Appleton: 'Ewood can play in big role for Blackburn Rovers in FA Cup clash'

Michael Appleton Michael Appleton

MICHAEL Appleton wants Blackburn Rovers fans to give the footballing world a glimpse of the Ewood Park future by recreating Sunday’s ‘Lion’s Den’ atmosphere this evening.

The Rovers boss said when he arrived as manager in January he wanted to bring the “feelgood factor” back to the club and believes this evening’s FA Cup quarter final tie is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Millwall stand between Rovers and a Wembley semi final against Wigan Athletic and Appleton believes the Ewood faithful can play a huge part in helping his side secure a place at the home of English football.

He said: “We hope the fans get behind us and cheer every throw, every tackle, every corner, just like it was on Sunday and hopefully that will give us an edge to see us over the line.

“I hope as many as fans come through the gate as possible. We want to recreate the atmosphere that Millwall made on Sunday.

“However long it takes, I said I wanted to bring the feelgood factor back to the football club.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day and it does take time.

“But hopefully the atmosphere might be an indication of what we want in the future.”

Rovers have been handed the incentive of missing the big guns in a potential semi final, although Premier League Wigan would still start as favourites, but Appleton insists all focus is on tonight’s tie.

He said: “If the lads can use the draw as a motivation then that is something I won’t be stopping them from doing. But what I don’t want them to do is take the eye of the ball.

“The objective is to beat Millwall, forget about Wigan. This is a quarter final. A final against Manchester United would be what dreams are made of but I’m sure Chelsea, Millwall, Wigan and Manchester City will have something to say about that.

“It will be a different game than it was on Sunday. Looking back at the stats it didn’t surprise me it was the lowest percentage of passes. I knew we had to stand up and be strong.

“Our pitch is a bigger pitch. The onus is on us, we are the home side so we have to take the game to Millwall which we will do.”

Rovers have a lengthy injury list ahead of Millwall’s visit, with Adam Henley and Bradley Orr joining the likes of Colin Kazim-Richards, Lee Williamson and Dickson Etuhu on the sidelines.

But, despite Dave Jones, DJ Campbell and Cameron Stewart also being cup tied, Appleton admits the absentees will not be used as any excuse.

He said: “It is not great. Obviously even before Sunday people were aware of the injury problems we had but I am so conscious not to talk about it and make it an excuse.

“There is going to be an opportunity for 11 players to get themselves into the semi final of a cup and an opportunity to play at Wembley.

“David Bentley has had a scan on his knee and we are still waiting for the all clear for him. Nothing significant has come back from the scan but there is a bit of swelling in the knee.

“We have some reasonably good news regarding Martin Olsson. He is going to train, he has not played for a few weeks but is quite a fit lad anyway. So that gives me a little bit of an option.

“Sometimes these things drive players and teams on. I am sure Millwall have their own problems, it is part and parcel of the game. I am sure the lads are ready for it and I think they feel they earned the right to have another crack at it.

“We had to deal with a lot of things at the Den, the crowd were magnificent on the day and I just hope that our fans turn up in their thousands and almost recreate the atmosphere we had to walk into at the Den and make sure the Millwall players are as uncomfortable as we were.”

Comments(52)

benal13 says...
11:32am Wed 13 Mar 13

i see agnew has come out of his rat hole to ask the fans to dig deep in there pockets and buy a ticket for tonights match you only here off him and his mate shaw when they want your money !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keen O to Get Kean Out says...
11:36am Wed 13 Mar 13

good luck lads, app doing his best, but fortress ewood hs been long demolished by te chicken farmers - look at the league table. hope we win but cant see it

handyamBRFC says...
11:37am Wed 13 Mar 13

MA.... the problem with....!!

'' A study of Neanderthal skulls suggests that they went extinct because they had larger eyes than our species.

As a result, more of their brain was devoted to seeing in the long, dark nights in Europe, at the expense of high-level processing. ''

Its quite obvious MA cant do it in the long run for BRFC....!

MA can def. see in the long dreary dark night's with his big bulging eyes which is obvious but can he see us through.....!!!!

but the vital question is can he process the info out there which is plain to see for all and come up with an action plan and see us through to the end of this season and beyond....!

I doubt it.....!!!

A new set of youngish, hard working, physically fit, skillfull Midfielders required at BRFC.

what do you think...?????

Keen O to Get Kean Out says...
11:45am Wed 13 Mar 13

handyamBRFC wrote:
MA.... the problem with....!! '' A study of Neanderthal skulls suggests that they went extinct because they had larger eyes than our species. As a result, more of their brain was devoted to seeing in the long, dark nights in Europe, at the expense of high-level processing. '' Its quite obvious MA cant do it in the long run for BRFC....! MA can def. see in the long dreary dark night's with his big bulging eyes which is obvious but can he see us through.....!!!! but the vital question is can he process the info out there which is plain to see for all and come up with an action plan and see us through to the end of this season and beyond....! I doubt it.....!!! A new set of youngish, hard working, physically fit, skillfull Midfielders required at BRFC. what do you think...?????
i dont think MA or the players will understand your comments , u need to make it simple , ie MA is not good enough

bornindarwenliveinnottm says...
11:48am Wed 13 Mar 13

It annoys me when Appleton talks of playing the likes of Arsenal and Man U as being "what dreams are made of" - that sums up his managerial experience and expectations for us. He forgets that we have been used to playing these teams season after season for many years until Venkys came on the scene. Also the fact that he thinks we NEED the crowd to see us over the line against a **** Milwall side shows he doesn't have much confidence in the current set of players or his tactical abilities!

benal13 says...
11:50am Wed 13 Mar 13

Keen O to Get Kean Out wrote:
handyamBRFC wrote:
MA.... the problem with....!! '' A study of Neanderthal skulls suggests that they went extinct because they had larger eyes than our species. As a result, more of their brain was devoted to seeing in the long, dark nights in Europe, at the expense of high-level processing. '' Its quite obvious MA cant do it in the long run for BRFC....! MA can def. see in the long dreary dark night's with his big bulging eyes which is obvious but can he see us through.....!!!! but the vital question is can he process the info out there which is plain to see for all and come up with an action plan and see us through to the end of this season and beyond....! I doubt it.....!!! A new set of youngish, hard working, physically fit, skillfull Midfielders required at BRFC. what do you think...?????
i dont think MA or the players will understand your comments , u need to make it simple , ie MA is not good enough
and also he says FINK instead of THINK or am i nit picking!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!?

bornindarwenliveinnottm says...
12:03pm Wed 13 Mar 13

bornindarwenliveinno
ttm
wrote:
It annoys me when Appleton talks of playing the likes of Arsenal and Man U as being "what dreams are made of" - that sums up his managerial experience and expectations for us. He forgets that we have been used to playing these teams season after season for many years until Venkys came on the scene. Also the fact that he thinks we NEED the crowd to see us over the line against a **** Milwall side shows he doesn't have much confidence in the current set of players or his tactical abilities!
That said, I fancy us to win tonight and will be great to get to Wembley!

I'd like to see us play 4-5-1 so we can win the midfield battle and get some support to Rhodes. Peds can sit infront of the back 4 to mop up and get the ball wide to Nunez and King. Bentley can play in the centre to put a shift in and maybe play a few balls through to Rhodes, and Dunny can be the link man. If we did that, I reckon we'd win 3-0. Simples.

A Darener says...
12:22pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Have to agree with the above comments. Most Rovers fans were used to watching United, Arsenal etc. the glory hunters since 1992. But now it is back to the solid lifelong fans who the Rovers are going to have to impress over the next few months, if not years. Perhaps they can start tonight and especially Sunday to show the fans that they are serious in their endeavours to get the club back where it belongs, as the smallest town team to win the premier league. Many will say we will never do it. But for forty odd years I never thought we would be at the top of the pile, but it happened. Perhaps one day it will again. In the meanwhile I would settle for just seeing us fight for every ball, put 100%effort into every game and at least give the fans hope for the future.

Get into em!

GameRoverMan says...
12:26pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Keen O to Get Kean Out wrote:
handyamBRFC wrote:
MA.... the problem with....!! '' A study of Neanderthal skulls suggests that they went extinct because they had larger eyes than our species. As a result, more of their brain was devoted to seeing in the long, dark nights in Europe, at the expense of high-level processing. '' Its quite obvious MA cant do it in the long run for BRFC....! MA can def. see in the long dreary dark night's with his big bulging eyes which is obvious but can he see us through.....!!!! but the vital question is can he process the info out there which is plain to see for all and come up with an action plan and see us through to the end of this season and beyond....! I doubt it.....!!! A new set of youngish, hard working, physically fit, skillfull Midfielders required at BRFC. what do you think...?????
i dont think MA or the players will understand your comments , u need to make it simple , ie MA is not good enough
ugh! ugh!

benal13 says...
12:48pm Wed 13 Mar 13

A Darener wrote:
Have to agree with the above comments. Most Rovers fans were used to watching United, Arsenal etc. the glory hunters since 1992. But now it is back to the solid lifelong fans who the Rovers are going to have to impress over the next few months, if not years. Perhaps they can start tonight and especially Sunday to show the fans that they are serious in their endeavours to get the club back where it belongs, as the smallest town team to win the premier league. Many will say we will never do it. But for forty odd years I never thought we would be at the top of the pile, but it happened. Perhaps one day it will again. In the meanwhile I would settle for just seeing us fight for every ball, put 100%effort into every game and at least give the fans hope for the future.

Get into em!
come on darener cheer up we all know that while wehave second rate idiots in charge right through the club we are only going in one direction, hold on a minute i can see why you sound pi{{ed off NURSE get my valium !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

catmik says...
12:50pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Good luck tonight to the players & manager. I'll tell you what, I'm heartily sick of you negative idiots who keep drivelling on and on and on... just give us a break & get behind the team & the manager. None of us like where we are, but here we are! If we don't try to rurn it round then we will go down deeper & deeper.
PLEASE GIVE IT A REST!! You are doing my head in!!!

fitz808 says...
12:53pm Wed 13 Mar 13

bornindarwenliveinno
ttm
wrote:
bornindarwenliveinno

ttm
wrote:
It annoys me when Appleton talks of playing the likes of Arsenal and Man U as being "what dreams are made of" - that sums up his managerial experience and expectations for us. He forgets that we have been used to playing these teams season after season for many years until Venkys came on the scene. Also the fact that he thinks we NEED the crowd to see us over the line against a **** Milwall side shows he doesn't have much confidence in the current set of players or his tactical abilities!
That said, I fancy us to win tonight and will be great to get to Wembley!

I'd like to see us play 4-5-1 so we can win the midfield battle and get some support to Rhodes. Peds can sit infront of the back 4 to mop up and get the ball wide to Nunez and King. Bentley can play in the centre to put a shift in and maybe play a few balls through to Rhodes, and Dunny can be the link man. If we did that, I reckon we'd win 3-0. Simples.
can't see him going for that line-up, particularly at home. king looked a long way of fitness on sunday and was extremely poor because of it. so unless something has changed dramatically i don't think he'll start. particularly if martin is back, as it'll be the olssen twins on the left hand side.
i think best will start again and it'll be 4-4-2. the key for me is to sort out centre midfield. lowe to RB, dunn (creativity) and morten (just run around and disrupt them please mort!) in the centre. probably bentley wide right because we don't really have anyone else.

Bungle97 says...
12:56pm Wed 13 Mar 13

This match v Millwall should be £5 maximum. £18 - you must be having a laugh Rovers- take a leaf out of Blackpool's book and give something back after this shocking season.

philmoulden says...
12:58pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Rome were,nt built in a day ,THATS CUZ I WERE,NT ON THAT JOB

A Darener says...
1:03pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Sorry! I thought I was being positive. Shows how low I have got over the Rovers. Anyway, as some on here say. Let's get behind MA and the lads and give them a reception they will be proud of.

M4CCY says...
1:37pm Wed 13 Mar 13

catmik wrote:
Good luck tonight to the players & manager. I'll tell you what, I'm heartily sick of you negative idiots who keep drivelling on and on and on... just give us a break & get behind the team & the manager. None of us like where we are, but here we are! If we don't try to rurn it round then we will go down deeper & deeper. PLEASE GIVE IT A REST!! You are doing my head in!!!
Couldn't Agree more. It should be a great night and I would love a trip down to Wembley. I am 100% behind Appleton and everything that he is trying to achieve.

MatthewCA says...
1:41pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Handle the Shittu at Ewood. We need a ruthless effort to win the game.

Make it a good evening, All the best .

LiverpoolRovers says...
1:45pm Wed 13 Mar 13

I am coming over from Liverpool tonight to "support" the team and hopefully cheer them on to a Wembley appearance.

I must say that I am sick and tired of coming on here and reading the negativity about the club, the management and the players. How on earth do you call yourselves supporters.

£18 for an FA cup semi final in this day and age is eminently reasonable and in any event was subject to the agreement of Millwall. The club could not even if they wanted to make the game tonight £5 a ticket.

Finally, I am sure if you speak to the majorty of the 'fans' who go along tonight they will be no lovers of the Venkys but they go along to support the club and not the owers. Either shut up or support somebody else so that the real fans do not have to read your constant stream of drivel on these pages.

All I can say is whilst time are hards dig deep and lets get behind the team tonight. A day out at the new Wembley would be a fantastic day out for the supporters and one certainly I hope will happen.

A Darener says...
1:49pm Wed 13 Mar 13

++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++ etc. how's that for being positive?

hitman2617 says...
1:53pm Wed 13 Mar 13

It matters not if the club charge £18 or £5 what does matter is every fan in the ground for the full duration of the game is 100% positive. This game is massive for the fans gives us something to look forward to after a dismal few years

Come on you blues

stefjam says...
1:55pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Afraid I can't go due to a head injury, the doctor is worried that with our woeful passing I have more chance of being hit with the ball, than us managing a shot on target!!! Our overwieght injury prone player was might just get us a win. Let’s hope the overpaid talent less mob prove me wrong & I miss an attacking, passing, skilful, goal fest!

baz58 says...
1:57pm Wed 13 Mar 13

LiverpoolRovers wrote:
I am coming over from Liverpool tonight to "support" the team and hopefully cheer them on to a Wembley appearance.

I must say that I am sick and tired of coming on here and reading the negativity about the club, the management and the players. How on earth do you call yourselves supporters.

£18 for an FA cup semi final in this day and age is eminently reasonable and in any event was subject to the agreement of Millwall. The club could not even if they wanted to make the game tonight £5 a ticket.

Finally, I am sure if you speak to the majorty of the 'fans' who go along tonight they will be no lovers of the Venkys but they go along to support the club and not the owers. Either shut up or support somebody else so that the real fans do not have to read your constant stream of drivel on these pages.

All I can say is whilst time are hards dig deep and lets get behind the team tonight. A day out at the new Wembley would be a fantastic day out for the supporters and one certainly I hope will happen.
I agree with what you say, i hate the venkys and what they have done to the club i have supported since 1962, but i support the team and have done through thick and thin over the years. I have a round trip of over 300 miles, so it will cost me a bloody sight more than 18 quid, but i am Rovers to the core and i will be there, come on get behind them!!!! COYB.

A Darener says...
1:58pm Wed 13 Mar 13

stefjam wrote:
Afraid I can't go due to a head injury, the doctor is worried that with our woeful passing I have more chance of being hit with the ball, than us managing a shot on target!!! Our overwieght injury prone player was might just get us a win. Let’s hope the overpaid talent less mob prove me wrong & I miss an attacking, passing, skilful, goal fest!
We don't nee a goal fest, just a 1 0 scrambled winner will do!

champs95 says...
2:13pm Wed 13 Mar 13

LiverpoolRovers wrote:
I am coming over from Liverpool tonight to "support" the team and hopefully cheer them on to a Wembley appearance.

I must say that I am sick and tired of coming on here and reading the negativity about the club, the management and the players. How on earth do you call yourselves supporters.

£18 for an FA cup semi final in this day and age is eminently reasonable and in any event was subject to the agreement of Millwall. The club could not even if they wanted to make the game tonight £5 a ticket.

Finally, I am sure if you speak to the majorty of the 'fans' who go along tonight they will be no lovers of the Venkys but they go along to support the club and not the owers. Either shut up or support somebody else so that the real fans do not have to read your constant stream of drivel on these pages.

All I can say is whilst time are hards dig deep and lets get behind the team tonight. A day out at the new Wembley would be a fantastic day out for the supporters and one certainly I hope will happen.
Good post my fellow Liverpool based Rover. I see a few blue and white shirts dotted about at Lime Street when I go on the train, maybe we could start a supporters branch.

benal13 says...
2:14pm Wed 13 Mar 13

catmik wrote:
Good luck tonight to the players & manager. I'll tell you what, I'm heartily sick of you negative idiots who keep drivelling on and on and on... just give us a break & get behind the team & the manager. None of us like where we are, but here we are! If we don't try to rurn it round then we will go down deeper & deeper.
PLEASE GIVE IT A REST!! You are doing my head in!!!
if your sick of people not agreeing with you go on another site NUMB NUTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JPainter90 says...
2:16pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Going to be one hell of a cagey affair I feel. We have to nick it before extra time though, I doubt our lot can play 120 minutes.

MxMave says...
2:41pm Wed 13 Mar 13

"A final against Manchester United would be what dreams are made of" Yeah mate, we would be so lucky to play United. Fancy that, a small team in blackburn facing the big boys of football....

We used to play them at least twice a year and I remember Fergie saying "Ewood in the winter months is the worst place to come" when we used to always put up a good fight. Just shows what a small club mentality MA has.

bluebud says...
2:48pm Wed 13 Mar 13

MxMave wrote:
"A final against Manchester United would be what dreams are made of" Yeah mate, we would be so lucky to play United. Fancy that, a small team in blackburn facing the big boys of football....

We used to play them at least twice a year and I remember Fergie saying "Ewood in the winter months is the worst place to come" when we used to always put up a good fight. Just shows what a small club mentality MA has.
we are where we are.................
get down tonight nf support your team.

wrralrover says...
3:02pm Wed 13 Mar 13

I too will be travelling over from the Wirral to see the mighty Rovers. Lets get behind the team and manager and grind out a result tonight.

COYB

leitchy says...
3:08pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Que Sera, Sera Whatever Will Be, Will Be, We're Going to Wembley Que Sera, Sera.!!!!!!

bburnrover says...
3:17pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Well all this focus on the fans is rubbish he should get the team playing fluid attacking football that is the best way to get the fans and therefore the atmosphere back.

Bazzer says...
3:29pm Wed 13 Mar 13

MxMave wrote:
"A final against Manchester United would be what dreams are made of" Yeah mate, we would be so lucky to play United. Fancy that, a small team in blackburn facing the big boys of football.... We used to play them at least twice a year and I remember Fergie saying "Ewood in the winter months is the worst place to come" when we used to always put up a good fight. Just shows what a small club mentality MA has.
We ARE a small club without Jack's millions. How long will it take to sink in?

Bazzer says...
3:31pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Nice to see those on here supporting instead of the incessant moaning.

Old Alzheimer says...
3:31pm Wed 13 Mar 13

catmik wrote:
Good luck tonight to the players & manager. I'll tell you what, I'm heartily sick of you negative idiots who keep drivelling on and on and on... just give us a break & get behind the team & the manager. None of us like where we are, but here we are! If we don't try to rurn it round then we will go down deeper & deeper.
PLEASE GIVE IT A REST!! You are doing my head in!!!
Ditto !!

French Rover says...
4:08pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Good Luck to the Rovers tonight! Nobody needs to bother about the team or the performance - just the result. A win tonight can lift the club and put the last few poor results behind us. Allez les Bleus!

fishcake 75 says...
4:15pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Just play dunny and givet and play with a positive attitude e.g.attack them and we will have no problems

merlinrabbit says...
4:34pm Wed 13 Mar 13

A Darener wrote:
Have to agree with the above comments. Most Rovers fans were used to watching United, Arsenal etc. the glory hunters since 1992. But now it is back to the solid lifelong fans who the Rovers are going to have to impress over the next few months, if not years. Perhaps they can start tonight and especially Sunday to show the fans that they are serious in their endeavours to get the club back where it belongs, as the smallest town team to win the premier league. Many will say we will never do it. But for forty odd years I never thought we would be at the top of the pile, but it happened. Perhaps one day it will again. In the meanwhile I would settle for just seeing us fight for every ball, put 100%effort into every game and at least give the fans hope for the future.

Get into em!
Do you have to be so arrogant as though you have a more devine right to follow your local club than anybody else and that because you are older and therefore by law of time, you were around before 1992, it makes you a better supporter? My sons were born in the mid 1980s. What are they supposed to do about the period before the Premier League? It doesnt make them glory hunters. It's a stupid attitude to have and doesnt encourage people to go along and stand next to such VIP fans as you.

walshy2866 says...
4:39pm Wed 13 Mar 13

MxMave wrote:
"A final against Manchester United would be what dreams are made of" Yeah mate, we would be so lucky to play United. Fancy that, a small team in blackburn facing the big boys of football....

We used to play them at least twice a year and I remember Fergie saying "Ewood in the winter months is the worst place to come" when we used to always put up a good fight. Just shows what a small club mentality MA has.
My thoughts exactly. Why doesn't Appleton try coaching them to play to the strengths of the squad & maximize Rhodes ability rather than lumping balls upto him, then asking the fans to subscribe to this by getting behind his pub football. The man's a joke & what makes it worse is his patronizing comments aimed at fans. It might be a dream to him to play Utd, but it was a staple diet at Ewood for 20 years you clown. Suppose its a chance for him to grab 5 minutes with Ferguson & idolise the man that kicked him out because he wasn't good enough. He might have spent his career scraping round dog 5hit low division football but we don't want dragging down to his level of mediocrity. Get a grip Appleton, get a game plan or get out & let somebody with higher ambition take the job.
I'll be there tonight , I'm not a stay away moaner, but I believe when I put my hand in my pocket to watch this poor standard of football and listen to his pre and post match drivel, I earn the right to have my say. Look at the history books Appleton, look at the once prestigious club you take a wage from and try to realise what's expected of you.

A Darener says...
4:51pm Wed 13 Mar 13

My apologies marlinrabbit, you are right about those youngsters who support the Rovers. They couldn't before they were born. It is these young supporters that are going through the hard times similar to what we did when we were relegated from the old first division. The difference then was we were a small family club with supporters who stuck with the club through the low times with a board and managers who tried their hardest to get us back in the top division. This shower that now control the club have deliberately destroyed the family atmosphere the club and all it stood for in less than two years. The older supporters feel let down after all they went through in the past. The tribulations of the last two years were totally unnecessary.

noddymcleod says...
5:11pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Can we have an end to this "Rome wasn't built in a day" nonsense. It's all based on the silly and false notion that Apple is starting building from scratch.
In fact, Rovers have had their "Rome" glory days and that was built on Jack's money, and excellent choice of King Kenny as manager. Apart from two previous seasons in the Championship, we have held our own strapped for money and resouces. All realsitic fans knew that the glory days would never return and were grateful for the occasional European appearances and good cup runs.
This was the situation which Venkys inherited and which they have absolutely destroyed.
I don't expect Apple to say this, he's just a mercenary, eaking out a good wage for as long as it lasts, but please spare us the notion that he and his paymasters are truly out to re-create our glory days.
Fo that we need new ownership, preferably one that involves the fans, like Swansea at least and at best like the Bundesliga or Barca, a new manager and a realistic acknowelgement of the football world we live in.
For any immediate future, I'd settle for the pre Jack era, when we were Second Div contenders for several seasons running.
We are really getting the same PR tripe (presumably now paid to some London outfit) as we have had all the time from Venkys, Kean, Shabby and the fans are sick of it.Spare us the cliches and just save us from relegation and get us to the semis, Apple.

owd nick says...
5:33pm Wed 13 Mar 13

M4CCY wrote:
catmik wrote:
Good luck tonight to the players & manager. I'll tell you what, I'm heartily sick of you negative idiots who keep drivelling on and on and on... just give us a break & get behind the team & the manager. None of us like where we are, but here we are! If we don't try to rurn it round then we will go down deeper & deeper. PLEASE GIVE IT A REST!! You are doing my head in!!!
Couldn't Agree more. It should be a great night and I would love a trip down to Wembley. I am 100% behind Appleton and everything that he is trying to achieve.
Ditto.

The time to criticise Appleton is after the first few games of next season, it isn't his fault that we are in this league.

But it will be if he doesn't start to put things right in the close season.

owd nick says...
5:49pm Wed 13 Mar 13

merlinrabbit wrote:
A Darener wrote:
Have to agree with the above comments. Most Rovers fans were used to watching United, Arsenal etc. the glory hunters since 1992. But now it is back to the solid lifelong fans who the Rovers are going to have to impress over the next few months, if not years. Perhaps they can start tonight and especially Sunday to show the fans that they are serious in their endeavours to get the club back where it belongs, as the smallest town team to win the premier league. Many will say we will never do it. But for forty odd years I never thought we would be at the top of the pile, but it happened. Perhaps one day it will again. In the meanwhile I would settle for just seeing us fight for every ball, put 100%effort into every game and at least give the fans hope for the future.

Get into em!
Do you have to be so arrogant as though you have a more devine right to follow your local club than anybody else and that because you are older and therefore by law of time, you were around before 1992, it makes you a better supporter? My sons were born in the mid 1980s. What are they supposed to do about the period before the Premier League? It doesnt make them glory hunters. It's a stupid attitude to have and doesnt encourage people to go along and stand next to such VIP fans as you.
My daughter was born in the late 90's, she has been going to Ewood since she was 6 or 7, a season ticket holder since she was 9.

Yes she would prefer to be watching Man U, Liverpool, etc week after week, but she actually understands how things work in sport, something some posters on here fail to grasp.

This is my 43rd year of watching Rovers, a season ticket older well before Jack Walkers millions came along.

If it wasn't for my daughter nagging me to renew I wouldn't be there this season at all.

I don't like what is going on anymore than the rest of you, yes I would love to see the mystical fast flowing football of the Allardyce era (roll eyes) you all crave for (sic).

But we will be down there tonight supporting our team, not whinging and whining on here all night.

And on Sunday, and every home game for the rest of the season whatever happens.

Elysiumfire says...
6:01pm Wed 13 Mar 13

@LiverpoolRover:
"£18 for an FA cup semi final in this day and age is eminently reasonable..."

How is it 'eminently' reasonable? Let's face it, what do you get for the £18?

Well, you get to go through a turnstile, watch 22 guys run around kicking a ball, and if you are so inclined, you can spend more money on merchandise and beer and food. It is what it is!

Now, Appy chappy has asked fans to come down in their droves to support their team. An earlier poster suggested taking a leaf out of Blackpool's book, and reduce the prices. I would suggest a tenner for adults, and a fiver for kids. That ought to bring more onto the ground, but are they going to help themselves and do that?

Personally, I doubt it, they will probably mutter something about fairness to the fans that have bought tickets at full expense, even though they could cut them a deal, too.

So, let's look at the form of both teams tonight over the last five games.

Blackburn: D, L, L, L, D.
Millwall: D, L, L, W, L.

Millwall just about edge it, but Blackburn are one place above them. Like the game on Sunday it is very tight to call, but as past games can only act as a relative guide, it obviously comes down to which team wants it the most on the night?

Rovers kept Millwall out of their goal on Sunday, but equally, Millwall kept Blackburn out. To win tonight, Blackburn are going to have to up their game even more than the performance on Sunday.

I expect Millwall to start cautiously and Blackburn to start nervously, like they will on Sunday. I expected Blackburn to nick it last Sunday, but tonight I feel Millwall will. Call it intuition tapping into their destiny.

Either way, best of luck to both teams and sets of fans. I'll be watching.

Stourbridge_Rover says...
6:15pm Wed 13 Mar 13

benal13 wrote:
catmik wrote:
Good luck tonight to the players & manager. I'll tell you what, I'm heartily sick of you negative idiots who keep drivelling on and on and on... just give us a break & get behind the team & the manager. None of us like where we are, but here we are! If we don't try to rurn it round then we will go down deeper & deeper.
PLEASE GIVE IT A REST!! You are doing my head in!!!
if your sick of people not agreeing with you go on another site NUMB NUTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Numb nuts ????? What a #### !! agree with catmik get behind the boys and support your team some so called fans are never happy f####n moaning miserable northeners. COYB

GRAHAM HALSALL says...
6:50pm Wed 13 Mar 13

well have backed rovers at 6/5 - with all my cheltenham winnings please rovers do not let me down - this is your big chance - if you lose this one i will be at the end of my tether !!!!!!!! and will wish brfc under post jack walker owners venkys all the best for the miserable future the both of us will have
I dare not say too much as i will have to apply for a job as a chicken plucker in puna to pay my mortgage..

Captain Dreckley says...
7:20pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Come in you blues

A Darener says...
7:21pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Captain Dreckley wrote:
Come in you blues
Why is their time up?

merlinrabbit says...
8:11pm Wed 13 Mar 13

A Darener wrote:
My apologies marlinrabbit, you are right about those youngsters who support the Rovers. They couldn't before they were born. It is these young supporters that are going through the hard times similar to what we did when we were relegated from the old first division. The difference then was we were a small family club with supporters who stuck with the club through the low times with a board and managers who tried their hardest to get us back in the top division. This shower that now control the club have deliberately destroyed the family atmosphere the club and all it stood for in less than two years. The older supporters feel let down after all they went through in the past. The tribulations of the last two years were totally unnecessary.
Agreed. It's been ruined but don't be so hard on those who weren't there pre jack walker. It's the impact of venkys more than relegation I think that's affected attendance

A Darener says...
8:14pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Very true merlinrabbit, the Venky's must take 99%of the blame for the low attendances.

A Darener says...
8:14pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Very true merlinrabbit, the Venky's must take 99%of the blame for the low attendances.

A Darener says...
8:14pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Very true merlinrabbit, the Venky's must take 99%of the blame for the low attendances.

handyamBRFC says...
9:57pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Poor
poor team
poor tactics
poor management
poor midfield yet again

MA.... the problem with....!!

'' A study of Neanderthal skulls suggests that they went extinct because they had larger eyes than our species.

As a result, more of their brain was devoted to seeing in the long, dark nights in Europe, at the expense of high-level processing. ''

Its quite obvious MA cant do it in the long run for BRFC....!

MA can def. see in the long dreary dark night's with his big bulging eyes which is obvious but can he see us through.....!!!!

but the vital question is can he process the info out there which is plain to see for all and come up with an action plan and see us through to the end of this season and beyond....!

I doubt it.....!!!

thats 7 defeats already and counting.
MA is a gonner if we lose against Burnley....!!

A new set of youngish, hard working, physically fit, skillfull Midfielders required at BRFC.

what do you think...?????

Pederson is just too slow PLZ retire
Dunn is just too fat...PLZ retire..!

Hanley is slow but tries his utmost to do a decent job.
His thinking is also slow and hes simply not good enough as a 1st team player but ok to have in BRFC squad.

Lowe is slow slow but tries his utmost
best & should be ok as a squad member and occasional sub but not 1st team material in my view.

Marcus olson is like a fairy lightweight
only need to blow on him and he falls

what do you think...!!!!

click2find

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