Fergie slams Rovers 'play'

February 01, 2006

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has accused Blackburn Rovers of playing a poor brand of football in which "they foul all the time" and slammed referee Phil Dowd's decision to send off Ferdinand.

Ferguson said: "Rio did it twice in two minutes while their centre-back Andy Todd committed about 10 fouls in the first half and was not punished."

On the incident which left Savage on a stretcher, Ferguson added: "Rio says he hasn't touched him so I will just have to see the video."

Ferguson added: "Tonight we didn't get what we deserved. They (Blackburn) didn't really play any football at all in the first half and they were just surviving yet they were 3-1 up.

"We equalised, then there was a schoolboy error at the back between Rio and Van der Sar and the penalty was harsh... the ball was just going straight to van der Sar and it was a soft penalty from the linesman."

Sour grapes or has Fergie a point about Rovers? Have your say

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A Mancunian, Manchester (02/02/2006 at 11:17)

Shut up Fergie.

Slash, Philly (02/02/2006 at 11:23)

SAF's excuses are just tiring. Whats the need for Blackburn to play proper football when we are gifting them goals ? Infact even though they were 3-1 up, the decided to attack at the begining of the second half and scored another goal. It was a clear penalty and there was nothing soft about it. Brown was dumb enough to stretch both his hands behind is back - even if it was just one hand you can claim that its part of his running action but the ball hit both his arms. Why did Brown foul Kuqi to give away the freekick that led to the first goal. Kuqi was running back towards his own goal- does not have the pace, skill or talent to turn Brown. Think all the comments about going to the World cup got into his head.

Alma Shint, Leeds (02/02/2006 at 11:24)

Fergie should stop moaning and look at the team and realise that we are missing the kind of spirit that Rovers showed last night. We are useless in midfield and defence and no wonder Van Nistelrooy had such a long face, sitting it out on the bench most of the match. I think we should sign Savage, at least he plays with passion (and he's fit). Ferdinand was rubbish and he was deservedly sent off for chasing Savage all the match.

Dave Keighley, Kent (ex-Cheadle) (02/02/2006 at 11:28)

While it's all well and good having a go at Blackburn's style of play, we lost largely because we gifted them a couple of stupid goals. It also proved that while Rio Ferdinand looks a competant Mr Cool in CM against a so-so Championship side, he's not really up to the mark when trying to be Roy Keane against a very combative Premiership side. So, until Vidic and Evra can talk to each other (and to Brown and Neville) as well as play together, get Rio back where he belongs. Then play a midfield diamond with Rooney just ahead of Fletcher and with any combinantion of Park, Ronaldo, Giggs or Richardson on the flanks (I'd go for Park and Giggs if they're fit) with Ruud and Saha up front. Despite last night's ridiculous defeat, I probably don't feel as down today as you lot back home: working in London I'm surrounded by a Arsenal supporters. If you think United have got problems....

Tony, manchester (02/02/2006 at 11:31)

Kind of agree, but sometimes you have to just ut your hands up and say we made the errors so we deserve the defeat. Luckily it was some kind of vacuum in the PL last night and doesn't really undermine our position. As I said earlier, if you think we're in 'crisis', watch Arsenal for a while and you will suddenly feel better about things.

Paul, Liverpool (02/02/2006 at 11:32)

I think this is total sour grapes by Fergie. united cannot dictate how teams should play against them. BBC pundits all praised Rovers style of play as did Sky Sports. Fergie needs to realise his time is up and step aside for a younger man.

Brownie, Manchester (02/02/2006 at 11:39)

Sour grapes are for Arsenal. He should accept defeat gracefully. Asking for 26 minutes injury team was pathetic. Sparky for manager ?

Frank Lumsden, Swindon (02/02/2006 at 11:42)

Fergie lost his ability to judge players and football tactics and performances about three years ago or more...sour grapes spill out of his mouth as fast as the number of Rovers goals going past Van Der Sar these days..8 goals in 4 games....oh how the mighty have fallen...when little old Blackburn Rovers down the road dare to score against (let alone beat) the mighty manchester reds! No wonder Fergie has lost it....as for fouling all the time - Alan Smith commits more nasty fouls than all the Rovers team together! Liverpool will finish in front of Fergie and Rooney will go to Real Madrid or Chelski (if the lad has any sense at all) the so-called "theatre of dreams" is now nothing but an ancient relic and reminder of past and better times -Sir matt must be turning in his grave...."Come on you Mighty Blues - The Rovers win and united lose...haha! Old Fergie got it wrong again! (PS - and NO u r not having Sparky back!)

Ian, Salford (02/02/2006 at 11:57)

3 shots on goal and 3 goals in the 1st half. Fergie is right -- they were very clincial but didn't really create much -- just waiting for us to make mistakes

Jarrod, Indiana, USA (02/02/2006 at 11:58)

Not to make excuses but he has a point. Blackburn only controlled the ball for about five minutes in the game. How many fouls, yet Rio gets sent of when his leg was as high as Savage's. By the way, Fletcher sucks.

GEORGE, RHYL (02/02/2006 at 12:02)

1.Stupid schoolboy howler by Rio.
2.Handball by Wes.Penalty!
3.Massive gap between G.Nev and CDefence exploited.Goal!
4.Rooney missed a goalden opportunity to score.
5.Absolutely nothing to do with Blackburns style.Take defeat like a man Alex.Nightmare defending.

Peter Hayman, london (02/02/2006 at 12:03)

And it was the ref and the opposition that caused Ferdinand and Brown to make the mistakes that led to Rovers' goals? And what about our aggressive play against Arsenal in recent seasons - was that inappropriate too? Please fergie, don't take all of us for idiots.

David Kelly, Dublin (02/02/2006 at 12:04)

Typical Fergie trying to deflect attention away from the terrible job he is doing.

Mike, Leeds (02/02/2006 at 12:09)

fergie is right to criticise the way blackburn played, they were a disgrace. and the ref did have a shocker. but that still does not excuse 4 goals conceded and a very questionable team selection.

Bill, Wirral (02/02/2006 at 12:12)

SAF is right about the sending off. Two BR's players and Rio went for the ball with their studs showing but it was only Rio sent off.
But SAF can't blame anyone for the dreadful defending except his team selection and the defence.

Gerry, Brentford (02/02/2006 at 12:14)

That's it, blame somebody else! Jose Mourihno never blames anybody else. You've lost the plot Alex! Stamford Bridge here i come!

Thomas, Norway (02/02/2006 at 12:15)

I just want Fergie to make Rooney play in position again. To often he has been figured down in right back area helping that hopeless Neville out. I hope Rooney start scooring goals again soon, he seems to have lost track and direction of it.

Marco F.O.B., Old Trafford (02/02/2006 at 12:18)

Stop blaming everybody else Ferguson - just go before it gets even worse.

Espen, Norway (02/02/2006 at 12:20)

Fergie should look at his own team instead of critising the oponent.
United lack the depth i the squad, we need midfielders and the people who are responsible acted too late. maybe Fergie is out of date?

Elaine Harrison, Middleton (02/02/2006 at 12:22)

Aren't you all embarrassed that every time you lose he blames the ref?
It's really old Fergie, no-one's fault but your teams last night from what I saw on MOTD.

steve, Glossop (02/02/2006 at 12:25)

Typical humility from our noble manager. Transparent mess created by him & his ridiculous team selections & dreadful transfers. Apologists for him who seem to be in hiding Alias? have to see the light if you want us to recover our standards.

DONETHEDOUBLE, Blackburn (02/02/2006 at 12:45)

More whining...its becoming the norm..face it you were out battled and Rovers showed more passion..
Your big named players have no heart and are only at Utd for the pay day...Yes Chelsea have spent aswell but at least they are prepared to stand up and be counted..Utd you are a pale shadow of your former selves

paul, eire (02/02/2006 at 12:46)

how many times do we see it, when fletcher and ronaldo are picked on the same time, we loose or scrape a draw. thanks for all the good times SAF but your time is up, bring CQ with you.

Marc, USA (02/02/2006 at 12:55)

Rio can't play center back or the holding role in midfield. SELL HIM.

BLUE IS THE COLOUR, STALYBRIDGE (02/02/2006 at 13:03)

A big boy did it and ran away!

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