The first club I remember adopting a 4-4-2 formation was West Ham United in the early 1960s. I don't know who their manager was. It might have been Ron Greenwood. Or was he later? Rovers and a lot of other clubs waited to see how things went and were quite slow to change. I think the change for all took many seasons.

John Bailey I'd love to read all about his life, especially his version of THAT match against Southampton.

3rd row from back of riverside opp Darwen End penalty area. The other end of the riverside to Al. (Oreet, Al?) Three negatives for this position:- 1 Cannot see the big screen 2 Tannoy system is crap 3 Players keep hiding behind one of the support stanchions But we've been here since Dalglish became manager. It's home from home.

If that's the name he wants to be known as, let all of us fans call him that and put "Gamst" in a song such as "All you need is Gamst la la la la la." After all he has replaced Duff.

Was that the away game in Sept 1981? Me and my son were visiting UK from Rhodesia at that time and Steve Clarkson, my mate from Clitheroe, drove us down to Gay Meadow. Noel Brotherston scored a superb goal to give us a 2-1 victory. More great memories from the Bazza archives!

Leeds United used to be known as "The Peacocks" because of their colours of blue and gold (very colourful) until Don Revie changed their strip, copying Swansea Town, to all white.

I'm absolutely delighted that we're in Europe again. For those of you who remember Spenny, he is also over the moon. But in his usual pessimistic way says, " I'm not looking forward to going out on the away goals rule to a team from Estonia made up of postmen and brickies". It's time he realised that our manager is Hughes and not Souness. Unlike Souey, Sparky yearned to qualify for Europe, rejoiced when we did and will give it his best shot. That's good enough for me. Roll on next (European) season.

Excellent preview, Colin. I'm glad to see you spelled correctly the names of Gally and Mr "Chumley" Warner. I enjoyed the history of the latics and the town. Did Dave Whelan only make 87 appearances for us? I know he broke his leg but I thought he would have played more games. The thought of this game gives me the collywobbles. The victory at New Year there was too easy considering their form throughout the season so far. This is the big banana skin that Rovers MUST avoid. Sparky has to wind up the lads and make them believe they are playing Arsenal again. Wigan are snapping at our heels. If we have the right mentality we might just win 3-2. If not , we get beat 2-1. Fingers crossed.

Sparky on radio said Bellamy felt his "back" tighten at half time and it became tighter in the second half. What he means by that god only knows. However, he (Sparky) seemed to think it is something NOT to worry about and Bellers should be fit for the next game. Good three points

If I were on your salary, Stephen, I'd be able to afford to go by chopper to Cheltenham Races and to lose a load of dosh without it smarting.

Our two goals were superb , and hope they bring a few more fans to Ewood next week. 388610[/snapback] Not if it's on TV. Oh dear; 5:15 KO. Must be on TV. Cheaper to go to the pub to watch it.

Two quick points:- 1)Very very proud of the lads today. No-one played badly. Excellent team effort. 2) Re the spuds' third goal if anyone is to blame it must be Brad. OK, Gray was beaten for pace. But a square ball across a virtually empty 6 yard box to a forward on the far side would have been cut out by most other premier league keepers. I'm not having a pop at Brad but, if blame is to be laid, it's him more than Micky.

I know someone who can stop the new Maradona, Messi........... The new Bill Eckersley or the new Mike England or (especially for Jim) the new Keith Newton but we haven't found them yet.

Yes. Gone to Blackpool

How strange all these mixed views are! I enjoyed a good game. I thought Sunderland played very well for two thirds of the game before becoming tired and disheartened. Reid, though out of position, played OK. Toogs was superb. Peter is the first left winger to cross good balls since Wilcox. Zurab looked good in midfield; he's quite tricky with his footwork. Micky Gray, I'm afraid, isn't good enough. He is very limited and regularly turns round and plays the ball backwards. Gamst was too unfit to be played. Otherwise, a good job done. I'm happy. Strictly no complaints from me.

On paper we should stuff 'em. But football's a funny old game. Their young keeper played well on Wednesday and will be keen to continue impressing. My selection:- Freidal, Zurab, Todd, Nelsen, Neill Emerton,Savage, Reid, Bentley Bellamy, Sinama/P 0-0 draw unfortunately

Jon Walters is another ex young Rover, isn't he? I didn't know he was playing for Wrexham.

Thanks Cocker.

My mate tells me we can vote for our choice of shirt design on the official web site but I've searched and cannot find anything.

RFW says Rovers were fouling. Huh!!! Rollocks!!! Utd were the more aggressive physical side all night. I never thought I'd hear "Are you Burnley in disguise" being sung versus Man Utd. That alone is added to the wonderful memories I have of Rovers. I just can't stop grinning.

Just got back from the pub and watched the match on TV. Not read any of this thread. I am so proud of our wonderful team tonight. We made them sweat and bite their fingernails to the bitter end. Their players are slightly technically better because Man U have megabucks more than us. But I thought we did ourselves proud tonight. One or two years ago we would not have given them such a good game. No disgrace tonight. They scraped through. Sparky is doing a fantastic job. Can't wait for the league match v them at Ewood. We have nothing to fear.

We must make the most of Gamst, fellow Rovers fans. Enjoy him while we can, just as we did "the boy, Duff". If he continues to score such wonder goals we'll not be able to hold onto him. Back on topic, leave him as a midfielder.

It's time Savage scored. 1-1