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VB Winners and Losers

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What a difference a week makes. Last Monday we were all down in the doldrums after a shocking and limp show against Everton. This week we can all wake up on a Monday with smiles on our faces after a pulsating game and deserved victory against a good Villa side.

The traits that make a good Rovers side were back on display and it was good to see – strength, never say die attitude and a little touch of class were the hallmarks on show. Yes, we left it late with ten men but no-one can argue it wasn’t merited.

Anyway. Winners and losers. Three winners and three losers. Who did good? Who did bad?

Lets crack on as my brother always says.

WINNERS

DAVID DUNN – Shall I just copy and paste this portion of the article for future use because at this rate he is romping away with the player of the season award already.

The unpopular 4-5-1 was back with Dunny deployed as second striker but everything that was wrong with the formation against the Toffees was right against Villa.

Dunny came deeper to get the ball, using his pace to offset the difference and linked up immensely with the returning Di Santo up front. He also drove the side on and was like a second captain further up the field.

When it came to unlocking a defence he is always our best bet and outshone regular England internationals such as Milner, Young and Agbonlahor.

But most impressive of all was that when push came to shove and the pressure was on in the shape of a penalty kick in the last minute of normal time Dunn was ice cool and a man to count on.

One of the best displays in a Rovers shirt by anybody for years.

If he can stay fit then the ‘Dunny for England’ chants can’t be too far away.

CHRIS SAMBA – Took a verbal beating on Vital Blackburn last week for his defensive work but was another one that was back on song on Saturday.

Good goal and tireless work all day long. His presence was too mcuh for Villa from set pieces and he actually dominated the suprisingly subdued John Carew in what should of been a huge fight between two big men.

His reaction for his goal told the story – Rovers mean a lot to him and he fought tooth and nail to make sure the right result was achieved (from a Rovers point of view).

One final point to make on Chris is that despite how good Givet is, the fact remains that he and Nelsen click together very well. The experience and reading of the game of Nelsen and the size and speed of Samba keep Rovers in good stead. It was mainly down to that combination that Villa didn’t threaten as much as they should of.

Full marks for the Samba man.

STEVEN N’ZONZI – This guy is going to be amazing if he carries on at this rate. He is unlikely to be playing every game at the moment due to his relative lack of experience but he can be counted on to turn in a great shift when needed.

His tackling ability is already on a par with Andrews and he does add an aerial strength to the Rovers midfield due to his height but the main suprise on Saturday was his passing.

He did mainly keep things simple but when he did try something ambitious to spread play he did it with aplomb.

One pass in particular that set Brett Emerton away was sublime – Tugay would of been proud of that one.

He may be young and he may be ‘green’ but this kid has all the tools to hit the big time.

LOSERS

MICHEL SALGADO – I’ll keep this short. Watch a tape of Salgado playing against Forest and against Everton. The just after that watch a tape of Lars Jacobsen playing against Villa on Saturday.

Then report back to me and tell me who is the more reliable and in form right back at present. I’ll give you a clue, he’s Danish and used to play for Everton.

MORTEN GAMST PEDERSEN – Whilst more or less everyone in midfield put in a good days work Morten was somewhat off colour.

His corners were back to their annoyingly lame standard and his runs weren’t quite as purposeful as they had been earlier in the season.

Carlos Cuellar on the Villa right has always been a clever operator and he seemd to second guess everything that Morten was doing, which left the Norwegian looking a bit flumoxed and slightly off his game.

A bad day at the office for the Norwegian.

JASON BROWN – Sorry buddy. I am afraid no matter how good you play you will never take the Rovers number one shirt when Englands’ number one is playing like that.

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Vital Blackburn Site Editor / Fence Sitter

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