What The Blackburn Lot Are Thinking

Tuesday, 18 November 08, 12:56 PM ยท Posted by HarryHotspur

Exhibit [A] M'Lud. A 'Lancashire Lass'.
 

The highly esteemed Blackburn Rovers Football Club Supporter's forum got in touch and here's what transpired.

The first chunk is their man Phillip's 'pre match prattle' so to speak - and if you click on the link beneath that you get the relevant page on their forum and so their responses. 

I thought the 'who needs Eurostar when you have Tottenham Hotspurs - our portal into Europe. Bring 'em on' was good...

"When the Premier League fixtures for 2008/9 were announced in mid-June I wonder how long the odds were against the Spurs v Rovers fixture on 22 November being a relegation 6 pointer pitching 19th against 18th? Something pretty astronomic I would imagine.

Spurs at the time had done a lot of early shopping including snaffling the destroyer of England's Euro08 chances, Luka Modric, one of the hottest properties in Europe. There was disquiet surrounding Berbatov but Spurs seemed to be in reasonable control of the situation and the club was more famous for its embarassment of having an excess of £10m+ strikers than being in danger of having no target men at all.

Equally, Rovers were being linked with calibre of Manager targets befitting a club regularly qualifying for Europe from the world's richest league- Advocaat, Ten Cate, Laudrup et al as well as the most recent England boss and the guy many had tipped to have been an English England boss although the fans were totally disdainful of both McClaren and Allerdyce (me included!). And the transfer fund of £10m whilst nothing to disturb the Premier rich boys league was significantly more than Hughes had spent net during the whole of his time at Ewood. There seemed every prospect of it being boosted by the £5m compo yanked out of City before they could talk to Hughes and another £3m donation from the Walker Trust. Bentley was being a drunken fool in front of the Sky cameras on the Costa Lampard but surely a new Manager of sufficient gravitas would be appointed to sort that idiot out?

In the event, both Bentley and Berbatov departed and Robbie Kean jumped ship as well leaving both clubs looking at how Villa had managed to ride the Barry storm (and pinch Friedel which prompted the other Spurs/Rovers trade bringing Robinson to Ewood). More poignantly, when the dust had settled at midnight on 1 Setember, Rovers and Spurs stood alone in the transfer league table having made substantial and surely wholly unintentional profits from the previous two months' window of trading activity/inactivity.

Those of an economic bent would argue that both clubs' disinvestments in footballers alone would qualify them for tumbling from Euro tyros to relegation sweaters but as we all know, there is much more to the story than that.

Harry Hotspur (http://www.oleole.com/blogs/harryhotspur), a doyen of the football club blogerati and at times total pain in the side (and other parts of the anatomy) of Tottenham's owners and management and other Spurs' fans has kindly agreed to help enlighten us following on from Rovers' abject surrender and Gomes' special at Craven Cottage last week-end (and despite of, or perhaps inspired by, a bad chest infection):

1) Does 'arry walk on water?

HH:  No, but he does occasionally skim across the surface like a well propelled flat shiny thing.

2) How could Ramos be so fantastically good in Spain and a complete dud at White Hart Lane?

HH:  Despite a decent CV, that guy had too many things not going for him. He was as about as interesting to listen to as Stephen Hawking and his people skills were non-existent. Motivationally he had the midas touch in reverse. Never undervalue the fact that where he came from they didn't put the kettle on.

3) It must be so frustrating to be the best financially managed club in the Premier League yet you famously buy rubbish players every transfer window

HH:  Untrue. In the main, we historically buy good players and fail to get much out of them.

4) How is David Bentley?

HH:  He's stuck on level 6 of Dragon Quest SwordsThe Masked Queen And The Tower Of Mirrors.
OK - He's happy Ramos is gone.
My guess is he's looking forward to settling in, assisting more, scoring more and establishing himself as an England player.

5) You are the archetypal marzipan layer club- you wrecked Rovers' team by buying our best player but Man U and Liverpool do the same to you. Are you going to join the cake mix or the icing?

HH:  First of all I want to make it quite clear I hate Jane Asher and when she was voted out of Maestro that was a happy day in our house.

There's a food chain alright. And it's built on the desires and appetites of the players.

I haven't got any time for the idiots that say a Chairmen shouldn't have sold Player X or Player Y.  Contracts or not you can't MAKE someone play for you.
At the end of the day clubs are at the mercy of the whim of their players.

6) Paul Ince- should Rovers keep him or fire him?

Fire him out of a cannon.

Ever heard of the Peter Principle?
Your problem is who you would lure if he went?
I mean, we're frequently as rubbish as you, but we're never linked with the Ian Dowies of the world.


7) Who is going to get relegated this season?

HH:  West Brom are gone. West Ham would be nice and I always wish it on Fulham.
The mathematicians will start drawing up their shortlist at Christmas.
Newscastle would be hilarious and if their home form collapses they're gone.


8) Any special memories of playing against Rovers in the past? (I can think of one in Cardiff)

HH:  Would you be very deeply offended if I said, "None." ?


9) How many are you going to beat us by?

HH:  That's a generous question but I think a messy 2-2 draw is on the cards.
A game of two goalkeepers, perhaps?

Ah well, that's me told re my persistent criticising of Ince for selling Bentley or perhaps Harry is toeing the WHL party line.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

My recollections of Rovers at WHL include some cracking wins for Rovers not least the 3-2 at WHL which I think was the last appearance of the SAS together (albeit only for the 5 mins Sutton appeared as a late sub but enough to set up Shearer for a fulminating late winner), the 4-0 season ticket confetti game and Samba's wonderful late strike last season. But I can remember two very honourable 3-2 defeats in which Rovers played the Spurs off the park and still lost; 1965/6 and 2005/6 (the Bellamy/FSP double act where we maintained 85% posession for 20 minutes).

I also remember the 4-0 thrashing we took in the old second division in Jim Smith's wonderful season at Ewood and fear that is the precedent for Sunday as surely Gomes will be dropped.

In truth I can scarcely see an honourable defeat let alone a Rovers win this coming week-end. But if we do win, it will feel like Cardiff all over again.

Finally I asked Harry what prompted him to start the blog?

HH:  I wanted a wall for the wise and the witty and the winos to write on.


The pleasures and pitfalls?


HH:  The pleasures are endless.
The mob that contribute and make the blog what it is and are exactly the the sort of degenerate superstars you would want to talk to in the pub about your club.

The pitfalls are as in real life.
Dull people.

What does the club think of your blog?


HH:  I'm sure senior personnel at The Lane couldn't care less about me. I'd like to maintain that relationship.


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218 Comments

Hoopspur
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1. Hoopspur Wrote: | 13.58GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Good work Harry - you've got them worried...

Anyway this is why Gomes ballsed it up - either his twin brother's a Fulham fan, or it's a case of split personality...

LINK

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billybigspud
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2. billybigspud Wrote: | 14.00GMT | Nov 18, 2008

H, Since I'm completely lacking wit and wisdom, may I be the first wino to congratulate you on a great interview. Just the right combination of sarcasm, contempt and irony. Great work

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HornchurchYids
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3. HornchurchYids Wrote: | 14.55GMT | Nov 18, 2008

HH

I imagine there will be a few Blackburn Wanderers fans checking out your site now? :P

A warm welcome to all you Yorkshire folk! :D

D'ya ken Ted Moult?

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BruceCastle
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4. BruceCastle Wrote: | 15.01GMT | Nov 18, 2008

My cousin lives about a mile away from Ewood (poor bastard) and after a few rounds of bitter I go and see the away fixture there most seasons. The place has about as much atmosphere the local labour exchange and far more empty seats.

You're right about Ince Harry. In over his oversized head. If we can come out swinging with pace and forward passing we will catstrate the Rovers. If we come like we did at John Craven's Cottage, I am worried. I can't watch corners against us anymore. Its bad for my ticker.

I say we start with Cesar and have Alnwick on the bench. Gomes needs a few hundred volts of shock therapy.

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jolsgonemental
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5. jolsgonemental Wrote: | 15.31GMT | Nov 18, 2008

I am hoping that this season surprise inclusion to Im A Celeb turns out to be Gormless.

I think its best for everyone if he is sent to a remote jungle for a few weeks.

or dropped out of a plane.

Just no challenges that involve catching. not really his bag.


the Blackburnian sounds alright. but he is not wrong 2-1 spurs. Bent and Ferdinand.

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TMWNN
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6. TMWNN Wrote: | 15.45GMT | Nov 18, 2008

My addled brain can't recall any memorable encounters between the two clubs, but does anyone remember a game at the Lane where Judas played up front, or have I made that clean up?

I think we're going to need more bite in midfield if we're to win this one. Maybe the inclusion of O'Hara or even the prince.

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Nunchucks
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7. Nunchucks Wrote: | 15.46GMT | Nov 18, 2008

"The Peter Principle". I can't think of a more fitting application of the term.

I commend you, dear boy, on a first class interview. There were snickers. There were chuckles. There were good times.

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Nunchucks
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8. Nunchucks Wrote: | 15.54GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Reply to Hoopspur:

Good work Harry - you've got them worried...

Anyway this is why Gomes ballsed it up - either his twin brother's a Fulham fan, or it's a case of split personality...
...

You know, I always fancied Jussi Jaaskelainen. Not in a count the legs and divide by two kind of way, you understand, but certainly in a unsung, underestimated between the sticks kind of way.

I was surprised when no move was made last year when he was dithering over his contract, but it appears that youth is the rub.

More Kameni links in about...43 days then.

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Poshspur
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9. Poshspur Wrote: | 15.55GMT | Nov 18, 2008

How dare you suggest I'd want to speak to any of the filth that daub on your virtual walls, in a pub or anywhere else?! 8O
Bentley to score, inevitable Gomes offering, Pav winner, seven yellows, two on Bentley! ;)
Bum ba dum bum bum, YIDS!

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Poshspur
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10. Poshspur Wrote: | 16.02GMT | Nov 18, 2008

HH can you add under the "I'm a miserable sod" Sir Alan quote, "You're fired" Daniel Levy?

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WillyLight
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11. WillyLight Wrote: | 16.02GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Remember the last time i saw Blackburn at home. 1995. Shearer scored both i think in a 2-0 loss. They won the league that year.

Unsurprisingly this isn't a fixture I usually want to go out of my way to see, but i booked this when Wendy was still in charge in the vain hope that my lucky streak would get us a win. I haven't seen Spurs lose at the Lane or on the road since a 1999 trip to Wet Spam.

So bring on Sunday....I've jinxed it haven't I

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Nunchucks
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12. Nunchucks Wrote: | 16.13GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Reply to Poshspur:

How dare you suggest I'd want to speak to any of the filth that daub on your virtual walls, in a pub or anywhere else?! 8O
Bentley to score, inevitable Gomes offering, Pav winner, seven yellows, two on Bentley! ;)
Bum ba dum bum bum, YIDS!

How do you know you're in the first group referenced, and not the second...? ;)

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Poshspur
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13. Poshspur Wrote: | 16.16GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Reply to Nunchucks:

Reply to Poshspur:

How dare you suggest I'd want to speak to any of the filth that daub on your virtual walls, in a pub or anywhere else?! 8O
Bentley to score, inevitable Gomes offering, Pav winner, seven yellows, two on Bentley! ;)
Bum ba dum bum bum, YIDS!

How do you know you're in the first group referenced, and not the second...? ;)

You bitch! :) A glance at my back catalogue will answer that.....don't check!

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Old Fart
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14. Old Fart Wrote: | 16.21GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Classic encounter from the past. 1963-64 at the Lane. Blackburn were top, we were second and the atmosphere - believe it or not - was electric. As usual we went 1-0 down, then played them off the park winning 4-1 to go top. I think Greavsie troubled the scorers. Funny that, they're one place above us again going into this game but the stakes are a little bit higher now.

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Blanchflower
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15. Blanchflower Wrote: | 16.36GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Nice little piece Harry. His pessimistic outlook for Sunday bodes well, and I'm getting to think our home form will be our strength under Redknapp.

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summerspur
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16. summerspur Wrote: | 16.47GMT | Nov 18, 2008

this is all well and good, and the "drop gomes" thing has gone beyond irony but a matter of a far more serious nature concerns me, the distance between nigella pics.
am i really gonna have to wait until the west ham game for a serious tit feast

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hoopspur
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17. hoopspur Wrote: | 16.51GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Reply to Nunchucks:

Reply to Hoopspur:

Good work Harry - you've got them worried...

Anyway this is why Gomes ballsed it up - either his twin brother's a Fulham fan, or it's a case of split personality...
...

You know, I always fancied Jussi Jaaskelainen. Not in a count the legs and divide by two kind of way, you understand, but certainly in a unsung, underestimated between the sticks kind of way.

I was surprised when no move was made last year when he was dithering over his contract, but...

I agree with you - but I did mean the front row of the accompanying pic to that Daily Mail tosh. My crap e-mail writing I guess - note to myself - must explain myself more...

anyway Mr hoopspur has left the building.

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grittyspur
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18. grittyspur Wrote: | 16.53GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Interesting interview 'arry! I would 'ope that you'd 'ave more fath in our 'otspurs, mate!This is pretty close to a 6 pointer, and if we want to avoid the Coca-Cola League, we'd better grab this one by the scruff of the neck and shake three points from it!
PS Please consider me a 'wino', 'arry. Cheers!!

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Nunchucks
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19. Nunchucks Wrote: | 17.39GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Reply to hoopspur:

Reply to Nunchucks:
Reply to Hoopspur:

Good work Harry - you've got them worried...

Anyway this is why Gomes ballsed it up - either his twin brother's a Fulham fan, or it's a case of split personality...
...

You know, I always fancied Jussi Jaaskelainen. Not in a count the legs and divide by two kind of way, you understand, but certainly in a unsung, underestimated between the sticks kind of way.

I was surprised when no move was made last year when he was dithering over his contract, but...

I agree with you - but I did mean the front row of the accompanying pic to that Daily Mail tosh. My crap e-mail writing I guess - note to myself - must explain myself more...

anyway Mr hoopspur has left the building.

Oh no, I got what you meant, Hoopy. But those are the away fans - meaning that slack jawed yokel who looks vaguely like the slack jawed yokel currently scooping the ball into the back of the net is probably a Spurs fan.

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Yidfield_General
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20. Yidfield_General Wrote: | 17.41GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Reply to TMWNN:

My addled brain can't recall any memorable encounters between the two clubs, but does anyone remember a game at the Lane where Judas played up front, or have I made that clean up?

I think we're going to need more bite in midfield if we're to win this one. Maybe the inclusion of O'Hara...

Judas played up frot alongside Iversen against Liverpoo in the League Cup several seasons ago and we won 3 -1.

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Yidfield_General
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21. Yidfield_General Wrote: | 17.50GMT | Nov 18, 2008

I may neen some help/medication, you decide but I realy do have faith in Gomes. I honestly believe that when/if we have a settled defence and midfield who don't conceed so much possesion he will be the world class Goalie we need.

And for the love of all things Spurs don't give him a hard time at the lane because that would be entirely counterproductive.

Now off to make an appointment with my shrink!!!

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BruceCastle
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22. BruceCastle Wrote: | 18.09GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Damn. I was going bring my double bull horn for blasting during their corners.

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BruceCastle
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23. BruceCastle Wrote: | 18.14GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Suggestion:
---------Sanchez
Hutton Corluka Woodgate BAE
Bentley Zokora Thud Campbell
---------Modric-------------
----------Bent--------------

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RJ1882
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24. RJ1882 Wrote: | 19.58GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Reply to BruceCastle:

Suggestion:
---------Sanchez
Hutton Corluka Woodgate BAE
Bentley Zokora Thud Campbell
---------Modric-------------
----------Bent--------------

Not sure if dropping Gomes is the answer. He continues to make excellent saves on a regular basis, saves Robinson wasnt making. If we can get him to improve his decision making abilities, knowing when to come and when to stay on his line, when to punch ans when to catch, and how not to push the ball bac into open play after a save, then we'd be laughing. At the minute, everyone else is laughing at us, and I can't blame them.

I was in Krakow on my Stag over the weekend, which was excellent. Only down side was waiting on the Spurs highlights on Polish TV and having to witness that attempted save. Terrible goal, and all round terrible performance. Lets hope its better come Sunday.

Campbell just bagged one for U21's. O'Hara, Lennon and Pekhart also playing, worth keeping an eye on the game fellas.

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RJ1882
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25. RJ1882 Wrote: | 20.00GMT | Nov 18, 2008

From the club website right now

Club announcement

The Club can report that Hans Leitert, First Team Goalkeeping Coach, has left the coaching staff.

Hans joined us during the close season and we should like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well.

An announcement regarding a new appointment will be made in due course.

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TMWNN
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26. TMWNN Wrote: | 20.44GMT | Nov 18, 2008

'If we can get him to improve his decision making abilities, knowing when to come and when to stay on his line, when to punch ans when to catch, and how not to push the ball bac into open play after a save..'

You'd think a keeper that cost as much as he did should have already learnt the basics.

I went to Krakow for our recent game there. I'm surprised you're not thinking about knocking your wedding on the head after being among all those little Polish cuties.

Definitely a case of sending all the ropey ones over here.

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DoubleVision
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27. DoubleVision Wrote: | 20.57GMT | Nov 18, 2008

Reply to Poshspur:

How dare you suggest I'd want to speak to any of the filth that daub on your virtual walls, in a pub or anywhere else?! 8O
Bentley to score, inevitable Gomes offering, Pav winner, seven yellows, two on Bentley! ;)
Bum ba dum bum bum, YIDS!

Such a tart 8O

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DoubleVision
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28.