TEAM NEWS: King and Best start for Blackburn Rovers

1:29pm Sunday 10th March 2013 in Football Photograph of the Author By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter

LEON Best will make his Blackburn Rovers full debut in this afternoon's FA Cup quarter final at Millwall - with Wembley awaiting the winners.

The powerful striker starts in attack alongside Jordan Rhodes, having missed the season so far with a cruciate ligament injury, while Josh King also makes a surprise return from injury.

Morten Gamst Pedersen partners Jason Lowe in the centre of midfield, with King on the left and David Bentley returning to the side on the right.

Markus Olsson continues at left back, with Scott Dann and Grant Hanley in the centre of defence and Adam Henley at right back.

Midfielder Danny Murphy has again been left out of the squad after a series of poor performances, while Daviud Dunn returns to the bench.

ROVERS: Jake Kean, Adam Henley, Scott Dann, Grant Hanley, Markus Olsson, David Bentley, Jason Lowe, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Josh King, Leon Best, Jordan Rhiodes

SUBS: Greg Sandomierski, Bradley Orr, Gael Givet, David Dunn, Nuno Gomes, Karim Rekik, David Goodwillie

MILLWALL: David Forde, Alan Dunne, Danny Shittu, Liam Trotter, Rob Hulse, Shane Lowry, Mark Beevers, Chris Taylor, Andy Keogh, Jack Smith, Dany N'Guessan

SUBS: Maik Taylor, John Marquis, Liam Feeney, Adam Smith, Jimmy Abdou, Karleigh Osborne, George Saville

Comments (45)

1:34pm Sun 10 Mar 13

willhelmrover98 says...

great to see King Best playing, and even better to see Dunny on the bench! Got himself fit again for the Dingle Derby!
great to see King Best playing, and even better to see Dunny on the bench! Got himself fit again for the Dingle Derby! willhelmrover98

1:40pm Sun 10 Mar 13

1952 rover says...

Now don't let us down please.
Now don't let us down please. 1952 rover

2:18pm Sun 10 Mar 13

stefjam says...

15 mins & i'm bored & disgusted at our pathetic display!! the most overpaid inept squad we have ever had!
15 mins & i'm bored & disgusted at our pathetic display!! the most overpaid inept squad we have ever had! stefjam

2:28pm Sun 10 Mar 13

stefjam says...

wish we got a goal for every time we kick it out of play from dead balls !!! bloody awful !!!!
wish we got a goal for every time we kick it out of play from dead balls !!! bloody awful !!!! stefjam

2:43pm Sun 10 Mar 13

passingfootball says...

need to string 5 passes together without giving it away, whats the point of lumping it long and getting nowhere, not even a shot at goal yet
need to string 5 passes together without giving it away, whats the point of lumping it long and getting nowhere, not even a shot at goal yet passingfootball

2:49pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Xander_ says...

Watching this makes me glad I can't make it to many games. Where is the tactics? It seems to me the only thing we want to do is hoof the ball up to Rhodes or Best as soon as we get it, and we can't even do that! Absolutely awful!!
Watching this makes me glad I can't make it to many games. Where is the tactics? It seems to me the only thing we want to do is hoof the ball up to Rhodes or Best as soon as we get it, and we can't even do that! Absolutely awful!! Xander_

2:52pm Sun 10 Mar 13

stefjam says...

I agree, MA & the tactic of playing hoofball & missing out the supposedly talented wide men has created not a single chance !!! Glad I have not paid to watch these 2 awful teams. They have shitu, but we are shitttter !!!
I agree, MA & the tactic of playing hoofball & missing out the supposedly talented wide men has created not a single chance !!! Glad I have not paid to watch these 2 awful teams. They have shitu, but we are shitttter !!! stefjam

2:53pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Iiii1111 says...

stefjam wrote:
15 mins & i'm bored & disgusted at our pathetic display!! the most overpaid inept squad we have ever had!
My friend it's not any better after 45 mins.........profess
ional footballers that can't pass a football.
[quote][p][bold]stefjam[/bold] wrote: 15 mins & i'm bored & disgusted at our pathetic display!! the most overpaid inept squad we have ever had![/p][/quote]My friend it's not any better after 45 mins.........profess ional footballers that can't pass a football. Iiii1111

2:53pm Sun 10 Mar 13

sean_brfc says...

stefjam wrote:
I agree, MA & the tactic of playing hoofball & missing out the supposedly talented wide men has created not a single chance !!! Glad I have not paid to watch these 2 awful teams. They have shitu, but we are shitttter !!!
A bit harsh on Millwall.
[quote][p][bold]stefjam[/bold] wrote: I agree, MA & the tactic of playing hoofball & missing out the supposedly talented wide men has created not a single chance !!! Glad I have not paid to watch these 2 awful teams. They have shitu, but we are shitttter !!![/p][/quote]A bit harsh on Millwall. sean_brfc

2:54pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Baldly goes says...

It's like a Sunday league thrash.
It's like a Sunday league thrash. Baldly goes

2:54pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Angry From Accrington says...

Appleton does talk a lot of sense though by all accounts.
Appleton does talk a lot of sense though by all accounts. Angry From Accrington

2:55pm Sun 10 Mar 13

bornindarwenliveinnottm says...

What a shower of ****. I'm thinking of coming out of retirement and turning up at Brockall next week because these players are shocking. Pedersen just needs to hang his boots up, Lowe needs to be moved to full back again, Bentley needs to think of something else to do as he can't play football anymore, marcus olson is a joke and wouldn't get in at any other league club in this country and did King actually touch the ball then. I'm glad I'm an armchair fan as I couldn't watch this week in week out. I think I might make a start on the tea.......
What a shower of ****. I'm thinking of coming out of retirement and turning up at Brockall next week because these players are shocking. Pedersen just needs to hang his boots up, Lowe needs to be moved to full back again, Bentley needs to think of something else to do as he can't play football anymore, marcus olson is a joke and wouldn't get in at any other league club in this country and did King actually touch the ball then. I'm glad I'm an armchair fan as I couldn't watch this week in week out. I think I might make a start on the tea....... bornindarwenliveinnottm

2:58pm Sun 10 Mar 13

passingfootball says...

it would be better if we had an extra body between the striker and midfield, the forwards havent even had scraps to feed off, been out of the game most of the time the players behind them are so eager to get the ball to the front men that they couldnt care less how it will reach them, there needs to be quality, be comfortable in posession and be prepared to wait until the right opportunity comes along, so the striker can do someting after he's got the ball,
it would be better if we had an extra body between the striker and midfield, the forwards havent even had scraps to feed off, been out of the game most of the time the players behind them are so eager to get the ball to the front men that they couldnt care less how it will reach them, there needs to be quality, be comfortable in posession and be prepared to wait until the right opportunity comes along, so the striker can do someting after he's got the ball, passingfootball

3:00pm Sun 10 Mar 13

A Darener says...

Two up front but they never get the ball!
What on earth has happened to Bentley! Not even a shadow of his old self. No interest strolling around mouthing off and fouling when ever ball is near him. Dann magnificent.
Two up front but they never get the ball! What on earth has happened to Bentley! Not even a shadow of his old self. No interest strolling around mouthing off and fouling when ever ball is near him. Dann magnificent. A Darener

3:00pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Wellsy11 says...

I understand what MA is trying to do, but is it me, or are just getting shi**er by the weeks!!??
We are still woeful in centre midfield, if only Dunn could "find" some fitness, he and jones would help things. Pederson & Lowe is a shocking cm, but other than murphy, what choice has he got?
I understand what MA is trying to do, but is it me, or are just getting shi**er by the weeks!!?? We are still woeful in centre midfield, if only Dunn could "find" some fitness, he and jones would help things. Pederson & Lowe is a shocking cm, but other than murphy, what choice has he got? Wellsy11

3:01pm Sun 10 Mar 13

moh says...

passingfootball wrote:
need to string 5 passes together without giving it away, whats the point of lumping it long and getting nowhere, not even a shot at goal yet
No Murphy and not one string of passes in midfield. Pederson, Bentley, Lowe very ineffective. Worst than Murphy.
[quote][p][bold]passingfootball[/bold] wrote: need to string 5 passes together without giving it away, whats the point of lumping it long and getting nowhere, not even a shot at goal yet[/p][/quote]No Murphy and not one string of passes in midfield. Pederson, Bentley, Lowe very ineffective. Worst than Murphy. moh

3:01pm Sun 10 Mar 13

A Darener says...

Doesn't look like Murphy will play again. Dann new captain.
Doesn't look like Murphy will play again. Dann new captain. A Darener

3:02pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Iiii1111 says...

Only chance is to take Best off and play one up front with an extra midfielder.....still think we'll be carp though.
Only chance is to take Best off and play one up front with an extra midfielder.....still think we'll be carp though. Iiii1111

3:02pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Wellsy11 says...

I hope MA is spending every minute of every day trying to get a central midfielder!!
I hope MA is spending every minute of every day trying to get a central midfielder!! Wellsy11

3:02pm Sun 10 Mar 13

fishcake 75 says...

I cannot believe how inept we are, all that is happening is rovers playing hoof ball what is the point of having a midfield with two wingers and not using them millwall are there for the taking if we press them and get behind them awful display so far
I cannot believe how inept we are, all that is happening is rovers playing hoof ball what is the point of having a midfield with two wingers and not using them millwall are there for the taking if we press them and get behind them awful display so far fishcake 75

3:02pm Sun 10 Mar 13

JPainter90 says...

Shocking performance so far. You wouldn't think a game at Wembley was at stake. No passion.
Shocking performance so far. You wouldn't think a game at Wembley was at stake. No passion. JPainter90

3:04pm Sun 10 Mar 13

CheltRover says...

Look on the bright side, we are still in it. We need a vast improvement second half though and can only see us winning if we score first
Look on the bright side, we are still in it. We need a vast improvement second half though and can only see us winning if we score first CheltRover

3:05pm Sun 10 Mar 13

moh says...

Wellsy11 wrote:
I understand what MA is trying to do, but is it me, or are just getting shi**er by the weeks!!??
We are still woeful in centre midfield, if only Dunn could "find" some fitness, he and jones would help things. Pederson & Lowe is a shocking cm, but other than murphy, what choice has he got?
MA is not a surprise, many on these boards said when he was appointed that he is a draw specialist and his philosophy is to defend, defend and get a lucky goal at other end. Only Shaw could not see it.
[quote][p][bold]Wellsy11[/bold] wrote: I understand what MA is trying to do, but is it me, or are just getting shi**er by the weeks!!?? We are still woeful in centre midfield, if only Dunn could "find" some fitness, he and jones would help things. Pederson & Lowe is a shocking cm, but other than murphy, what choice has he got?[/p][/quote]MA is not a surprise, many on these boards said when he was appointed that he is a draw specialist and his philosophy is to defend, defend and get a lucky goal at other end. Only Shaw could not see it. moh

3:05pm Sun 10 Mar 13

moh says...

Angry From Accrington wrote:
Appleton does talk a lot of sense though by all accounts.
so did Kean!
[quote][p][bold]Angry From Accrington[/bold] wrote: Appleton does talk a lot of sense though by all accounts.[/p][/quote]so did Kean! moh

3:08pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Wellsy11 says...

moh wrote:
Angry From Accrington wrote:
Appleton does talk a lot of sense though by all accounts.
so did Kean!
Kean just spouted total bulls**t!!!
At least MA talks the talk....
Not sure venkys will let him walk the walk though....
[quote][p][bold]moh[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Angry From Accrington[/bold] wrote: Appleton does talk a lot of sense though by all accounts.[/p][/quote]so did Kean![/p][/quote]Kean just spouted total bulls**t!!! At least MA talks the talk.... Not sure venkys will let him walk the walk though.... Wellsy11

3:10pm Sun 10 Mar 13

stefjam says...

a shot at last !! over !!! wow i thought Orr did OK, the people slagging the wide men off, how can they do anything when the defenders & keeper keep hoofing it long all the time !?!?!
a shot at last !! over !!! wow i thought Orr did OK, the people slagging the wide men off, how can they do anything when the defenders & keeper keep hoofing it long all the time !?!?! stefjam

3:10pm Sun 10 Mar 13

rover-till-dudp says...

I have just witnessed the most disgraceful first half display of football from a Rovers team ever. I thought the big boot SA tactics were long gone. Sorry MA, you have simply got it wrong, you are not going to win many Rovers fans over with that kind of display.
I have just witnessed the most disgraceful first half display of football from a Rovers team ever. I thought the big boot SA tactics were long gone. Sorry MA, you have simply got it wrong, you are not going to win many Rovers fans over with that kind of display. rover-till-dudp

3:11pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Wellsy11 says...

Dunn on for eeee-Orr!!!
Dunn on for eeee-Orr!!! Wellsy11

3:12pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Wellsy11 says...

He was only on the pitch 20 mins, lol!!!!
He was only on the pitch 20 mins, lol!!!! Wellsy11

3:16pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Wellsy11 says...

Sorry 12 minutes!!!!
Sorry 12 minutes!!!! Wellsy11

3:17pm Sun 10 Mar 13

stefjam says...

it is now laughably bad !
it is now laughably bad ! stefjam

3:17pm Sun 10 Mar 13

merlinrabbit says...

Wellsy11 wrote:
I understand what MA is trying to do, but is it me, or are just getting shi**er by the weeks!!??
We are still woeful in centre midfield, if only Dunn could "find" some fitness, he and jones would help things. Pederson & Lowe is a shocking cm, but other than murphy, what choice has he got?
We are getting worse by the weeks. Appleton is as tactically clueless as Kean was. Shocking game. Burnley will have a field day
[quote][p][bold]Wellsy11[/bold] wrote: I understand what MA is trying to do, but is it me, or are just getting shi**er by the weeks!!?? We are still woeful in centre midfield, if only Dunn could "find" some fitness, he and jones would help things. Pederson & Lowe is a shocking cm, but other than murphy, what choice has he got?[/p][/quote]We are getting worse by the weeks. Appleton is as tactically clueless as Kean was. Shocking game. Burnley will have a field day merlinrabbit

3:22pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Wellsy11 says...

8 shots to an out of form millwall, 3 to us!!!
Just doesn't get better, even Danny shittu had three of them!!!
8 shots to an out of form millwall, 3 to us!!! Just doesn't get better, even Danny shittu had three of them!!! Wellsy11

3:25pm Sun 10 Mar 13

merlinrabbit says...

If you are going to openly show your displeasure with an experienced footballer like Murphy, take the captaincy off him and leave him out of the squad when other options are cuptied, you have to have a plan B. Appleton clearly hasn't. Murphy has been awful but is this a better performance without him?
If you are going to openly show your displeasure with an experienced footballer like Murphy, take the captaincy off him and leave him out of the squad when other options are cuptied, you have to have a plan B. Appleton clearly hasn't. Murphy has been awful but is this a better performance without him? merlinrabbit

3:27pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Wellsy11 says...

At the moment they are all ****!!!
At the moment they are all ****!!! Wellsy11

3:30pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Wellsy11 says...

Now 11 shots to 3, cue their late winner, again!!
Now 11 shots to 3, cue their late winner, again!! Wellsy11

3:33pm Sun 10 Mar 13

moh says...

merlinrabbit wrote:
If you are going to openly show your displeasure with an experienced footballer like Murphy, take the captaincy off him and leave him out of the squad when other options are cuptied, you have to have a plan B. Appleton clearly hasn't. Murphy has been awful but is this a better performance without him?
Murphy would at least pass a few good balls, Bentley and Pederson should not even be on bench never mind playing. Good to see Rhodes and Best giving all. .
[quote][p][bold]merlinrabbit[/bold] wrote: If you are going to openly show your displeasure with an experienced footballer like Murphy, take the captaincy off him and leave him out of the squad when other options are cuptied, you have to have a plan B. Appleton clearly hasn't. Murphy has been awful but is this a better performance without him?[/p][/quote]Murphy would at least pass a few good balls, Bentley and Pederson should not even be on bench never mind playing. Good to see Rhodes and Best giving all. . moh

3:47pm Sun 10 Mar 13

merlinrabbit says...

moh wrote:
merlinrabbit wrote:
If you are going to openly show your displeasure with an experienced footballer like Murphy, take the captaincy off him and leave him out of the squad when other options are cuptied, you have to have a plan B. Appleton clearly hasn't. Murphy has been awful but is this a better performance without him?
Murphy would at least pass a few good balls, Bentley and Pederson should not even be on bench never mind playing. Good to see Rhodes and Best giving all. .
They can't give their all in that set up with those tactics though. If I were Rhodes I'd feel I'd wasted a season at rovers
[quote][p][bold]moh[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]merlinrabbit[/bold] wrote: If you are going to openly show your displeasure with an experienced footballer like Murphy, take the captaincy off him and leave him out of the squad when other options are cuptied, you have to have a plan B. Appleton clearly hasn't. Murphy has been awful but is this a better performance without him?[/p][/quote]Murphy would at least pass a few good balls, Bentley and Pederson should not even be on bench never mind playing. Good to see Rhodes and Best giving all. .[/p][/quote]They can't give their all in that set up with those tactics though. If I were Rhodes I'd feel I'd wasted a season at rovers merlinrabbit

3:48pm Sun 10 Mar 13

merlinrabbit says...

stefjam wrote:
15 mins & i'm bored & disgusted at our pathetic display!! the most overpaid inept squad we have ever had!
And the 2nd most useless manager. Waiting for late goal now to lose game
[quote][p][bold]stefjam[/bold] wrote: 15 mins & i'm bored & disgusted at our pathetic display!! the most overpaid inept squad we have ever had![/p][/quote]And the 2nd most useless manager. Waiting for late goal now to lose game merlinrabbit

3:57pm Sun 10 Mar 13

stefjam says...

dire from both sides, don't think I'll bother wasting another 2 hrs of my life watching the replay! that was very shitttttuuu !
dire from both sides, don't think I'll bother wasting another 2 hrs of my life watching the replay! that was very shitttttuuu ! stefjam

3:59pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...

Job done, get them back to ewood and by the time they get here you will see a more coherent unit of players. Some of these players have only played together twice. When they get more used to eachothers positioning it will be a different side. Scott Dann and Hanley were immense today. Good to see Dunny back and my how we have missed the supertankers turns in the shipping lane. Its looking a more solid unit now. It will only get better from here on in, unless we get another batch of imjuries. Bentley was poor today but he is still getting used to it. On the up.
Job done, get them back to ewood and by the time they get here you will see a more coherent unit of players. Some of these players have only played together twice. When they get more used to eachothers positioning it will be a different side. Scott Dann and Hanley were immense today. Good to see Dunny back and my how we have missed the supertankers turns in the shipping lane. Its looking a more solid unit now. It will only get better from here on in, unless we get another batch of imjuries. Bentley was poor today but he is still getting used to it. On the up. Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder

4:00pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Xander_ says...

moh wrote:
merlinrabbit wrote:
If you are going to openly show your displeasure with an experienced footballer like Murphy, take the captaincy off him and leave him out of the squad when other options are cuptied, you have to have a plan B. Appleton clearly hasn't. Murphy has been awful but is this a better performance without him?
Murphy would at least pass a few good balls, Bentley and Pederson should not even be on bench never mind playing. Good to see Rhodes and Best giving all. .
Sorry but disagree on Best. Don't think he did anything at all. He didn't even drop back or chase the ball to win it back. Same with Bentley (who is shocking) and King. Neither of them looked interested. I hope we stay up this season.
[quote][p][bold]moh[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]merlinrabbit[/bold] wrote: If you are going to openly show your displeasure with an experienced footballer like Murphy, take the captaincy off him and leave him out of the squad when other options are cuptied, you have to have a plan B. Appleton clearly hasn't. Murphy has been awful but is this a better performance without him?[/p][/quote]Murphy would at least pass a few good balls, Bentley and Pederson should not even be on bench never mind playing. Good to see Rhodes and Best giving all. .[/p][/quote]Sorry but disagree on Best. Don't think he did anything at all. He didn't even drop back or chase the ball to win it back. Same with Bentley (who is shocking) and King. Neither of them looked interested. I hope we stay up this season. Xander_

4:03pm Sun 10 Mar 13

A Darener says...

Second half vast improvement. Still no goals against in cup run. Well done lads, finish them off on Wednesday. Terrible display but good result.
Second half vast improvement. Still no goals against in cup run. Well done lads, finish them off on Wednesday. Terrible display but good result. A Darener

11:58pm Sun 10 Mar 13

handyamBRFC says...

the reason in my opinion why we are so 's.....' in the championship is we don't have the midfield to cope with championship pressures.

Championship football is a different ball game and actually in my opinion prem. players don't necessarily make good championship players.

We need a complete midfield.
x 3 /4 players
The only way we can stand up and be counted in the championship is if we have the right physically strong players.
strong, physical, box to box ..etc..
but also we need hard as nails humans,
we need fighting dogs of war,
we need lion heart warriors,
we need the Battys,
we need snarling Sounesses
we need bad boys who will rip chunks out of opposition and shred them to bits.

we need the championship to be scared of BRFC because at the moment everyone knows how soft BRFC are especially in the midfield areas.

Very...very pooor

which impacts greatly on the poor defense giving them extra pressure making them look even worse
and the strikers who get few if any chances because of no link up play from midfield.
the reason in my opinion why we are so 's.....' in the championship is we don't have the midfield to cope with championship pressures. Championship football is a different ball game and actually in my opinion prem. players don't necessarily make good championship players. We need a complete midfield. x 3 /4 players The only way we can stand up and be counted in the championship is if we have the right physically strong players. strong, physical, box to box ..etc.. but also we need hard as nails humans, we need fighting dogs of war, we need lion heart warriors, we need the Battys, we need snarling Sounesses we need bad boys who will rip chunks out of opposition and shred them to bits. we need the championship to be scared of BRFC because at the moment everyone knows how soft BRFC are especially in the midfield areas. Very...very pooor which impacts greatly on the poor defense giving them extra pressure making them look even worse and the strikers who get few if any chances because of no link up play from midfield. handyamBRFC

10:28am Mon 11 Mar 13

MatthewCA says...

Bentley's ball control and linkup play need to improve, lots of time he is out of control. quality is there, but performance is lacking........
Bentley's ball control and linkup play need to improve, lots of time he is out of control. quality is there, but performance is lacking........ MatthewCA

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