Often Partisan

Blackburn Preview in Association with EZE Group

Blackburn come to St Andrew’s in the penultimate home game of the season for Gary Rowett’s men. Neither team has anything to play for other than pride following Blues’ mathematical confirmation of safety on Saturday.

Blackburn Rovers

Gary Bowyer’s men lie in 10th place, five points and 16 goals better off than Blues. They come into the game on the back of a mixed run of form, having won just once in their last four games in all competitions. However, they haven’t lost away from home since the beginning of February.

Alex Baptiste, Josh King (both hamstring), Jason Lowe (foot), Grant Hanley (calf), Chris Taylor (groin) and Shane Duffy (knee) are all out of contention with youngsters John O’Sullivan and Darragh Lenihan in the squad.

Blues

Paul Robinson returns to the squad after his one match ban but may have to be content with a place on the bench with both Rob Kiernan and Jonathan Spector fit to play. Diego Fabbrini is likely to continue in the number 10 role as he is ineligible at the weekend and Lloyd Dyer may come in for David Cotterill with the other Watford man also not able to play in Saturday’s game.

With mathematical safety confirmed it’s all about the squad now retaining focus and Rowett will be looking to make sure he gets full effort from his team – those who decide that they’re now in “holiday mode” may find themselves shipped out of the squad rapidly.

Betting

If like me, you fancy an outside punt for the hell of it I think you can do worse than 100-1 with BetVictor for Jonathan Grounds to score 2 or more. Denied by some poor officiating at the weekend of a goal, he offers a presence at corners and you never know…

Match previews sponsored by EZE Group - Lifestyle Experts

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17 Responses to “Blackburn Preview in Association with EZE Group”

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Blackburn are a functional team who quietly go about picking up points. But, with key players out, this is a great opportunity for Blues to pick up 3 more points. I’m surprised Gestede hasn’t been a regular lately, but I’ll be quite happy for that to continue… having witnessed his single-handed destruction of us last season. Need to keep an eye on Ben Marshall mostly.

    Tonight, I think we might line up similar to Saturday… but with Davis restored. Randolph, Caddis, Morrison, Kiernan, Grounds, Cotterill, Gleeson, Davis, Gray, Fabbrini, Donaldson.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Same side and same result will do me just fine . Kro

  • Richard Granfield says:

    Now we are safe I hope Gary gives a start to Gavin Gunning. He is out of contract at the end of the season and needs to prove he is worthy of a new contract.
    With Kiernan showing signs of fragility, Spector not naturally a central defender and Robbo ageing visibly, Gunning could be the answer.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Rowett rarely pulls many surprises. Whilst we can still manage a top half finish, I think he’ll go with all his big guns. When we can’t go any higher and we have a dead rubber, then maybe. Personally, I’d love him to try some of the fringe players, like Gunning and Green and Brown, even if off the bench.

      • Richard Granfield says:

        Staffs……I note your comments. IMO we may have seen the last of Green. He has failed to score in 3 Development games and with Donaldson, Thomas and Johnstone ahead of him his days at Blues’ may be numbered.
        I agree that Gunning should be given a chance and I believe Brown will be given a chance next season rather than now due to the form of Fabbrini and Shinnie.
        P.S. Fabbrini reminds me of Jose Dominguez who was a fan’s favourite in the nineties.

  • Oldbluenose says:

    I am quite certain that Gary Rowett, has pretty well judged who he will retain for next season, but would like to see one or two ” fringe ” players given a run out in these last few games.

    I had in mind such as Gunning, and Green, to give them a fighting chance to impress in Match-play, any one else have similar thoughts,?.

  • Oldbluenose says:

    when i posted a few min’s ago, i had not seen previous comments, — Chuckle,!!.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Ide love to see Reece brown , Gavin gunning and matt green or given a run out tonight but I think rowett will go with the same team except for maybe Davis coming in , I think last game at home to charlton and Bolton last game are maybe the games that we will see them in but not much chance to impress so propably end of the road for green and the other two can push on next season, if Cardiff and Sheffield w loose and we win then its top half of the table . Kro

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Duffy has had one league start, Gunning and Green none. It would be a shame for them to leave the club without us ever having a good look at what they can do. Still, that’s football I suppose.

    • Oldbluenose says:

      My very point Staff’s, G,R. is not a mug, and see’s them in traing each week, — BUT that aint the same as Match day play,??.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I totally agree OB. After all, the previous manager put a lot of store on what he saw in training. Many players in the past have been poor trainers, but came alive on a Saturday/Tuesday/Wednesday. For me, that’s all that matters.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Same team. No surprises.


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