awful at best against Bouremouth! He had one good game last season against Man City. Every other time he's played he's been poor. He is simply not good enough!

Like i said, he hasnt been given a spell in the team.

When was the last time he started and finished say 6 games in a row for the 1st team?

What utter rubbish! This is a professional football club not a socialistic gathering! If you play well you play, if you play crap you dont, simple as that!

Wake up and smell the coffee Hughesy!

How often do you see players come out from the cold, get thrown into the team and play exceptional?

Not very often! It takes a few games to fit in again

So we should be playing a ###### player like Johansson for 6 full games in a row, because then he might turn into a great player? We simply cant afford that Hughesy, unless you want to get relegated.

He have had alot of chances, and I'm sure he will get more as well. But sometimes we have to realize that some players just arn't good enough for the Premier League.

[FourLaneBlue]

Bournemouth have been drawn at home to Cardiff in the next round so what would have been an excellent opportunity for a cup run and some much needed excitement has passed us by. Oh well...more scrapping for points in the league. A good cup run can often be a spur to improved league form rather than having to be a hinderance. Our cup win in 2002 was followed by a surge up the table. Oh well...c'est la vie as the saying (and the downstairs nightclub in Blackburn) goes...

Not too sure why people are saying the FA Cup is more important. For clubs like us the only chance of winning anything is in the League Cup as we haven't got a cat in hell's chance in the FA Cup (FA chance so to speak). The top clubs take it seriously and the big four of Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal always seem to win it. The last side to buck that trend was Everton almost a decade ago.

Staying in the Premiership is obviously a priority but a cup run may have been the kick up the backside those fans choosing not to go to Ewood could have needed. Maybe next year...those three words are what football fans can always dream of...

[waggy]

before i start ,I DID NOT ATTEND LAST NIGHT.

but i saw highlights on tv which were pretty entertianing,i for one believe this season was always going to be a slog,with souness or without him.

hughes had 5 days with the squad before last night,he cannot replace any until january-so he made the decision to play players who did not get a chance on saturday.

no matter how good a manager you are you have to see your players in match action,not just trianing session's.it will be a lot clearer in his mind that he has a MASSIVE JOB to keep us in the premier league,better he learnt the harsh lesson last night and not in a premier league game.

the legacy of sourness will be with us for a long time

[Drakefyre]

All this does is show us how much Brad Friedel means to the club.

######.. Enkleman was blameless for the goals..

But Encks doesn't have the same ability to pull off the amazing save that Brad does - I never said he was at fault for the goals.

[mrsjansen]

I think the one positive out of last nights game is Hughes' honesty. It made a nice change. Ratcher then blaming everyhting else.

Lets hope he gets it done. Sooner rather than later.

[Nuclearsox]

I'm sure it's impossible to sum up last night concisely but I'm going to try:-

-------------

It was a game of four halves.

Rovers had the better of the opening exchanges. In fact we had all of the opening exchanges but, from the off, too many passes were misplaced - the “ponderous-looking” De Pedro being the main culprit. In contrast, Bournemouth’s passing was quick and accurate. Every now and then Tugay or Douglas would wave a boot at the ball but invariably it had been moved on leaving our midfielder flat on his elbow. The only players on the field looking anything like premiership quality were the two right wingers – Emerton and Elliot who constantly caused problems for their opposition’s left flanks.

Rovers took a deserved lead on 8 minutes. A rush of blood to the head of De Pedro caused him to pass accurately into the path of Jansen who had made a run in behind the full back. His shot was saved by the keeper but the ball looped up and dropped to Emerton on the six yard line. In the centre of goal with an open net in front of and time to watch the ball drop you felt sure he was going to miss but he didn’t. 1-0 to Rovers. Now we could sit back and relax and see how many we could score.

Then just a couple of minutes later, the unthinkable happened. A De Pedro cross dropped onto the head of a Rovers player inside the area! I was in so much shock I didn’t notice whether it was Emerton or Jansen who headed straight at the keeper.

An equalizer, if it came was likely to come from the Bournemouth right. It was their first venture into Rovers territory and the sheer audacity of it surprised the Rovers defence. Elliot strolled past De Pedro, who shrugged and looked at his boots, then, with Gresko backing off, he crossed into the Rovers penalty area. No problem, they only had O’Connor in there and we had Neill, Amo and Nissa covering. Unfortunately Amo and Nissa were practising the can-can as the ball came over and hadn’t seen Bournemouth attacking. O’Connor’s finish gave Enks no chance.

We had numerous half chances to score after that. Amo crashed a shot of the bar. Emerton, Jansen and Bothroyd all went close. Then the half began to fizzle out. It was brought briefly to life by an exquisite cross-field ball from De Pedro. With the outside of his boot and with all the skill of a seasoned international, he played an inch-perfect ball to some bloke in the Jack Walker Lower Tier in a green jacket. Sadly, the bloke mis-controlled it and the attack broke down.

I felt a call of nature and, as the half was drawing to a close, I made for the toilets. When I came out the second half was underway and Rovers were well on top. How long had I been in there!!?? Stead fired a shot narrowly wide, a drive from Matteo went inches over and a crashing drive from Pedersen brought a fine save from Gallagher. Hang on. Gallagher in goal? Pedersen, Stead, Matteo? It was the half time warm up for the substitutes!! Good entertainment actually.

The second half started as dully as the first had finished. Only Emerton and Jansen were causing any threat. Passes were still going astray and whenever the ball went out to Elliot our defence looked shaky. I did find out that the Cat’s Eye bicycle light can swivel through 180 degrees (thanks Paul). De Pedro was replaced by Pedersen and Stead came on for a disappointing Bothroyd. Stead made an impact. Closing down defenders and forcing mistakes. He went on a couple of runs but there was no end product. A pull back from Pedersen found Stead unmarked but his shot curled wide. Another shot was deflected wide and the keeper made a couple of decent saves. Douglas should have done better from an Emerton pull-back.

At the other end Bournemouth weren’t offering much. Until the 80th minute that is. A counter-attack, a cross and a virtually unchallenged header from Broadhurst put the visitors in front. Suddenly there was an atmosphere in the ground and a sense of urgency from the players. Paul Gallagher was introduced and Gresko withdrawn. More chances came and went. A Bournemouth free-kick was well saved by Enks. The 4th official put the board up. 3 minutes left. It looked like it wasn’t going to happen for us.

Tugay suddenly broke into the Bournemouth box. He beat the first man, beat the second, beat the third, set himself to shoot, beat the second man again, beat the third man again and was robbed by the first. Twit!

Deep into injury time Emerton went on another run. He worked an opening but decided against crossing. Instead he opted to take on two more defenders. Somehow he got a shot in which was well saved at the near post. The resultant corner was half cleared but the ball found its way to Pedersen who fired the equalizer superbly to force extra time and win me £35.

We started extra time with a very attacking line-up and took the lead in the first minute. Emerton again went surging forward. His pass was behind Jansen who had to stop and lay it back to Gallagher. Gally’s shot was ferocious and accurate. Top corner. 3-2. Ewood Park sighed with relief. Bournemouth heads dropped.

Emerton was dropped to right back and Neill moved over to left back as we attempted to hold what we’d got. Then came the synchronized cramp. Nissa pulled such a hideous face as he hobbled off the pitch with cramp in both legs that the referee refused to let him back on until he was sure he had recovered fully. No-one likes to see a face like that on a football field. Then Emerton, Tugay and Amoruso started hobbling around clutching their legs, stretching at every opportunity.

The equalizer came from another Rovers attack With 5 minutes left, Jansen ran at the defence forcing them back to the edge of their area then, instead of playing the ball to Pedersen unmarked to his left, he fired a thunderous shot against the defender two inches in front of him. The ball rebounded 40 yards to the Bournemouth left winger who beat a static Neill and crossed to the far post where an unmarked striker headed the ball down to another unmarked striker who scored with only Bournemouth’s fourth shot of the evening.

So it went to penalties. The whole of the Blackburn End crowded into a small space behind the goal and the stewards went across to block their view - so there are still some supporters who don’t know what a penalty looks like. Enks made one save, their keeper made none but Bournemouth went through. We got what we deserved.

------------

Yup. Impossible. Thought so.

[longsiders1882]

I know a really good penalty stopper - he saved 2 in normal time and 2 (yep the one that hit the post I am convinced he got a hand to) in the shoot out.

I am sure we will loan him to you if you want.

In all fairness you cannot complain if the guys at position 8 miss a pen in the shoot out can you - going at number 8 you are hardly going to be a top penalty taker are you?

Maybe you should loan us Stead so we can get him playing again like we did Andy Todd?

[DaveyB]

I haven't had time to read all the previos posts on this thread so I apologise if I repeat what has been said before.

I wasn't planning on going last night, but after reading some of the posts on this thread and in the thread on low crowd attendance, and after hearing what Hughes had to sya about the importance of the competition I felt suitably guilty/inspired to leave work half an hour early, drive like a madman upto Ewood and fork out my hard earned money to see the game.

I really wish i hadn't bothered! Last night was the first time I ever remember coming away from a game angry. I'm often frustrated/depressed/philosophical (depending on the type of game) when we get beat - but last night I was fuming, downright furious - and to be honest I still am.

Some questions that I feel need answering:

Why, when our defending was jittery at best (inept mostly) all night, did we decide to sit back and try and hold onto a one goal lead in Extra-time?

Why, when we had scored two goals (and had two other decent scoring chances) in a minute at the end of normal time and the start of Extra-time, did we not keep pressing our advantage home? To use a boxing analagy, we had them on the ropes but then stood back instead of finishing them off.

Why was our most potent attacking threat of the evening, Brett Emerton, moved to full back?

Why did 3 of our highly-paid, top-of-their-profession players go down with cramp, yet not one of their 2nd divison players had the same complaint?

Why can 8 out of 8 2nd division players hit the target with penalty kicks (albeit one very poorly hit), whilst only 6 out 8 of our highly paid superstars can do the same, with the two missers being our star centre-forward and main goal threat and a veteran international who has played in a world-cup semi-final!

I'm still so angry, I'm almost shaking typing this. I left work last night at 5.30pm, drove straight to Ewood and didn't get home til gone midnight. And I'm having to work like a pig today to make up for the work I should have done last night - and for what?

To see a lacklustre throwing away of a game to a pretty poor 2nde divison side. Yes they used the ball quite well, but I honestly don't think they could have complained too much if we had put 6 or 7 past them.

Well, that's it for me and cup competitions. I just can't be bothered forking out the extra money (not to mention the time) to see us surrender so easily.

[bob fleming]

I did find out that the Cat’s Eye bicycle light can swivel through 180 degrees (thanks Paul).

Great post Sox - as ever. I took the cycle light instructions to the match. Looks a real winner and I've ordered one. I just need to get a bike now. Cheers Paul (Hope your lad had a good night).

[Uddersfelt Blue]

Must admit came away from the ground with the same view.

Whislt I always enjoy going to matches I am seriously beginning to wonder whether it is worth the time and effort attending such cup ties.

A 2/3 empty stadium, key players being rested, opposition who we should be steamrollering but don't and generally a lack of enthusiasm for this competition.

On the plus side I think we saw a fantastic performance from Brett Emerton who is playing like a man possessed. Well done Brett

[Brownie]

Must admit came away from the ground with the same view.

Whislt I always enjoy going to matches I am seriously beginning to wonder whether it is worth the time and effort attending such cup ties.

A 2/3 empty stadium, key players being rested, opposition who we should be steamrollering but don't and generally a lack of enthusiasm for this competition.

On the plus side I think we saw a fantastic performance from Brett Emerton who is playing like a man possessed. Well done Brett

Spot on, Emerton was exceptional last night.

The 6\10 mark in the LET is nothing short of disgraceful.

[tcj_jones]

Jesus, just saw Bournemouths goals, what abysmal defending. The first goal would have been embarassing for me when I was 10, playing Sunday league football with a team that would lose, on average, by atleast 4 goals a game. Absolute disgrace. Second goal a division 2 player outjumps and out-muscles a premiership defender - again woeful. The third was ANOTHER wishful leg out to hope and poke at the ball, missed.

Saying that, our goals were very well taken and Jansen deserved the acolades for the first goal.

[Nate]

Talk about drama queens! I'm glad Hughes made all those changes. If it has given him ideas on what team to play and thrash Charlton on the weekend I'm even more happier.

We all like a good cup run, but we have a new manager, who needs to know who he can play for PL games, to get us up as high as possible on the table. If putting out an experimental sidein the League Cup is the answer, then I'm behind him.

[Blackpool_Rover]

I'm sure it's impossible to sum up last night concisely but I'm going to try:-

-------------

It was a game of four halves.

etc, etc

The rest of Nuclearsox's excellent post can be read further up the page

I missed the game because of work, thanks for that! Great post!

[Hughesy]

Spot on, Emerton was exceptional last night.

The 6\10 mark in the LET is nothing short of disgraceful.

I agree with that totally and its about time people started appreciating Emerton.

The lad has had alot of stick on the Message board over the past months, however i feel in the last 3 games he has been our most consistent performer.

I just wonder if dickov was playing last night, what difference he would of made. He would of got the whole team going i think

Edited September 23, 2004 by Hughesy

[Nuclearsox]

I did find out that the Cat’s Eye bicycle light can swivel through 180 degrees (thanks Paul).

Great post Sox - as ever. I took the cycle light instructions to the match. Looks a real winner and I've ordered one. I just need to get a bike now. Cheers Paul (Hope your lad had a good night).

I've decided against ordering one as I couldn't understand the instructions - the Battery Replacement looks far too complicated and, just when I thought I'd got the hang of the belt adjustment, my trousers fell down.

[bob fleming]

Light Instructions

Sox - after your trousers fell down have you tried "Mounting Your Light"?

Actually, don't answer that - I don't want to know.

[T4E]

Light Instructions

Sox - after your trousers fell down have you tried "Mounting Your Light"?

Actually, don't answer that - I don't want to know.

Well I do.

Sox..............?

[Nuclearsox]

Light Instructions

Sox - after your trousers fell down have you tried "Mounting Your Light"?

Actually, don't answer that - I don't want to know.

Well I do.

Sox..............?

I was about to but then I noticed the warning:-

Please do not mount the light where it may interfere with any moving parts

So I just had a quick go at "flashing" then put it away.

[Hasta]

Why, when our defending was jittery at best (inept mostly) all night, did we decide to sit back and try and hold onto a one goal lead in Extra-time?

Why, when we had scored two goals (and had two other decent scoring chances) in a minute at the end of normal time and the start of Extra-time, did we not keep pressing our advantage home? To use a boxing analagy, we had them on the ropes but then stood back instead of finishing them off.

Why was our most potent attacking threat of the evening, Brett Emerton, moved to full back?

I'm probably as angry as you about last night Davey but I disagree with your first couple of questions. I thought the exact opposite. Why when leading in extra time, despite the fact that are players are visibly knackered (which they shouldnt be) are we still commiting too many people forard. For their equaliser we were caught 4 V 4with the midfeilders and even Neill upfield. I wouldn't say we were too defensive but more like we pushed forward too much. For the last 10 minutes Bournemouth were leaving 3 players up near the half way line and yet we didn't change the way we were playing at all.

As for Emerton at full back, when Gally come on they played almost as though we had two wingers but once we equalised and with the personnel on the pitch someone had to go right back and Emerton seemed the logocal choice. The mark of 6 for Brett in the LET is disgraceful as mentioned by others.

[CAPT KAYOS]

Spot on, Emerton was exceptional last night.

The 6\10 mark in the LET is nothing short of disgraceful.

I agree with that totally and its about time people started appreciating Emerton.

The lad has had alot of stick on the Message board over the past months, however i feel in the last 3 games he has been our most consistent performer.

I just wonder if dickov was playing last night, what difference he would of made. He would of got the whole team going i think

Brownie/Hughesy

I am one of those that has been critical of Emerton and rightly so and agree 6/10 by the LET was nothing short of disgraceful it should have been 4/10................. sorry only joking.

Thought Emerton had his best game for us last night including the Wolves game and was thinking well maybe he has found his level against Div 2 players - but then to give him his dues the customary quirk of ' you can only beat what is put in front of you' rings true here.

I am not getting over excited by him yet , but maybe, just maybe my opinion of him may well change.

Well done Brett at least it look like you where bothered unlike most of the others (god that was hard )

[American]

Hey, Capt, what about the previous couple of matches, against Prem opposition, how did he look to you in those? (Not being sarcastic, just looking for the opinion of a non-Emerton fan who goes to the matches. T4E, feel free to chime in.)

[T4E]

Havent been this season American, so I really dont know. Would be delighted if what I'm reading is true, but its that old adage - I'll believe it when I see it.

[Tony Diamond Inc]

The perfomances of Emerton and Jansen were the only real positives I could take from the game last night. Oh and maybe Pederson - in flashes.