Blackburn v Fulham: No Luck for Roy at the Rovers?
Roy Hodgson’s brave gamble of bringing in 5 new faces in the transfer window to boost Fulham’s survival chances seems to have failed as the Cottagers have now slumped to 3 straight defeats and now lie 6 points adrift of safety. This weekend he visits his former club Blackburn in what looks like a Premier 10 home banker.
Cottagers Misfiring Strikers
Despite bringing in forwards Eddie Johnson and Erik Nevland to complement a plethora of strikers already at the club, Roy’s side have failed to score in 6 of their last 7 games (in all competitions). The combined multi-national strike force at Craven Cottage has scored a total of 9 League goals all season, that’s 2 goals less than Rovers top scorer Roque Santa Cruz has bagged in his first season in England. The Cottagers have spent over £12million on a variety of supposed goal-scoring talent and have got precious little for Mohamed Al-Fayed’s money. After all, Senegalese striker Diomansy Kamara cost £6million and has scored just 2 League goals, which works out at a cool £3million per top division goal. You really don’t get much for your money these days!
Rovers Nicely Positioned for Final Push
Since November, Blackburn have struggled for consistency yet find themselves in a superb League position of 7th on the back of successive wins over Bolton (H) and Newcastle (A). They’ve only tasted defeat in the League once since Christmas and that was against Arsene Wenger’s young guns at the Emirates. This should be a routine win for Rovers given Fulham’s appalling epic winless away run which stretches back to September 2006, a staggering 17 months. Mark Hughes’ side are unbeaten in their last 4 at home (2 wins) and should be too strong for a Fulham side that has kept 1 clean-sheet in the last 18 matches.
The last Champions League qualifying spot looks out of reach for Sparky’s boys with 8 points separating them and Everton but with Uefa Cup football a realistic option the home team should be highly motivated for this one.
Head to Head Record Points to Rovers Success
Even the head to head record points to a home win as Blackburn are unbeaten in the last 3 League encounters home and away with Fulham (1 win). They’ve also won the last 2 meetings at Ewood Park so back the home side to punish their former manager Hodgson as this will be no fairytale ending for Roy at the Rovers.
Pundit’s Pick: Roy’s Rovers return ends in more disappointment (home win) Do you agree with this result for your Premier 10 prediction? Play Now>>
Tags: Blackburn, COttagers, Fulham, Premier 10 preview, Premier League, Rovers, Roy Hodgson
