Just days to go to the East Lancs derby

 

I’m writing this blog on a Wednesday evening, when it’s getting dark earlier and the weather is starting to turn a little unpleasant. All that however, is totally irrelevant as Rovers gear up again to renew hostilities with the old enemy.

My first taste of being at the derby was the return fixture after our trip earlier in the 2000/2001 season in the second tier, which Rovers won 2-0 in what was the first league meeting since the 1982/1983 season. That day was a wonderful memory, seeing a strong team completely obliterate the Clarets five-nil from the front row of the Jack Walker Stand.

These days however, Rovers fans are much more wary of the fixture after the squad has been heavily dismantled and then re-assembled since being in the Premier League just a couple of seasons ago.

Despite our rivals losing first Jay Rodriguez, they were able to replace him with Charlie Austin, and now appear to have replaced Austin with Danny Ings.

Rovers meanwhile have held on to Jordan Rhodes who has scored four goals in the club’s last two games, the form of each sides strikers could be the difference between the two sides.

One player that the derby has been kind to is David Dunn, who will now miss the clash. As if the derby needed any more added spice, former Rovers loanee David Jones will be in the opposing camp, likely to receive a frosty reception from the travelling support.

One thing is for sure, it isn’t going to be a coy/cagey affair; this is a blood, guts and thunder derby.

- I’d like to echo the joint statement made by both clubs in that all the action is on the pitch, not in the stands or outside the grounds – COYB!