We catch up with the Blackburn Rovers XI that beat Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup fifth round back in 2013.
Blackburn Rovers host Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup this weekend and Owen Coyle’s side will be hoping to replicate the upset caused by Rovers at the same stage of the competition four years ago.
Blackburn, managed by current Oxford United boss Michael Appleton at the time, ran out 1-0 winners over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. So let’s catch up with that giant-slaying XI:
Two members of this side still play their football in the Premier League. Scott Dann is currently locked in a relegation battle with Crystal Palace. The centre-back has been with the Eagles since leaving Rovers in January of 2013.
Dann will be fighting relegation against fellow ex-Rovers defender Martin Olsson. The Swedish fullback signed for Swansea City last month and has helped to inspire their recent upturn in form. Olsson even got on the score sheet during their 2-0 win over Premier League champions Leicester City on Sunday.
Martin’s twin brother Marcus Olsson is one of five players from this XI to be at a Championship club. The left-back has been a regular in Steve McClaren’s play-off pushing Derby County side so far this campaign.
After leaving Rovers in the summer, Grant Hanley has failed to establish himself in Newcastle United’s starting-eleven. The Scottish international’s most recent appearance came in the Magpies’ 1-0 win over Derby County.
It has been a similar story for Lee Williamson at Burton Albion. The midfielder has not featured since the Brewers were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa back in December.
Jordan Rhodes joined Sheffield Wednesday’s push for promotion in January, following a disappointing spell with Middlesbrough. It didn’t take long for the former Rovers forward to rediscover his goal scoring touch with a home-debut goal in the Owls’ 3-0 victory over Birmingham City.
Rhodes is not the only member of this Rovers XI to currently be on Sheffield Wednesday’s books. Goalkeeper Jake Kean is yet to make his debut for the club after he signed from Norwich City in the summer. However, he has made a remarkable impact at Mansfield Town since arriving on-loan last month. Kean, 26, has only conceded one goal in his first seven games, a run which has included six wins for the Stags.
Jason Lowe is the only player from this XI to still be playing for Blackburn. The Rovers captain has racked up over 150 appearances in his seven years as a professional at the club.
Morten Gamst Pedersen and Colin Kazim-Richards have taken their talents abroad. Pedersen, 35, has returned to Norwegian football with Tromso – the same club he signed for Rovers from back in 2004. He helped his side narrowly avoid relegation from the Tippeligaen last season.
Kazim-Richards was another member of this XI to be on the move in January. The journeyman, who scored the 71st-minute winner against Arsenal, has played for Bursaspor, Feyenoord, Celtic and Coritiba since his loan spell at Rovers ended in 2013. Last month, he joined the thirteenth team in his career when he signed for Brazilian giants Corinthians.
The only player from this XI to no longer be active is Bradley Orr. The defender spent much of his time with Rovers on loan at other clubs, including stints with Blackpool, Ipswich Town and Toronto FC. Orr hung up his playing boots in 2015.
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