IT hasn't been the best of seasons so far to be an Ewood skipper, underlined by Tuesday night at St Andrews when, by my reckoning, Garry Flitcroft became the SIXTH man this season to wear the armband.

And not one of the other five were even in the team!

Jason Wilcox has gone to Leeds, Lee Carsley is currently out injured and Nathan Blake, Per Frandsen and Darren Peacock were all omitted from the side to face Birmingham.

Let's hope Flitcroft has better luck with the captaincy.

TONY Parkes and Terry Darracott will be guests of the Supporters' Association in the Premier Suite at Ewood next Thursday (7.30pm for 8pm).

Tickets are available in advance, price £2-50 members, £3 non-members. Fans will be able to pay on the night (£3), subject to availability. It is also expected that one or two members of the first team squad will be there.

SEATS for next Saturday's home game against West Bromwich Albion (kick-off 3pm) are currently on open sale at the usual prices, £15-20 adults, £10 senior citizens, £8 juniors where applicable. Tickets for the re-arranged home match against Norwich on Tuesday, February 29 (7.45pm) are also available at the same prices.

THE Academy teams were both away to Aston Villa today. Next Saturday, the under-17s entertain Sunderland at Brockhall (12.30pm), while the under-19s travel to Wearside, also at 12.30pm.

ROVERS Reserves are due to visit Leeds at Elland Road next Tuesday (7pm).

LOOKING for an omen? Try this, pointed out by local statistician and Rovers fan Derek Jones.

Only twice since the Second World War have Rovers had a fixture on February 29. They play Norwich on Tuesday week and, previously, met Oxford at home in 1991-92 - their last promotion season!

Will lightning strike twice? Well, the Oxford game finished 1-1, we'll see what the score is against Norwich.

SEATS have now gone on sale for two tough away matches early next month.

Rovers visit Tranmere on Saurday, March 4 (3pm), and tickets are £13 adults, £6 over-60s and £3 juniors. Visitors' seats are behind one of the goals and fans are advised to arrive early as seating is unreserved. Supporters should also note that there will not be any concessions on the day of the game.

For the game at Ipswich on Tuesday, March 7 (7.45pm), tickets are available in advance or on the day of the game. They are priced £17 adults, £12 senior citizens and £7 juniors and are situated in the Cobbold Stand along the side of the pitch.

EWOOD'S guest box was packed with dozens of representatives from other clubs in midweek for the visit of Manchester United in the FA Premier Reserve League (North).

A number of managers turned out to check out the talent on both sides, some of which is available, and they included David Moyes (Preston), Steve McMahon (Blackpool), Stan Ternent (Burnley), Brian Horton (Port Vale) and Andy Ritchie (Oldham).

Several Premiership clubs had scouts at the game along with Bradford City boss Paul Jewell and Dutch giants PSV sent a scout - presumably to check out United's Jordi Cruyff.

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