This fixture always makes me think of Boxing Day 2001. I was spending Xmas with my in-laws in the East Midlands but by Boxing Day was really in need of a break. I managed to get through to someone in the ticket office that morning who told me the game was sold out, but with some begging and pleading they managed to find me a single ticket in the Riverside, so I drove up to Ewood.
In that game, Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips gave us a real lesson in what a strike partnership was all about (we had Grabbi up front on his own) and completely ripped our defence apart. Craig Short got himself sent off and we were probably lucky to only lose 3-0. Attendance was just a few under 29,000.
Still enjoyed getting away from the in-laws for the day though !
This time I'm not making the trip, but will be watching on TV. Not confident about it and would accept a draw but hoping for a 2-1 win.
COYB