James NO 7 I wish you had read and thought about it before you sent it in , although I can see where you are coming from this just reads as 'sour grapes' to me over the Diouf incident (you said it ‘especially’ irked you) with the other discrepancies of the Ref just an add on with the hindsight of TV. Think most are blaming this entirely on the ref, but are not considering the situation - its officiating in general and not just the refs that are the problem – (What the feck are the linesmen/4th official there for?) Let me explain:- First of all from the Blackburn End – the first initial reaction was that it was a penalty – from memory the ref was behind the incident so IMO it can be understood why the ref gave the penalty – he only has a split second to make the decision and that is what he did – – what he didn’t do was question his linesman with all the commotion going on. My irk as I have said before, is where the heck was the bloody linesman ? As I have said before its not as if they where caught out like the MU v SPURS match – surely he should be looking for offside and up with the game of play so he should have seen what had happened regardless of which side he was on – how is it something so blatant could be missed when in all essence the linesman should have been at least on line with the back men? Somehow these so called ‘officials’ manage to see offsides that couldn’t spilt a hair yet miss something like this. Therefore if the linesman wasn’t there he was not doing his job correctly, which is what should be questioned Now coming back to your mail – yes he made an incorrect decision ( as he did with others) but also made correct ones as most refs do, also we all have opinions re what is a foul and what isn’t but at the end of the day the ref decision is final at that instant. So asking for a suitable punishment for the referee on Monday (unforgivable mistake) is a bit over the top as he only went by what he thought he saw and your argument for punishment would then stand against every referee in every match. You redeem yourself with the Savage incident after the Nolan one but that seems just like an afterthought as the Savage fouls happened first ( again, from the Blackburn End they looked hard tackles but not as bad as they did on TV and all in all it was supposed to be a derby.) Player’s “continuous behaviour” and “ expected Bennett would have researched the behaviour” ?? (possibly Collina used too) – let me turn this on its head – suppose there had been contact and it was a ‘definite’ penalty. Just because somebody had done it earlier/in another match 2 wrongs do not make a right. Yes, take note but they can’t base their decisions on what has happened just because a previous incident was or was not – it’s how it is seen at the time but why don't they use their linesman as said above? Influencing the game –that’s what referees do by making decisions, but as with every match 99% of the time one set of fans/ manager/team will feel aggrieved and feel hard done by the ref and it just depends on how the result goes. …………… I am with Kiwiwannabe on this with the FA not making any sense, in that the ref didn’t deal with the ‘incident’ of the spit the dog cheating rather than giving a penalty which I think is where you should have concentrated your efforts more and the standard of officiating overall. Poor refereeing overall maybe, however,( I’m not having a go as I feel your mail was more in anger than anything) but I feel they will probably take one look at your mail for ‘suggested action’ and go “Oh no not another one” and just send you the "standard official reply”, as I am sure the useless FA will not have taken notice as would appear from their response The REF was cheated by the spitter, but the FA should now take the action on his dive and also the elbow and make a precedent to try and eradicate it from the game, otherwise take action as Ste B indicates. BTW - Sorry about the long reply - just thought it worth replying to.

Mostly because he is never where he should be - if he stayed out wide a bit more he might find more decent passes finding their way to him with him finding himself facing forwards and in space, instead of coming inside all the time and getting in the way of the other midfielders. Alot of the time I think this ithe main problem because the others can't keep up with Emerton and haven't got a clue where he is going with the ball, thus leaving him with nobody to pass to and ultimately facing the wrong way or being tackled and out of position. I have to disagree somewhat Mr Kayos. The passes to him were poor and two or three yards behind him. Surely we pass to players as a physical presence not to a space where a player is supposed to be, for the most part. But thats what I'm trying to say USA (maybe not so clear) Because of his annoying habit of not being where as a player you would probably expect him to /should be. The rest are having to pass to him in a more difficult area or are rushed into making it and there have been so many times since last season where we have been stringing some flowing passes together (when ) acrosss the pitch or counter attacking and this breaks down because Ferguson/Tugay etc look up to the right/left and the Barbie Prawn muncher is not there. Not saying it is entirely his fault but he doesn't help the cause by cutting inside 90% of the time and spriting off on a diagonal crossing the path of other players or breaking their stride thus cocking up the momentum of the move Just watch how many times he has to track back with his passing/runs.

Yep that's a bright side ....what the feck? - we have more shots than the opposition and they still manage to beat us .... again Sorry can't see this bright side DMTP

Mostly because he is never where he should be - if he stayed out wide a bit more he might find more decent passes finding their way to him with him finding himself facing forwards and in space, instead of coming inside all the time and getting in the way of the other midfielders. Alot of the time I think this ithe main problem because the others can't keep up with Emerton and haven't got a clue where he is going with the ball, thus leaving him with nobody to pass to and ultimately facing the wrong way or being tackled and out of position.

Never said we did TDI What was sure enough is we certainly didn't deserve to win and nor did Notlob, but regardless of Spit the Diouf, there where other reasons why we lost this game as well. Call that Football ... No didn't think so For arguments sake, from the Blackburn end it looked like a penalty so can't comment on the Ref, as from memory he was behind the game but where the feck was the linesman if it was so obvious? Only just seen a replay of the incident and its not as if it was another Utd/Spurs secnario. Not denying that what Diouf did should be accepted, in fact I think he should be punished as this is the only way this will be taken out of the game - but regardless of that we have much more to worry about than dwelling on what the ref/linesman should have seen. In fact you could well be right about Fergie

Personally, regardless of the mis forgivings of spit the diver, I think people need to wake up and smell the coffee and take a look at how poor we really are. We lack any creativity and have no style in the way we play - talk about disorganised!! and nobody has any idea what to do with the ball in the last third of the pitch. How anybody can say Emerton had a good game is beyond me when he is never in the place where he should be, always cutting in and getting in the way of the rest of the midfielders and his cover /working relationship with Neil is non existent. Yet again another home game and another shocker of a performance which yet again highlighted the enormous problems of our side , and people wonder why the numbers are dwindling. I said along with many others on here months ago that it was imperative that another striker was acquired if JANSEN was not considered upto the task - think last night finally put the cherry on the cake. We have certainly got major worries if Dickov is our 'only hope' and doubt he would have scored or played well if he had played as we have the fluency of playing with a boulder in quicksand and the service is non existent from midfield. What has happened to GALLAGHER? Thought he would sparkle this season, but seems to have got the curse of 'Blackburn Forwards 'again and has just totally forgot how to play football. Bothroyd? looked half decent when he first came but now I think we have seen enough to know why he hasn't progressed. Stead - still a must in my book to start - give him a few games from the beginning and get the 'spoon feeder' if that's what is needed (Ferguson?) to get the ball too him in the box - he will do the rest. Thompson as I have said before - is not the hero of CM that alot seem to think he is. Are we/Will we miss Ferguson I don't know as I haven't been impressed with him thus far - but what was glaringly obvious about last night was the lack of having a player who can put his foot on the ball in the middle. Matteo is not a Premiership player and I think it swept over people's heads what the Brum fan said on here earlier - however last night I thought he played well to a certain point but then did other things that are just not acceptable. Neill's distribution is absolutely woeful. Pedersen appears to be getting better every game, but again has no support from a decent full back. Moekwena - played better than against Cardiff but stll giving the ball away far too much (hot potato?) Todd - again head and shoulders above the rest Funny (or maybe not) how people saw the two footed challenge of Nolan but missed the one of Savage's early doors and are looking at the Diouf dive as the major reason we got beat - all I can say is we have seen it far too many times where we know we are always going to concede when chances are not taken ( why do we make it look so hard to score?) All in all, both teams where abaolute rubbish last night with neither team deserving a win, never mind a draw. I think most of the players out there last night should be charged with cheating .... cheating the fans by saying they are Premiership players 'PREMIER LEAGUE.. YOU'RE AVING A LAFF!!'

Exactly what I said earlier Scottty ...one too many - if you call playing well not making a pass to a single Blackburn player in the first 1/2 hour and putting us in trouble on more than one occasion then your standards can't be that high (or was the vision distorted I'll take the word of Ste B (for the minute) from those that saw him play at Cardiff and Portsmouth so here's hoping, because on last nights evidence Gabbidon took the plaudits

So it looks like Jumbovision is falling a apart - what with the pixels missing ( Think NulclearSox has something to do with this) and now the trimmings falling off. Could do with taking a look at - including the crap they put on it

Whoops .....!! Sorry Alan 75

Good post Paul but as Alan K says he is suspended for the Notlob game - agree wuth everything you said especially Mokewena as he was absolutely diabolical (Scotty now I know that pint I saw you have in the Moorings was one too many if you thought he played well ) As mentioned to Ste B I suppose we have to give him the benfit of the doubt and as Ste says he has played rather well in the previous 2. T4E - take note - as Alan K says some of us have been highlighting previously the 'problems' of Dickov and not just last night. On another note I personally thought Matteo was better than Neil last night but that's not saying much - thought only MGP and maybe Thompion (but only because of his goals and the freekick) and Friedal could be given recognition for their efforts. Cardiff deserved at least extra time last night if not more, and if they had been a little more compose in their fibnishing we could have easily seen us humbled once again at home by lower league opposition to which Rovers would ahve had no argument. Fair do's to the Cardiff fans that travelled and backed their side- shame we couldn't really give them an atmosphere in return. Was very difficult at times to determine who was the higher division team, and if they could get some consistency in their game in the Championship they might be challenging at the top end rather than at the bottom. After last night I have said I am not going to the Colchester game - why should I bother when it is quite clear that most of the players aren't after last night (that feeling will probably change nearer the time dependent upon ticket prices of course)

Just somebody's words who cannot give into the fact that he has been well and truly beaten. Petty Loser

mmmm...... not totally convinced but time will tell, however he gives me more hope than BF ever did and whilst he is here he will get my backing (what has gone on just leaves a bit of a bad taste in the mouth especially if the money terms being bandied about are to be believed - would he have come for less?)

Only one thing that people appear to be missing here is if he stays for the meantime the fans are going to ghet on his back no matter what consideing what is happening. So as I have said before - unhappy player causes unrest which is not what we need. I'm with YB on this - if Gers are offering 3m plus the debt -(nobody yet clear?) then sell him. As with most I have not been impressed with him at all and 3 million is probably the max he would fetch in the market.

Get a patent on this CN174 before it is snapped up - then sell it to the media , you'll be rolling in it

Agreed Paul but this is not the first time this happened (Birmingham?) in the last couple of weeks where prices have been changed 'overnight'. In addition surely this would have been discussed/looked at before the game last Saturday anyway, because I know the replay date had been set and was advertised at the Charlton match.

Good Kiwi - can you also ask if credits will be automatically sent to those o the cup scheme as well. Regardles of whether they knew or not its another amateur cock up by the Club - not good for PR again!! With things like this happening - makes me wonder if its only the fans that are really concerned about what is happening down at our beloved club.

Yep and...... Goes someway to backing up what alot of people are saying on here. And thats for Second Division Football ...whoops... First Division ...no no sorry Coca Cola Championship Football - now that's right isn't it

I could well do the very same MB and you have hit the nail on the ehad here. Doesn't exactly instil confidence for those who committed to the cup scheme or anybody else for that matter for any future schemes the club might draw up, as quite obviously there is no real advantage. Now what where they saying about loyalty in football?

Conference Staff - Don't know if I would push it that far MB as the staff can be quite good once asked to deal with something. Would appear it tends to be the forward planning and way of thinking that lets them down and the decision making that follows - maybe 'red tape' rule driven systems are too blame but they certainly don't appear to have done thewmselves any favours over the years, and in fact appear to be getting worse. Personally, I feel the crowd will be less than the Bournemouth game dependant upon how many Cardiff bring up. - anybody betting? Based upon the feelings on here and the poll votes at the moment, hypothetically speaking , taking a general consensus that these results possibly reflect other fans feelings as well; a 50 % reduction from the c 7500 there where at the LC game could well be on the cards.

Agreed MB - don't know if you have found out anymore but why should we be ripped off for our commitment 'Season Ticket holders who have opted for the Home Cup Match Ticket Scheme will be sold their tickets automatically;their tickets will be posted out from Tuesday 13th January' If there are cheaper tickets available - then we should get them at the cheapest price - otherwise what is the point of us showing our commitment and not getting anything in essence back? Might as well send the ticket back and get one of the cheaper tickets. In addition (unless I'm reading something wrong here) how come the Adult S/T holder tickets are cheaper than the Young Adult S/T tickets in the CIS Stand?

I don't know Captn. As well as the few behind the goal they were attacking in the second half they had the whole of the stand on which the camera was situated. Fair do's Hasta -must have missed that But as many of us Rovers fans know - they are just as likely as any other fans to come out or go back into the woodwork (unless they support Citeh)

Yet again the Myth rises. Didn't appear to be many Geordies there yesterday.

Has anybody considered what the Cardiff fans may think of this? I am damn sure they will bring more than 1000 - more probably in the region of 3000 - and they will probably fancy their chances as well which maybe some way to the price being so high. Personally I think this is well over charged - I am on the cup ticket scheme and therefore will more than likely go anyway but I think the Rovers may get a kick in the teeth from this - in fact you could well see more Cardiff fans at the ground than Rovers (their Cup final n' all that malarky), unlikely I know but a possibility all the same considering what is going on at the moment at the club. £24 quid to see an undrperforming team that may well not be at full strength being paid far too much in wages that they don't deserve (except maybe Dickov and Todd) Good thinking that ..... not!!- and will go along way backwards rather than forwards in trying to get fans back down to Ewood.

You mean you just read Hughes will be changing the side on Saturday Philipl

I think a holding midfielder like him is exactly what we need. However the price needs to reflect his age and the fact that no other clubs appear to want him - so we should just wait until Birmingham just have to let him go. Savage's behaviour kind of puts that of Duff and Dunn in perspective. Duff obviously wanted to go to Chelsea and even when Liverpool were linked, he kept his trap well and truly shut. Dunn did the same - unless I've forgotten something. Don't seem to remember him being classed as a holding midfielder Rover 6, and can't exactly say when I have seen him play that is what he does Anyway, maybe its the old school in me, but I probably feel this way due to fact I am not into the holding midfielder lark that gets bandied about unless you are playing the diamond shape - to me there are two central midfielders who should share the responsibility and work up a 2 way relationship whereby they know their role should the other go forward for an attack or defend deep.