FULL-TIME: Blackburn Rovers 4 Arsenal 3 (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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FULL-TIME: Blackburn Rovers 4 Arsenal 3
2:50pm Saturday 17th September 2011 in Blackburn Rovers match reports By Matt Baxter
DELIGHT Ayegbeni Yakubu (right) celebrates scoring their third goal of the game with manager Steve Kean
Blackburn Rovers earn their first win of the season after a hard-fought match against a visiting Arsenal ends four goals to three.
Coming into the second half a changed side, Rovers were helped by two own goals but that’s not to take away from what has definitely been their best performance of the season so far.
The first half saw a dominant Arsenal keeping Rovers pressed into their own half with very few attacking responses from the home side.
Exploiting weaknesses on the wings the Gunners threatened to score early on with both Gervinho and Arshavin proving difficult to contain.
It wasn’t long before the visiting side opened the scoring after a through ball from Alex Song was struck home by Gervinho in the ninth minute.
Andrey Arshavin almost had another shortly after when he broke through the defence, but not before Robinson got to the ball first.
However, Rovers responded in the twenty-fifth with a debut goal from new signing Yakubu to take the score level.
Unfortunately the score didn’t stay level for long when Ramsay made a break down the wing to get past a struggling Givet. Reaching the box he played a back pass into the centre where it found Arteta who fired a venomous shot to the back of the net making it 2-1.
After the break Rovers were a changed team, getting more men forward with strong counter-attacks.
Whilst Givet still looked weak at times the home side were fighting back as they saw few of their attacks sputtering out around the box like in the first half.
The home side were helped to bring the core to 2-2 after an own goal from Song off a free-kick from Rochina five minutes into the second half.
Rochina was looking dangerous early on after he slipped through the Arsenal centre-backs only to hit his shot right at Szczesny. However, Kean soon switched him for Martin Olsson.
Yakubu was certainly being fed on his debut at Ewood Park after he took Rovers into the lead fifty-nine minutes in after a ball from Steven Nzonzi.
Play picked up as both sides fought for dominance but with Rovers now playing with a lot more pace things were definitely going their way.
A second own goal, this time from Koscielny in the sixty-seventh minute gave Rovers a two goal lead after a blistering run into the box from substitute Olsson.
The home side held strong for the closing minutes as Arsenal looked o regain the upper hand but again Rovers were quick to break on the counterattack.
A free kick from Santos in the eighty-second minute found the head of Van Persie but Robinson made a critical save managing to tip it over the bar.
The Gunners weren’t going down without a fight and they finally managed to pull the score back to 4-3 after a cross from Van Persie was met by the head of substitute Marouanne Chamakh with six minutes to go.
Rovers battled to retain their advantage as the clock ticked down with every man pulling back to defend whilst still finding chances to break forward.
With four added minutes on the clock tension was rife as Arsenal tried to level. The away side almost had it after a header from Mertesacker brushed over the bar whilst a minute later Robinson came out to make a last-ditch save.
In what has been a challenging match, Rovers deservedly earn their first win of the season, with double goalscorer Yakubu earning man of the match.
Comments(69)
French Rover
says...
2:55pm Sat 17 Sep 11
gosportdunc
says...
2:55pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Glen mullan and the marchers sat in the fox and hounds ! Sorry seem to be the hardest word to say ... Wot are you gobSh1ts going to say now Steve keans blue and white army !
cathedral citi
says...
2:58pm Sat 17 Sep 11
'up the ROVERS'
Double J
says...
3:07pm Sat 17 Sep 11
We have won one of many games for this season (I'm positive).
It showed that this club can edge any big teams like Arsenal.
Let's hope this momentum will be continued from game to game and I'm sure the TOP 5 will be up for the grab.
Now, we all can celebrate this and have a good sleep.
Have a good day everyone!
stu82
says...
3:08pm Sat 17 Sep 11
gosportdunc wrote:Get a grip you tit, yes it was a fooking great result but them guys who protested had every right to do so, one win does not mean all is good in the hood but it bloody helps us on our way i was very much anti Kean but after this game it showed good football and good positives so my mind is now between the 2 a few more results like that and its Kean's blue and white army and again well do to the lads that turned up to protest, but now we all must get behind the team for at least the next 4 and if we get the results we need to get of his back, and if it stays the same old same old we need to start again
COME ON LET'S HAVING YOU Glen mullan and the marchers sat in the fox and hounds ! Sorry seem to be the hardest word to say ... Wot are you gobSh1ts going to say now Steve keans blue and white army !
coyb........
RTID_norway
says...
3:11pm Sat 17 Sep 11
gosportdunc wrote:What an easy comment to make AFTER knowing the result..
COME ON LET'S HAVING YOU
Glen mullan and the marchers sat in the fox and hounds ! Sorry seem to be the hardest word to say ... Wot are you gobSh1ts going to say now Steve keans blue and white army !
They have made their concerns heard, a concern they share with every single Rovers fan, even those in favour of giving SK more time.
Like everyone else, no matter what their opinion is, they only has Rovers best interest at heart, just a different view on what that is.
If this is a new beginning, or just a one off, is to early to say..
Today should be about celebrating the three points and giving praise to the players, manager and fans at Ewood getting behind the team! Job well done!!
plymouthrover
says...
3:11pm Sat 17 Sep 11
COYB's
TheInternationalist
says...
3:14pm Sat 17 Sep 11
a) he’d never have picked that team but for the injuries
b) if he buys players, he should play them; where the hell was Slew?
c) the substitutions were rubbish
d) winning by own goals doesn’t count
e) it was only Arsenal
f) Solskjaer would have won it by six clear goals
Donut moaners out!
Dr.alan79
says...
3:16pm Sat 17 Sep 11
rover_schultz10
says...
3:16pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Come on Rovers!!!!!!!!!
stu82
says...
3:17pm Sat 17 Sep 11
TheInternationalist wrote:You need to get out more.....
Just waiting for the moaners to come and say: a) he’d never have picked that team but for the injuries b) if he buys players, he should play them; where the hell was Slew? c) the substitutions were rubbish d) winning by own goals doesn’t count e) it was only Arsenal f) Solskjaer would have won it by six clear goals Donut moaners out!
blackbeauty
says...
3:20pm Sat 17 Sep 11
reggie0008
says...
3:20pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Steve Kean was nobody's first choice including myself, but i hope the moaners on here shut up and give him a chance because he has assembled an exciting young team.
Hoilett- Kean gave him his chance/ big sam never picked him
Formica- Looks like a star of the future and was a Kean signing
Rochina- Looks like a star of the future and another Kean signing
Scott Dann is a Kean signing
Vuckevic is a proven champions league player and Montenegro's most capped player and they are just behind England and could still knock us out if they beat us and is another Kean signing
Yakubu- Finally we have a proven goalscorer another Kean signing and had we had someone like him last season insted of barn door Roberts up front we would have finished top 8 instead of relegation battle.
So what if he stabbed Allardyce in the back, big sam wanted to leave us for some club in the middle east anyway and said he should be at a bigger club like Inter Milan or Real Madrid so good riddance to the Bolton devil worshipper's hoofball and huge ego!
Look forward to becoming one of the most entertaing teams to watch this season under King Keano!
Road Runner Road Runner
says...
3:20pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Steve Kean & Venky all the way.
Ha-Ha sec word: BASE BLIND !
bluenwhite
says...
3:21pm Sat 17 Sep 11
TheInternationalist wrote:what about the fact arsenal should of had a penalty at the end lol?
Just waiting for the moaners to come and say:
a) he’d never have picked that team but for the injuries
b) if he buys players, he should play them; where the hell was Slew?
c) the substitutions were rubbish
d) winning by own goals doesn’t count
e) it was only Arsenal
f) Solskjaer would have won it by six clear goals
Donut moaners out!
spose it evens out for the everton game
MJ Rover
says...
3:26pm Sat 17 Sep 11
*
Did we get lucky? With two own goals and a marginal offside goal, yes. But we've had terrible luck in previous games - particularly towards the end of last season - so we were due some good fortune. Besides, we still have to create the chances for them to put them in their own goal.
*
I was a little fearful in the first half with our central midfielders not getting to grips with Arteta and Song. But whatever was said at half-time certainly did the trick, as we took the game to them for a good spell and got our reward. I thought the decision to take Rochina off for Olsson was a great move - and we saw Olsson's impact for the 4th goal.
*
Arsenal might not be the same team we've come up against in the past, but they still have some very good and dangerous players. I hope that today showed Kean that this team can play well without Dunn. Hopefully we'll see these players get a run of games now. 4 points from 6 since the window closed - I think most people would say they are happy with that return. And up to 11th in the table too! Maybe things are looking up?
reggie0008
says...
3:28pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Newcastle next week and i think we have a good chance of a result there if Kean sticks with Yakubu and keeps Roberts out of the team.
A Darener
says...
3:30pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Wow! what a manager, what fantastic tactics, what a great team! What football, what skill..........What a load of rubbish!
If it were not for Arsenal's inability to defend, 12 goals conceded in two away matches the Rovers would have been trounced. Givet is no more a left back than I am. He was bypassed so many times it was embarrassing.
Robinson kicked the ball out of touch more times than a rugby team. 3 points are precious to the Rovers' but it does no favours to the fans. It just means another few weeks before Kean goes. Which may be too late to save us from the drop.
Rickvtr
says...
3:31pm Sat 17 Sep 11
CAN
STICK
THAT
VICTORY
UP
YOUR
AR5E
PROTESTERS!
WHAT A BUNCH OF ABSOLUTE MORONS!
GET BEHIND YOUR TEAM!!!
HHHH
says...
3:31pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Fulham was a good result, this was a great result. Kean now has his own team so give the guy a few games. One thing is for sure - the man has the players behind him.
There's no guarantee that will be the case if a new man comes in.
Rickvtr
says...
3:32pm Sat 17 Sep 11
A Darener wrote:shut up
STEVE KEAN's BLUE & WHITE ARMY!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! what a manager, what fantastic tactics, what a great team! What football, what skill..........What a load of rubbish!
If it were not for Arsenal's inability to defend, 12 goals conceded in two away matches the Rovers would have been trounced. Givet is no more a left back than I am. He was bypassed so many times it was embarrassing.
Robinson kicked the ball out of touch more times than a rugby team. 3 points are precious to the Rovers' but it does no favours to the fans. It just means another few weeks before Kean goes. Which may be too late to save us from the drop.
onlyonesimongarner
says...
3:33pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Onwards and Upwards COYB
gosportdunc
says...
3:33pm Sat 17 Sep 11
RTID_norway wrote:Look at my post before the game ... on the samba page !!
gosportdunc wrote:What an easy comment to make AFTER knowing the result..
COME ON LET'S HAVING YOU
Glen mullan and the marchers sat in the fox and hounds ! Sorry seem to be the hardest word to say ... Wot are you gobSh1ts going to say now Steve keans blue and white army !
They have made their concerns heard, a concern they share with every single Rovers fan, even those in favour of giving SK more time.
Like everyone else, no matter what their opinion is, they only has Rovers best interest at heart, just a different view on what that is.
If this is a new beginning, or just a one off, is to early to say..
Today should be about celebrating the three points and giving praise to the players, manager and fans at Ewood getting behind the team! Job well done!!
Armchair Warrior
says...
3:34pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Rickvtr
says...
3:35pm Sat 17 Sep 11
TheInternationalist wrote:exactly pal!
Just waiting for the moaners to come and say:
a) he’d never have picked that team but for the injuries
b) if he buys players, he should play them; where the hell was Slew?
c) the substitutions were rubbish
d) winning by own goals doesn’t count
e) it was only Arsenal
f) Solskjaer would have won it by six clear goals
Donut moaners out!
kean said `judge us now` 2 weeks ago when the window closed,with HIS team he`s had a draw and a win.
The only fault i could find is givet at LB, hes not a left back he`s a centre back, and he`s getting caught out too often.
Lowe impressed today, as did the YAK!
reggie0008
says...
3:35pm Sat 17 Sep 11
If you think Swansea, Norwich, QPR, Wolves, Wigan, Newcastle, West Brom's have a better squad of players than us you are deluded.
TheInternationalist
says...
3:39pm Sat 17 Sep 11
stu82 wrote:Dead right. I spends too much time reading the wisdom of 90% of the plankers on here.
TheInternationalist wrote: Just waiting for the moaners to come and say: a) he’d never have picked that team but for the injuries b) if he buys players, he should play them; where the hell was Slew? c) the substitutions were rubbish d) winning by own goals doesn’t count e) it was only Arsenal f) Solskjaer would have won it by six clear goals Donut moaners out!You need to get out more.....
DMO
Rickvtr
says...
3:40pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Rickvtr wrote:weve just beat arsenal, and your still moaning!
A Darener wrote:shut up
STEVE KEAN's BLUE & WHITE ARMY!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! what a manager, what fantastic tactics, what a great team! What football, what skill..........What a load of rubbish!
If it were not for Arsenal's inability to defend, 12 goals conceded in two away matches the Rovers would have been trounced. Givet is no more a left back than I am. He was bypassed so many times it was embarrassing.
Robinson kicked the ball out of touch more times than a rugby team. 3 points are precious to the Rovers' but it does no favours to the fans. It just means another few weeks before Kean goes. Which may be too late to save us from the drop.
why even come on here and pick fault,
shut up
ossyrover1
says...
3:41pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Rickvtr wrote:moron, the protesters are behind the team,
YOU
CAN
STICK
THAT
VICTORY
UP
YOUR
AR5E
PROTESTERS!
WHAT A BUNCH OF ABSOLUTE MORONS!
GET BEHIND YOUR TEAM!!!
moh
says...
3:55pm Sat 17 Sep 11
leerovers01
says...
3:57pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Bangkok Rover
says...
3:58pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Great win and some lovely movement. With Yak it seems we finally have a natural goal scorer.
Would still like to see more bite in midfield - maybe Lowe would've provided that.
Mr Purple
says...
3:59pm Sat 17 Sep 11
.
a fully deserved victory against one of the supposed big boys.
.
Well done from a very happy and hoarse Rovers fan!
.
I said Yak would score two, I had no idea that the arse would score five thou!!!!! hehehe, it's a pity wenger will not have seen it!
A Darener
says...
4:01pm Sat 17 Sep 11
critic321
says...
4:02pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Also Jason Lowe did ok in a make shift Right back role.
Next game against Newcastle. I am really excited about the game. Looking back at last season and this game, we have defintely are playing improved football. Kean is now starting to listen to fans, not playing Roberts. Keep Roberts, Dunn, Pederson, Grella away and play his new signings, we will do well.
I am starting to think we will be in 10- 15th position this season.
alphajono
says...
4:06pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Shear_Brilliance
says...
4:20pm Sat 17 Sep 11
4-3 against Arsenal is a great result yes they're a weak side in defence but going up they're one of the hardest teams to defend against and we out scored and out played them the players dont have a bad word to say against Kean and Roa made a good speech on Thursday night about the clubs direction I think It's time to let the begining of the season drop after two good results and start looking foward to games and stop making predictions it's a good result yes we look a strong team we aren't going to finish top 10 but I can't see us being relegated either an average finish around 13th would keep me happy people need to start remembering where we come from we are a town club we should be grateful to be in the Premiership the strongest league in the world
Come down on Tuesday and lets rock Ewood!
critic321
says...
4:24pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Assists to Hoillet & Goals from Yak. I see it happening this season time & again.
awh
says...
4:28pm Sat 17 Sep 11
I think what we saw is a Rovers squad that had some apprehension about them for part of the first half. As we grew in confidence in the second we countered well and realized that they are beatable, fallible at the back, and we could exploit that using a bit of width. We defended well when we had to and I thought Robbo made the difference in the dying minutes.
I admire my club for many things, amongst them would be the finer intangibles that aren't on a scoresheet - their togetherness, their graft against adversity and self-belief, which was in evidence today, and at the end of last season. Arsenal may have attacking prowess and flair, but they are not cut from the same cloth as my team. They are not a team of men.
We have a long long way to go. But today felt like a triumphant first step. I feel that some of the losses we've had prior to today had been undeserved and not evident of the effort on the pitch.
I'm extremely proud of my club today AND our manager. Of course there has been need for concern, but feel that those fans who have voiced more measured points of view have been drowned out, or worse derided, by those who are trying to force the owners hands.
We all love this club to bits, buy surely we can aim to create an atmosphere of unity behind it rather than one troubled by division? Just a thought.
originalindianrover
says...
4:31pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Keep Darwen Green
says...
4:35pm Sat 17 Sep 11
We rode our luck, but I'll take it after all the bad luck we've had. I hope as time goes on the team will grow more confident especially in midfield. Nzonzi and Petrovic will have been done the world of good to finish the game on the winning side. This will make them both grow in stature. You've got to realise these guys are very young and were playing against Arsenal.
My only gripe is Robinsons use of the ball. The worst passer on the pitch is your goalkeeper, thats why he played in goal in the first place. I know conditions played a part but he played it straight through to Arsenals keeper half a dozen times and straight out for a throw on three occasions. You can't concede possession like that against a team like Arsenal and keep getting away with it.
Oh nearly forgot, the protest, well if you counted the dogs and the children, there was probably a couple of hundred. A bit of a damp squib really. But hey, I just want everyone to come together so I'm willing to offer the hand of forgiveness. I know one victory doesn't secure Kean, but you've got to give him a chance.
Good to see the Venkys there and giving eachother a victory hug, shows how much it meant. Great result.
COYB
alphajono
says...
4:40pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Keep Darwen Green wrote:agreed... like I say I felt we possesion to cheaply at times, we need a clean sheet badly but hey what a result...my glass is half full.
That result was absolutely massive, extremely ugly, extremely lucky, but absolutely massive. These lads are young and new to eachother, they needed a win to gain confidence and bed themselves in. Its a lot easier to play with no fear and with falir if you have less apprehension, and that result should see confidence increase.
We rode our luck, but I'll take it after all the bad luck we've had. I hope as time goes on the team will grow more confident especially in midfield. Nzonzi and Petrovic will have been done the world of good to finish the game on the winning side. This will make them both grow in stature. You've got to realise these guys are very young and were playing against Arsenal.
My only gripe is Robinsons use of the ball. The worst passer on the pitch is your goalkeeper, thats why he played in goal in the first place. I know conditions played a part but he played it straight through to Arsenals keeper half a dozen times and straight out for a throw on three occasions. You can't concede possession like that against a team like Arsenal and keep getting away with it.
Oh nearly forgot, the protest, well if you counted the dogs and the children, there was probably a couple of hundred. A bit of a damp squib really. But hey, I just want everyone to come together so I'm willing to offer the hand of forgiveness. I know one victory doesn't secure Kean, but you've got to give him a chance.
Good to see the Venkys there and giving eachother a victory hug, shows how much it meant. Great result.
COYB
Shear_Brilliance
says...
4:43pm Sat 17 Sep 11
awh wrote:I agree out counter-attacking today looked similar to the style of Porto a few years back our wing play is fantastic and Yakubu linked up well especially with Hoilett they looked like they'd been playing together for years and every single one of us should be behind our team like I said no matter what never mind just a few bad results there has been alot worser times and at the end of the day we are only here because of Jack Walker so we should be grateful to have even had the chance to be in the Premier League alot of teams in the lower divisions would kill to have been given the chance to play in this league
Two very calm finishes by Yakubu. He looked confident throughout the entirety of the match.
I think what we saw is a Rovers squad that had some apprehension about them for part of the first half. As we grew in confidence in the second we countered well and realized that they are beatable, fallible at the back, and we could exploit that using a bit of width. We defended well when we had to and I thought Robbo made the difference in the dying minutes.
I admire my club for many things, amongst them would be the finer intangibles that aren't on a scoresheet - their togetherness, their graft against adversity and self-belief, which was in evidence today, and at the end of last season. Arsenal may have attacking prowess and flair, but they are not cut from the same cloth as my team. They are not a team of men.
We have a long long way to go. But today felt like a triumphant first step. I feel that some of the losses we've had prior to today had been undeserved and not evident of the effort on the pitch.
I'm extremely proud of my club today AND our manager. Of course there has been need for concern, but feel that those fans who have voiced more measured points of view have been drowned out, or worse derided, by those who are trying to force the owners hands.
We all love this club to bits, buy surely we can aim to create an atmosphere of unity behind it rather than one troubled by division? Just a thought.
Wild Rover
says...
4:55pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Buzzing - long way to go but ....
KDG counting in the dogs aint allowed...
tinybrfc
says...
5:01pm Sat 17 Sep 11
French Rover
says...
5:02pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Fair play to Glen and the other marchers, they felt strongly about what they were doing and even though the weather hit the support numbers I think the march was perhaps a timely reminder to the Rao family that the Rovers fans do care about our club.
Lets all march on together up the table now and show the media munchers that they cant write us off and that they will have to find another chicken to pluck now!
French Rover
says...
5:03pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Fair play to Glen and the other marchers, they felt strongly about what they were doing and even though the weather hit the support numbers I think the march was perhaps a timely reminder to the Rao family that the Rovers fans do care about our club.
Lets all march on together up the table now and show the media munchers that they cant write us off and that they will have to find another chicken to pluck now!
Keep Darwen Green
says...
5:04pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Wild Rover wrote:Oh nearly forgot,
Who needs Morhinio We've got Steve Keanio.. Buzzing - long way to go but .... KDG counting in the dogs aint allowed...
YYeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeees
get in there. Have a bit of that you gooner losers, :0) and wheres moses now that notlob are on a roll.
Oh and I have to apologise to Bluegoose, you were right Arsenal did score 5, he he he.
A Darener
says...
5:04pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles!
says...
5:36pm Sat 17 Sep 11
.
One thing is 100% certain - we would never have seen a game like that under Hoofy in a Billion years! Rovers players loving and carressing the ball - even when it terrified me late on! HEAVEN.
.
But lets not have any knocking of our fellow 200 reported Rovers fans who marched today - they are all true blues - its just that the timing was wrong. We needed to see the team settle after spending £20m and performances from the YAK, Dann, Lowe, and the foreign lads today brought spirit to the heart. Lets hope we don't need to march in December - but one SWAN does not make a Season!
.
But we did get the rub of the green missing against Everton.
.
Woody - it may not be the perfect Swan yet but it was definately a SWAN!
.
33rd.......
Retired Rover
says...
6:51pm Sat 17 Sep 11
reggie0008
says...
7:00pm Sat 17 Sep 11
I am not comparing or stating Kean will ever be as good as those 2 great managers but give him a chance and get behind him instead of being so negative and defeatist!
Kean's team is the most exciting to watch i've seen in a long time at rovers, and i'd rather watch this exciting young team than big sams long ball rubbish anytime!
cathedral citi
says...
7:14pm Sat 17 Sep 11
UP THE ROVERS
lusorover
says...
7:26pm Sat 17 Sep 11
A very small number of protesters made to look very silly by Steve Kean - thank goodness.
I hope this is the start of all fans using their energy to get behind the Club. Let's be right here - any protest against the manager is a protest against the Club no matter how many times the supposed fans who organised it try to paint a different picture.
Kean gave them the perfect two-fingered reply and we all saw enough in that perfomance to know that all is well at Ewood and is going to get better as the squad learns to play together.
As the players begged of the fans at the Darwen end at the end of the match by making the T symbol with their hands - give them time!
It's not all going to be thrill a minute stuff with a happy ending but it is perfectly clear that there are better times ahead.
A great Saturday night ahead and happy memories of a great game.
Scott Dann; Yakubu; Robbo, J Lo; Vukcevic; Samba; Formica; Hoilett - so many reasons to be happy.
Well done Keano.
Road Runner Road Runner
says...
8:12pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Kean 1 - Detractors 0
Ha-Ha sec word: THEY LACK
zappedagain
says...
9:53pm Sat 17 Sep 11
Kean promised faithfully it'd be sorted out within 24 hours 2 weeks ago..
Regarding todays game- great win against an Arsenal side who are a pale shadow of their forme selves.
Still badly in need of a midfield ball-winner & missing Jones in that role.
I'm still firmly in the Kean-out camp & can't see us progressing with him as manager (this is only his sixth league victory since he took over).
Great to get 3 points today, but honestly think Pilkington will take us down....
Ralph Jones
says...
2:13am Sun 18 Sep 11
Roverthere
says...
5:03am Sun 18 Sep 11
Lamp it!
says...
7:37am Sun 18 Sep 11
Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles!
says...
9:16am Sun 18 Sep 11
Retired Rover wrote:Retired Rover - We all think the Jury is still out on Kean. However you have to allow in your stats for the fact it was always going to be difficult to change style of play with a squad built by Big Sam.
Great result but 6 wins in 26 for KEAN still proves that he is a very poor manager.I hope I am proved wrong and will eat my words but he needs to go whatever the result today.
.
Kean has now done that after the last transfer window and whatever you say about the Venky's they have stuck by and supported their man. How stupid would they have looked if they gave him £20m to spend and then sacked him the next month?
.
So Kean's team currently is played 2 games points 4. Lets now review this in December when we will have had a good mix of opposition. Lets all hope a march is the last thing on our minds by then - but he does need to do a lot more yet. But what a game to watch eh - say it again Rovers 4 Arsenal 3?
.
The SWAN is gliding over Ewood,
With God riding on its back,
It could Be This One,The SWAN!
(credits P McCartney)
.
33rd.........
scotieee
says...
9:46am Sun 18 Sep 11
Young midfield was ok n th yak did what he gets paid for,being in th right place at th right time. Still not 100% sure bout keane though.
manyarecalled
says...
11:36am Sun 18 Sep 11
Wenger has got the same teething problems as Rovers. let's see how they both shape up towards the end of the season. can say that we have as good or better players than Arsenal.that in itself is a compliment to Kean's buys. need now to get communication between players sorted , especially in defence , but also in midfield with new players settling in. if Yakubu stays fit , it could be very interesting indeed.
great result , though we were very nervy at the start. we need to see how Kean learns as well this season. we don't know him well .
he talks like Shankly , he walks like Shankly , and we will find out if he can manage like Shankly.
Rickvtr
says...
11:48am Sun 18 Sep 11
Retired Rover wrote:his poor record was with a team inherrited from allardcye, given allardcye had no money yes.
Great result but 6 wins in 26 for KEAN still proves that he is a very poor manager.I hope I am proved wrong and will eat my words but he needs to go whatever the result today.
a crop of senior slow slugs, keans brought in fresh young blood
give him a few games with his players
look at the players hes got
rochina
formica
vuckinec
dann
plays hoilett regular
yakubu
good times ahoy!!
Ewood-b-happy
says...
12:40pm Sun 18 Sep 11
We have some excellent players at Ewood. With a better leader we will be a solid Premier League club. Venkys must act now. Have a go at getting Hughes back. If we stick with Kean, we will regret it. Rememeber the results after Liverpool do not be fooled by beating a poor Arsenal team. Ps I think there is more than 1% of fans that will agree. Steve Kean has got it his facts wrong again.
stick to football
says...
7:13pm Sun 18 Sep 11
First half we were there for the taking and just glad to go in only a goal down.
The shape of the team at the final whistle was the best in years. Lowe had a good game at fullback remmeber he is still learning but showed some deft touches - keep him in Kean let Michel have a break. Olssen offers a lot going forward and defensively helps Gail Givet who lacks a bit of pace - so keep that duo together.
Hoillet great going forward but he could learn from Rooney about tracking back and helping the team.
Yakubu will never be fast but he does what we have been desparate for someone who plays off the shoulder of the last man - took his chances well thats all you can ask and I am sure he will get fitter with games - looked out on his feet in last 10 minutes
Danns a good buy solid in defence reads a game well that just leaves midfield - liked Simon's play tracking back and when he gets sharp he could be very good.
Rochina & Formica - both very talented but not sure if we can accomodate them both in the team at same time- flicks are good when they come off but this is the Premiership and they will face more testing defenders than Arsenal.
To Steve Kean well done you still have to win over the fans and in reality there is more than 1% who would like you to depart and even more who are unsure if you are here for the long term - prove us wrong and get results thats all that matters
oddmanjack
says...
8:28pm Sun 18 Sep 11
Conunndrum
says...
2:09am Mon 19 Sep 11
Givet is atrocious at left back, why is he still being picked? He has been torn to shreds the last three games. Play Olsson.
We also almost handed the game back to them near the end due to an inability to keep hold of the ball or hold it up in the corner. Basic errors you wouldn't see top half teams doing. This can be the difference between three points and one.
Things are looking up, but let's not get carried away. Robinson, Dann and Yakubu were immense though! Full praise to them!
Conunndrum
says...
2:17am Mon 19 Sep 11
Givet is atrocious at left back, why is he still being picked? He has been torn to shreds the last three games. Play Olsson.
We also almost handed the game back to them near the end due to an inability to keep hold of the ball or hold it up in the corner. Basic errors you wouldn't see top half teams doing. This can be the difference between three points and one.
Things are looking up, but let's not get carried away. Robinson, Dann and Yakubu were immense though! Full praise to them!
thresholdweller says...
2:54pm Sat 17 Sep 11
As for the demonstration.......
.the low attendance says more about concerns, but could things be changing? Coming from behind shows that there must be some spirit. Things appear to be coming together.