Written by billythekid
Not a good result for the Cherries in our Premier League game at Burnley, our heaviest defeat so far this season. On Tuesday night our team are back in action, only this time it’s in the League Cup (EFL) against Blackburn Rovers from the Championship. Rovers won their league game away at Stoke City 2-3. This puts them in the middle of the table in 12th place.
Their manager is Tony Mowbray, he took over in February 2017 (2016-17 season) after the previous manager Owen Coyle was sacked with Rovers second from bottom of the Championship with 29 points from 31 games. In the remaining 15 games with Mowbray in charge, Blackburn gained 22 points and finished in 22nd place with 51 points and were relegated to League 1, alongside Wigan and bottom club Rotherham. It was a step too far for Tony Mowbray to save his side.
The following season (2017-18) and with a full season under his belt, Mowbray’s Blackburn were promoted in second place, 2 points behind Champions Wigan from League 1. The two clubs were the runaway teams in League 1, Shrewsbury finished 9 points behind in third place. Wigan and Blackburn came back up at the first attempt.
In the League Cup (EFL), Blackburn have so far scored 9 goals. In the first round they were away to League 2 side Carlisle United, Rovers won 1-5. In the second round, Rovers were drawn at home against League 2 leaders Lincoln City, Blackburn won the game 4-1. The Cherries came in to the competition in the second round and were at home against League 2 side MK Dons, AFCB won 3-0.
The last time we met Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup (Carling) was away in September 2004. The game ended 3-3 and went to penalties. With the score 6-6, a certain Cherries player stepped up to take the last penalty, he scored to make it 7-6 to the Cherries, his name Eddie Howe!
The AFCB team that day included Eddie Howe, Neil Moss and Alan Connell, who happened to be our present manager and coaching staff. Moss, Broadhurst, Cummings, Maher, Howe, Elliott, Stock (Andrade 96), Spicer, O’Connor, Rodrigues (Holmes 74), Hayter (Connell 74).
Subs not used: Stewart, Coutts.
The only other time we met in the League Cup was in the 1993-94 season, Blackburn won the first game on their ground 1-0, at Dean Court it finished 0-0, Blackburn went through to the next round.
In all competitions, AFCB have Won 5, Drawn 5, Lost 12.
AFCB Team News
After our poor performance and a week before our next game, I wonder if Eddie will play some of the team that lost badly against Burnley. Otherwise, we will see other players who don’t get a regular first team spot. Injury wise, Dan Gosling has a calf injury and Charlie Daniels knee injury.
AFCB Player To Watch
I think Eddie will give Junior Stanislas a start, will be good to see him again after his time out with an injury. Another player will be Lewis Cook, he will be out to prove to Eddie he deserves a starting place in the first team.
Blackburn Team News
The former Everton, Manchester City and Sunderland player, Jack Rodwell could make his debut in this game for Blackburn. Charlie Mulgrew missed the game at Stoke City with a calf strain. Also from what their manager has said they will be making one or two changes to give players a rest. This will be their fourth game in ten days.
Blackburn Player To Watch
Attacking midfield player Bradley Dack. Leading scorer last season with 18 goals. Also named EFL League 1 player of the year. He also won the League 1 player of the year award with his previous club Gillingham in the 2015-16 season. He is the Blackburn leading scorer this season with 6 goals and leads with 4 assists.
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