BLACKBURN Rovers’ entire season rests on tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final replay with Liverpool.
After still having one eye on the play-offs a couple of weeks ago that has gone away from us now.
While everyone would prefer the chance to play for a place in the Premier League, the opportunity to go to Wembley is not a bad consolation and would really keep the campaign alive.
I don’t agree with semi-finals being played at the national stadium - but that’s the way it is and Rovers have to really grasp this opportunity as best they can.
Gary Bowyer has not got a full strength squad to choose from, but with Liverpool missing key players as well there is still a good chance to cause an upset.
If two or three are available then I would expect the side which beat Leeds United at the weekend to change again - just as the manager has done throughout this cup run.
Ideally you would want Josh King in your armoury, causing problems in a 4-4-2, but if that’s not possible Rudy Gestede can be a handful to the Reds up front on his own.
But whoever is picked, this is the type of game you want to be involved in as a player. You have to have the appetite for it and give it your all.
Rovers can use Ewood Park to their advantage. There were moans about the state of the Anfield pitch put Blackburn’s is slightly worse and we have been playing there with confidence and playing reasonably well on it. We know how to handle it.
It’s a big occasion at Ewood Park again - the type that supporters have missed since the Premier League days.
Attempts to try to get back there this season have been too cautious and now Rovers are playing for pride.
But Wembley awaits. Even players from the Worthington Cup winning days have never played there because that final was at Cardiff.
These opportunities don’t come around very often and we have to grab it with both hands. And then, who knows, maybe we can go back there again next month too.
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