Ahh, the 3rd round of the cup, a time for magic, a time for giant killing, memories of upsets and against all odds victories, but not for us of course! Nope, we get the joy of a trip to divisional (and potential promotion) rivals Blackburn Rovers When the draw was made, I'm sure like me, many a Bluebird was hoping for either a tie against plucky lower division opposition or a home draw against one of the traditional "big clubs" (no, Leeds, I don;t mean you, sit back down), but instead we get to test our mettle against a league rival instead. I guess this could have its benefits if Erol & the coaching team get chance to look at a few "fringe" players again in the heat of battle and who knows, Jon Dahl Tomasson may just give us a little insight into what we can expect when we meet again at the same venue in just under 4 weeks time, so let's roll with it and make the best of things. Rovers have been in rather shaky form of late, with 2 chastening defeats on the bounce, though in the cup it must be remembered that they set the trend for Newcastle to follow by putting 8 unanswered goals past their last round opposition. OK, it was only Harrogate rather than a league rival but still no mean feat. Much changed line ups are expected from both teams, with Blackburn suffering recent injuries to both striker Sam Gallagher and winger Ryan Hedges (their top assist maker). They do however still have the likes of Dominic Hyam, Tyrhys Dolan, Harry Pickering and ex-Wurzel Sammy Szmodics in their ranks, so retain a strong spine. Having looked back at our history, we actually last met in the League Cup in 2011, during our run to the final and eventual defeat on penalties to Liverpool that season (good omens for another run to Wembley maybe?). Our meeting was at the quarter final stage and was played out at the CCS in front of 19,436 spectators. Those present witnessing the Bluebirds moving into the semi-final and a tie against Crystal Palace courtesy of a 2-0 win. Sadly for Rovers, not only did that taste defeat that night but they also went on to suffer relegation from the Premier League. Bulut's Bulletin Plenty of changes anticipated for this one, with Runarsson expected to be given the gloves again after impressing against Birmingham in the last round, (Alpha) Romeo likely to replace our Ng (Midget), Panzo will no doubt be given a run having played so few minutes as well as a midfield overhaul with Colwill, Adams, Rinomhota all likely to feature. Up top Etete must be considered for a starting berth whilst several youngsters could also feature either from the off or as subs, including Malachi ***an-Walcott, Cian Ashford and Joel Colwill who all missed the U-21 game earlier today. Quite what the shake up will do for us I don't know but it seemed to work last time out and with Blackburn also likely to change things up it could again be a test of who has the better reserves/back-up players in their squad. What Are The Odds On That? Hmm, what to make of the odds for this one?? I guess with Rovers being at home you could suggest they would be favourites but oddly Ken & his crew seem to think that we are just as likely to draw as we are win... C'mon Ken, sort yourself out butt and stop being chicken - back the boys!! Sharing The Love Nathan Blake Starting his career at youth level for Chelsea, Blake moved to City and broke into the first team in the 1990/91 season, becoming a fans’ favourite at the Club. The striker was part of the side that won Division Three in 1993, with Blake scoring 40 league goals in 131 appearances for City. After spells at Sheffield United and Bolton Wanderers, Blake spent three seasons at Blackburn Rovers between 1998 and 2001. The move was Blake’s third switch to the Premier League, signing for a reported fee of £4.25 million. During his time with Rovers, the striker netted 16 league goals in 55 appearances. Craig Conway One of our team members who took us to the final in 2012, Conway joined the Bluebirds in 2011 on a free transfer from Dundee Utd. The winger was part of Malky Mackay's revolution and as well as helping the City to that League Cup final he also played his part in our promotion to the Premier League the following season and was the one that scored the goal in the 1-1 away draw at Burnley that clinched the Championship title for the Bluebirds. He went on to make a total of 67 appearances for the club, scoring 7 goals along the way before going on to have a short term loan at Brighton the following season followed by his move to our cup hosts Blackburn, whom he played 200 times for, netting on 22 occasions. So, can we round off a superb week by going to the next round? Would Erol like to have a cup run, surely Ewood?? Can we ruffle Blackburn's feathers and make them cluck up big time as Bulut hatches his master plan??? All I know is we shouldn't count our chickens before they've hatched but I have a feeling that in this time of the egg world cup as Wales's only remaining representative in this competition we need to inflict the coup de grace on our opponents and keep this wild ride going! Bloooooooooooooobirds!!!!!
Such talent!!! I mean our 2011 team of course. Whitts, Gunnar, McNuggs, Big Ben and Marshie and a young Joe Ralls on the bench plus others who were not quite leg end status. Happy days. I hope tomorrow's incumbents can help us revisit our great cup run.
Great write up as usual brizzle. Hoping Erol doesn't make sweeping changes. A few guys need a run out, but 8 or 11 changes helps no one. Not fair on the changes coming in. Panzo needs a game. No doubt he'll change keeper. Siopis is due a break, so maybe Adams. Perhaps Etete up front. Cameos for Rubin at 10 and Romeo at RB Maybe 15 mins for injured players if they're ready. We don't want to lose the momentum we're building.
To contradict what I wrote above, 3 of the 21s were left out of their team and are expected to travel. Probably to pad out the bench rather than start. Suggests a raft of the usual 18 (? - can't remember how many subs can be listed, I just know its a lot) won't be travelling.
Don't know what conditions are going to be like at Ewood Park tonight, but about 50 miles south there's a storm brewing. 40 mph winds forecast from 3 pm to 10 pm. Daughter due to fly to Mykonos from Manchester at 3.30.
A bit like: Where is Hadrian's Wall? Around Hadrian's garden. Or: Where did Hitler keep his armies? Up his sleevies.
I read that as Lucy first. I thought WTF. Are we that short? No offence to our female members and Masky.
I think that selection says, totally, we have gone as far as we can/want to in this competition. I hope I am wrong.
We'll need to win this one early on... not enough on the bench there to change a game you'd think?? Very VERY young bench. Good to see Robbo starting though but are we experimenting with Rino and Adams as CB's again so we think?
Blackburn Rovers XI: Wahlstedt; Rankin-Costello, Hill, S. Wharton (C), Pickering; Tronstad, Garrett; Markanday, Moran, Sigurdsson; Telalovic. Subs: Pears, Brittain, Hyam, Szmodics, Carter, Gilsenan, A. Wharton, Travis, Bloxham. Pretty sure Blackburn are fielding a much weakened/changed side too.... Let's see what happens eh??
Usual suspect again, off he goes, not BT though, one of life’s good people, heavily built apparently! BFB pal, hope your todge falls off into your porridge! Masky
