bazza

I know that Lucas wants away but until he actually goes in January or end of season he is still a Rovers player; and a very good one at that. If Sparky thinks he's the best for captain then I'll go along with that. After all, Neill is a professional footballer and he'll give 100% every game (as he has already proved). I just hope that the fans don't boo him. There is no excuse for fans who deride a player in the blue and white halves for whatever reason.

1-1 draw

I can understand you adopting Rovers because of Dalglish, but to remain a Rovers fan, especially whilst your hated Souness was in charge, mystifies me. There must be something special about our beloved club to keep you hooked regardless of who the manager is. Take note you Jan bashers. She's still a Rover. She's a convert! So I'll endorse the view of Roversmum and say "Give her a break".

I bet there's no bottled water either, like last time! This is my choice when there's no alcohol.

Spot on AB. It is the mancs and scousers who keep on about our crowd size. Although I silenced the City fans when I asked where all THEIR support had gone.

An optimistic 1-1

First game after the UEFA match usually gives a poor performance. I hope not this time. May be some goals for a change. City will score 2, one from a penalty. Rovers to scrape it 3-2 with our nails bitten right down.

I think we'll get kicked off the park. I just hope Nonda, McCarthy and Toogs don't get bad injuries. Sheff Utd 2 Rovers 1 Low point of the season. Onwards and upwards from then on.

Yes and teaming up with Bentley as well.........plenty of horsepower there Not to mention "MG" P Is his knee better? If not, when will it be? Next March??

My sentiments entirely. He really did remind me of Tommy Briggs; in build and stature; big hearted; and slow to get moving but,once on the move, quite fast. Not quite as prolific a goal scorer as Tom, though. Thanks for the memory, Shefki.

I can't handle one at my age. It was tongue in cheek. And that's NOT a pun!!! Hey, my one thousandth post. It's taken me 5 and a half years to get here.

I agree, Al. These two full backs would be the best choice we could have. Gray is hopeless.

Pity it's Salzburg. Could be tough. I quite fancied Nancy and Lorraine.

Also at Everton are Alan Irvine and Mick (Basil) Rathbone.

My main concern is that we do not appear to "play for each other" as most other teams do. E.g. watch Man Utd when they get a free kick towards the opponents' pen area. Players are running all over the place. Rovers players seem to just stand there wondering where the ball will go to. Look at how many Everton players were pouring forward when they scored their equaliser; all hungry to get a crack. When Rovers have the ball they seem to stand admiring their colleague instead of helping him and moving.

Yes.These are my opinions which I'm entitled to. It's not the result that makes me dispondent. It was the inept team performance.

We're carrying on where we left off last season. We are not playing together as a team. I've seen more movement in a fitted carpet. Everton are the usual Moyes team; all running and playing together and wanting the ball. Rovers are slow at getting forward, they do not support each other. Often when we have possession we are forced back into our own half. Then the ball goes back to Friedal who has to hoof it upfield, because there is no-one competant to throw it to, and we lose possession again. The second ball is usually won by the opposition. Re individuals; Todd and Zurab played well. Emerton had a very good game at right back. Gray was awful, losing possession regularly. Reid was holding midfielder and therefore didn't get forward enough. Savage is the problem. The man is totally useless as a footballer. He cannot tackle, control the ball,create anything. He would be the first for me to drop, putting Reid in his place and bringing Mokoena in. Bentley on the right and Pedersen on the left were ineffective. Roberts was fouled and beaten in the air most of the time by Yobo but Rennie the ref ignored it all. We'll lose to Chelsea 3-0 and then away at Sheff Utd we'll get kicked off the park and lose 2-1 Played four.......1 point and bottom 3 :-(

Leave Emerton at RB and bring in Lucas to replace the hapless Gray at LB

1. Liverpool 2. Man Utd 3. Chelsea 4. Spurs 5. Arsenal 6. Newcastle 7. Rovers 8. Portsmouth 9. Villa 10. West Ham 11. Everton 12. Reading 13. Middlesbro 14. Bolton 15. Man City 16. Charlton Ath 17. Wigan Ath 18. Fulham 19. Sheff Utd 20. Watford

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!