ROVERS: It's Dell hell as jinx strikes again

THERE was a certain inevitability about it all, right from the moment when a friendly steward inquired: "What is it about Blackburn when they come to Southampton?"

What he meant, of course, was that anyone who can recall Rovers actually winning a match at the Dell, owns a bus pass and makes a weekly trip to the Post Office to collect the pension.

And I don't remember seeing too many 70 or 80-odd-year-old fans among the visiting ranks.

The fact is Rovers struggle at Southampton - and have done for the past 60 years since they claimed their one and only win at this hotch-potch of a ground.

Despite enough possession and chances to have done something about such a miserable record, they never really convinced anyone they were about to break the habit of a lifetime.

In such circumstances, it really came as no surprise when Southampton's first two goals, which decided the match, were allowed to stand when, from the restricted view of the Premiership's worst Press box, they should both have been chalked out.

Even Dell boss David Jones, who seems a genuine man, found it hard not to openly confess his team got the benefit of two rank bad decisions. A pity that referee Uriah Rennie seemed to err for the crucial second goal, for he generally had an excellent game - nice to see an official using that long lost art of common sense.

Rovers boss Roy Hodgson saved his main criticism for the way Rovers conceded the third. But, by then, the result had already been settled.

Not that his team are the only ones to suffer on the South coast. So do most of the top sides, including quite recently Manchester United and Chelsea.

But that's no consolation when too many Rovers players failed to reach the high standards they have set themselves this season.

Without Chris Sutton, Hodgson recalled Martin Dahlin and went with three central midfielders and one winger.

One great effort apart, Dahlin and Kevin Gallacher, whose shooting was particularly wayward, lacked the cutting edge to over-trouble an outstanding keeper.

There wasn't the usual threat down the flanks and the ball was given away too often, not least from the back.

Yet Southampton were never value for a 3-0 scoreline.

Perhaps they just look at the record books and believe they can do little wrong at home to Rovers.

One positive note was that, for the final 21 minutes, Rovers had three recent members of their youth team on the pitch in Damien Duff, Marlon Broomes, who didn't do badly on his first Premiership appearance, and James Beattie.

There seemed few problems early on against a Saints side relying largely on endeavour and the hope of something tasty from local hero Matt Le Tissier. But, despite Tim Sherwood and, notably, Billy McKinlay winning the midfield battle for possession, Rovers rarely looked capable of finding a way past a man at the top of his form in home keeper Paul Jones.

Dahlin, who made his first senior start for four months, produced a spectacular early volley which prompted an equally good reaction from Jones.

Unfortunately, Sherwood was unable to hit the target as he followed up and then the skipper could only strike a weak shot as he found himself with bags of room.

Evidence that this was going to be another of those days at the Dell came between the 19th and 20th minutes.

First an excellent flowing move, involving both Sherwood and Dahlin, set up Garry Flitcroft only for the midfielder to drag his shot a fraction wide.

It could so easily have given Rovers a deserved lead but Southampton went straight up the field to score in dubious circumstances.

David Hirst headed the ball in from the right, Le Tissier flicked it on and Egil Ostenstad, all alone at the far post and surely offside, had a simple tap-in.

There was only one more decent scoring effort in the half and it came from Duff, who struggled at times to get into the action.

Once again, Jones was equal to a well-struck volley.

The opening period of the second half summed up the difference between the sides. Broomes put a header just over from one of several dangerous Duff corners and Dahlin didn't quite get hold of his shot - allowing Jones to distinguish himself again - from a brilliant break engineered by Billy McKinlay.

In contrast, Le Tissier was close with a stunning strike then Hirst, with another fierce drive, brought a fine save from Tim Flowers.

Rovers had plenty of possession but were still making unforced errors and didn't pack a punch in the final third of the game.

They made a double substitution in an attempt to add more bite and, in the time available, Beattie and Stuart Ripley made a decent contribution.

But there was more controversy at the other end plus a final stunning blow.

First, Colin Hendry went to make a clearing header, was blatantly pushed and the ball fell for Hirst, who also looked well offside (!), to hammer the ball home.

I bet he couldn't believe his luck.

Jones made another flying save from McKinlay but it was Saints who struck again and, this time, there were no complaints about the legality of the goal, just the manner of it.

A punt downfield caught Rovers wide open and Ostensatd went round Flowers to score comfortably.

Jones yet again distinguished himself with a superb stoppage-time save from Sherwood and Hendry headed a fraction wide.

But it was a token gesture by Rovers. Their chance, and chances, had long gone.

"I'm definitely not coming here again," muttered one disillusioned Blackburnian.

Can't blame him really.

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