12:48am Monday 15th March 2010
By Chris Flanagan
FOR fans of Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Formula 1, even boxing, this was the sporting weekend that arrived with such hope, yet departed with only disappointment.
It could have been the weekend in which Rovers, at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime, capitalised on their recent good form and finally ended their 17-match losing streak on the road against the top seven.
It could have been the weekend in which Burnley, at home to Wolves, overcame lowly Premier League opposition and revived their hopes of survival this season.
It should have been the weekend in which the new Formula 1 season lived up to all the hype.
It seemed certain to be the weekend in which Manny Pacquiao reaffirmed his all-time great status in boxing with another dazzling display against Joshua Clottey.
Sadly, all hopes were dashed.
On reflection, maybe we should not have been tremendously surprised with Rovers’ 3-1 loss at White Hart Lane.
Only Hull and Burnley have a worse record away from home this season than Rovers, who now have just six points from 15 games on their travels.
The loss of Paul Robinson to a calf problem before half time was a blow they could not afford.
Replacement Jason Brown survived valiantly for a time, but was clearly at fault for Tottenham’s second.
Aside from the result, Rovers’ biggest worry may be how easily right back Michel Salgado was exposed for pace throughout by Gareth Bale, normally a full back himself but now in the form of his life.
Rovers, already clear of all relegation worries, will get over defeat in a way that Burnley may be unable to after their 2-1 home loss to Wolves.
There were mutterings aplenty from fans departing Wednesday’s home draw with Stoke that the Wolves game had become a game the Clarets simply had to win.
If a draw would have been bad, defeat was disastrous.
One national newspaper described the own goal that ultimately made the difference as a ‘Clarke Carlisle blunder’, although it was difficult to see what else he could have done as a shot from Adlene Guedioura simply ricocheted off his heel and into the far corner.
The only incident to look back upon with any real fondness was the moment when Brian Jensen superbly brought down Kevin Doyle, way out on the left flank, with a diving header to the legs. That’s what you call thinking outside the box.
If Burnley do go down, though, Saturday’s defeat could prove to be one of their most significant ‘if only’ matches.
If local events proved fruitless, two rather more global sporting events seemed more promising.
Some might suggest that staying up until 6am to watch boxing is slightly unhinged, and they may have a point, but Pacquiao usually makes it worth it.
His last three performances against Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto were the stuff of legend.
This time, though, he faced the defensive Clottey, content to see out the 12 rounds without ever really threatening to win the fight.
Safe to say, it wasn’t a classic. Give me a quickfire knockout over an uneventful 12-rounder any day of the week.
If that wasn’t enough disappointment for one weekend, then the start of the Formula 1 season more than made up for it.
No-one can fault the BBC coverage - once again led by the surprisingly excellent Jake Humphrey - but all talk that this was definitely, without doubt, I’d eat my hat if it wasn’t, the best F1 season in history went out of the window by the end of race one.
Starting the season in Bahrain, one of the dullest circuits on the calendar, seemed a risky move.
And we can thank whoever decided to ban refuelling this season if even a field containing Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and Sebastian Vettel continues to produce such dire action.
With everyone on the same strategy now fuel is out of the picture, this was a two-hour procession just as during Schumacher’s greatest days – even if the German is not leading the way any more, nor does he look likely to any time soon.
The BBC seemed keen not to acknowledge it, presumably for fear of losing viewers for the next race, but one of most anticipated races in F1 history had been a major let down.
Much like the rest of the weekend’s sport.
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