VB Weekend Winners and Losers

Oh my days. If I see one more 'deserved better' headline with regards to Rovers then my head is going to explode.

What makes it worse is that we do the hard bit and get in a position to get a favourable result and then ruin the good work by being sloppy and naive.

We shouldn't have lost yesterday but we did and it is difficult to point the blame anywhere other than at ourselves.

But did anyone shine? Who was dull? Let's find out by having a sneaky delve...

WINNERS

MAME BIRAM DIOUF - Brought on as a sub to add spice to the attack and from where I sat did a cracking job.

He had good bursts of pace, moved in an intelligent way and took his goal superbly.

He actually seemed to benefit from being part of a front two and having someone to play off and the true testament to his efforts was that he made Jason Roberts (who had a decent game) look even better by sharing the pitch with the United loanee.

Worth a start against West Ham?

CHRIS SAMBA - Dominant throughout in the air and an assuring presence across the back four.

Was given a difficult task of marking the inform Johan Elmander and dealing with the normally aerially imperious Kev Davies but was a clear winner in the sky high battle.

Was partly at fault for the Bolton winner but other than that had a stellar afternoon.

Unlucky not to score with a header in the second half.

MARTIN OLSSON - Welcomed back into the side in place of David Dunn and for an hour was the best Rovers player on the pitch before being bafflingly subbed.

Deployed in a left wing spot that really suited him he was a good presence when in defence and a real Dennis the Menace going forward with some excellent link play with Diouf senior and Brett Emerton.

Was named by Phil Jones on Soccer AM as the quickest Rovers player and it was difficult to argue with that as he was time and time again moving Bolton players about like chess pieces.

He can be annoying as he looks for penalties and not crosses sometimes but other than that was a strong addition to the starting line up.

LOSERS

GAEL GIVET - Really not very good. As part of a centre back three was often caught out as a poor communicator and going forward spurned two golden chances to give Rovers the lead.

It didn't get much better when we shifted to 4-4-2 either as he was exposed a few times and offered little resistance for the Bolton second goal.

He isn't doing much to dispel the rumours he wants to head back to France - he is playing like it sadly. At this rate he will go out with a whimper instead of a bang.

BRETT EMERTON - Was the epitome of Blackburn Rovers yesterday... loads of running and effort but poor application and sloppy.

If success was measured in blades of grass covered then Brett would be in the EPL Team of the Season every year but he showed his lack of confidence at times by not using his body to shield the ball and being a bit light in the tackle.

Not at the races yesterday.

PAUL ROBINSON - Had nothing to do for large parts of the afternoon but was on the losing side and was left badly exposed by his defence.

He couldn't be blamed for the goals but will feel as annoyed as anyone.

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