1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):

I have never been to Ewood Park, which is strange as I have lived just down the road in Preston for over 11 years. The £10 entry and having a great mate who supported Wednesday sealed it.

2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Got off the train at Mill Hill station. Anyone coming into Blackburn from Preston would do well to get off here. No more than a leisurely stroll to the ground, passing several pubs where a descrete away fan should be fine for a beer (not sure what it would be like for the Mancs/Scousers/Lillywhites/Burnley etc.. though).

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

Wandering down to the ground we spotted plenty of take aways and off-licenses. We headed to the away ticket point to get our seats, and then were directed straight up the main road to the 'away' pub, the Fernhurst. It was just 3 minutes walk away. However, they were charging £2 entry fee to the bar, or there was an outside bar charging £3.40 a pint of lager or £2.90 for ale! We headed back towards the ground and were told by a friendly doorman at the WMC (NOT for away fans) to head back up the hill (past McDonalds) to any of the pubs up there (there are 3 in short distance). We went in to the White Horse, in which we had a much more reasonably priced pint. The Fox and Hounds, over the road from McDonalds, didn't look all that friendly with door staff. There are chippies and take aways on the main road running behind the Jack Walker stand.

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?

The ground is modern and well appointed, sharing a lot of similarites with Anfield in that it is red brick and very much a 'square' ground as opposed to these modern bowl libraries.

5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..

Beer and food available in the ground was spot on, including these new fancy Guiness pints created by sonic vibrations! Cracking pint for £3.20. For a League Cup match the crowd was fairly poor, even at £10 a ticket. The stewards were chatty, and I had a really genuine football conversation with a Celtic supporting bobby!

6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game.

Rather hazzy memories (the Guiness was good!) but no problems, however the crowd was barely 10,000. Got the late train back to Preston, again from Mill Hill, managed to catch a late chippy on the route back.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out.

Glad to see teams making these early matches affordable. Despite the awful football the people and the situation of the ground would make this a good day out for any fan. Another ticked off the list.