The Rovers Return

Chris Samba is sent off ... Again.

A dismal result at the Britannia Stadium that brought Rovers and their fans back to earth with a bang.

There was nothing positive to take from this match, our second 3-0 defeat in a visit to the side we defeated 3-0 in Big Sam’s first game in charge.

Shocking defending for Stoke’s goals. All three. They were pathetic.

Chris Samba harshly booked in the first half for putting his arm around someone, resulting in him being sent off in the second half for a second booking.

An absolutely shocking miss from Di Santo that could have levelled things up. With a tall striker like Franco you expect them to be able to use their head and, with such a straightforward opportunity to hit the back of the net, the Argentine continued to show his desperate lack of finishing quality by heading over.

Big Sam, who I hear got some stick from Rovers fans at the end of the game, carries on talking bullshit to the cameras. When your team has played shit, admit it. Don’t come out and blame the ref. By the time Samba got sent off we were already 2-0 down.

There was also news that a Rovers fan was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after what appears to be a half time scuffle with his fellow supporters. I wish him well and hope he makes a recovery.

I lied, there is one positive. Two superb saves from Paul Robinson. He stopped two almost point blank headers in the second half with diving saves.

That’s all I’m going to say about this match that, much like the 3-0 defeat at Everton earlier in the season, we need to forget and move on from.

We had hit a decent run of form and we need to recapture that on Wednesday against Hull – a game that, following the Tigers’ 2-1 win against Man City today, is absolutely huge.

A win in that game could really push us away from the relegation battle. A defeat doesn’t bear thinking about…