Im not setting an arguement that clubs are setting prices artificially high just to curb drinking. Clubs have driven prices high to accomodate the high wages demanded by players, and the overall running costs of the clubs. What Im attempting to say is, that why would clubs reduce ticket costs when they can see that fans are already planning 3 months in advance a booze induced day out. By reading such comments on messageboards the clubs know they have the customer lined up, but they also have to inclue contingency costs for controlling a high attendance where a number of supporters are going to be intoxicated. With regards to the earlier days of the premiership, most grounds were terraced and the sober supporter who wanted to watch the game could move away from the drunk. Now with seating, there is no choice. You have to put up with the loud mouth sat next to you. At lease at home games, if you have a season ticket, you know who your sat next to for the season, whilst at away games your herded into the stadium and are forced to sit next to some spotty faced chav, who cant hold his drink or if your unlucky some bird, who screams everytime our Norwegian Beckham smiles in her direction.

There lies a reason why the clubs wont reduce prices. Dont get me wrong I like a drink as much as the next person, but why would the clubs reduce prices if fans can afford to go on the booze all day. Representatives from clubs and the police read sites like this, so with the knowledge that fans are going to be drunk, increased stewarding and security will have to be costed for. Wigan already pay excessive police costs, so why would they reduce ticket costs for a local derby where extra police is going to be needed. I'm not having a go at you dan, but its one of the reasons that I and many more supporters have stopped going to away games. Why should we pay £30 a ticket and end up sitting next to a bunch of p##### up blokes who spoil the enjoyment of trying to watch a game of football.

Official site attendance figure for Huddersfield game 11,755

I think most people know my views on Dickov, and from an entertainment point of view I would agree with you about playing Bellamy and Jansen, plus Jansen gives some aerial threat. (Goal line clearance Sunday from Matt's header.) However I think Dickov for all his faults worries defenders more, thus creating space for Bellamy. That said if, and a big if, Jansen regained his form his flick on's could create a lot for Bellamy.,

Funny some bloke called bob flemming said last night that Beckham could be mistaken for Bentley.

Can anyone remember the last time that one of our players out paced a defence, with only a keeper to beat.

I must be mad, but at lease with a small attendance I should get away easy after the game. Please no extra time

Match Reports for the 2005 - 2006 Season have now been loaded and can be found in the Match Report Section. Links. West Ham v Rovers Rovers v Fulham Rovers v Spurs Villa v Rovers Bolton v Rovers Rovers v Newcastle

Scotty's Match Report Hughes picked the wrong team and the worrying thing is that I'm not sure he knows what his best team is. There's nothing wrong with 4-5-1 providing we play the right players in the right positions - it can be an extremely attacking formation when played right. However, we played it all wrong today. For an hour not much happened. Two bad teams scrapped about in midfield, mis-placing passes all over the place, and creating little or nothing in front of goal. We had a couple of free-kicks that went close-ish, they didn't even have that. Then Newcastle scored. I haven't seen the incident on TV yet, but it looked a harsh call to give Newcastle a free-kick on the edge of the area. Once it was given though the whole ground knew what was coming - a Shearer piledriver. No-one blocked it and in it went. One-nil to Newcastle with what was probably their first shot on goal. Five minutes later they scored again. A cross from their left was met by a totally unmarked Owen who doesn't miss those. Terrible defending by us - Christmas Day for the Toon Army. To be fair to us we showed a bit of character and tried to get back in the game, but it wasn't to be. Kuqi and Tuigay, shortly followed by Jansen, came off the bench and we created a couple of chances, notably one awful miss by Kuqi, but we didn't do enough. Even after Newcastle had a man sent off they managed to extend their lead on the break when N'Zogbia beat Friedel cleverly. A thoroughly miserable afternoon all round really. It's a daft thing to say when we've been beaten 3-0 but we defended quite well really. Shearer and Owen hardly had a kick all game but, like the quality strikers they are, they took their one chance expertly. I think it was Zurab who lost Owen for his goal, and Neill managed to get booked within two minutes for a daft challenge but, other than that, they didn't do badly at all. All our problems were at the other end. Reid isn't a right winger. Emerton is better. Yes, I said Emerton is better. Emerton is far from great, but he offers a much bigger threat than Reid will ever do. Pedersen didn't do enough and we really need him to step up to the plate this season. He's got the talent but he fails to show it too often for me. Savage played well in midfield, as did Mokoena, but neither contributed much going forward. Bentley was disappointing. He impressed me with his cameo at Bolton and I was expecting more today, but he didn't seem to have the confidence on the ball today that he showed at Bolton. I think he can play that position he played today (attacking midfielder playing off the front man), but it might also be worth trying him wide-right. The biggest problem the team had today though was Bellamy. He's just not a lone striker. He can't hold the ball well enough and he doesn't battle with defenders. Obviously he's not going to win things in the air either, all of which meant that any ball played forward just came straight back. He's a willing runner and will run the channels all day, but he needs someone to play off. It was a poor home performance today and I believe Hughes got his team wrong. We're in trouble now. Hughes needs to sort out his best team soon and hope that it performs, otherwise it's going to be a long hard season again.

I’d love to find something positive to post about Sunday’s game against Newcastle, however like a lot of supporters this morning I feel depressed and angry by another failure by the team to win a game that for 60 minutes was there for the taking. Tagged by the media, as the premier league bully boy, Rovers couldn’t even get that right against Newcastle. Only one yellow card compared to Newcastle’s 5 yellows and 1 red. For the first hour both teams huffed and puffed up and down the park, with neither team taking control of the game. The statistics would indicate that Rovers had 24 attempts on goal whilst Newcastle had 4. The big difference and more telling of those stats is that 3 of Newcastle’s attempts hit the back of the net. I suspect it was written in the stars that Alan Shearer, making his final competitive appearance at Ewood, (if he does retire at the end of the season) would break his duck of not scoring for 18 games and that Micheal Owen would open his account for the barcodes. Both world class strikers, seem to score on a regular basis when they play against Rovers and there lies the difference between both teams. Rovers have the ability to defend in depth and I suspect on current form there will be an abundance of goal less draws this season, however once they go behind they don’t have a player capable of finding the back of the net from open play. Rovers have continued this season where they left off last season, playing with a sole striker up front so it’s no surprise that they haven’t scored since the first home game of the season. With a total of approximately 380 minutes since they scored, it’s no surprise that attendance for the game was less than 21,000. Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Gresko (Jansen 76), Savage, Mokoena (Tugay 67), Reid, Pedersen, Bentley (Kuqi 67), Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Emerton, Enckelman. Booked: Neill. Newcastle: Given, Carr, Boumsong, Taylor, Babayaro, Faye, Bowyer, Clark, N'Zogbia, Shearer (Bramble 74), Owen. Subs Not Used: Elliott, Harper, O'Brien, Brittain. Sent Off: Taylor (72). Booked: Clark, Boumsong, Given, Taylor, Babayaro. Goals: Shearer 62, Owen 66, N'Zogbia 85. Att: 20,725 Ref: M Riley

Match Report by blueblood. A pretty dissatisfying match in many ways but a point is a point, and against Bolton away from home that isn't a bad result. The first half was woeful, and Rovers need to improve on that, another performance like that and against a better team we'd get punished. Fortunately Bolton were equally poor, though Campo should have scored late on in the first half from a corner (which would have really left us in trouble.) Second half was more frustraiting then anything else, as Rovers hinted though never really got hold of the game as they promised to do. The substitutions were the catalyst, and I think Hughes erred in his team selection. I'm chuffed that matty is in the first team picture but playing him on his own up front against bolton was never likely to work. With Rovers hoofing it long all the time, the slim chance of him getting anything became nil. This game was crying out for Kuqi or Dickov to start, to ruffle a few feathers and to be fair the former did when he came on. Sadly that's all he did, as a lack of technique/that but of extra quality that was just missing, meant the difference between sometimes threatening and downright dangerous. One time which typified this was when the ball was played towards the Bolton left back area, Kuqi outmusled the defender in getting the ball, and then promptly lost it when he had a clear run down the wing through lack of control. If Hughes can improve his technique and touch we have the bargain of the season on our hands, if not we've got another Ashely Ward. Tactically I also thought Hughes had erred in taking off Pederson instead of the anonymous Emerton. This did have a negative effect on the team in terms of set pieces (more on this later) but Emerton then began to show his quality, and impressed in the latter stages of the game. One of the big positives is that the indications are that Emerton might provide adequate cover on the left should Morten get injured. Kish-thingy had a fairly quiet debute the jury's till out on this one IMO. His centre back partner Nelsen was awesome - we'll be lucky to keep hold of him, this chap is one of the top few centre backs in the country. On many a time he covered for one player or another, and I wonder to what extent this convered up for or overshaddowed Zurab's performance. Either way Nelsen is a legend in the making. Another gripe is Savage, another stupid booking - the daftest yet - and his free kicks and corners were shocking. Every single one went sailing over evveryone's heads. His passing in play wasn't exactly telling either, but it was the wasted set pieces which annoyed me most. If MGP's not on the pitch, Emerton should be dealing with them, I was very disappointed with our 'star' midfielder. The other two central midfielders had quiet games, although neither performance was poor. Bentley drifted in and out of the game, which was understandable considering he hasn't seen much 1st team football recently. But when he was in the game he made a heck of a difference. Maybe he's the attacking midfielder we've been after to solve our problems, and though it's too early to say the first signs are very promising. Overall a frustrating game, a dire first half with Rovers edging the second. Rovers cannot feel too agrieved about not winning though as despite having the edge never really took the game by the scruff of the neck and dominatea, as they hinted at and had opportunity to do Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Campo, Ben Haim, N'Gotty, Pedersen, Giannakopoulos (Gardner 56), Nolan, Okocha (Hunt 78), Speed, Diouf, Davies (Borgetti 70). Subs Not Used: Walker, Nakata. Booked: Campo. Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Matteo, Emerton, Savage, Mokoena, Reid, Pedersen (Bentley 58), Jansen (Kuqi 58). Subs Not Used: Dickov, Enckelman, Tugay. Booked: Matteo, Savage. Att: 24,405. Ref: G Poll

Match Report by Welshrover 1981 Having travelled up to the game yesterday, I was expecting a decent Rovers performance against the Villans. First half performance was poor, and yet again someone with pace (baros) made Todd nelsen have a very tricky afternoon. Dont get me wrong they are good defenders but any team with a pacey forward seem to get the better of Toddy and the Admiral. Having watched highlights of the game on MOTD Todd was partly to blame but our midfield was also to blame in giving the ball away. We did alot in the first half and Villa deserved to go in 3-0 rather than 1-0. Then there was Kuqi. Hopeless in the first half didnt get anywhere near MGP crosses and for a 'big' player seems to be lacking strength which is needed in Premiership. But support for him was also poor from our midfield. Second half was far better and we came out with a purpose, which was lacking in the first half. Hughesy must have given them a good bollocking because Villa were waiting for rovers for at least 2 minutes. Defence looked alot wiser although the chances which Villa had came about mainly from Rovers trying to get this elusive goal. Gresko looked pretty decent. MGP looked the only decent Premiership player on the pitch. Creating chances, making important tackles and just making Villa play, which no one else seemed to do. Emerton was poor and I was glad to see Jansen and Jemal come on to the pitch. jemal looked decent and gave the Villa defence something to think about and jansen looked way off in terms of being a decent player again, although his effort was there. Couple of things I couldnt understand was why Savage wanted to take the Crosses from the left all the time and not leave them to MGP and why when we were threatening their goal No-one wanted to shoot it was just pass pass pass. Oh no I got to shoot, I'll pass it again I think. only Jemal seemed to have made a decent shot. Kuqi seemed alot better in the 2nd half but wasted our best opportunity, which you just cant do. And that just seemed to have summed up our day. Villa had an International goalscorer who is proven in the Premiership and has that touch of class to score goals, where as we had Kuqi. Villa: Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Barry, Davis, McCann, Whittingham (Berger 69), Baros, Phillips. Subs Not Used: Angel, Taylor, Cahill, Moore. Booked: Mellberg, Baros. Goals: Baros 11. Rovers: Friedel, Todd, Nelsen, Matteo (Gresko 57), Flitcroft (Jansen 61), Emerton (Johnson 81), Pedersen, Tugay, Savage, Reid, Kuqi. Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Mokoena. Booked: Nelsen, Matteo. Att: 31,010 Ref: M Clattenburg

Looking at the reserves line up last night, (unless he's injured) it looks as if Andy Taylor will play against Huddersfield tonight.

An injury time goal by substitute Joe Garner gave Rovers Reserves a share of the points at Villa Park tonight in their 1-1 draw with Villa. Match Report Courtesy of Rovers Official Web Site.

Does that mean I have to write a match report now

Following Rovers is like buying the lotto. You keep buying the ticket in the fear that the week that you dont, your numbers will come up.

New Contract for Taylor

Looks like the telegrapgh have been reading our site poll.

Rovers 19 year old, England Youth International defender, Andy Taylor has signed a new three year contract, that will keep him at the club until 2008.

Is it the same article that I posted a link to further back up the page. or do I need to buy a copy of the red top.

Flaming heck, that would mean they have no time for tv work, golf, snooker, clubbing, film premiers etc.

Even the BIG club is affected by falling gates. Birmingham chairman David Gold says Premiership ticket prices could tumble after poor early-season attendances. John Williams is even more concerned after Rovers attracted just 20,725 to Ewood Park for Sunday’s high-profile clash with Newcastle. Last season, the fixture brought in almost 9,000 more fans. LINK - The Sun MANCHESTER City played pre-recorded crowd chants at Sunday's game against Bolton in a bid to rouse their fans and improve the atmosphere at their stadium. Link - The Mirror

Editorial. Rovers supporters, along with other football fans are sighting the cost of games and lack of entertainment as the cause for the drop in attendances. The club has attempted to address the cost of tickets, by reducing costs for tomorrow nights game. Adults £10 Senior Citizens and Young Adult Season Ticket Holders £5 Juniors under 15. £3 If supporters are sighting cost as a reason for declining gates, there is no excuse for missing tomorrow nights game and a higher than average attendance will show the club that an adjustment to pricing is needed in the future to maintain interest. Don’t get me wrong, I was as upset as the next bloke on the terraces regarding the display and result against Newcastle on Sunday, yet it wasn’t so long ago that I wrote after the Fulham and Spurs games. Rovers v Fulham. “Now that was the type of entertainment that Rovers supporters have been longing to see at Ewood Park for the last two years. After last weeks display at West Ham, although this was basically the same team, the display and performance was unrecognisable, topped by two goals that were capable of winning the goal of the season accolade.” Rovers v Spurs “Spurs looked very mediocre and showed no threat to the Rovers, which would indicate that either Spurs are in a false place in the league or the Rovers entertaining performance against Fulham was no flash in the pan.” Rovers showed in those two games that when they put their minds to it that they have capability to entertain the paying public. What Mark Hughes and the team must now do is bounce back with performance against Huddersfield tomorrow night in the League Cup that will dilute the memory of Sunday’s defeat. The fans wanted cheaper tickets and the club has accommodated them. The fans want and deserve entertainment, it’s now up to Hughes and the team to perform.

I suspect that the media this morning will centre on Lucas Neill’s sending off after collecting two yellow cards in last nights game against Spurs, and regrettably no mention will be made of the fact the Rovers dominated the game throughout. Whilst Rovers attacked the Spurs goal throughout the game, apart from having to make one save from Andy Reid, Brad Friedel was a virtual spectator for the entire game. Similar to Saturday against Fulham, Rovers controlled the game from midfield, it was just unfortunate that they weren’t able to capitalise on their dominance in front of goal, with Kuqi being the biggest culprit, in missed opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net. In his defence, this was only his third game at this level and he needs to acclimatises to the speed of the premiership. For effort and commitment he deserves ten out of ten, which hopefully will be rewarded soon with a goal. After going 53 consecutive league games without being rewarded a penalty, the rule was relaxed last season, however I see the FA ruling regarding the issuing of Rovers a penalty is back in force this season. Evident last night when both Kuqi and Emerton claims for a penalty were dismissed by the referee. Fortunately Neill’s sending off, leaving Rovers only with 10 men, didn’t result in a defeat, however up until that point Rovers had been masters of their own destiny, the more the game went on the more likely Rovers looked like taking maximum points. Even with the Davids and Defoe on as second half substitutes, Spurs looked very mediocre and showed no threat to the Rovers, which would indicate that either Spurs are in a false place in the league or the Rovers entertaining performance against Fulham was no flash in the pan. The question may be answered this weekend when Rovers travel to Villa Park, when hopefully we can sweep the memory of the dismal display against West Ham under the carpet, as being a one off poor performance. Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Todd (Mokoena 81), Nelsen, Matteo, Tugay, Emerton, Savage, Reid, Pedersen, Kuqi (Johnson 87). Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Jansen, Gresko. Sent Off: Neill (76). Booked: Neill, Savage. Spurs: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, Gardner, Edman, Tainio, Pedro Mendes (Defoe 81), Brown, Reid, Mido (Davids 53), Keane. Subs Not Used: Naybet, Cerny, Carrick. Booked: Dawson, Davids. Att: 22,375 Ref: D Gallagher

Now that was the type of entertainment that Rovers supporters have been longing to see at Ewood Park for the last two years. After last weeks display at West Ham, although this was basically the same team, the display and performance was unrecognisable, topped by two goals that were capable of winning the goal of the season accolade. With Rovers kicking towards the Darwen End the Rovers supporters were entertained by an exhibition of fast flowing attacking play, with Tugay orchestrating the play with long cross field passes. Who said 4-5-1 was a boring defensive tactic, with Savage and Reid chasing down and hassling in midfield and Tugay’s vision, Emerton and Pedersen where able to break forward on the flanks to take advantage of good hold up play by Kuqi, to threaten the Fulham defence at will. Prior to Rovers first goal, there was a slight scare when Friedel fumbled a Boa Morte shot, but that was quickly forgotten when Rovers scored. In a fast flowing move out of defence the ball was laid out to Kuqi on the right hand wing, who out paced the Fulham defence to wip in a Ripley style cross across the box to Pedersen running in from the left flank. With the Norwegian international in full flight he hit the ball first time with his left foot past the helpless Fulham keeper, to score one of the best goals scored at Ewood for many a year and a worthy contender for goal of the season. With Rovers in total command there was a further scare towards the end of the first half when Friedel’s brilliance stopped Diop scoring with a header. Rovers were caught napping as Fulham came out for the second half with a bit more bite and confidence resulting in an goal early in the second half, when McBride got in front of Todd, to glance a header past Friedel. Yes once again some sloppy schoolboy defending had infected the Rovers defence, however, this was short lived as Rovers once again took command to control the game, with a string of corners in Rovers favour. Warner in the Fulham goalmouth was kept the busier of the two keeper as he managed to scoop a Pedersen in swinging corner out from the underside of his cross bar. Warner’s luck wasn’t to last as Rovers implemented a training ground move. Pedersen changed his tactics of in swinging corners towards the cross bar by laying the ball out from the left right hand corner to Tugay unmarked on the left of the penalty box. The majestic unmarked, Tugay hit the ball first time on the volley, like a missile through the Fulham defence passed a motionless Warner and a Fulham defender on the line who must be more than pleased that he didn’t attempt to head clear. With Rovers now full of confidence they attacked at will, with Emerton and full back Lucas Neill coming close on two occasions, the first after a dribbling run through the defence saw his shot go over the bar and secondly a long rang shot that hit the underside of the cross bar. With Rovers 2-1 up and playing some entertaining attacking football, a sarcastic chant of 2-1 to the Bully Boys, erupted from the Blackburn End, before the team were deservedly applauded of the Park. The only disappointment of the afternoon was the gate of just under, 17,000. However with a few more performances of that nature Rovers should quickly see the return of some disillusioned supporters, who have had to put up with some dire displays in recent times. Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Matteo, Tugay, Emerton (Flitcroft 90), Savage, Reid, Pedersen, Kuqi. Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Gresko, Gallagher, Johnson. Booked: Reid, Savage. Goals: Pedersen 15, Tugay 71. Fulham: Warner, Volz, Knight, Rehman, Niclas Jensen, Malbranque, Diop, Claus Jensen, Boa Morte, McBride (Helguson 81), Radzinski (John 81). Subs Not Used: Batista, Elrich, Leacock. Booked: Diop, John. Goals: McBride 49. Att: 16,953 Ref: H Webb