In our hands after late Joao equaliser
ROVERS VIEW WITH OLD BLACKBURNIAN
AFTER a sound start to the Mowbray era, yielding a creditable eight points from a possible 12; the next three games looming large for the reinvigorated squad consisted of two tricky away challenges at Norwich and Fulham, rounded off with a ‘Lancashire Hot Pot’ of a derby at home to Preston North End.
Norwich City at Carrow Road will always hold a special place in my heart, as the fixture played in February 1993 was the last occasion (to date) that I was able to persuade my wife to attend a football match.
After a ridiculously treacherous, cross-country trek through heavy snow from our then abode in Sutton Coldfield, we eventually arrived so late, that we had no time for the promised hearty pub lunch, only to find I’d also forgotten my coat and so it was a chilly day for me in more ways than one.
A goalless draw did little to keep your sweater-only clad correspondent particularly warm, neither did it capture the rapt attention of my dear wife.
Roy Wegerle, as usual, showed a few flashes of his skills but Mrs OB was instead captivated by the state of the young man on the row behind us; who, refreshed by a few libations (he looked about 15 to be fair) fell asleep 5 minutes before kick off and was resuscitated by his friends shortly after the final whistle, just in time for the long coach journey home.
She made me vow never to take her to another game and so far, I have kept my side of the bargain!
There can be few events leading up to a game that chill the optimism more than the upcoming opposition sacking their manager. When the installed caretaker is also a former Rovers stalwart, well that just adds to the sense of impending, inevitable doom.
Norwich you may recall, carved Rovers apart like a Thanksgiving turkey on opening day, adding a well-seasoned stuffing. Many expected the Canaries to finish up there with Newcastle & Brighton; that they probably won’t even make the play-offs perhaps demonstrates why Delia felt this particular winter collection needs a different chef.
A goal behind after just 19 minutes seemed to indicate that Rovers’ new manager bounce had finally dissipated and the natural order was about to be restored.
But Norwich almost immediately deviated from the recipe, introducing the fresh ingredient of a foolish sending off and now Rovers’ task was to score two, against 10 men, in 70 minutes.
It’s fair to say that any Rovers’ fans who immediately rushed to bet on a double within 5 minutes from one of our strikers would have chosen Graham, Emnes or perhaps even Mahoney...Lucas Joao? More chance of Lucas Neill !
I doubt anyone would disagree with Mowbray’s post-match verdict that letting a valuable lead slip in the last 10 minutes against 10 men was disappointing, but I would have taken the draw at 3pm.
Those two lost points may ultimately prove decisive but there are numerous examples across the season of “what ifs” - they’re gone, the next game is all that matters in truth.
On to another rendezvous with a former player in the shape of Tom Cairney at the Cottage. Cairney has been in such sprightly form recently, that a local politician on Twitter expressed hope that Gareth Southgate might pay him some attention.
Well he might to be fair; if England are playing Scotland any time soon.
It’s hard not to like Fulham, tidy, attractive team, old-fashioned ground (definitely not a stadium), and our paths have crossed memorably in recent years. Most notably dear old Jon Stead’s intervention at Loftus Road in 2004 to secure a stunning 4-3 away win and Tugay and MGP of course, had their own Goal of the Season competition against them at Ewood in August 2005, well worth a search in the online archives for those beauties.
It’s fair to say that this is not the season to leave early to avoid the rush given the number of late goals scored and conceded.
This time we were extremely grateful for another Joao intervention.
His 94th minute equaliser securing a vital point and retaining the precious commodity of momentum.
Whilst one win and one defeat would have garnered an additional point, there is something deeply satisfying about building an unbeaten run.
Saturday gives us a chance of a local derby victory and at this stage is probably no bad thing to stir up some passion. Preston fans seem to be up for it and why wouldn’t they in the circumstances?
Innovative ticket pricing will hopefully lift the home attendance and create the best possible conditions for a Rovers win. We are due one against PNE and now would be a potentially significant milestone if this campaign is to end in retention of Championship status.
It’s in our hands and for that we can be grateful.
CRICKET CHRIS OSTICK
FORMER Lancashire captain Tom Smith has been named the new assistant coach of Lancashire Thunder.
The 31-year-old was forced to retire from playing earlier this year after battling a back injury over the past two seasons.
But Smith, who is also a level three coach, is keen to stay in cricket. He has been working with players in Lancashire’s academy and will now assist head coach Stephen Titchard in leading the Thunder this summer for the second season of the Kia Super League.
“I said when I retired that I wanted to stay in the game because I know there’s still a lot that I can give back to the sport,” said Smith, who made close to 300 appearances for the Red Rose.
“I am doing my coaching badges and have spent quite a lot of time working with Gary Yates with the Lancashire Academy, which I have enjoyed.
“Women’s cricket is really starting to thrive and I’m massively excited by what’s to come in this year’s Kia Super League.
“It’s fantastic to see that Sky Sports will be broadcasting fixtures live this summer which will only help grow the game to new audiences.
“There are some fantastically talented and young cricketers in the Lancashire Thunder squad and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it this summer.”
Bobby Cross, general manager of Lancashire Thunder, added: “It was a fairly straight forward decision to get Tom involved with our squad this summer after he announced his retirement from the game last month.
“He has a wealth of experience that our players can tap in to and his commitment to Lancashire has been second to none over the last decade.
“He’s been coaching the Lancashire Academy in recent times and there are few better for our girls to learn off than Tom.”
Jen Barden, who was previously assistant coach has now taken on the role of Lancashire Thunder regional development centre head coach, supporting the next generation of players coming through.