Nah i think they'll beat Stoke, Rory Delap's injured from what i've heard so thats their main weapon gone.

And so it came to pass

Fat Sam hasn't had time to stamp his "unique" style on the team yet.

Life is full of irony and Rovers' Christmas fixtures have it in spades!
First they visit Sunderland - the club that spurned the chance to grab Big Sam after Keane's departure.
If it was you, wouldn't you want to show them what they missed? Of course you would!
Now I'm sure that Mr Allardyce, being a man of high principle, wouldn't stoop to such base considerations and will have in mind only the performance and success of Blackburn Rovers.
He will however be called upon to show superhuman restraint over the post-match glass of wine after Blackburn have thumped the home side by an embarrassing margin!
Everybody talks about Alex Ferguson's proteges making it in the management game (in fact they haven't been very successful), but what about those of Big Sam?
First there's Phil Brown doing wonders at Hull, now we have Ricky Sbragia putting Sunderland on the road to recovery.
The fact that these men were part of Allardyce's successful Bolton set-up has not gone unnoticed and is a vindication of Sam's philosophy and methods.
What went wrong at Newcastle? The quote from the Gospel of Matthew sums it up: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

On to the other match in the Rovers' festive fixtures - Manchester City!
Here it will be the players who have something to prove.
With Sparky Hughes returning to Ewood Park for the first time since he sold himself out to the arabs, a hot reception is awaiting him both from the fans and the squad that he so successfully built up and then let down.
If he doesn't know it already, they will show that he made the wrong decision when his 'team' of prima-donnas are sent packing with their tails between their legs!

To spell it out for those of you too thick to understand the above - my prediction for these matches: SIX EASY POINTS!

Hate to say it, Copy, but the Mackems are full of confidence and are knocking them in left, right and centre. The two big guys up front will paste you lot

I think Big Sam may find it a struggle to achieve that elusive cleansheet against the mighty Djibril Cisse and Kenwyne Jones.

Blackburn to win 2-1

So on Saturday Rovers travel down to Londinium to take on Fullanham.
I well remember being at Craven Cottage at a friendly game against Benfica in 1972 and saw Eusebio play - he scored a goal with a scorching volley.
Blackburn don't have anyone like Eusebio, but we do have Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts who together are almost as good as Eusebio on an off day.
Fulham are well-positioned in the top half of the table; their record this season has been consistent but unspectacular with not many goals either for or against.
This is about to change!!
With our dynamic duo up front armed with Big Sam's tactical vision, the goals tally in the Visitor's column will approach record levels.
Yes, this is the game were Fulham are brought down to earth, when their dreams of mid-table mediocrity are shattered by a rampant Rovers.
With their losing streak broken and the side stabilised under Allardyce's expert management, Blackburn are on the way up.
Looking at the table it might seem that we are in trouble, but amongst the teams above us there are some that are in the process of falling apart - West Ham, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Middlesbrough.
These teams will certainly start to slide in the second half of the season and end up in the proverbial relegation dog-fight.
Meanwhile Europe beckons and the Rovers will be answering the call!
So given all this and the fact that Lawro has us to lose, I can confidently predict: 3 easy points!!

Lock up your daughters, your sheep, your dogs!
The Men From Mordor are on their way!
Reports are coming in already of rape and pillage in the Ridings of Yorkshire as the Geordie hoards sweep down from the Land Of The Missing Link.
Is there any hope for civilisation faced with such a malignent threat?
Yes there is!
The forces of virtue are preparing for the Final Showdown on that sacred ground known as Ewood Park where a small band of heroes will do battle under the command of General Samuel Allardyce.
It will be no easy encounter as it is known that the enemy employ mercenaries well-versed in the arts of war.
However it is this very fact that will be their undoing - their passion is not to be found in their hearts, but in their wallets which, unfortunately for them, they can't bring on to the field.
They will quail when faced with the resolve and courage of Big Sam's men and collapse in fear and humiliation.
The Geordies will be sent packing - as is always the case when they venture out of their swamp - and humanity will be saved.
The victory cry will be heard far and wide: "Three Easy Points!"

So Rovers take on local rivals Bowton.
The Wanderers started brightly and were well positioned in 7th place at one stage.
People were even thinking that Megson might be a decent manager after all.
But reality came knocking and Bolton are currently in a slump, losing five of their last six games.
Their slide down the table means that they're now only a couple of places above Rovers.
This situation is about to change as they face Big Sam's men.
With everybody fit, Allardyce's only problem is which of his stars will start the game.
The quality of the Rovers squad is apparent for all to see and envy, and under an über-coach like Sam they make an irresistible force.
Unfortunately for them, Bolton are not an immovable object, and will be blown off the pitch at Ewood Park tonight.
My prediction? You've guessed it: 3 easy points!

Well, the fact we didn't get the 3 points on Wednesday is a tribute to Big Sam - with him standing on the touchline even the Bolton players were inspired by their old gaffer!
The Rovers' fightback shows just how much iron he's put into the players - they'll fight to the death for him!

So it's time for Blackurn fans to don their gas masks for the visit to the Riverside.
Middlesbrough are cited as as being among the favourites for the drop and looking at their record this season is pretty depressing.
Their only bright spot, a 5-1 hammering of the mighty Yeovil in the Carling Cup, overshadowed by having West Brom do the double over them.
But there's still fight in them! The BBC headline has new signing Marlon King urging his team-mates to "make the Riverside a fortress".
Well I've got news for you Marlon - the Big Bad Wolf is coming to town!
Oh yes, we'll huff and we'll puff and we'll blow your house down!!
The Rovers' only problem will be the danger of overconfidence, although one doubts whether it's possible to underestimate this Middlesbrough side.
So objectively speaking, my prediction is: 3 easy points!

That will be the Smog causing that mate

And for once, im going to agree, Middlesbrough have been pathetic over the last 2 and a bit months, dont win this and you will be in trouble

With Villa coming to Ewood Park this weekend Big Sam faces his biggest challenge yet since taking over at Blackburn.
There is no doubt that Martin O'Neill is a great manager who has built an excellent team at Aston Villa, challenging the Big Four, even pushing for the very top.
How will Rovers approach this game? They certainly wont be intimidated, and with a strikeforce as good as any in the league will fancy their chances of ruining Villa's unbeaten run.
This will be the first return of Big Brad Friedel to Ewood Park since his transfer and I'm sure he will receive rousing welcome from the Blackburn fans when he steps out on to the pitch.
His presence between the posts however will give an extra incentive for his old teammates to hit the back of the net - a challenge they wont fail to accept!
Sam will also be relishing the challenge and will instill his own fighting qualities into the players.
He will probably say something like: 'Go out and knock the shit out of these fucking upstarts'
The players will reply: 'We are the Mighty Rovers!!'
With attitudes like this there can only be one result: 3 easy points!

diouf and jason roberts?

You lot would love to have Jason Roberts in your team - he's class!

i am genuinely lolling at that, fuckin class

See, there is a silver lining in everything.
Ashley - he's done a lot of harm, but at least he got rid of Fat Sam. Now that he's gone to "the mighty Rovers", at least that's one relegation spot accounted for too.

I would feckin love it if Fat Sham had to ply his trade in the Championship for the next few years.

What a tool that guy is, worst football I've seen in a long long time.

Pinned as requested....

Could be the other way round, that would be like sweet revenge for him if we went down and Balckburn stayed up

My fans must be wondering why I've made no posts on here recently.
Well I already had a prediction for the postponed Fulham game (3 easy points!), while only an idiot would predict Rovers to win at Old Trafford and the Emirates.
And the West Ham game? I just forgot.
Spurs coming up next - watch this space!

So with the international break over we can get back to some real football.
And it doesn't get more real than Blackburn Rovers!
This week it's Tottenham Hotspur who have the privelege of stepping out on to the hallowed turf.
'Arry Redknap has certainly done the business with Spurs, taking them from relegation fodder to the kind of mid-table mediocrity that Rovers or Toon can only dream about.
Yes they're on a roll at the moment with an attacking line-up as good as any in the league and some big scalps under their belt - they're even thinking about Europe!
WAKE UP YOU SPUDS!!!!
Big Sam and his boys are waiting for you at the Theatre of Broken Dreams!
Rovers certainly have problems with some key players missing through injury, but what the stand-ins lack in talent they make up for in their desire to break bones.
This will be no match for the faint-hearted as Blackburn use any means to retain their Premiership status.
Oh yes, those 'Mighty' Spurs will be humiliated and their deluded supporters will shuffle off to their taxis for the long drive back to North London.
Three Easy Points!

What for Dunn's dive lol.

So on Saturday Rovers make the pilgrimige to Anfield Park to pay homage to The Kop.
Do they really have a chance against the Greatest Club In The History Of The Universe?
Well of course they do!
Everybody's been raving about Liverpool's recent run, but what does it really amount to?
They were lucky against Real Madrid, while beating Utd is no big deal - even Newcastle could beat them on their current form.
Then they struggled against Fulham and bottled it against a very average Chelsea side.
Hiddink has shown how to handle the Reds - just mark Gerrard out of the game - and I'm sure Big Sam will have noted this.
With Mokeona looking after you Steve, you'll never walk alone again.
Those first two Chelsea goals really showed up Liverpool's vulnerability at the back, so how are they going to handle our big men Samba, Ooijer when those corners come over?
Rovers' injury problems mean we just have one recognised striker fit to play, but as the Chelsea game showed you don't need strikers to put it in the net.
The big question is: Will the Scousers be able to pick themselves up after this Champions League set-back?
Not if Allardyce has anything to do with it!
"Kick 'em while they're down" will be Sam's policy - both figuratively and literally!
So I'm sure you'll all agree: Three Easy Points to Blackburn!

One slight issue Copy, Chelsea did it using Essien - who the fuck have you jokers got who is remotely anywhere near as good as him - Keith Andrews??

Nearly worked Copy

Im assuming Liverpool didnt put a man marker on Samba??

They knew our plan would be to mark Gerrard out of the game, so what did they do?
They left him on the bench!!!
But anyway now the whole world can see that Blackburn are on the same level as Real Madrid and Manchester United!

But still much, much worse than Chelsea if we're going by recent results. So I look forward to seeimg them give you an ever bigger thrashing than Liverpool did.

So Rovers follow in the footsteps of Newcastle in going to Stoke.
Stoke have done well, especially at home, and must be considered safe from relegation this season.
Now let's get this this straight!
We are The Mighty Rovers!!!
We do not play against teams like fucking Stoke with the intention of sneaking a point.
We play against these teams with the intention of kicking ass and scoring a bagful of goals, leaving them wishing they were back in the Championship.
But, you might say, how can we get a result given our horrendous injury problems?
What short memories you have!
It seems just like yesterday that Blackburn Reserves did the job against Blyth Spartans.
Are you saying that we can't do the same against Stoke?
I hear Big Sam has a cunning plan up his sleeve, which of course I can't reveal on a public site like this.
But one thing for sure, it will result in Three Easy Points!

Horrendous injury problems, oh no whats up has the mighty Jason Roberts stubbed his toe??

I think you should worry more about your manager choosing to play a centre half up front rather than Benny McCarthy - heres hoping the fat kent makes another tactical masterstroke today

True. Three Easy Points for Stoke.

Would fucking love it if Blackburn went down.

Especially with sportscience master tactician Big "But look at all his success at Bolton" Sam in charge.

You forgot his successes at Limerick FC too.

It's not polite to laugh at the afflicted.

Here we go again!
For the first game of the season Mark Hughes will be returning to Ewood Park with his Fantasy Football team - it's quite sure that the Citeh bench will have cost more than the whole Rovers team.
We hear there'll be two buses coming from Manchester - one with the players and another with their egos.
So how will the two managers approach this game?
With so much money spent and so many big names brought in, the pressure is certainly on Hughes - he'll have to show quickly that he can compete with the Big Boys or he'll be out.
Allardyce however will be relishing this game!
The Rovers have succeeded in the close season in holding on to the players who did such sterling work last time in digging us out of the hole dug by Paul Ince and with the new signings bringing a mix of youth and experience, we're looking forward to a season comfortably in the mid-table dog-fight.
The only worry we have is that Lawro has us to stay up!
This game will be an interesting dual of formations.
Hughes will not be able to choose which of his prima-donnas to leave out and so will play with a 2-0-8 formation, while Sam will be cautious and send out a 8-0-2 formation.
Look forward to those long balls flying over an empty midfield!
And the result?
The pretty boys will be given a lesson by Sam's men and be forced to drain the bitter cup of defeat as the Mighty Rovers start the season with Three Easy Points!

Yes, just the words we were all thinking when we saw you've written on this thread again.

From The Telegraph:

It is to be hoped that during a summer of obscene spending, someone at Manchester City thought to invest in some decent shin pads before their opening Premier League fixture tomorrow.
Because if not, there will be more than bruised egos when Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn give their wealthy neighbours an expectation deflating beating.
“We will have to be really aggressive and knock them about,” David Dunne, whose words appear splashed across this morning’s tabloids, says.
“It’s important we do our best and kick lumps out of them – fairly, of course.” Well of course, what other way is there?
“That’s what the manager will be asking from our lads,” he continues, before rather redundantly stating “we have to make Ewood Park a place no one ever wants to come again.”

Fucking Shay Given!!!
Makes a series of wonder saves to deny Rovers their Three Easy Points!

I listened to a bit of the commentary and at one point Benni McCarthy apparently cleared the whole stadium with a shot

So Rovers fans must pack their passports and Jimmy Nail phrasebooks for the trek to the North-East to watch the Mighty Rovers perform against Sunderland.
Steve Bruce did well in the close season picking up Darren Bent and Lee Cattermole and the pundits have them to settle down in comfortable mid-table obscurity.
But there'll be nothing comfortable about Saturday's match!
Sam has also been busy in the transfer market and when his signings get fit they'll certainly make a real impact.
Meanwhile he'll rely on experience and the scintillating form of his strikers who've managed to score the grand total of no goals in the last three games.
Now this might sound bad, but not at all!
We are going to score some goals this season so the longer we go without scoring the more chance there is of getting one in the next game.
So on this interpretation of Probability Theory the result should be no doubt: Three Easy Points to Blackburn!

Oh well never mind Copy, you may have lost to the Mackems but at least your new £6 million striker looks good from what I saw on MOTD

To be fair, they were unlucky with what looked like TWO perfectly good goals disallowed

What the one where Samba GBH'ed the keeper and the one where the guy was blatently stood in an offside position in front of the goalkeeper??

Cant see what they were moaning about to be honest.

So Blackburn is busy preparing for a Cockney invasion - yes, West Ham are coming to town!
Known as the 'The Hammers' or 'The Irons', after this week's goings on the fans have got a new nickname: 'The Dickheads'.
What a shame that such a respected figure as Gianfranco Zola finds himself associated with such a bunch of idiots - I can't see him hanging around there for very long.
The little big man has done a decent job in his time at Upson Park, keeping them out of last season's relegation dog-fight, finishing comfortably in mid-table.
But now we're in a new season and with Big Sam building a team in his own image, this is going to be a tough game for the visitors!
Last week I wrote that our forwards hadn't yet scored and in the game against Gillingham the goals came from midfielders and a defender - this is the game when they'll come good!
I can see the result being a reprise of the famous 7-1 thrashing we gave them in 2001, producing Three Easy Points for the Mighty Rovers!

(Oh no! - I've just seen that Lawro has us to win )