Good post MB6 and a point well raised. I think it was Paul who has mentioned something along the same lines, and the reason it seems the situation is worse for us is because there is nobody waiting to replace the ones that have 'stayed away' for whatever reason. The game is pricing itself away from the fans - on top of other factors that have to be taken into account attending a match nowadays all things included - it adds up to a very expensive day for what does for the majority of times leave you feeling so down for the rest of the weekend.

Exactly ! I always make a point of asking ex-regulars why they don't go any more - 9 times out of 10 the answer is the price of the ticket . Link the cost with the effort put in by many players and the result is that the average working bloke will stop going. Lower the price and people will be more willing to watch the overpaid prancers. When people get fed up of watching games in half empty stadiums maybe market forces will work in our favour again. Agreed Blue Phil/Jim There was a similar thread last season, where I expressed my views on this along to what you are saying here. However, it is not cost alone but I would say it is probably the main percentage contributary factor of it. As I mentioned there is far too much money taken away from the game by easy gain (eg agents/under achieving players wages etc) and until such costs are brought into control the game will continue in to a downward spiral and will result in many a team going under/amateur status/feeder trainee clubs and possibly only a European league in operation in 'USA style 'entertainment (anybody else see Wenger's wishes at the weekend). Football will reach a 'break point' whereby fans will not pay the price of a ticket over a certain value unless it's a one off eg semi/cup final- as much as love Football I have already reached it and my level is £30 (I even refuse to pay it for the England games and go for the cheapest if possible) I find it very interesting that once, MU v Liverpool one of ( if not the biggest) matches in the Uk football calendar is scoffed at as being just another match on TV, and agree with Jim in that I feel TV is killing Football regardless of the amount of money it injects - as this just leads to more being dwindled away rather than being invested into the game. And yes - I couldn't be bothered to watch it either

It doesn't get any easier does it - after the previous two which I thought where difficult to call we now throw up this. Ceases to amaze me that when you look back at players that have passed through our club the amount of talent that have donned the famous shirt. As Bazza has said earlier, it is always very difficult to compare players from different decades, and dependent upon your age and what you have seen or maybe heard there will always be the bias for certain players you have seen play in your decision. I mentioned in an earlier thread not to forget Chris Sulley in the nominations just out of respect that I felt he never really let us down, however he is not he best I have seen play. Bailey and Rathbone I can remember see playing but that was in my younger years and the memories are a bit vague to say anything special. Alan Wright was one I feel proved all critics wrong and was an excellent LB and for his height was certainly not embarrassed in the heading dept and appeared to have the 'speedie' leap so to put it. Without one person the best I have seen would have to be LeSaux - possibly and arguably the best left back to play in the P/L so far with the ability to score goals as well and if it hadn't been for his spat with Batty and is finger salute to the Rovers fans in the Pre season friendly at Sheff Utd he could well have got my vote. However, you don't get the reverance of Eckersley cheaply and as I said earlier it is very difficult to compare players from different eras; but the way people speak about this guy and the comments from Finney and Matthews sways me to think that he was some player. I have read great things about the guy and his consistency and the will to sweat blood for the shirt can only attribute IMO 'legend' status and makes it very difficult to really look beyond him to fill the spot - so he takes my vote.

Also feeling optimistic and hopefully this will give the players the kick up the backside they need. 3 - 1 Rovers

Quite comical that the Geordies are saying this was their best atmosphere yet many on here where saying they where hardly singing at all. In addition what about all the empty seats circa 31k - so much for the 'sold out signs' for every match Souness and the best fans the media hype leads people to think they are.

and vice-versa kettle. Most of your complaints about Souness were his lineup and tactics, so if Hughes is as good as we think, expectations should be higher. American Think you are totally missing the point here and trying to gain points. Following on from what Scotty says, and what I have said previously this is not his team so I think expectation cannot be as high, at least not for this season. Yes come next season (if he is still here ) and he has brought in/sold on players then my expectations will be higher as it would for any manager - which as you seem to be following what I have said in my posts previously was the same for Souness. I am not naive enough to think we are going to set the P/L alight, but I do feel like yourself we should be doing better hence my frustration with Souness and his constant cock ups that many of us expressed our concerns at way before they became major issues. For all managers you live by the sword and every manager's time will come to an end but Hughes has only just taken over. Just take a look at what people are saying such as myself and Scotty are trying to say (maybe we are not expressing ourselves that wel) but I think you will get the gist.

Agree totally. I think we have signed some good additions this summer and the team we have now is probably better than last season, except maybe Andy Cole. Hughesy/ Kingalan I don't think anybody is saying they would be happy with 17th - more to fact that it would be acceptable considering the circumstances at the club at the moment. I feel Hughes will make a good do of this, but I am with Scotty in feeling at the moment our team lacks creativity and any drive to make it anything other than a mediocre middle of the table side. I agree he needs to stem the mistakes and shoar up the defence but we have also got to be realistic in terms of what is available for him to work with at the moment. January, is the time to take stock and reflect on our position with Hughes being able to at least start to build his 'own side' by buying new players if required. I agree with Kingalan in respect that there shouldn't be any reason why we can't charge up the table and only time will tell if Hughes can get the team to do this - but I doubt it unless Hughes can seriously intall some backbone into this team and do as I stated above which is why I feel January will be more of a marker to reflect rather than now (hope that makes sense ) I find it quite unbelievable that the same people are willing to take 'staying in the premier' as acceptable for Souness but not for Hughes yet he has only just taken over.

You must be joking about Wigan - it is one of the worst towns for getting and out of - the road network is even worse than Blackburn especially on matchdays. Bolton is not too bad but there is too much other stuff going on around at the same time which increase the traffic levels. As for the finanical interest - I seem to remember reading something about this but it wasn't just the Rovers they where referring to - and anyway the consortium of the Jersey Trust is what everything has to go through I do believe for all his business/financial interests.

Good points PhilipL but aren't all managers' first games 'massive' As for Redknapp - I expect his side will be organised with the instructions to withstand the onslaught that is likely to happen for the first 20 mins - the nuse the counter-attack to get at us. What Hughes needs to do is make sure that we capitalise on this first 20 mins and learn to get at Portsmouth rather than backing off and stop being the side that has been so easily broken down and 'bypassed' recently. USABlue - I appreciate your concerns (which are backed up well with reasons) but it is only this season that Hughes that 17th will be accepted - remember this is not the side he built just the team he has taken over - and as Scotty says if we are relegated it won't be Hughes that I will be blaming. Now do you like salt on or sauce on your eggs??

'Hughes the Feck is Graeme Souness!!'

Whether we have money to spend or not is totally irrelevant until at the moment as we cannot buy anybody until January when in all essence it could be too late (unless we get them on a bosman). It is what he does with the players now that will make the difference and it is vitally important that us as fans play our part. We could have 15 million to spend in January but if we are 10 -15 points behind the 4th from bottom this money is going to be of no use. I feel he does have the makings to turn this around and get us into a decent position come the transfer window - until then lets concentrate on what we have and go from there starting this Saturday. 'Hughes the f##k is Graeme Souness' (not mine sorry)

Excellent post CB along with samozzie. I voted yes also, as I didn't really have a 'first choice', however Hughes was one of the first that came into my head when Souness left . I thought we would have kept him after the two years as a sidekick to Souness and I am positive I read somewhere that he was in contact with Rovers anyway over the years. Anyway, regardless of Hughes being appointed we would have been having the same sort of questions and answers for whoever we appointed and I think for the majority of the runners would have got the yes vote. What I can't comprehend is this experience lark - TND/ USA the football world is also littered by many so called ' expereinced manager' who doesn't have a job because basically they where not good enough - sort of disprove your comments. As CB states look at his record during his playing years and the way he conducted himself- this was not a player that wanted to lose and gave everything when he crossed that white line and did so for Rovers in his twilight ( Unlike Yorke and to some Cole) - there was no moaning from him and falling over when somebody whispered in his ear. He has taken an international team - I repeat international team out of the doldrums and given the belief back to them that they can actually achieve something. Exactly what our gutless negatively disorganised team needs at the moment. I have said it before whoever we appointed, would not have experience anyway as they have not managed Rovers before - at least Hughes will have a bit of knowledge from his time with us and he certainly didn't let us down then. The likening of him to Kidd as well are of the mark as Kidd was not a manager - Hughes is. As for the transfer market - look at the Souness buys - some good some bad - so again doesn't really have any credence unless we are going to go out and buy 'top names' which I do believe we are not in the market to attract anyway now. At least we might see some belief to give some of the younger or less experienced players from the First Division a chance. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but there seems to be some issues raised against Hughes which don't have any credence. Maybe if he hadn't played for Rovers and was say managing Ipswich and was getting all the credits from everyone - would some of you have been so against him then? Hypothetically speaking this is the position of Dowie at the moment who was also top of many people's list. I think the board have acted very professionally in his appointment, although I still feel there was more 'behind the scenes activity' than we are led to believe ( see my comment above about staying in touch) and they must have seen something in him that makes them feel confident about having him as manager. It might be a gamble, but I feel its a gamble the club needed to take I feel very excited about this and feel he will be a success, just hope we can keep Short on Board as part of the backroom staff to complment his team ( if this is how Short he sees himself when he hangs up his boots that is). He is respected by his fellow professinals and people alike in the world of Football, and certainly has experince from playing at many levels - some of which many a so called experienced Manager would love to have in his lock up. Roll on Saturday, he might not get it right straight away but hopefully it will give the players the kick up the backside they are short of.

Cheers Tris - I knew it was one of them the Guinness always greys the memory

Glenn its a couple of years since I went down to Charlton but the Steward setup must have changed - as they certailnly weren't so for 'having a laugh' then. Just to add to the travel section for Charlton - there are regular overland trains that run from Kings Cross and probably other stations that maybe the London based fans could confirm. Allows you to have a scoop or few in the City before going to the ground In addition - this applies to all London Clubs - for those of you travelling from the North when driving - what I have found is that it is very convenient to do is to come off at Stanmore junction of the M1 and head for the tube station - signposted all the way - and use the tube. They have secure car parking and to leave you car all day /night is very cheap. Did this when we played Spurs last game and appears to be a much quicker and less hassle/stress free and cheapish way of negotiating London.

I'd certainly have him in before Fitcroft now.

Disagree Bobf I know full well faced with the answers to the questions raised I know you would make the right selection - as would many others on here - unless of course they all gave exactly the same answer word for word (now that would be difficult)

Now what were we saying before..... Alien life form abseiling down the Hoover Dam

Get Chris Sulley in there

Report from the Rags 19/09/04 " all reports that Redknapp would not be at the game where blown out the window when he was spotted in the seat sponsored by Betfair in the Jack Walker stand with his son Jamie sporting the Blue n White now of the famous Lancastrian club . This bombshell of appointment by Rovers had taken all by surprise (except Betfair who claimed ignorance of anything) and was considered downright disrespectful to the 2000 or so pompey fans that had made the long journey to meet Mr Blackburn Rovers himself Bobf. They had been assured that Mr R would not be taking over the reigns of his new club until the following Monday due to him being on 'toilet cleaning leave.' You can just see it

Gav/TND good posts from you both which raise important issues which are interlockable in thought and in reality both correct. However that is the basis of football anyway - success on the pitch is what in all reality brings in the fans (except for the City clubs) and both of you appear to be sounding the death knell when IMO there is no need yet anyway - concern yes but there are still issues than can be addressed and reversed to our advantage I have said previously on similar discussions, that what is missing from the club is the 'feel good factor' which the new manager might be able to briing back. Optimistically looking back, we have shown we can generate average 27k crowds - consistency is the key and by making the community and town of Blackburn and its areas aware that we have one precious thing in this town is the hard part. Somebody has posted before about ROVERS being a club that brings people into the town - in fact the only thing that does actually bring them in. If this is the case then the Club's profile needs to raised significantly locally - of which the fans at the moment have their part to play and show their pride in the Club that can then build a platform on which Blackburn Rovers can build in the 'football world'. I don't mean cheesy advertising like using bus stops etc but basic thinking and getting the people of Blackburn etc to feel passion and enthusiasm for our club. To me being relegated would not be the end of world - drastic at the time but I do feel we would bounce back (again) and have a very loyal band of supporters to be one of the better supported teams if it did happen and the structure of the club as a whole. I know all fans say that their club is the best - but in all reality I honestly do feel ROVERS are a rough diamond just waiting to be polished again - a gem and even though it might not be the dearest in the shop it is certainly invaluable to us. It won't happen overnight and the rut we are in at the minute looks like it has no end to it- but we will overcome and be back on our way up before we know it.

Or the decision had/has/already been made and the formalities of crossing the i's and dotting the t's had to be completed if you see what I mean We as fans especially, already know Rovers are very good at keeping things very secret . I just have a feeling that everything has been a smokescreen with only two riders in contention. Has nobody else noticed the little smirks from JW?

Who's to say they didn't 1864? It'll all come out in the wash (it always does)

You are forgiven 1864 Hope you're ok (and anybody else) after the accident.

All I can say is where are the Pro Souness brigade now? - preferred to ignore what the fans who where very very worried about what they where seeing. Didn't go to Newcastle - but chose to watch the highlights for the first time this season - and what did I see - nothing that I haven't seen before - a poor Newcastle side given far too much time to go about their training regime against a totally dis -interested and disorganised resemblance of what used to be the very proud Blackburn Rovers. Don't want to be too critical because I can only go off what I saw in 60 mins but for those that went tell me I am wrong. From all accounts there where parallels from every game played so far and last season where we just back off and don't mark players. I asked before how many more times are we going to give opposition sides chances to cross before we wake up the fact that this might lead to goals. Another thing I have noticed is how flat and tunnel visioned we are when defending - all we do is line up in a single file across the edge of the box and lose all sense of what is going on around with the opposition players who just move into space. And as for Flitcrofts og - can't see how anybody is surprised that this went in - he onlly knows one way and that is to play backwards - he's finished - now get rid. Comedy of errors with no drive and determination to even try and get something out of the game - an embarrassment than needs halting straight away and a kick up the backside being given - if need, drop the underperforming wasters who don't give a f!! (now when have we heard that before) There's certainly one thing to be said about Souness and that is that he must be very influential - because if I didn't know I would have sworn he was still managing that side on Saturday, because the way they played had Souness written all over it. We need a manager and need him yesterday rather than next week.

Altogether now....... " and the Bob and the Bobf come bob bob bobbin along.... shoot the ba####ds, shoot the ba####ds, shoot the ba####ds" Sorry Bobs x2 - couldn't resist