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Monday 18th September

NELSEN EARNS HIS PLACE IN TEAM

After his fantastic defensive display in the victory at Ipswich at the weekend, Ryan Nelsen was selected in the Premiership Team of the Week. The team is as follows:

Nico Vaesen (Wolves)

Dannes Coronel (Wolves)
Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn)
Joleon Lescott (Wolves)
Gael Clichy (Arsenal)

Bartosz Karwan (Wigan)
Stilian Petrov (Charlton)
Tim Cahill (Everton)
Sanli Tuncay (Arsenal)

Kenny Miller (Wolves)
Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Middlesbrough)

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Wednesday 20th September 2006

CARLING CUP 2ND ROUND

YOUNG STRIKERS INPSIRE ROVERS THROUGH
BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 BRISTOL ROVERS 0

A look into the future perhaps? Blackburn comfortably avoided a giant-killing in beating Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup 2nd Round at Ewood Park tonight. Matt Derbyshire and Paul Gallagher stole the show, as the former hit the net from the latter’s assists. Gallagher scored in between Derbyshire’s strikes to round the pair’s displays tonight. It was a dominant performance from the home side that were in no mood to give Bristol Rovers any encouragement tonight. Faiz Khan named a very different side tonight which included the likes of reserve Marco Serena, new signing Gonzalo Sorondo as well as the young frontmen. Bristol Rovers manager Dave Watson named an unchanged team that beat Rushden at the weekend.

On a cold September evening in Blackburn, referee Iain Williamson got this Carling Cup tie underway. After 2 minutes, Blackburn threatened for the first time. Gallagher ran with the ball towards the right wing before playing it inside to Brett Emerton who took one touch before unleashing a fierce effort from 25 yards out which went just inches wide of the goal. Rovers had their first clear-cut opportunity of the night on 14 minutes. Denilson played a good one-two with Michael Gray and he crossed towards the near post where Freddy Guarin’s glancing header was tipped over the crossbar by Graham Stack. The home side had started very brightly and they capped of their start by taking the lead. Denilson sent Gallagher away storming down the left flank and he cut inside before crossing into the area where Derbyshire rose to powerfully head into the roof of the net. Halfway through the first half, Derbyshire went bursting on the left wing and his cross was knocked back by Emerton into the path of Gallagher who hit the ball first time going just inches wide of the goal. Just after the halfhour, Blackburn almost extended the lead. Denilson sent Gallagher down the left side and he crossed to the far post where Derbyshire’s towering header was brilliantly beaten away by Stack. Minutes later, Bristol Rovers had a golden opportunity to snatch an equaliser. A great passage of one touch play involving Steve Elliott, Chris Carruthers and Will Johnson sent Djamel Belmadi clear on goal but his low effort was too weak and Serena easily smothered the shot. Three minutes of added time later, the referee called for the end of the first half. Blackburn lead at the break after totalling dominating the first 45 minutes. They took an early lead and controlled the half but Bristol Rovers have shown a few signs of springing a surprise in the second period. The score at halftime from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 BRISTOL ROVERS 0.

The second half got up and running at a half empty Ewood Park ground. Blackburn didn’t waste much time as they should have taken a two-goal lead on 53 minutes. Derbyshire and Gallagher combined superbly to send Emerton through on goal with only Stack to beat but his attempted chip went so wide of the goal that it could have ended as a throw for Bristol Rovers. Halfway through the second half, Rovers piling on the pressure as they almost added a second goal. Gallagher spread the ball out to Emerton on the right wing and his low cross was met by David Thompson but his fierce shot was superbly tipped wide by Stack. Five minutes later, a breathtaking move almost ended in a goal. Guarin sent Derbyshire away down the right and he pulled the back for Gallagher who teed up Emerton from 25 yards out but his firm shot went just inches wide of the post with Stack scrambling. On 76 minutes, all those missed opportunities almost came back to humiliate Rovers as the visitors should have levelled the tie. Substitute Junior Agogo went teasing Juan Manuel Ortiz down the left flank and he crossed to an unmarked Micah Hyde on the volley which trickled inches wide of the goal. A couple of minutes later, Bristol Rovers thought they had equalised. A high John Anderson ball caught the Blackburn defence flatfooted and Agogo struck the ball through Serena for a goal but it was disallowed as Agogo was a good two yards offside. On 86 minutes, Bristol went close again. On the counter-attack, Kevin Harper sent Belmadi clear on goal but his fierce went way over the crossbar to the relief of Faiz Khan on the touchline. Into stoppage time and Blackburn eventually sealed the match. A Ortiz high ball was flicked on by Derbyshire into the path of Gallagher and the Scottish international clipped the ball into top corner past the onrushing Stack. And just before fulltime, Blackburn added insult to injury, scoring a third goal. A quick throw from substitute Steven Reid found Gallagher who crossed into the near post where an unmarked Derbyshire produced a beautiful little flick past Stack into the roof of the net. The final whistle moments after to end the game. Blackburn are through to the 3rd Round after a mostly comfortable victory at Ewood Park. The home side started the match very well as they took the early lead and totally controlled the first half. In the second half, Bristol Rovers had a little go of it and threatened Blackburn including having a goal ruled out for offside but the home side showed composure at the end with their two injury-time goals. The final score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 BRISTOL ROVERS 0.

Blackburn : Serena 8, Ortiz 7, Gray 7 (Rossi 45, 6), Mokoena 7 (Svensson 71, 7), Sorondo 8, Emerton 7, Denilson 7 (Reid 65, 7), Guarin 8, Thompson 8, Derbyshire 9, Gallagher 9.

Goals : Derbyshire (17, 90), Gallagher (90)

Booked : Emerton & Thompson

Bristol Rovers : Stack 6, Weston 7 (Hinton 73, 6), Ridley 6, Elliott 7, Anderson 7, Harper 7, Carruthers 7 (Agogo 61, 7), Hyde 7, Green 7, Belmadi 7, Johnson 6 (Lescott 45, 5).

Booked : Harper, Carruthers & Hinton

Man of the Match : Paul Gallagher – the enthusiastic striker was given a chance to impress by Khan and he didn’t let his manager down with a breathtaking display. Involved in all three goals, scoring the second – a great all round performance from the Scottish international!

Attendance : 10189
Referee : Iain Williamson

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Saturday 23rd September 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

BATTLING ROVERS MAKE THEIR POINT
BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 ARSENAL 1

They matched them all the way today! Blackburn Rovers bravely battled to a draw against Arsenal in the Premiership at Ewood Park this afternoon. Shefki Kuqi gave Rovers the lead five minutes before halftime but they were denied a victory by a first half stoppage time equaliser from super-sub Philippe Senderos. It was a point much deserved for Blackburn as they match their more glamorous opponents for possession and the opportunities fashioned out in the game. Faiz Khan made three changes to the side that won at Ipswich with Peter Enckleman, Robbie Savage and Matt Jansen replacing the injured Brad Friedel, Freddy Guarin and Giuseppe Rossi. Arsene Wenger just made the one change from the home victory over Aston Villa with Senderos being replaced by Kolo Toure.

On a dry but very cold Saturday afternoon at Ewood Park, referee Steve Dunn got this Premiership match up and running. Straight from the kick-off, Arsenal should have taken the lead. Gael Clichy went on a driving run at Lucas Neill and fed the ball to Sanli Tuncay and he crossed towards the near post where Jose Antonio Reyes’ glancing header was tipped behind by Enckleman. On 3 minutes, Neill went down the other end and he sent a great ball to the near post where Kuqi flicked on to set Jansen up for a tap-in but Erick Delgado kept it out very well. Blackburn were very fortunate to get away on 14 minutes. A poor pass from Karl Svensson was intercepted by former Rovers man David Bentley and he cut inside before smashing his effort into the sidenetting. A couple of minutes later, Bentley and Reyes combined superbly to send Thierry Henry away on goal but he too struck his firm effort into the sidenetting. Arsenal were really starting to put the pressure on Blackburn and Reyes almost went through on goal but was denied by a brilliantly timed tackle from Svensson on the edge of the area and the ball was cleared to safety. Blackburn bought some breathing space and they came very close to taking an unlikely lead before the halfhour. Some very bright one touch passing involving Neill, Savage and Kuqi teed up Seydou Keita from 25 yards and his curling effort went just inches wide of the goal. Blackburn drew confidence from that attack and they took the lead on 39 minutes. Keita stepped up from the edge of the area with a direct freekick and it was palmed away by Delgado and although he also brilliantly saved Morten Gamst Pedersen’s follow up, he could do nothing about Kuqi’s firm smash into the bottom corner. Arsenal almost hit back immediately when substitute Aliaksandr Hleb came running at the Rovers backline before unleashing a vicious shot towards the far corner only for Enckleman to produce an outstanding save to keep it out. Toure was injured and was taken off in injury time for Senderos and the Swiss international made an instant impact, grabbing a deserved equaliser. Bentley swung in a corner from the right and Senderos climbed over everybody else in the area to direct his header perfectly past Enckleman into the far corner – his 1st goal for the club and what a time to get it! The halftime whistle went straight after the goal. The game at Ewood Park is level after an entertaining first half. Arsenal controlled the first half for long periods and should have taken the lead but they were behind minutes before the break only to score an equaliser just before the interval. The halftime score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 ARSENAL 1.

A very big attendance inside Ewood Park was making their voices heard as the second period got underway. Arsenal should have taken the lead on 51 minutes. A great one-two involving Henry and Hleb sent Reyes clear on goal and the Spaniard rounded Enckleman but he could not stand up to tap home as he slipped up and the ball was stolen away by Ryan Nelsen. Midway through the second half, Blackburn missed a fantastic opportunity to retake the lead. Nelsen played a nice one-two with substitute Aaron Mokoena before sending a perfect ball over the top for fellow substitute Rossi to hit first time but Delgado produced a fantastic stop to deny the young Italian. On 71 minutes, Rovers really should have had the lead. Reyes was too casual and Rossi spread the ball to Pedersen and he sent Kuqi away on goal with only Delgado to beat but the Finn’s effort was well blocked by the Peruvian goalkeeper. Blackburn had one final opportunity before fulltime. Pedersen played a freekick into the area but Kuqi’s outstretched header was yards wide and the chance was gone. The fulltime whistle went after four minutes of stoppage time. Blackburn have held the much fancied Arsenal to a priceless point here at Ewood Park. Arsenal were by far the better side in the first period only to go behind minutes before halftime but they did equalise just before the break. In the second half, Blackburn controlled for most parts and had two golden opportunities to snatch a glorious victory but they were denied by great goalkeeping from Delgado. The final score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 ARSENAL 1.

Blackburn : Enckleman 6, Neill 6, Gray 6 (Mokoena 63, 7), Nelsen 7, Svensson 6, Gasbarroni 6, Pedersen 7, Savage 7, Keita 7 (Guarin 45, 7), Kuqi 8, Jansen 7 (Rossi 63, 7).

Goals : Kuqi (39)

Booked : Kuqi

Arsenal : Delgado 8, Lauren 7, Clichy 7, Toure 6 (Senderos 45, 7), Campbell 8, Bentley 7 (van Persie 61, 6), Tuncay 7, Fabregas 7, Gilberto 7 (Hleb 29, 6), Henry 6, Reyes 7.

Goals : Senderos (45)

Booked : Clichy

Injured : Toure (45), Gilberto (29)

Man of the Match : Shefki Kuqi – the powerful striker is really flying at the moment as his well taken goal earned Blackburn a priceless point against one of Europe’s top sides. He is really looking like the player that impressed last season.

Attendance : 31292
Referee : Steve Dunn

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Monday 25th September 2006

SVENSSON DESPERATE FOR EXTENDED CONTRACT

Blackburn Rovers' Swedish central defender Karl Svensson has declared that he is unsatisfied with the terms of his current contract. He has said to manager Faiz Khan that he would like to discuss possible improvements that could made to do it as soon as possible.

After learning of Svensson's comments, Khan indicated that he was more than willing to start negotiations with the player very soon. He has told the commanding centre-back that he will be offered a new and improved deal within the next few weeks. Khan also stated that he was desperate to keep Svensson at Ewood Park and that he would do everything in his power to ensure Svensson is happy.

Svensson has responded saying that he is very excited to hear of a new contract on the way very soon. He also stated that he was loving every minute at Ewood Park and playing for them and especially Khan would a long term career aim.

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Saturday 30th September 2006 - Premiership Table


1st - Liverpool - 18 pts
2nd - Everton - 17
3rd - Man Utd - 16
4th - Bolton - 16
5th - Chelsea - 15
6th - Middlesbrough - 14
7th - Man City - 14
8th - Arsenal - 13
9th - Blackburn - 13
10th - Wolves - 13
11th - Charlton - 12
12th - Aston Villa - 10
13th - Fulham - 10
14th - Tottenham - 8
15th - Birmingham - 8
16th - Ipswich - 8
17th - Portsmouth - 6
18th - Newcastle - 5
19th - Wigan - 4
20th - Crystal Palace - 4

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Sunday 1st October 2006

MONTHLY AWARDS FOR SEPTEMBER

The Barclays Premiership Player of the Month was Blackburn's powerful striker Shefki Kuqi as his three man of the match performances has helped his side to three match unbeaten run this month. His displays included four goals and one assist for a team-mate.

The Barclays Premiership Young Player of the Month was Bolton's enthusiastic midfielder Baastian Gheysen as his energetic displays has helped his side climb into the top four in the Premiership table. His displays included two goals.

The Barclays Premiership Manager of the Month was Liverpool's Rafa Benitez as he guided his side to three wins in four league games last month. This good form has seen Liverpool head the Premiership table.

The Barclays Premiership Goal of the Month was Freddy Guarin's wondergoal against Middlesbrough. Late on in the match, with the score at 2-1, Guarin strode forward and bent the ball around Craig Gordon to seal the three points Blackburn.

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Sunday 1st October 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

LATE KEITA GOAL SEALS FAMOUS VICTORY
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2

Boy is this team going forward? Blackburn Rovers sensationally defied the odds in beating Manchester United in the Premiership at Old Trafford this afternoon. A late Seydou Keita goal was enough for Rovers to battle to three points. Robbie Savage had earlier given Blackburn the lead in the first half before Ruud van Nistelrooy levelled just before the break. United will be a bit disappointed with the result as they had the better of their opponents in creating clear-cut opportunities. Faiz Khan named an unchanged side that drew with Arsenal while Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made two changes to the side that won at Aston Villa with Gabriel Heinze and Darren Fletcher coming in for Mikael Silvestre and Paul Scholes.

On a very cold and windy afternoon in Manchester, referee Martin Atkinson got this Premiership match up and running. Blackburn made a positive start to the match and got their noses infront. Shefki Kuqi caught Heinze in possession just before the area and was about to pull the trigger when Rio Ferdinand pulled him back and the referee pointed to the spot immediately. Ferdinand was only booked because it wasn’t denying a clear opportunity. Savage stepped up and duly converted the spot-kick low to Tim Howard’s right – his 1st goal of the season finally. Blackburn pushed on from the early goal and almost extended the lead. Keita swung a corner to the edge of the area and the cross was met first time on the volley by Karl Svensson and the effort only went just inches wide of the goal. A minute later, United came into the game and should have scored an equaliser with their first opportunity. Cristiano Ronaldo spread the ball to van Nistelrooy on the left and the Dutchman returned the ball beautifully to send Ronaldo clear on goal but his attempted just missed the far post with Peter Enckleman stranded. Just after the hour, United went close again. Van Nistelrooy was holding the ball on the left wing and when he eventually sent the ball into the area, Park Ji-Sung shot weakly at Enckleman and the chance was gone. Five minutes later, Rovers got very lucky indeed. Van Nistelrooy caught Lucas Neill in possession and he crossed towards the far post where John Obi Mikel’s fierce header whistled past the far post. And the recent pressure paid off for United as they levelled the match before halftime. Ronaldo caught Andrea Gasbarroni in possession and he went storming down the left before playing van Nistelrooy through on goal and the Dutch international rounded Enckleman before tapping home from 12 yards. The halftime whistle went minutes later. The match is level at Old Trafford at the break thanks to van Nistelrooy’s goal before halftime. Blackburn had started very well and scored an early penalty and continued to play well until Manchester United started to show their quality and capped it with the equaliser. The halftime score from Old Trafford was MANCHESTER UNITED 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1.

The second half got up and running as a massive crowd was inside Old Trafford this afternoon. United started brightly and almost went ahead immediately. Alan Smith flicked on a goal kick into the path of Obi Mikel clear on goal but his firm effort went way over the crossbar. Just before the hour, Manchester United should have taken the lead. Park sent van Nistelrooy clean through on goal but his firm effort was superbly beaten away by Enckleman and the ball was cleared to safety. A minute later, a Park throw was flicked on by Ronaldo and Smith had a fierce snapshot well beaten away by Enckleman and he clawed the ball away for a corner. Halfway through the second half, United missed a fantastic opportunity to take the lead. A high Gary Neville ball was flicked on by Ronaldo to send van Nistelrooy clear on goal but his effort was well blocked by the onrushing Enckleman and the ball was cleared to safety. Even after all that pressure, Blackburn had a great opportunity to snatch the lead on 77 minutes. Morten Gamst Pedersen went bursting down the left wing and he got to the byline before crossing low across the box where Keita could only flick the ball yards wide of the goal from 6 yards out. Keita had another chance with just four minutes remaining and this time, he took full advantage. Ryan Nelsen sent Pedersen away down the left and he sent Keita through with a perfectly-timed ball and the Mali international took one touch before lifting the ball over the stranded Howard into the far corner – his 1st goal for the club and what a time to get it! That proved to be the last piece of action in the match as the final whistle went after five long minutes of injury-time. Blackburn have pulled off what could probably be the best result under Faiz Khan. They started the match brilliantly, taking an early lead and they played really well after that until Manchester United began to threaten and they equalised before halftime. In the second half, it was all United as they just couldn’t break down Blackburn’s back four and Rovers broke to snatch a famous three points. The final score from Old Trafford was MANCHESTER UNITED 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2.

Man Utd : Howard 6, Neville 6, Heinze 6, Brown 7, Ferdinand 5 (Bardsley 80, 6), Park Ji-Sung 6, C Ronaldo 7, Fletcher 7, Obi Mikel 7 (Scholes 61, 7), Smith 6, van Nistelrooy 8 (Timm 80, 6).

Goals : van Nistelrooy (43)

Booked : Brown & Ferdinand

Blackburn : Enckleman 7, Neill 7, Gray 7, Nelsen 7, Svensson 8, Gasbarroni 6 (Guarin 71, 7), Pedersen 9, Savage 8, Keita 8, Kuqi 7 (Bellamy 58, 7), Jansen 7 (Sorondo 71, 7).

Goals : Savage (12), Keita (86)

Booked : Nelsen

Man of the Match : Morten Gamst Pedersen – the Norway international was dangerous every time he touched the ball and was a nightmare for Gary Neville to deal with. His sublime pass set up Keita’s stunning winner.

Attendance : 75959
Referee : Martin Atkinson

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Monday 2nd October 2006

ROVERS PAIR SELECTED IN TEAM

After playing their part in the famous victory at Old Trafford, Karl Svensson and Morten Gamst Pedersen were selected in the Premiership Team of the Week. The team is as follows:

Nigel Martyn (Everton)

Luke Young (Charlton)
Karl Svensson (Blackburn)
Andreas Jakobsson (Crystal Palace)
Niclas Jensen (Fulham)

Labinot Harbuzi (Ipswich)
Michael Carrick (Tottenham)
Tim Cahill (Everton)
Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn)

John Carew (Tottenham)
Collins Mbesuma (Portsmouth)

retired_iva terry

KUTGW :thup:

Love your attention to details.

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Tuesday 17th October 2006

SAVAGE INJURED ONCE AGAIN THIS SEASON

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed tenacious midfielder Robbie Savage has suffered another injury setback this afternoon. It has been confirmed that the Wales international sustained a serious chest injury whilst lifting weights during training earlier this morning. This latest injury concern will see Savage out of action for a maximum of 4 weeks.

This news will be of great disappointment to manager Faiz Khan as Savage was just starting to reproduce the form of last season and the manager is hoping that this is not going to blight Savage's autumn of his career as he is 32 years of age now. His place in the side is likely to be taken by probably the signing that has made a great impact so far under Khan - Columbian youngster Freddy Guarin.