VB Weekend Winners and Losers

What a lovely day of sea shells, potential scary rides and piers in Blackpool... ruined by Rovers putting us all through heart attack central again!

What could have been another lead thrown away was rescued with as cool a finish as you will find in the dying seconds by Brett Emerton.

The result was just what we wanted and was just as badly needed after a run of four games without a win in the league which could have seen our confidence shot to bits.

The usual problems still remain - i.e. we are lacking a regular goalscorer and we are too one-dimensional, but for now let's just enjoy the fact we have our first away win on the board.

But who did the business? Who didn't?

WINNERS

Brett Emerton - Welcome back young man.

After three individual performances sorely lacking in any sort of invention or positive energy, Brett was thrust in for 45 minutes in a more advanced role for the relatively ineffective Mame Biram Diouf and told to attack.

And attack he did, his big strong presence was a nuisance but the introduction of some form of rare pace into the Rovers attack was more welcome.

Most importantly of all though, Our Brettles looked match fit and inspired.

More of this and he will be hard to drop.

El Hadji Diouf - Man of the match by a sweet country furlong.

The only Rovers player willing to take on his man and his work rate was absolutely insane.

His trickery and skill make him a handful even when he is faffing about like a small child, but when he is motivated like this and in the mood to play for the team he is like the player Liverpool wished they had signed after the 2002 World Cup.

If this display was put forward by anyone other than El Hadji Diouf then the neutral would be crowing, but it IS El Hadji Diouf.

His reputation will once again mask the fact that he has been blinding so far this campaign and Saturday may have been his best performance yet.

Huge thumbs up.

Paul Robinson - We are constantly told by the media that the sign of a good goalkeeper is one that can do the square root of naff all for an hour and then when called into action be on top of his game.

That is what Paul Robinson did.

Two of his saves were absolutely top draw and kept Rovers ahead when we are ourselves had not bagged the second goal to kill the Tangerines off.

Robbo could do very little about the excellent Matt Phillips strike but can look back on another game where he was worth two points to Blackburn Rovers.

LOSERS

Niko Kalinic - Looks a little shot for confidence at the moment and struggled to make a real impact as he fought a long lone battle up there on his own.

Is showing signs he could be a Jon Stead type confidence player but obviously with a bit more about him than cult hero Steady.

A few moments of quality showed that Niko has still very much got it, especially a turn of pace that skinned Blackpool's covering centre back but he badly needs a goal.

Was hauled off for Benjani near the end and apart from a snapshot right before the end of the first half didn't have a memorable towards the target.

Needs. A. Goal.

Mame Biram Diouf - With Dunny and especially Olsson ready to rock and roll after injury Baby Diouf may struggle to justify his inclusion after that anonymous performance.

The idiots that booed Keith Andrews - Yes he is not Pele and yes he is merely an average Premier League player.

Heck we have all taken a little swipe at Jogger Keith, myself very much included, but when you are there in person and in the stands aren't you, you know, supposed to support the team?!

How is he going to play any better with some blithering morons stood there booing one of our players?

'God he is not playing very well, lets boo him!!!'... where is the logic?!

Surely maybe give the lad a bit of encouragement and he may feel galvanised to play above his ability level.

I am not suggesting he is a great player or anything but if you were there and jeering one of our OWN players why not go sod off and support Arsenal or something?