The Rovers Return

Another dull goalless draw at the Stadium of Shite means another game against Sunderland is in the offing. The fifth time we’ve played them this season.

There isn’t much to say about the match, except for the fat Rovers had the better chances and should have won it. It also seemed as though both sides wanted to lose, thus being the lack of cutting edge up front!

It would seem to me, in what has been an unusual round of fourth round cup ties, Premiership sides aren’t gunning for the trophy as much as they usually do.

Maybe this is a testament to the quality of the league this season. It is a very close fought battle in every area so far, be it for survival, the title or Europe, there are many teams vying for those places with few points separating them. Read more »

Oh poor Burnley. Poor poor Burnley.

Those Dingles we all love so much, they were so close. It was a valiant effort.

Bentley’s boys nearly made a mockery of the beautiful game by allowing the scum to progress into the final, despite holding a 4-1 advantage from the first leg.

3-0 down and the game headed into extra time. All the claret and blue shite had to do was hang on, just for 30 minutes. Could they? No.

Two minutes from glory their hearts, if Dingles have them, were broken. Two minutes later, their fate was sealed.

Only one thing to say…

Ha.

- Hughes lining up one last Santa bid Telegraph

- But will he pay £40-million? Lancashire Telegraph

- Ince to take over at Norwich? Sky Sports

- Zoro decision soon Daily Mirror

- Huddersfield bid for Gallagher? Terrior Bites

- Legend Jansen in Carlisle bid to save his career Sky Sports

Apologies if these videos are taken down but, I assure you, at the time of posting they do exist!

Paul Merson talks out of his arse, as usual, on Soccer Saturday:

Amateur mobile phone footage of Benni’s pen, with naughty language at the end so cover your ears:

In a return to my original format, here are my thoughts on another three points under Big Sam…

- Man it feels good to be out of the drop zone. Even though it’s only by the skin of our teeth.

- The first half was a shocker. The players seemed nervous and demonstrated a lack of confidence to run at the Geordies. The fans also seemed nervous and an eery quiet fell across the Rovers supporting contingents.

- The penalty was harsh, but who gives a shit?

- Two great goals followed. Both from Roberts. Have that JR doubters. The first a great finish where he had to act quickly, the second a wonderful run from Andrews let in Ped who crossed perfectly for Roberts to blast in from close range. Read more »

Cracking quote in The Sun from Allardyce:

“When we went to Blyth, which is just north of Newcastle, for our FA Cup tie I was told I was going to get it and I’ve never signed so many autographs and posed for so many photos.

“There was the odd one shouting “you fat *******” but I get that wherever I go”

The article itself makes a very good point. Allardyce receives an awful lot of stick from the Geordies from his time up there.

Yes, he spent a lot of money but, as this article points out, he did a better job than the current incumbent and his predecessor.

Given time I reckon Big Sam would have been succesful with Newcastle. But bollocks to them let’s hope he’s succesful with us!

Big Sam has now signed three players this window. All for bugger all.

His ‘£10-million’ budget is still intact and now he can move on to strengthening the right hand side.

Givet is a French international who hasn’t been playing for Marseille, this isn’t because he’s shit. It’s because he and his manager Erik Gerets currently hate each other.

Geret can play at both left and centre back, meaning he will provide good competition for both positions.

Let’s face it, Stephen Warnock’s had the position to himself, the only competition being Martin Olsson, who I am confident will not succeed at this level.

In the centre he’ll give Chris Samba something to think about.

His signing can only be good for the team, we have first option on him as well, so if he is good we can sign him permanently. If he’s not we can forget all about him.

Nice one Sam.

Moving on. Roque Santa Cruz. I have officially fallen out with the Paraguayan.

For a player who has done nothing all season he really is getting a bit above himself. Read more »

Have just written this for Blog United.

It’s difficult to judge a player’s performance for a club in such a desperate situation as Rovers’.

When Danny Simpson joined it appeared an excellent move for us. Paul Ince was seemingly utilising his contacts within the game to bring in players, and what better players than that from United’s youth team? A youth team that has consistently brought up an amazing array of talent over the last two decades.

Cover at right back was exactly what we needed, and still need. Since Lucas ‘I didn’t do it for the money’ Neill left for West Ham we’ve never had an out and out right back. Brett Emerton is much more accustomed to a midfield role and Andre Ooijer is an excellent central defender, but is often left behind by speedy wingers, with who he simply cannot keep up! Simpson provided this.

He didn’t start as a first choice right back. In our opening game at Everton he was left on the bench, as are many new signings on the opening day of the season. He wasn’t done any favours by the performance of Andre Ooijer, who played well throughout and went on to score the winning goal. Read more »

Sam Allardyce has made his first forays into the transfer market and confirmed the signing of two youngsters today.

Cambridge United’s 15-year-old Jackson Ramm was the first to be confirmed. Supposedly a real prospect, the full back had a trial with Man Utd in the summer, where he represented the Red Devils in a friendly tournament hosted by Dutch side Ajax and the Nike Cup!

The situation with youth players outside of the Football League is no compensation is required from the club who takes a player. As often happens with lower league clubs, in particular Cambridge who have seen stars like Dave Kitson leave for next to no money, this sees them cheated out of money they should be entitled to.

I feel quite strongly on this subject as I have a close friend who supports a Blue Square side and they are treated very unfairly when they should be embraced by the FA and more investment should be made into these clubs, as well as implementing rules stating they must receive fees for players. Read more »