Well 1864 I hope you where drunk when you posted. Was debating before the game whether we should offer Tugay another 1yr contract - not because I don't rate him but because of whether time has caught up on him. I think last night answered it perfectly. As per many this has got to be Hughes' biggest challenge so on the basis of using Tugay sparingly lets put in a bid for Nolan at Bolton. I'm sure at the end of this season we could be in a position to pay a better wage than Bolton along with being an attractive enough pull as long as MU don't step in. Anyway back to the game -(note to Hughes - when Sunderland are officially relegated - 'ARCA'). Not the best but a wins a win yet we still looked a bit jittery. Thought Savage and Reid where poor until later in the game, but to be fair to Savage he did take a few whacks. Pongo - Thought he started of quite brightly, has a good touch and appers to have vision but not use it and try's to do it all on his own - IMO seemed to think he could do the same as Bellers last night. Zurab - thought he did ok when he came on in midfield. Gray and Neill - although not outstanding and could have both cost us goals last night (and Todd) though they did alright in trying to up the attacking tempo coming forward. Pedersen - clearly not fit Sergio - very impressive Somebody said earlier about the strange organisation Sunderland have about them, and I too feel a little sorry for them (and their FANS) beacause although you can see they are trying, they are clearly not good enough however they could in all truthness have got something from the game last night given the chances they had. Also I think the comment re Stead not scoring is understandable considering the team he is playing in. So its of to Derby for a jolly and then bring on the Arse. Come on Blue boys we are approaching the finishing straight - LETS GO FOR IT!!

Which are?? For such a big guy he doesn't exactly win alot of headers- yes he challenges for them in a fashion but very rarely do they connect with his head unless he is unmarked. I said when we signed him he wasn't a Premiership player but lets see what he can do - well as much as we all like the guy and want him to do well the 'do' bit has not materialised and IMO needs shipping out at the end of the season. Personally, I wasn't surprised - our midfield is nothing much without Tugay and MGP hasn't really offered much lately except for his free kicks and still appears to have the inability to take on players. To say the team has the work ethic and is set up to play counter attacking football, we sure make it difficult for ourselves by what I term 'pissballing' about with the ball too much instead of going forward ie we seem to take so long to make decisions - couple that with the basic errors and 'daydreaming' (why do we always make it look easy for teams to score against us - yet have to work for ours or create 20 chances to score 1) is it any wonder. As somebody mentioned previously - midtable team is exactly what we are and we don't have the cream to rise to that next level.

Hope so, as he always seems to play well against us

Agree Steb Any idea on the colour of shorts with this - same red? Well there ya go then - thats my question answered - 1960's style ' tight square swimming' style for the ladieeez and maybe the 'men' of that nature. 3 v 3 for me as well

AR - I presume you just mean their home support as I would consider them one of the best (if not the best) away from home

Louis Saha - you can go on about MGP but this guy has something against us. Working in Manchester amongst the reds the feeling was of nervousness before the game because of there supposed lack of midfield - my response was we have no forwards and Saha is always a thorn in our side (inc Foolham) and would along with a contentious decision from the ref would more than likely settle the result ... (and no I'm not psychic... psychotic maybe) Anyway, last night was a chance to overrun them in midfield which we didn't and is where I feel Sparky got it wrong, culminate that with the individual errors/late subs and the vital decisions the ref got wrong and we all saw the results. Level thinking, I don't think any Rovers fan could have felt comfortable with the starting 2 up front, as so proved and likeable as he is I feel Kuqi has now signed his tfr form - lets just hope this has convinced the powers that be to release/obtain funds to purchase a new striker because if there was any doubt before there certainly isn't now. Overall I don't know whether to feel disapointed, annoyed, dismayed, proud or whatever but I do know that MU where there for the taking and we blew it. I don't feel either team did enough to win, and IMO neither team played in the knowledge that a Cup Final place was up for grabs. Well done to the fans that went last night and those that have supported them through the rounds.

Coming back to the goal - just one aspect that nobody appears to have picked up upon and worth considering and that's the Ref's decision and IMO my reasoning for justifying why I think the goal was given. As we all know the Norwegian is quite adept at heading a ball and in most circumstances would probably have met it fair and square on his bonce, however Bowyers foot was at head level when 'the hand of Ped' intervened which I feel MGP was aware of hence the reaction. Normally though in circumstances the Ref would have blown for high kicking yet there was nothing for this - if he had blown his whistle what decision would he have given? Penalty?(yes) freekick - where from as it would have been direct and on the line? Or then again he could have just missed it ....... what a shame

As above Colin and... We are Blackburn Rovers which = That it will happen

Was thinking the same True blue -also comments from Allardyce saying there has been a cover up after the Liverpool game because it was one of the Big Teams or words to that affect anyway. IMO - all instigating the same thing and not disimilar to Nelsen's comments - yet who do they throw the book at...... exactly Maybe JAL has a point with the cynical look at it. In addition, listening to the radio driving in this morning Keith Hackett head of the Refs Assoc is calling for more ex players to become refs and looking into it in order to 'maintain the standard' of refereeing we have at the moment..... Jesus I nearly crashed my car -'maintain the standard' WTF is he on!!!! - but then again why should I be surprised as he wasn't much better anyway as a ref.

Wish somebody had have done though - we wasn't even in line with Todd Didn't need to see anything yesterday - as soon as we knew Halsey the tw?T was reffing we should have known the outcome Another totally inept waste of space. Anyway questions need to be asked about or finishing as this game should have been over well before Halsey and his crew stepped in -personally I feel its time for Pedersen to feel the cold of the bench as he is living on the goals from the Utd game.

The customary 1-0 t'Rovers or 2-5 tonking like they gave us a bit ago

This was before the game RM, and advised of the changes he would be making citing to the fact they have more important matters without detriment to us

A wins a win but lets not get carried away. Blackwell interview on the radio implicated they were not coming to win the game and the Reading game at the weekend was bigger, also that it would just be technical matters for them to see how they could cope away from home if they got promoted back to the Premier. They made 7 changes from the weekend we made 2 - puts it into perspective really As for Emerton - who was he up against really.

beat me to it Shilito Sidwell (Reading) would still be somebody worth taking a look at. Who says we need to spend big - i'm sure there must be others in the Championship who could probably step up the level -question is are we bold enough to take the step? In addition there is are always others knocking around just waiting for a chance - problem is finding them

Tend to disagree here Rev - I have spoke about the FF with Glenn and SteB previously some time back - personally I think its overdue due to the fact this is what people are led to believe. Probably the best description of it I have heard - just feel it is inappropiately named ( its not really a fans forum) May not be top secret, but what there would appear to be is lack of feedback to those that know about it which makes peole think so - What benefit has it been?

Hence this bit FR

The simple thing is though, if you don't like it DO something about it. I wasn't there on Saturday so can't really comment but if affected that many people surely there were enough in numbers to get something done. Personally I feel this was out of order - there is banter but there is also a line and I feel this was crossed by a section of fans but now it has gone - so as others have said get over it unless you are prepared to do something about it. FYI - a Rovers fan phoned in to Century FM last night to apologise on behalf of the Rovers fans for the chants. As per many things in life - some people will understand others won't and similar issue will always be around regardless.

Mmmm...I have my doubts and I might be naive in my thinking and feelings here Philipl, but my reading of this is that they are expecting their core support to stay with them. Now the way things are going with Football at the moment I think we can reasonably ascertain that this would probably not be the case unless numerous drastic changes are made. This probably relates to most who have attended football over the years, but an interest in a Club tended to stem from a family relation(s) or friend(s) already interested/attending games getting you interested and into the groove and routine and becoming addicted for whatever reason. Maybe this might be the way forward, but IMO this will not generate the Fan with diehard loyalty , more the 'fashion seeker' and what I call 'one offers' as the statement on Charlton would suggest about ticket enquiries from previous non attendees "So many of the calls are from people who had never considered going to football before," - would be interesting to see if many are re-callers/attendees

Fair do's that you might only be 10 minute walk away DM but by paying you are accepting that the price is ok which is a detriment to the other fans and not just our club. Its just scandulous and obscene. People can put up with hassle providing the price is right - IMO the Liverpool game is too much and ridiculous as well but its more in line with 'todays prices' than what Chelsea are charging. Topic of discusion on Saturday was if any Rovers fans pay that price they want their head seeing to. I suspect not many fans will be attending, but to those that are I have to agree with what TND has said previously and although we can't stop anybody, suggest they have a rethink and boycott the game on principle.

One thing I do know I think it'll be harder than people think but reckon a close win ... 1 v 0/ 2 v1 In addition just posted a new ditty for Nelsen on the Song thread

Whoops sorry missed this(mods pls merge if possible) see other thread - just started one for him

What do ya reckon - to the tune of 'In the Navy'? 'Admiral Nelsen he comes from Overseas ...... Admiral Nelsen from the country of N Z ( zee) .........Admiral Nelsen he brings strikers to their knees ..........He's a Kiwi He's a Kiwi ' Don't ask me how, I just started singing this to myself whilst driving the otherday, and the tune wasn't even on the radio. Yes/No?? : whoops just seen othe thread (mods pls merge if possible)

Certainly was, with alot of Rovers fans walking out before and at half time.

Norwich at home last season

Interesting point there and something I have commented on before. However, its also one of my biggest beefs with the team/club for a while - its fair do's having the players but our reaction to the second ball is non existent. Time and time again we punt balls forward and nobody is looking for the knock on /return pass etc this include throwings and showed up big time last Sunday once Newcastle took the lead.