Rovers crash out as Saha has the last laugh

THE process of removing Blackburn Rovers from the FA Cup was on a par with one of those protracted visits to the dentists for major repair work.

You know that the easy option would be to have the offending molar extracted in a flash but, for some reason or another, choose the more painful route.

So it proved at Ewood Park last night as the fans had to endure 90 frustrating minutes when a split-second was all it took to underline just why it is Newcastle not Rovers preparing to entertain Everton in the quarter finals.

And that match-winning moment of inspiration among the perspiration of a scrappy fifth round replay also emphasised why rookie boss Brian Kidd can be forgiven that stomach-churning feeling most of us endure as we enter the dental surgery.

He now has to face the daunting challenge of keeping his new club in the Premiership with no sign of the midfield force so desperately needed to turn this team's fortunes around.

The spark of genius provided by Dietmar Hamann's wonderful crossfield pass and young Frenchman Louis Saha's outstanding finish in the 39th minute of an anti-climactic cup confrontation finally separated these two sides at the fourth attempt. And how Kidd must have envied the control and cohesion that Hamann and Gary Speed brought to the centre of midfield for Newcastle.

They got the ball, controlled it and passed it. Rovers gave away possession as if they were donating to charity.

When it went up front, invariably from a long ball, it didn't stick and that continually threw more pressure on a hard-pressed defence.

There was not the same movement in Rovers ranks, as from their opponents. While it must be difficult to work on such things when the team has to be repeatedly changed and games have been so frequent that little time is spent on the training ground, individuals still have to take responsibility.

And Rovers' strikers were simply not mobile enough - either to trouble the Newcastle defence, or to provide their colleagues with a decent outlet.

With two wide men such as Keith Gillespie and Damien Duff, it would also have been more satisfying to see them getting around the back. But, lacking that central midfielder not only with authority but the ability to produce creative passes, Rovers are struggling.

Tim Sherwood's presence was sorely missed but that is history.

So too now is the FA Cup and they must now ensure they retain their Premiership status, starting at West Ham on Saturday. Someone said after last night's game that the extended break they have after West Ham could be the most important 10 days of the season.

It was a fair point, because it will not only provide time for injuries to heal, it will also be an opportunity to try to solve the midfield crisis in the transfer market.

Newcastle, even without flu-hit Alan Shearer, always felt they would have more space to exploit at Ewood than at St James's Park in the first clash and that was the greatest danger to Rovers.

And Kidd was honest enough to admit afterwards: "It was difficult for us, we didn't have any control of the game."

The manager showed his true feelings about his priorities by resting Ashley Ward and David Dunn for the crucial battles ahead in the Premiership.

But it was a chance for others such as Nathan Blake and Kevin Davies to make their mark. Sadly, neither really grasped the opportunity - Blake in particular.

Rovers were fairly lively at the start, getting among the opposition, but Newcastle gradually gained control, threatened twice through Hamann and Temuri Ketsbaia and were the more dominant side.

The goal still came as something of a surprise but it was a gem.

Hamann was on the right touchline when he launched the pass of the season towards Saha on the left flank, starting a run into the penalty area.

The control was instant and the left-foot shot perfectly placed in the one spot John Filan could not reach, just inside his left-hand post.

Within a minute, Jason Wilcox was foiled by the reflexes of Shay Given, after a good through ball by Dario Marcolin but Rovers were not really as close again. Newcastle pushed the ball around in the second half, while Rovers frustratingly frittered away possession, even from what seemed the simplest crossing angles.

Wilcox continued to be Rovers' liveliest attacker but it was Newcastle who should have increased their lead, rather than being pulled back, in an untidy game.

Garry Brady's greed wasted one chance then, when he forced a fine save from Filan, Laurent Charvet struck the woodwork with the follow-up.

There was no argument about which side deserved to go through and Rovers have more serious matters on their mind now. Let us hope they can find the man or men they need to provide that midfield filling to get rid of the pain before they face Newcastle yet again on the final day of the season.

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