Blackburn Rovers vs. Middlesbrough at Ewood Park, Saturday 22nd August 15:00 BST
I once travelled with my wife to Ewood Park for a Boro match. But the Boxing Day Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough was called off in 2015 because of a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park.
We had asked Gary Gill to arrange the tickets for us and Anthony Vickers was supposed to bring them to Blackburn. So, we left Finland early in the morning and flew over to Manchester. We ran to the car rentals and headed hurriedly in an Audi towards Ewood Park.
We never checked the match details in the hurry. When arriving to Ewood, I was very surprised that there were hardly any people outside the football stadium. When walking to the ticket office, we saw the match was postponed. It was the worst Christmas present I ever received.
The Christmas was very quiet as we had no plan B for the Boxing Day – I now know how Michael Carrick felt after a Boro defeat. All the places were closed in both Blackburn and Preston, where we had the hotel. Also, one of the roads between the two towns was closed because of water. And naturally it was raining all the time, so a walk outside was a no-go.
Since that visit, Martin Bellamy has told me that Preston is the most rainy and wettest place in England. Now I remember that for the rest of my life.
Do I like Blackburn?
Not probably as it was the Friday before Christmas in 1996 and Middlesbrough dropped out of their First Division game at Blackburn Rovers, which was due to take place the following day.
Boro had eight available players as a result of injuries and a flu epidemic and informed the Premier League and the FA that they could not travel to fulfil the fixture at Ewood Park.
The reaction of the football authorities was disgusting; Boro were docked three points and were relegated at the end of the season.
Mogga star in the moonlight at Ewood
There is one positive point about Blackburn (if more, please post below) - our moon-raker captain Tony Mowbray is the manager there. ‘Mogga’ was appointed as Blackburn Rovers head coach 5 June 2026.
The 62-year-old returns to Ewood Park for a second spell in charge after more than five years at the club between 2017 and 2022. Mowbray won 108 of his 267 games in charge of Blackburn first time around
Previous interim boss Michael O'Neill decided against taking the role on a permanent basis after replacing the sacked Valerien Ismael in February.
For all the well-documented health issues Mogga's battled, there's something about him that makes you feel he'd never drift away from football.
Give him the all-clear, put the right opportunity in front of him, and it was only ever a matter of time.
And crucially, he walks back into it with something very few in modern football possess - universal respect. You'll struggle to find anyone with a bad word to say about Mowbray.
I have met Tony once at Rockcliffe – we had a short chat after I attended his Press conference. He even asked me about any potential Finnish players. He is just a very nice person.
Ewood Park – sounds modern
Modern youngster could easily think eWood park would be a modern place for digitalisation. In fact, it was in 1882 as a multi-sports venue originally called Ewood Bridge. It hosted athletics, dog racing, and football.
Relocation – Blackburn Rovers moved to Ewood Park permanently in 1890 after leaving their Leamington Street ground due to a rent increase. The first match at Ewood Park was a 0–0 draw against Accrington on 13 September, 1890.
Famed stadium architect Archibald Leitch designed major stands added in 1907 and 1913. Nowadays modern Ewood Park holds 31,367 people across four main stands: the Jack Walker Stand, the Riverside Stand, the Bryan Douglas Darwen End, and the Ronnie Clayton Blackburn End.
Unfortunately, the stadium is located next to the River Darwen and hence often flooded. Most recently last season. Long before a stadium existed, the locality in the south of Blackburn was known as Ewood, taking its descriptive Anglo-Saxon roots from a wooded area by the water.
How did they fare against Wolves on Saturday?
The BBC reported a result and a performance against Wolverhampton that Blackburn Rovers can be proud of and look to build on, but in the immediate aftermath it feels like a defeat.
When the Championship fixtures were released in June, this looked a daunting task for a Rovers side who found the going tough last season. A television graphic captured the Championship in a nutshell. The Wolves starting XI cost £98.3m to assemble, with Rovers' a much more modest £6.9m.
It is a good job money does not always decide the outcome of a football match.
The Rovers fell behind to a goal that stemmed from a good run by Munetsi, but he was afforded too much time and space as he got in between Ryan Alebiosu and Tom Atcheson.
Credit to Rovers though as they did not let their heads drop. Instead, they levelled matters through Sean McLoughlin's first goal since 2019, a terrific run and header leaving his manager expecting more.
So, one each at the break, and Rovers were quickly out of the blocks in the second half. The second goal was a beauty. Morishita was again involved, playing a lovely reverse pass into the path of Afolayan, who found Andri Gudjohnsen to finish from close range.
Gudjohnsen has switched to the number nine shirt this season, and both of his goals so far have been typical of the Rovers strikers of yesteryear who wore that number.
To give an indication of Blackburn's relative comfort in the game, goalkeeper Balazs Toth was forced into only one save all evening, with Bentley in the Wolves goal making three.
When four minutes were added on at the end, it became a case of game management. Could Rovers run down the clock and keep the ball away from their goal? They largely did, apart from one moment. They lost possession in the Wolves half. It felt they could have taken a foul at that point and taken the sting out of the counter-attack, and when they did not, you kind of feared the worst.
A cross struck the hand of the excellent Alebiosu and referee Farai Hallam immediately pointed to the spot. It was such a close, tough call. Even when it will be seen back, one cannot make a definitive verdict on it. The referee had one look and had to make a snap decision.
Raul Jimenez, the returning hero, shimmied and stuttered up to the ball before placing it firmly past Toth for a stoppage-time leveller.
Final result: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Blackburn Rovers 2
New but familiar face at Ewood
Midfielder Sam Morsy was a "critical signing" for the club as they prepare for the start of the Championship season, says boss Tony Mowbray.
The former Ipswich Town captain, who joined Blackburn on 14 August on a one-year deal, will be chasing a 600th professional appearance in his time at Ewood Park.
"The team needed more manliness really, an experienced man, somebody who was more animated and I would say Sam is animated on the pitch," Mowbray said.
"His voice is very evident every day, he doesn't give the ball away very often, he's got a really good use of his body to protect the ball.
"I think he's a critical signing for the club and will prove over the period how important he's going to be."
Who are favourites?
As said earlier, the whole team on duty for Mogga against Wolves had cost about £6.9m. That is less than Boro has paid for a defender last weekend alone! On paper Boro are the favourites – no doubt about that!
But it is a good job money does not always decide the outcome of a football match.
As I have often said, too many new players take a few months to bed in. And Boro have had EIGHT new players arriving in Sarmiento (after initial loan), Peart-Harris, Joseph, Lankshear, Belhalter, Arfsten, Videk and Phillips. Luckily, they came early this transfer window but there are still two more to come.
We also have ‘new’ returning players to bed in – Kanté and Borges. We also have several players back from injuries like McGree, Jones and Morris. Tommy Conway will definitely miss this match after his double surgery.
So, the first half was difficult against Lincoln City. The Imps really hurried us all over at the start of the season. So, we need to survive the August with all the new players in the side.
Of course we will have a successful season in front of us. But the match at Blackburn will be tricky after the Rovers were superb at Wolves. And we all know what Tony Mowbray is planning to do. He was at present in our win over the Imps as they played Wolves already on Friday.
Let’s hope we can play more like in the second half at the Riverside. I hope we keep it tight at the back and come away with a 0-2 win. Joseph and Berhalter scoring.
PS. I know Dormo missed to be listed on the preview writers list. I can share some of my matches with him as I have plenty. But next he has the Doncaster Cup match waiting. We will keep you all guessing for the future previews!
A fantastic starter by our Finnish correspondent and all in his second language, putting my language skills to shame
I had tickets to that cancelled game too, Jarkko. We were due to meet Alison‘s son and his girlfriend for lunch, then on to the game, but they couldn’t get from Bolton on the train. The pub we’d booked was amazed that the two of us even got there for lunch - good job I drove a Landrover as the road from our house was under water for most of the way.
If I’d known in advance that you were in the area we could have met up in Preston - we’d even have supplied compulsory umbrellas!
As for the game, Rovers are one of our bogey teams, of course, so winning won’t be easy - I might settle for a draw at this stage.
A splendid opener @jarkko. Good history and etymology of Ewood. Preston and Blackburn are fierce rivals, with little love shared between the good folk following those famous old real football clubs.
It will bw tpugh for us on Saturday, but i can't believe Mogga will park the bus at home, so I expect a more open game ansvour quality should win through. Another 2-1 would be a most satisfactory outcome.
Great opener jarkko, sets the scene nicely, alerts us to the banana skin (Mowbray) I thought they were unlucky to end up with a draw, they showed quality and endeavour throughout the game. I suspect they could start defending, looking to hit us on the break but they showed Friday night they have some resilience about them.
Come on BORO.
Amazing opener Jarkko, thank you. Your piece has everything, personal trials and tribulations following the Boro together with a clear warning; whilst this could be classed as a minnow v a giant of the Championship it will be far from it.
Boro v one of our own and a bogey team who we have an appalling record against does not bode well; that being said if we have aspirations of going one better than last season then the team needs to start putting the record straight.
I will be content with a hard fought draw as the minimum. 😎
@martin-bellamy As said, my bad. We did NOT have a plan B. It would have been nice to meet.
Thanks for the feedback, too. Up the Boro!
Great opener Jarkko - much appreciated and as others have said, not in your native language which makes it even more impressive.
I don’t like Blackburn either - I knew game in 2015 wouldn’t be played from the moment I woke up given the amount of rain we had. I also recall a game there when whilst the game started, there was so much water on the pitch that I was convinced it would be called off at half time as the ball kept stopping.
I call the ground Ewood Baths as it is often closer to a swimming pool than a football pitch although I don’t think that will the case on Saturday somehow.
Didnt Anthony Vickers have his car broken in to at Blackburn as well? It really is an unlucky ground for Boro.
I am not holding out much hope for Saturday - I will take a draw.
@boro-beckys-dad I’ve been to Ewood many times - it always strikes me that their home crowds are often pretty small. I’m not sure how many Boro have been allocated but I’m sure they’ll make a lot of noise.
@jarkko
As others have already said, and surely more plaudits to come, that was an excellent starter; full of info. and a personal slant to it too.
This blog just keeps giving and giving. Thanks also to all the other members who create informative starters and chip in with their post match comments.
@martin-bellamy - I seem to recall that we always get a good allocation and often gets increased. just found it on the Boro site 4487 and some still left which is unusual.
Lovely opener, Jarkko, with some recollections of Blackburn, which may have been disappointing for you but attest to your dedication as a Boro supporter.
You have credible claims to be nominated as Boro's Number One Fan.
And how many of us will ever be able to claim that our tickets for a game were organised by Gary Gill and delivered by Anthony Vickers? That's the kind of VIP treatment that you fully deserve.
Your memories triggered one of my own. I recalled the pleasure of meeting you and your wife on an earlier trip to Blackburn so it was good to be reminded of that
As you say Boro will be renewing acquaintance with Sam Morsy on Saturday. The mere mention of Sam's name tiggers the infuriating memory of one of Scott's first and worst interventions. His selling of Morsy from under Neil Warnock to make space for James Siliki.
Every Boro fan is still wondering why.
Morsy went on to become a legend. The captain and heartbeat of a club that went on to gain back to back promotions to the Premier League. How we could have done with him. A defensive protection for our back four was precisely what we lacked during those years
Siliki failed to establish himself either at Boro or anywhere else, making just a handful of appearances for clubs in Portugal, Turkey and Romania. He now appears to be out of the game before the age of 30.
@lenmasterman I concur re Sam Morsy. I was amazed that we didn’t hang on to him at the time.
@boro-beckys-dad. That is a surprise. We often take c.7/8k so it looks as if both our allocation and uptake are down. 😎
Ps Having looked at the MFC website it says the allocation may be increased subject to sales and ongoing development work at Blackburn.
Authentic and interesting - riveting - reading. Liked that. Well done and thank you.
Many thanks Jarkko for that compelling opener with a personal touch - I really enjoyed it. Yes Boro face the Mogga factor and he will give us a tough game - I've actually put Blackburn down as my overachievers in the COTS Challenge because of him.
As you say, a great guy too and always takes time to talk to people - I recall when my nephew was a teenager he was friends with the nephew of Mogga at the time he was Boro manager - they would often chat to him about team selection and give their thoughts and he'd engage with them and talk to them on the same level. I think that's one of his key qualities as a man and a down to earth person who everyone respects.
@k-p-in-spain Yes, the away crowd seems a little bit lower than usually. The distance is not that long, either. Perhaps there is some development work in progress there as you said.
@len We have met definately at Derby - by the statue of great Clough - and then at the former players dinner in 2015. I have never seen Blackburn play live (only on TV) so perhaps in Burnley, too?
Why the tickets were arranged by Gary Gill? It was a Boxing Day and sold out match. So I couldn't get a ticket otherwise. The great Ali Brownlee had introdused me to Gary and I have even met Gary once in Helsinki, when he was tracking a Finnish player in here. We have also had a dinner a few times in Chadwicks Inn, Maltby. It is run by his wife Helen.
Thanks all for the nice feedback. Appreciated. Up the Boro!
I used to know a Boro fan who goes to every match home and away. He worked as a bin man (collecting waste from houses) and he was picking up the things from Mogga, too. My friend complained that he was sometimes late on his tour if Mogga was there to talk about football! 😂As you say, a great guy too and always takes time to talk to people - I recall when my nephew was a teenager he was friends with the nephew of Mogga at the time he was Boro manager - they would often chat to him about team selection and give their thoughts and he'd engage with them and talk to them on the same level. I think that's one of his key qualities as a man and a down to earth person who everyone respects.
What a great man. I am over the moon for him to be back at work and fit again after his health issues.
I am sure OFB knows Mogga, too.
Up the Boro!
Here are all the new arrivals at Ewood Park since Mogga joined:
# Moussa Baradji, Central Midfield, aged 25. Signed from Yverdon Sport in Challenge League for £950k
# Jayden Fevrier, Right Winger, 23. Stockport in League One for £500,000
# Sam Morsy, Central Midfield, 34. Bristol City on free transfer
So very quiet compared to Boro. Up the Boro!
Many thanks Jarkko, a great opener with a story or two woven in. I'm really looking forward to the match now.
A few have said they'll take a draw now. Not for me. Wins at home and draws away are, of course, absolutely fine, but I think we can afford to be a little more ambitious and target some away wins.
Like there was against Lincoln, there's always a reason why this won't be an easy game, in this case the Mowbray and bogey team factor, but in previous promotion seasons we've overcome such hoodoos. I've predicted 4th for Boro this season rather than the more common top two but if it is to be a top two season, we should be looking to win games such as this against a side unfancied to trouble the top end.
Last weekend was uncomfortable at times but we got the job done and I can imagine a feelgood factor around the dressing room already.
I'm going for a tight away win: Blackburn 1 - 2 Boro
Good one, Jarkko. I felt for you as I read about the rushed journey to the Dark Side of the Pennines and the gloomy wet football-free time you had on your hands as a result of the fixture being called off. Eija might have been wondering why you couldn't have grown up supporting Barcelona where games are rarely rained off, and there are many attractions to tempt you aside from the football.
Hopefully a win is in store against Blackburn although clearly few in football would know as much about Boro (and would be able to set up against Boro) as Mogga. You'd have to be a very bitter and twisted individual not to like and respect Mogga.
Thanks for the reminder about the Doncaster Carabao Cup game Match Preview which is mine to write. After yesterday's birthday duties and possibly a weather-dependant visit to Headingley to see the Test Match against Pakistan, tomorrow, I will set the laptop up to do the honours at the weekend. Not much time after the Blackburn game as Donny follows on very soon afterwards so I apologise in advance if not much time is left for the hopefully triumphant cascade of jubilant reactions after the game at Ewood Park.
A hard-fought Blackburn 1-2. BORO.
@werdermouth - That (Blackburn for over-achievers this season) is a very decent shout. I wish I'd suggested that in my COTS predictions, although it would have been inconsistent with my relegation prediction for those famous blue+whites (classic shirts!).
I wasn't sure whether inconsistent predictions - to be relegated on the one hand but to be over-achievers on the other - would have been permitted. So I plumped for no team to over (or under) achieve.
Most people seem to fear for Blackburn this season, again with the chains of their ownership tight around the legs and arms the team needs. On the other hand you could always see the possibility that Tony Mowbray will find a way to get the team playing.
I just hope that after spending chikem feed on players that Boro fans are not spitting feathers after the game !
OFB
@original-fat-bob
Good to see you making the odd post now and again.
(Well, not all that odd really, but you know what I mean).
We are away for a few days, so just catching up.
That is a brilliant Headliner Jarkko with the personal stories thrown in for good measure. A very interesting read.
I am not sure what to think about Saturday's match. Another potential banana skin against a team we rarely do well against, but a team we should get a least a point from if we want to be at the top end of the table.
It will be interesting to see who Hellberg starts with, given our poor first half against Lincoln. Does he start the likes of McGree or Joseph, given their lack of minutes. The same with Jones, who would bolster the vulnerable defence. Then what about Phillips?
There are no noises about Morris being available, and the midfield was poor in those first 45.
Lots to ponder over and points not to lose.
Thanks for your superb starter, Jarkko. It’s a really good read!
Mogga will have seen how Lincoln pressed us last week and how successful this was. So it’s tempting to think Rovers will try something similar. They are at home so will be expected to attack. But I don’t suppose the two are incompatible - if you’re pressing the opposition, you’re on the attack. But he’ll know they will also need to be careful not to leave too much space at the back for us to exploit on the break. It could be an interesting game of cat and mouse. Personally, I’ll be happier if we put them under significant pressure ourselves with insistent attacking. That was definitely missing from our two league games against them last season.
I’ve got a ticket, for what will be my first live game of the season. It’ll also be my last for a week or two as the doctor has passed me and my eye fit to fly to the US on Monday, for a wedding in Boston and three days in New York. I’m desperately hoping for 3 points, as I’ve seen the great majority of Boro’s games v Blackburn in recent seasons, home and away, and I’m getting thoroughly fed up with scraping a point or, more commonly, losing. It’s time to break the Rovers hoodoo.
Jarkko, an absolutely cracking starter, quite excellent and as has been pointed out, in a second language too. Quite impressive.
After last Saturday's nail biter I hope and pray that Boro get off to a better start and quickly build some dominance. Dare I mention an early goal would settle all of our nerves too never mind just mine! No prediction from because I do not want to put a hex on proceedings.
OFB, good to hear from you too and I'm sure you will be fine after all of your medical problems. Get all soon as the cliche goes.
ATB everyone and I hope that it will be a celebratory Saturday, optimistically I've bought three bottles of Timothy Taylor Landlord in readiness.
UTB,
John