So to the final game of the season at Ewood Park, and the chance for either
Blackburn or Fulham to force their way into the top half of the table should
Middlesbrough fail away to Leeds. A 10th-or-above finish for either of these
sides may be flattering, given that each was threatened with the prospect
of relegation until very recently, but either would of course take it.
Blackburn could indeed have moved into the top half with a win against
Liverpool in midweek, but in a thrilling match at Anfield they were eventually
edged out by Emile Heskey, who helped his side win by the odd goal in
seven.
Graeme Souness was predictably miffed with the outcome of the game: "We
feel we should have got something from the game. When you come to Anfield
and get three goals and come away with nothing it sticks in your throat.
But it sums up our season, we scored some good goals and conceded some
silly goals."
|
Ewood Park
11th May, 2002 |
Blackburn |
Fulham |
Div
Avg |
Games |
37 |
37 |
37 |
ATTACKING |
Goals scored |
52 |
36 |
48 |
Ave goals per game |
1.41 |
0.97 |
1.30 |
Shots(ex blocked shots) |
403 |
382 |
399 |
Shooting Accuracy |
43% |
41% |
45% |
Goals to shots % |
12.0% |
9.0% |
12.0% |
PASSING |
Short passes |
10705 |
12667 |
10591 |
Long passes |
4197 |
4290 |
4026 |
Passes |
14902 |
16957 |
14617 |
Pass completion % |
74% |
76% |
74% |
CROSSING |
Crosses |
996 |
959 |
905 |
Crosses completion % |
25% |
24% |
25% |
DEFENDING |
Tackles |
1015 |
1148 |
1005 |
Tackle success rate % |
74% |
74% |
74% |
Clearances |
1647 |
1614 |
1754 |
Goals conceded |
51 |
41 |
48 |
Ave goals conceded per game |
1.38 |
1.11 |
1.30 |
DISCIPLINE |
Fouls |
592 |
538 |
550 |
Yellow cards |
56 |
55 |
57 |
Red cards |
4 |
1 |
4 |
stats
from opta |
|
Overall this term, in fact, Rovers have scored more good goals than shipped
silly ones, as their +1 goal difference - the only positive difference outside
of the top six - is testament to.
Fulham's last outing proved to be a disappointing end to their home campaign
- they and Leicester couldn't manage a goal between them. With no home fans
to give a decent summer send-off to, Fulham have so little to play for this
weekend it will be a miracle if they can muster the commitment likely to
be shown by their opponents.
Although of course if they do manage an assured performance it will be a
demonstration of professionalism and no mistake. A points tally of 47 for
the season, which the Cottagers
Matchday
Referee |
CHRIS FOY
St Helens, Merseyside
Chris Foy is a bit of a mystery having only officiated at 4 Premiership
games this season. Could it be that someone else has gone on holiday
early and Ref Foy has been asked to fill in?
In his 4 games Mr Foy has exhibited a strong dislike for away teams
with 70% of his 17 yellows going to visiting players and his only
Premiership red card of the season going to Ugo Ehiogu on his visit
to West Ham. The last time Mr Foy officiated at a Fulham game was
when we played away at Wimbledon on the 11th November 2000. We won
3-0 and he booked 3 HOME players and one of ours.
From the stats he likes to blow his whistle and dish out yellows more
than average which should upset Mr Soueey as he usually likes his
players to be a slightly physical.
|
Mr. Foy's score sheet |
Average Premiership Referee score sheet |
|
Total |
Match
Avg |
Total |
Match
Avg |
Games |
4 |
|
15 |
|
Fouls |
152 |
38.00 |
458 |
30.00 |
Penalties |
1 |
0.25 |
3 |
0.19 |
Yellow cards |
17 |
4.00 |
48 |
3.12 |
Red Cards |
1 |
0.25 |
3 |
0.19 |
|
would achieve with a win, would put into question the doubt surrounding
the future of manager Jean Tigana. For their first season back in the top
flight, a comfortably mid-table finish is surely as good as any realistic
fan would have expected.
But a far more likely outcome would surely be a home triumph, as Rovers
end the campaign on a high and banish the memory of their first defeat in
six games on Wednesday night.
MATCH BETTING ODDS
|
It seems that the odds makers see our season ending in an away defeat.
Unfortunately the statistics back then up even if the opponents are
Blackburn.
Both sides have little to play for in a competitive sense. If Fulham
win they will finish above Blackburn and they could beat their previous
best finish in the top flight while making 100% sure of InterToto
soccer next season. Blackburn on the other hand have the chance of
finishing above Fulham and winning in their last home game of the
season.
Of course as Blackburn lost away at Liverpool on Wednesday they could
be somewhat low on energy.
|
|
Source Planet football by Chris Green