bazza

Hey, steady on. I was calling the Southampton manager a pillock not you, chutchy face. Apology accepted.

What did he expect us to do? Lie down and let them steamroller us? Pillock! Incidentally, their No10 has the makings of a great player. Jake Hesketh. One to watch.

We enjoyed the game. It was good to see these players in the flesh for once instead of only hearing their names. I thought overall that Southampton were the better team. They made our keeper work harder than we did theirs. They were cool and calm on the ball when playing it out of defence and were faster on the counter attack. Having said that, we held them to a draw. We stopped them scoring but, really, we never looked like scoring whereas they looked very dangerous. 1 David Raya is very impressive; confident and competent. He will surely make a good first team keeper. (8) 2 Ryan Nyambe, the right back, also shows ability, Strong and fairly fast. (8) 3 Jack Doyle, left back. He was so-so, just about adequate. He didn't strike me as anyone special. (6) 4 Connor Thomson, centre midfield, sometimes lost the ball and looked a bit out of his depth yet showed brief flashes of ability as the game went on. (6) 5 Sam Lavelle and 6 Sam Jones were the two centre backs and both had a good game. Lavelle (8) Jones (7) 7 Devarn Green played up front as a lone striker and, like Rhodes, seemed abandoned; never received the support from his midfielders. Went off injured just before half time. (5) 8 Bradley Bauress, a busy midfielder always trying to create and supply the front men. (7) 9 Dean Rittenberg played out on the right wing. Had a reasonable game. He was brought off in added time. Was that for MOM applause? Not my MOM. (7) 10 David Carson, captain, a busy midfielder who got through a lot of work. He started like he was going to run the game for Rovers but faded slightly as the game wore on. (7) 11 Connor Mahoney played on the left wing. He had a great second half. He seems to be a two footed player, his left being the natural but in the first half he came across and down the right touchline and put over a superb cross with his right foot. Good player. (8) 15 Lewis Mansell came on for the injured Green and added a bit of beef up front. He got better as the game progressed and was better than Green had been. (7) Difficult to pick a MOM. In my opinion Mahoney, Lavelle, Nyambe and Raya were our best players. I'd like to see these four tried in the first team.

Just about to set off. Looking forward to this.

He certainly did. I recently mentioned him as one of the posters of long ago in the BPF (I'm back) thread. He became very interested when we were discussing the greatest ever Rovers team run by Den. Condolences to his family. RIP Tashor.

Eternal rest give unto him o Lord And let perpetual light shine upon him May he rest in peace. Never knew you, mate, but God bless you and your family.

I rest my case. Don't ask me for the lottery numbers though. I have bitten my nails right down during the second half. WHOOOHEEEE I think we're safe.

And now CKR out for the season. Put his shoulder out. The evil fairy is still gunning for us; determined to relegate us yet further.

You've forgotten about Nunes, Etuhu and who else? Grella??

So who would you have as left back and left wing? (from our current squad, of course)

I repeat my gut feeling about this game. We owe them one. GB must select a fighting, never-say-die team and tell them that this is their cup final. "Win at all costs", Brad Freidel 2002. Keep the ball on the ground, pass and run; always want the ball; play for each other; football is a team game; don't be greedy; attempt (now and again) to take on an opposition player and beat him. Funnily enough Millwall are my second favourite London club (after Fulham). Their best players are Chris Taylor and goalie Forde. Maybe Taylor is out injured; I hope so. Please, Rovers, prove me right with a win. Then we can sit back and enjoy the last two games.

Town players who impressed me were Paul Dixon at left back and striker Sean Scannell. Rovers players who impressed were Williamson, Kane, Dann, Givet and Goodwillie.

Williamson was MOM followed closely by Kane and Dann. Goodwillie's performance was amazing. He was the best of the substitutes. I reckon he deserves a start ahead of Best. Rovers team has now got shape. They are much better than when managed by Appleton or Berg. Keep up the good work GB

Is she (or was she, rather) still our Honorary vice president?

Also wearing seat belts in a car? And not being allowed to use my mobile phone? Might as well have someone walking in front with a red flag.

I thought they were compulsory.

May I take this opportunity to have a whinge and a rant and to offer some advice. I commiserate with all cyclists who complain about unthinking and idiotic motorists. I am always extremely careful when driving where there are horses and cyclists. I give way to both. BUT.......Cyclists, please do not go through red traffic lights. The Highway code applies to you as well as us. And pedestrian crossings are for pedestrians so if you want to use them, dismount and walk. My main concern is when I am a pedestrian and have to share the same path as cyclists. I would not mind doing this if cyclists showed as much respect for pedestrians as they expect from motorists. But they don't. Most bicycles I see have no bell fitted. There should be a law to make it an offence to ride a bicycle which has no bell. Riders should be encouraged to ring the bell at every opportunity. Please, please, all you cyclists, fit a bell and use it, especially well before passing pedestrians who have their backs to you. And remember that they may be deaf and not hear you. Places that I nearly get run over by cycles are the Guild Wheel around Preston, and Lytham promenade to Fairhaven. Only three times in the past two years do I remember saying "Thanks for the bell warning" to considerate cyclists. So, think on!

Yes. A good couple of hours. I dragged Mrs bazza to the show (she doesn't follow football). She thought it was well done and enjoyed herself after all. Well done to the organisers and perpetrators. PS I see you didn't get a photo of me, Clare. Never mind, hey. Might have broke your camera

The only one I can think of who could probably write a good sermon is Bob Fleming.

TAFKAP, I don't know how old you are but you should learn that half of Bamber Bridge have been Rovers supporters since time immemorial. Get used to it.

Way back in time, I remember that a single horse-drawn hearse came through Bamber Bridge with at least one Rovers player seated on it. Bill Eckersley was one and Clayton or Douglas or both gave their services. Perhaps someone close to the players could persuade one or two to take part. It's all part of the fun. The more senior players should be targeted such as Dunn or Pedersen. If they are abroad with the squad, maybe past players such as Kevin Gallagher, Simon Garner or even Matt Darbyshire, Gary Flitcroft or Matt Jansen.

Shame on the police for not allowing this tradition to go ahead in Bamber Bridge. Perhaps they should also ban the Preston Guild processions, thereby stopping another tradition. I get more and more disgusted with our police every day. I shall try to make it to Ewood on the 22nd.

The Sirloin at Hoghton is up and running again. It looks very nice. I haven't eaten there yet but the menu looks interesting. Plenty of beer selection of lagers and real ale.

If you're looking for a nice pub with a great selection of good, wholesome food at a very good price, try The Blue Anchor at Bretherton. Food is self service from 12 noon to 8pm for £5 on weekdays and £7 at weekends. You can go back and help yourself as many times as you wish. I usually start with a selection of salad stuff. Second plate is a small portion of curry and rice. Final plate is a selection of e.g. meat and potato pie, lasagne, dumpling stew, liver and onions, roasted veges, steamed veges, chips, mushy peas........there is always battered fish. A sweet is extra cash but I never have a sweet. (And you're not surprised seeing I've wolfed down all that lot above!!) And the Gents are clean as well. Clean toilets always indicate clean kitchens to me.