Rovers @ Middlesbrough, Carling Cup, 12/21 [R]

blkbrnrvr · Dec 21, 2005

After the disappointing loss at Fulham, a win in this cup tie would do wonders for getting things back on track. This is the first of two games in a row with Boro, though it could be said that this one is slightly more important since a win here puts us within reach of winning our first trophy since 2002.

Pedersen looks to miss out after taking a beating last time out, but it looks like Bellamy and Nelsen are in contention to be back in the team. Nelsen's presence should help shore up a defense that has been all too leaky of late.

Jilleen · Dec 21, 2005

A nice pre-game report by Mike Olford that was on my mailing list...

Carling Cup Preview: Middlesbrough-Blackburn Rovers
12/20/2005 1:06:00 PM

Blackburn travel to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough with a
place in the last four of the Carling Cup up for grabs.

*BACKGROUND*
We’re already at the Quarter Final stage of the Carling Cup and with all
due respect to League One outfit Doncaster, it looks like any one of
seven teams can win the trophy. Blackburn and Middlesbrough will both be
keen to repeat recent success in this competition and thus qualify for
next season’s Uefa Cup.

Boro won the competition two seasons ago in Cardiff (their first and
only piece of silverware to date) with a 2-1 win over Bolton and
Blackburn also tasted success in the Millennium Stadium, with a 2-1 win
over Tottenham in 2002.

Ironically the two sides meet back at the Riverside again on Sunday,
this time in the Premiership. In the two League Cup meetings between the
sides to date Blackburn hold the upper hand having won on both
occasions, the most recent in 2001 when a Craig Short extra time winner
sealed a 2-1 victory at Ewood Park.

*FORM GUIDE*
Middlesbrough (All competitions, earliest result first): DWLLWD
An end-to-end game with Tottenham ended 3-3 at the Riverside on Sunday,
meaning Boro have gone four top flight games without a win. Cup form has
been much better, with a place in the knock out stages of the Uefa Cup
assured with three wins and a draw in the group stage. Boro overcame
Everton and Crystal Palace in previous rounds of this competition.

Blackburn (All competitions, earliest result first): DLWLWL
Rovers staged an amazing comeback in the last round when they came from
two goals down at Charlton to win 3-2 with all three goals coming in the
last quarter of an hour. Mark Hughes’ men have also disposed of Leeds
and Huddersfield in the competition this season, but come into this game
on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Fulham in the Premiership.

*TEAM NEWS*
Middlesbrough:
The number of league and cup games Boro have faced is taking its toll on
Steve McClaren’s squad. Eight players are currently on the sidelines,
with notably absentees Gaizka Mendieta, Ray Parlour, Szilard Nemeth and
Stuart Parnaby all likely to be out until the new year.

Blackburn:
Craig Bellamy is still out with a hamstring injury, while Lorenzo
Amoruso has about another month to see out until he can return from his
ankle injury.

*PLAYERS TO WATCH*
Middlesbrough:
Yakubu scored twice against Spurs at the weekend and will be eager to
open his Carling Cup account against Blackburn. He has scored eleven
times since his £7.5 million summer move from Portsmouth and is looking
for his seventh goal in ten games.

Blackburn:
After a spate of yellow cards at the start of the season Robbie Savage
looks like he has finally started to control his indiscipline. Following
six bookings from the first nine games of the season, he has found his
way into the referees note book only once in the last eight. He is
likely to be a key figure for Hughes’ men in their search to reach the
Cardiff final.

*PREDICTION*
Boro to continue their fine cup form with a home win.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Blackburn

*Mike Olford*
Click to expand...

blkbrnrvr · Dec 21, 2005

lineups...Nelsen in, no Bellamy

blkbrnrvr · Dec 21, 2005

Savage goal disallowed because of a foul by Dickov.

That would have been huge going into the half.

blkbrnrvr · Dec 21, 2005

Kuqi's shot is deflected, but Dickov gets on the end of it to put Rovers up 1-0 going into four minutes of stoppage time.

hold this lead, damn it!

blkbrnrvr · Dec 21, 2005

It's all over, 1-0 Rovers, and on to the semis we go.

Doncaster v. Arsenal
[result]Doncaster just went up 2-1 in ET. If they can hold on, I'd be glad to draw them.[/result]

blkbrnrvr · Dec 21, 2005

the winning celebration.

Jilleen · Dec 21, 2005

Y-i-p-p-p-e-e-e-e-e!!!!!!

hangthadj · Dec 22, 2005

I love cup runs. Love em.

blkbrnrvr · Dec 22, 2005

Semifinal draw is.....

Rovers v. Man U
Arsenal v. Wigan

I'm pulling for Wigan to get through that tie, and not just because they might be more even with us than Arsenal. A final between us and them would be a huge breath of fresh air, much like Boro and Bolton in the League Cup final a couple of seasons ago.

Jilleen · Dec 22, 2005

I am not already defeated about our boys against Manutd.; we did already beat them earlier this year. Actually, FoxSportsWorld is reprising that match on Xmas day ~ noonish.

I'm hoping for Wigan as well... and not just 'cause I'm in love with Stephane Henchoz (tee hee hee).

Here's the drawing:

11 Jan, 20h - Bburn V Manutd (at Ewood)

25 Jan, 20h - Manutd V Wigan (at Old Trafford)

It will be lovely if FoxSportsWorld is covering the events!