Who R Ya – Blackburn Rovers

Vital QPR assesses Saturday’s opponents – Blackburn Rovers

THE LATEST

It would be fair to say that Blackburn Rovers are not in the best in of shape as things stand. FA Cup aside – Rovers have lost six of their last nine games, with one win in ten for a side that sit second bottom of England’s second tier.

Their Achilles heel has been their defensive side – three clean sheets this season is one of the many reasons that Rovers lie where they do, even if two of those came in wins over Newcastle United. In their wisdom and despite fielding midfielders in defensive areas, Rovers splashed out on an area they’re actually relatively well-stocked, in attack.

Lucas Joao and Marvin Emnes join on loan – the latter extending an existing spell at Ewood Park. Ben Marshall disappeared to join Paul Lambert at Wolverhampton Wanderers. They both join Sam Gallagher and top scorer Danny Graham who have performed admirably for a side sat hanging over the trap door.

Fans are directing their disappointment towards Owen Coyle, and despite not being totally enamoured with the Scotsman, the abuse is probably writ large in lieu of a representative from the infamous Venky’s set up, who continue to raise the ire of their support even in their conspicuous absence.

So what next for Rovers? A few goals and a few wins could propel them up the Championship table, but with little defensively to rely upon, this could be a hard slog until the end of the season for Coyle and Blackburn Rovers.

FACTS & FIGURES

Founded: 1875

Nickname: Rovers

Ground: Ewood Park – 31367

Manager: Owen Coyle

HONOURS & RECORDS

HONOURS

First Tier

First Division – Winners: 1911-12, 1913-14,
Premier League – Winners: 1994-95
Premier League – Runners-up: 1993-94

Second Tier

Second Division – Winners: 1938-39
Second Division – Runners Up: 1957-58
Division One – Runners Up: 2000-01
Second Division – Play-off Winners: 1991-92

Third Tier

Third Division: Winners – 1974-75
Third Division: Runners-up: 1979-80

Cups

FA Cup – Winners: 1884, 1885, 1886, 1890, 1891, 1928
FA Cup – Runners-up: 1882, 1960

League Cup – Winners: 2002

FA Charity Shield – Winners: 1912
FA Charity Shield – Runners-up: 1928, 1994, 1995

RECORDS

Record Attendance: 62255 v Bolton Wanderers (FA Cup, March 1929)

Record league victory: 9-0 v Middlesbrough (Second Division, November 1954)

Record league defeat 0-8 v Arsenal (First Division, February 1933)

Record Buy: £8,000,000 – Andy Cole from Manchester United (December 2001)

Record Sale: £18,000,000 – Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City (June 2009)

Record Appearances: Derek Fazackerley – 593 (1970-1987)

Record Goals: Simon Garner – 194 (1978-1992)

SQUAD LIST

1 – Jason Steele
2 – Adam Henley
3 – Gordon Greer
4 – Tommie Hoban (on loan from Watford)
5 – Derrick Williams
6 – Jason Lowe
7 – Liam Feeney
9 – Anthony Stokes
12 – Danny Graham
14 – Charlie Mulgrew
15 – Elliott Ward
17 – Marvin Emnes (on loan from Swansea City)
19 – Sam Gallagher (on loan from Southampton)
20 – Stephen Hendrie (on loan from West Ham United)
21 – Hope Akpan
23 – Danny Guthrie
26 – Darragh Lenihan
29 – Corry Evans
30 – Wes Brown
31 – Elliott Bennett
32 – Craig Conway
33 – David Raya
– Lucas Joao

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