Let’s call in the Rovers Reserves!

As the Blackburn Rovers first team struggles the reserves march on with another impressive performance and win… maybe its time to call some of these players into the first team!

A Monday night crowd on 143 were treated as Glyn Hodges’ team crushed former Rovers star Jason McAteer’s second string Tranmere 7-0! That’s right SEVEN – NIL! at Christie Park in the Pontin’s Holiday League Cup tie. The win moves Hodges’ side to the top of their group.

A strong Rovers side featuring first team squad members Jason Brown in goal, Eddie Nolan in a full-back position, Andy Todd (fit again) and Dominic Matteo in a central defensive partnership, promising winger Keith Treacy and forward Matt Derbyshire, with Frank Fielding named as the substitute goalkeeper showed the first team how it is done.

A fine showing saw Joe Garner and his strike partner Derbyshire both pick up hat tricks and Nolan also finding the net. The match also marked a return to action for defender Gari Rowntree, who hadn’t played a competitive match since August 2005 having picked up a serious knee injury.

During the match, with Garner and Derbyshire both on a brace Rovers were awarded a penalty after Garner had been fouled. With both obviously wanting to complete hat tricks they fought over who was going to get to take the spot kick, with Garner winning. He duly slotted away with Derbyshire completing his own hat trick shortly after.

Brown will be Brad Friedel’s eventually successor in goal so he will continue to bide his time, Nolan continues to impress at the back with Treacy heavily involved with several goals as he continues to impress. Derbyshire has been in or around the first team for several years and continues to score goals in the reserves regularly so is maybe time for some of these youngsters to be at least brought into the first team match day squads?

Obviously reserve team football is different to first team football but with the first team struggling and injuries mounting is it time for some of these players to maybe be looked at by Hughes?

What do you think…

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