On Sky
Afternoon everyone. I`m stepping in for Quentin today as he continues to make his move closer to the homeland. I haven`t been so scared or excited about a match in a long time. This is the big one. The season-definer. It`s Kean vs Coyle. It`s three points or bust. Most importantly, it`s a chance to have that feeling we all get when we watch our team succeed. And if either of the managers fails to provide that feeling, I have a feeling they`ll be unemployed come Christmas day.
Vital Quotes:
Owen Coyle has dismissed reports he will be sacked if we don`t win this evening. He told Sky Sports,”It doesn’t faze me. Whatever ultimately happens to you in life will happen. We all have jobs to do and as long as no-one gets personal about anyone at my club we will not have a problem about that. Have your opinion, call it any way you like but it doesn’t faze me. But what I do know is by going and winning points you can turn that opinion very quickly. It is a great opportunity as far as I am concerned”. That egg of a man who calls himself manager at Ewood doesn`t seem to be worried either, probably because the chicken farmers who own the club think he`s doing a sterling job. ‘You have to face up to the responsibility. People deserve that respect. It doesn’t keep me awake at night, but it is a difficult situation. I won’t turn my back on it, though. I think we can get through it and when we do I will know how tough it has been and be determined not to go there again”.
Blackburn Rovers Team News:
Poor Scott Dann. Not only did he spend all summer being linked with Arsenal and Liverpool and then end up with Blackburn, but now he has a ruptured testicle. A RUPTURED TESTICLE. I don`t care who he plays for, no man can wish that on another. Happy he`s out though. So`s Givet, which means we may have a chance. It depends on this man?
Player to watch: Yakubu
If he is up for it, The Yak could keep us bottom over Christmas. He`s been in good form since his move from Everton, being the type of goalscorer that David Moyes` men urgently require. I was certain that he hadn`t lost it, and I worry there`s a chance I could be proven right this evening.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
David Wheater sits out the final game of his suspension, and whilst I write, Riley, Ricketts and Davis are all playing for the reserves. I have a feeling it`s a bit soon to see any of them play two games in a day.
Player to watch: Marcos Alonso
A good performance against Fulham; he made the left side of defence infinitely stronger whilst providing an extra player in attack when coming forward. Him and Steinsson`s crossing could be important tonight.
Match Facts & Stats
If SKD plays tonight (fingers crossed he won`t), it`ll be his 350th appearance for the Trotters. I can`t remember his last good one.
A good stat for Venkys- Blackburn have 11 less points after 16 games this season compared to the last. That`s what you get when you replace a proven, top-quality manager with an egg.
Ref Watch:
Martin Atkinson as referee isn`t what`s worrying. It`s Battenburg as 4th official. That fake-haired devil has probably spent the day casting anti-Wanderer spells on poor Martin. It`s going to be, as they say, ‘a tasty affair` tonight. Someone is going to get sent off, and I bet they`re wearing black and yellow.
Match Prediction:
I just have this feeling that tonight is the night that we finally turn the corner. Call it blind optimism, or blind faith in Coyle, but I reckon we`re gonna thrash them Dingles so hard they`ll be running home to their sisters quicker than they can say ‘Kean Out`.
Next Fixtures:
It`s the Geordies at home on Boxing Day. Anything can happen in the next six days, and I reckon that tonight`s result will have a HUGE impact on the game on Monday.