Talk up the players for the newbie

[jmmj]

I've been rooting for the Rovers for a few weeks now, but when I stopped to think about it this morning I could only name five players, none of them on the back line.
Pedersen, Bellamy, Savage, Friedel, Sinama-Pongolle. Fine fellows all but let's spread some of the attention around.

You with the passion, sound off about the rest of the guys on the pitch and enrich my atrraction to the team.

[Hypo-Luxa]

The back line is where we started our massive improvement from relegation candidates last season to Champion's League contenders. The main reason for this in my opinion is Ryan "The Admiral" Nelsen. The Kiwi came from DC United during the January transfer window last year and has done nothing but impress in every game. He is the anchor that holds the back line together.

Andy Todd (the team captain)has been at Rovers for awhile now and is solid, but has his moments of "What was he thinking?" When paired with nelsen, though, he seems more than competent. Without Nelsen he seems to lose the plot too often. Still a valuable asset to Rovers.

Michael "Micky" Gray plays left back and thank GOD for his good run this year because our only back-up is Dominic Matteo who is nothing but a traffic cone in defense.

Lucas Neill plays right back and is one of the most athletic of players on the pitch. He's fast, strong and has good ball control. His defensive skills are above average and along with Gray is better running forward to support an attack than he is defending. But well, that's where Nelsen and Todd come in and thus makes up a great symbiosis of attacking and defending that has gotten us into legitimate European consideration.

Zurab Khizanishvili and Aaron Mokoena are the defenders that are usually on the bench when Rovers are at full strength. Zurab, the Georgian who is on loan from Glasgow Rangers at the moment, is a right back/central defender who has done well for Rovers this year. He had a real howler against West Ham in the FA Cup Quarters, but other than that has done quite well. Mokoena the old South African team captain is best suited as a defensive midfielder who usually comes in to kill off games. He is young but still very raw. Hopefully he can turn into a solid defensive midfielder in case Robbie Savage gets hurt...or suspended...

There are others on the team that deserve recognition that you've not mentioned (Tugay, Reid, Emerton), but I'll leave that for someone else to do...

You've picked a good team to support, though, and welcome to the fold.

[352gialloblu]

Mokoena the old South African team captain is best suited as a defensive midfielder who usually comes in to kill off games. He is young but still very raw. Hopefully he can turn into a solid defensive midfielder in case Robbie Savage gets hurt...or suspended...
Just wanted to point out that Mokoena's 25 now, so he's not that young for a professional footballer. He's got to get a bit more class in his game to make him a permanent premiership starter, either at the back or in defensive midfield.

[Jilleen]

Just wanted to point out that Mokoena's 25 now, so he's not that young for a professional footballer. He's got to get a bit more class in his game to make him a permanent premiership starter, either at the back or in defensive midfield.

True enough -- at his age he should be in his prime and, sadly, he is not. I don't think he will ever be a class midfielder -- just doesn't seem to be his forte. However, playing him as a defender could work out well, particularly with his size. (Actually, I believe most of his pro experience *is* as a defender, and not as a midfielder.) I expect one of the main reasons he is still around with us is due to his versatility.

[SMUPlayer]

Here's another question from a seperate newbie.

The phrase, "Arte et labore," is on the crest. I have tried to force it through some translators, but I can't find the right meaning. Does anyone know what it means?

[Hypo-Luxa]

Arte et Labore is Latin for "Through Skill and Labor"...I believe...

[SMUPlayer]

Hypo,

Thanks

[jmmj]

Are there some phrases I should know to show my support of Rovers?

There's a poster on the 2 g's (http:www.the2gs.com) who appears to be the only full fledged fan of the side on those boards (nudge, nudge) who has "Up the Irons!" below his avatar. Is this legit? Are there others?

Oh, and is hating Tottenham part of the deal with supporting this side or is that growing feeling just due to present table standings and the continuing touting of Robbie Keane's cheap-ass goal as "special?"

[RMDad]

The back line is where we started our massive improvement from relegation candidates last season to Champion's League contenders. The main reason for this in my opinion is Ryan "The Admiral" Nelsen. The Kiwi came from DC United during the January transfer window last year and has done nothing but impress in every game. He is the anchor that holds the back line together.
But well, that's where Nelsen and Todd come in and thus makes up a great symbiosis of attacking and defending that has gotten us into legitimate European consideration.

Ryan is a class guy and one hell of a leader. I met him several times during his time with United, at functions, after game parties, and at Dulles Airport when the lads brought home the 2004 MLS Cup. Ryan shared the cup around to us fans, posing for pictures with kids, and even letting our kids hold the cup. Ryan's free transfer will go down in Prem history as the deal of the century, as he continues to prove himself year in, year out.
Rovers are fortunate indeed, this man honors the shirt.

Mark

[Jilleen]

[...] Oh, and is hating Tottenham part of the deal with supporting this side or is that growing feeling just due to present table standings and the continuing touting of Robbie Keane's cheap-ass goal as "special?"

The hatred for Spurs is mainly based on the table and our chances for Europe. However, as a Rovers supporter, it is mandatory to hate ManUtd., Liverpool, Chelsea (for obvious reasons), as well as Bolton, due to its proximity to Blackburn (Bolton & Blackburn games are derbies). And, above all, you must absolutely, positively hate anything that has to do with Burnley.