After 161 appearances across four years, Blackburn Rovers are the defining club of Joe Rothwell’s career, as it stands. The Leeds United midfielder returned to Ewood Park on Saturday, not for the first time since leaving in 2022, and was given a very abusive welcome.
Rothwell departed the Lancashire outfit as a free agent two years ago, though bids for his services had been rejected by Blackburn in the preceding January window. Whatever their reasons, the locals do not look back at the midfielder’s exit fondly.
There were generic boos across his first few touches and when he came over to take corners in front of them it got a little more colourful. “You’re just a ---- Lewis Travis” was a popular ditty.
Bamford catches up with his best friend
Patrick Bamford has been asked who his best friend in football is, in the past, and Lewis Baker has been the answer. The pair spent their formative years together at Chelsea as youth prospects.
They were substitutes at Ewood Park yesterday and had the chance to catch up as they warmed up down the touchline in Lancashire.
More than 7,500 seats aren’t enough
Ewood Park has become synonymous with some of the biggest away followings in the country because they give up the entirety of the two-tier Darwen End to visiting fans. Leeds have repeatedly taken more than 7,000 supporters there in recent years and the official away attendance on Saturday was 7,501.
It seems, however, that is still not enough to meet West Yorkshire demand. There were at least two away fans in the home end on Saturday and they did well to get deep into the second half before being rumbled and escorted out. The home support enjoyed their less-than-willing exit.
Back-up centre-backs step into the starters’ warm-up
Before the game, it was unusual to see Max Wober and James Debayo completing the starting XI’s warm-up with them. The back-up centre-backs went through some of the final strides as a precaution because Joe Rodon was complaining of an injury issue.
Rodon had some back issues, but the medical team helped him through them to start the 1.30pm kick-off. Wober and Debayo were just ensuring they were ready to step in if necessary.
Farke and Travis argument
Daniel Farke is a regular on the pitch after full-time, but it’s often to applaud United fans or to point out examples for his players to improve on while it’s fresh in his mind. What we have never seen is a heated argument like Saturday’s with an opposition player.
As the manager came away from complaining to referee Lewis Smith, Blackburn Rovers skipper Lewis Travis was seen piping up. While their conversation could not be heard, their body language was heated until they ended with an embrace.
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