Welcome to Roger’s Rovers Advent Calendar - read the full story behind it and add your comments HERE.

Day: 16/30

Season: 2008/09

Fixture: Rovers 3-0 Stoke City (20/12/08)

Highlights

Why Chosen 

Firstly, who knew we had so many memorable matches against Stoke City? The Potters appear for the third time on my countdown, though this is their last mention.

The 2008/09 campaign started with a dramatic opening day victory away at Goodison Park (likely to be Rovers’ last victory at the famous old ground) as new manager Paul Ince enjoyed a debut victory thanks to David Dunn, Roque Santa Cruz and an Andre Ooijer stoppage time winner. But despite three wins from his first six in charge, the honeymoon period would quickly turn sour. 0 wins and 8 defeats in 11 games saw ‘The Guv’nor’ lose his job after a dismal performance at the JJB saw Rovers lose 3-0. 

Enter the divisive figure of ‘Big’ Sam Allardyce. The former Bolton boss had applied for the vacant managers job that summer. Destiny would prevail as he was appointed as the Rovers boss just five months later. Allardyce came as advertised and kept Rovers in the division with his usual blend of resolute defending, set piece dominance and terrific home form. The road to recovery started at Ewood vs. Stoke City (see table below for the predicament facing the club) as a Benni McCarthy brace (including the opener from the spot) and Jason Roberts blew the opposition away, all inside the first 27 minutes. 

Aftermath 

Rovers would turn a corner after this victory, particularly at Ewood, where they’d only lose one more time in the league that season. Allardyce also laid the foundation for the following seasons success with the arrival Gaël Givet and perennial Big Sam favourite El Hadji Diouf who added both experience and quality to the overall squad.

Honourable Mentions 

Everton 2-3 Rovers (16/8/08) – Opening day classic at Goodison.

Rovers 2-0 Portsmouth (9/5/09) – The last of three crucial home victories at the end of the season which ensured Rovers Premier League status. The Tottenham Hostpur victory (2-1) and Wigan Athletic (2-0) being the previous two.

Rovers 0-0 West Bromwich Albion (22/5/09) – A relaxed end of season party filled with relief at survival, but more importantly, it became ‘Tugay Day’ as 28,389 fans packed into Ewood to give the Turkish Delight a send off fitting of the cult hero he’d become. Tugay masks, Turkish flags and one final curtain call of a substitution rounding off a fine tribute. Future Rovers boss Tony Mowbray was in charge of the Baggies that day.