The Rovers Return

David Dunn scores Rovers' first.

What a result.

Granted, Bolton were shocking, just awful, but two goals, a clean sheet and three points later, Rovers now sit in 11th place, just one point off the top half of the Premier League.

Indeed, if we take a point at Fulham on Wednesday night in our game in hand, we go above Burnley and into 10th place.

Back to the game, and we dominated from start to finish. Ending the away match-losing streak in style.

David Dunn’s goal was one of the best team goals you are likely to see. Robbo catching the Bolton cross, before releasing Di Santo with a superb throw. Dunn, in the meantime, set off running from the edge of the Rovers box, and Di Santo passed to Roberts on the edge of the box. With his back to goal, Roberts held off the defence, while Dunn continued his run. At the perfect moment, Roberts played it just in front of Dunn, who sublimely slotted the ball into the top corner. Fantastic. A real joy to watch.

The second was also a joy to watch, but for obvious different reasons. One of those huge slices of luck that hardly ever happens to us. As a lack of communication saw Jaaskelainen come running out of his box while Sam Ricketts headed it back into an empty net! Read more »

Di Santo puts Rovers 2-1 up.

Cracking game. Cracking atmosphere. Cracking result.

Three points is what was needed yesterday, regardless of the opposition, and Rovers duly delivered with a solid performance, just reaffirming our status as the top team in Lancashire.

It didn’t start well, Robbie Blake’s early goal was a great finish, but he should never have had the chance as Rovers’ defenders just kept backing away. But the equaliser came, and it just had to be Dunny. Franco’s first for the club wasn’t pretty, but neither was it a foul on keeper Brian Jensen, although some referees may have viewed it as such. Chimbonda was another player who got his first for the club, a lovely effort right at the end of the first half capping off a good performance.

Pre-match music came in the shape of Seven – Blackburn (Rovers in his heart), a song I posted from YouTube recently. I don’t know if they already knew about it, but I like to think I played a part in bringing this random song to Rovers’ attention…

Rovers looked solid throughout, and this was our third home win in succession. Fortress Ewood is what we need this season and after recent performances it looks as though we could be heading in the right direction.

David Dunn was always going to be a key player and he performed exceptionally. His goal brought the scores level and he never stopped running from start to finish, eventually winning the man of the match award. You could see how much the game meant for the only local boy in either side. Before the game he went round to each individual player passing on his views as to the importance of this fixture and I’m certain his words will have had an influence. Read more »

I haven’t got time to post in full as I have to drive back to Hull soon. But I just wanted to say thank you to Rovers and, in particular, David Dunn, for putting the Dingles well and truly in their place!

David Dunn equalises for Rovers.

PS – Laura S, what’s the score? (From Anthony)

Captain Gary Flitcroft and the Rovers team celebrate Craig Short giving Rovers the lead in our 5-0 rout of Burnley in April 2001.

Battle lines are drawn. The plotters are plotting. And 30,000 East Lancastrians are salivating at the prospect of the most important game for either club since 2005.

As I’m sure you’re aware, Rovers take on Burnley at Ewood Park tomorrow in the Premier League’s biggest derby game this season.

Followers of Arsenal and Tottenham, or Manchester City and Manchester United may scoff at such a suggestion. But the intensity and hatred surrounding this fixture, coupled with its irregularity over the past few years (I’m 22 and this is only the fifth game between our two clubs in all those years!), make it so much more important.

It’s not often that football in East Lancashire becomes the focus of so much media attention. But it’s been difficult to escape this week. Not since 1966 have our two clubs, steeped in history, met in the top flight, and that’s what makes the difference.

The FA Cup was passionate. As was the First Division back in 2000/01 (2-0 and 5-0 anyone?). But nothing compares to both sides competing in the biggest football league in the world.

This past week suddenly everyone has remembered their roots. Tim Sherwood, Paul Gallagher, David Hamilton (who played for both clubs in the 80s), Ken Beamish, Martin Dobson (Burnley) and Simon Garner have all had a say in the press. As have several current players and both managers, as you would expect. It’s the most excited I’ve been about a match for a long time.

In fact, it’s so big my Dad only got a season ticket because Burnley had been promoted! Read more »

Stephen Warnock

My dad runs a dry-lining firm (anyone in the north west wants some dry-lining doing, let me know), and his firm will be dry-lining David Dunn’s new castle mansion palace house.

He was over there on Friday chatting with the Rovers midfielder and, although it’s no secret something’s going on, Dunny told him he reckons Stephen Warnock is on his way to Villa.

I know it’s not the most ground-breaking, shocking secret ever to emerge from Ewood Park, but, horses mouth and all that…

It’s been in the news today that the left back, who has been a revelation since reviving his career at Ewood, was left out of the Sunderland game because he ‘wasn’t in the right frame of mind’ because of the constant talking about his future.

Now, it seems, we may be resigned to losing him. Which is sad. Warnock is one of those players that seems like a genuine nice guy. Not someone who’s in it for a year only to take the money and run. One for the fans to love.

In other news, The Rovers Return has been given the highly-prestigious honour of being Wsn.com‘s best independent Rovers blog. I’d like to thank God, I’d like to thank my daddy…

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 »