I would be happy with this draw especially over Shakhtar Donesk and Spurs.

All in all relatively happy, but it'll be a tough draw and at the same time no reason why we can't progress!!

They have a tough enough midfield with the likes of:

Marko Babic, Carsten Ramelow, and Bernd Schneider.

Happy days.

Could be a few from Northern Ireland over at it.

Tris, very good and honest post mate.

I can see where you are coming from, but it's his outspoken agent that informed the club in August that Lucas will not be signing another contract for Rovers. But Lucas has been doing a bit of fannying about and said that this is definitely the case and should say what he would prefer i.e be sold in January or hang on and finish the job when his contract ends in June 06.

Then Hughes' doesn't have to feel oblidged to place him as captain so that it could convince him to stay. Instead it should go to either Brad, Sav, Tugay or Andre. All three are pivotal members of the squad and playing with a great deal of consistancy.

Tbh, I would stick Eddie in at Right-back as he has shown that he is capable of playing at right-back for senior team. It took him a while to settle, but got stuck in during the second half and played some great football. The lads only young and I would expect him to play at the top level in years to come. I really feel for Tony Kane who is another of Rovers recognised right-backs. He's on loan at Stockport and probably would have made his debut on Wednesday instead of Nolan.

Kane is getting good reviews whilst at County and in his 4 appearances, they have won 2 and drawn 2.

1. I'm sure Coar's son would be able to get a job at Rovers somewhere Just kidding

Only got to reading it now, but one of the comments of the year for me.

Dedicated to the cause with extreme loyalty.

I first came over in 1994 as a 13 yr old on a trip with my local football club in Northern Ireland. In a few years before hand I was pushed into supporting Liverpool, but Rovers beat the Scousers 2-0 on 5th March 1994 with Wilcox and Sherwood scoring the goals.

In 2001, along with a few other heads we formed a supporters club in Northern Ireland NIBRSA web-site and have a target of attending at least four games a season. So far this season our members have been to Portsmouth (a), Everton, Chelsea, Middlesbrough (a), Liverpool (a), FC Basel, Feyenoord (a) and Newcastle.

This Wednesday there is 14 of us heading over for the Nancy game and looking forward to a few Christmas drinks!! Plans are already in place for our last branch trip of the season against Reading at home on Sunday 13th May.

Onward and Upward!

Of the '95 title side's regular players, only Henning Berg was non-British.

???

Jeff Kenna perhaps.

Signed in March '95 by Kenny Dalglish for £1.5 million and played the rest of the games before lifting the title in 1995. The former Republic of Ireland Now playing for Kidderminster.

Not forgetting Robbie Slater.

He was signed for £300,000 in August before the 1994/95 campaign got kick-started. The Australian International played an important role in midfield for the championship winning season before joining West Ham.

Other non-British players who were part of the 1995 title side were Australian goalkeeper Frank Talia and former Dutch International Richard Witschge who was signed on-loan. As far as I'm aware non of them made any appearances.

Mido didn't want to come to us;

Thank feck.

Wasting good for nothing tramp.

Rhetorical question . If Kuqi had been partnering McCarthy up front this season ....would he have done better and scored more than Nonda ?

Phil, I think that when the deal was being dragged through, Hughes would have thought.... If I sell Shefki, then I need a good target man to replace him and he knew he had Jason Roberts. Of course we haven't seen much of Jason, but hopefully all will fall into place when he returns from injury.

Selling Shefki was an easy option and possibly at this time can be missed, but as someone said "he couldn't trap a bag of sand." At most times I thought his 1st touch was woeful and he would have been safer letting the ball run for a goal-kick or indeed a throw in.

If we want to progress then we've done the right thing in selling him and we won't forget the goals he had scored for us!!

Sounds uncomfortable Abbey.

Maybe more thought for the festive perios. Looks as though you have three options:-

1. Drinking your pint through a straw.

2. Hold the drink in your wrong hand (useful practise for drinking games)

3. Don't drink at all!!

7:00pm

UEFA Cup - Blackburn Rovers v AS Nancy

Blackburn welcome French side Nancy to a packed Ewood Park for this UEFA Cup clash. Rovers have looked good in Europe this season but will they be able to put Nancy to the sword?

Doesn't appear to be live Abs delayed same day coverage at 7pm. Need to find a pub showing Setanta sports.

FYI If you are in the states this weekend the Newcastle game is Live on Setanta PPV or delayed same day coverage at 2.30pm. I believe the Reading game is either live or delayed on Fox Sports Channel the following Sat.

Who are they kidding a packed Ewood Park are we closing 3 sides ??

I know it's on British EuroSport if thats any help.

Maybe one of the English bars could be airing it.

Anyhow I'm over for the game. Give me a few cables, a lap top, webcam, GPRS job and Bob's your Uncle!!!

Duff didn't come through the academy, he was brought over from Ireland by KD, around the age of 15. I have yet to see any proof that the academy system works at any club. youngsters don't make prem players unless they have natural talent in the first place. Would Duggie, Clayton, England, Newton have been better players under an academy? - NO.

Aye that was after the incident when his agent Pat Devlin tried to pass Duffer of to Liverpool first of all.

Said he was too small and weren't convinced he could be anything near the potential of a Premiership player.

The Rovers Academy seem to target the Irish market alot these days and have alot of players at the moment from there.The likes of Keith Treacy,Conor Kavanagh,Alan Judge,Darragh Tuffy,Gavin Gunning,and Aaron Doran are just a few of the intakes for this past couple of years.Not to menton the liks of Kane and Nolan and that Fitzgerald bloke.The Staff at the academy have high hopes for Treacy and Judge but who can tell.

Other Irish players include:-

Damien Johnson (Birmingham City), Gary Hamilton (Glentoran), Eddie McCallion (Derry City), Garth Scates (Ballymena United), Hugh Davey (unattached and Aeronautical engineer).

All these lads have been very competent players for their own clubs, with Hamilton now looking to make a return to England after notching 16 goals in 18 games this season with Glentoran.

Back to Rovers and I would say the investment of some £25m+ in developing Youth since 1993 has been worthwhile- it is a ten year or so cycle over which these sorts of things have to be measured.

- £23m transfer fees for Duff and Dunn

- Lots of minor fees including in the past couple of years getting £1m sell on for Beattie, £300K sell on from Danns, £150K sell on from Bruce; there is probably more. 100k Damien Johnson

- direct transfers out such as Douglas.

- The huge boost seeing Duff and Dunn at their peak- our lads produced by our club.

- As has been pointed out already, even though Gally, Peter and Derbyshire are not setting any pulses racing, simply having them at the club probably saved us at least £2m on equivalent very much needed squad players and they are probably not paid as much as transfer ins would be costing.

So I'd say the Academy is comfortably washing its face even though the current crop gives serious grounds for concern.

Good call Philip.

Agree entirely, but still feel we need to try and breed another goalkeeper and defender out of the academy to be a valued member of Rovers senior squad. Only real notable players are Martin Taylor and Jay McEveley. How about bringing in a former reputable defender, such as, Colin Hendry and maybe Roy Tunk as a valued members of the coaching staff to aid the defensive players. Could prove worthwhile.

I'm glad to say that the issue of an attack on Lee Brotherston has been sorted out!

The girl who instigated the attack on former Rover Noel Brotherston's son, could not meet with him at the time, but her father did and apologised for the whole scene and for his actions. After reading the article in the LET Mr xxxxxx made contact with Mr Brotherston and both sides are happy to have cleared the air and we can put it to rest!

Sorry to pop this little nasty thread up again, but just wanted to make this known and that it has been dealt with in a professional manner.

All of what you say there is completely irrelevent.

Le Chuck, I don't think all of what I said was completely irrelevant. In fairness I was being biased and making a joke about Ghaly only scoring one goal etc etc

But I beleive that Tugay went in for the ball fairly and am not 100% sure that contact was made (I don't believe that the referee was 100% sure on his decision and deep down, he would question his decision).

IF THERE WAS CONTACT, then it was basically with his stud and that's not a biased view, so how can that be a penalty. A stud to take down a 12 stone man? Maybe it's a case of elephant and mouse with Ghaly when he saw Tugay running in. Rolled at least twice in the box!!

How can you condone that or think that Tugay should have been sent off?

Tris...under the letter of the law it was a correct decision. What everyone (including myself) has a problem with is that law, under those circumstances a penalty is punishment enough.

I didn't for a second expect Tugay's card to be overturned...I'm quite suprised Ghaly's wasn't though.

Le Chuck, I definitely don't agree with what you are saying.

As you said a penalty was a perhaps the 'letter of the law', but if contact was made, then it was with Tugay's stud on his trailing foot!!!

As for the sending off, the wee jerk wasn't bearing down on goal, as when he flicked the ball over, he either flicked it behind him or in a straight line. It didn't present him with a clear goal-scoring opportunity as he still had to control the ball, despite having to beat Friedel from 16 yards and with 1 goal in 13 games for Spudz, extremely unlikely he was going to get his 2nd.

Barker's loan spell at Rochdale went from bad to ignominy when he haplessly skied a penalty and helped dump his team out of the FA cup yesterday. Anyone see it? Apparently, it was horrendous.

Yup I did, it was a shocker. Went a good 2/3 meters over the bar. Was similar to some of the celebrities attempts on Soccer Am!

Yes woeful attempt at the penalty.

Although he done well in last 5 mins when beautifully chesting down a high ball and nearly set up his strike partner. The lad only had about 15 minutes of play and would be extremely hard to make an impact on the game. I also wouldn't label his performances pony!! Give him time to settle as he was only getting over his first penalty miss, now he has another to get over from last nite!!

Looks to be a good powerful forward, who will currently be a decent asset to clubs in lower divisions. His time will come.

Out of interest does anyone own/ has anyone seen anything similar, and what kind of value would you attach to them?

I'm quite a freak at collecting items of Rovers. Best pieces that I have in my collection are:-

• 'Back to the Top' promotion programme signed by squad (92/93)

• Signed Premiership Champions football by entire team (94/95)

• Signed Champions shirt (94/95) by (Daglish, Atkins, Gallacher, Mimms, Newell, Hendry)

• Signed 94/95 Season Ticket book by legendry Jack Walker

• Issued Worthington Cup shirt (2002) with badges and embroidery signed by the squad

• Worn & Signed Dean Saunders Blackburn Training T-Shirt

• Worn & Signed pair of Paul Gallagher Predators

• Signed Blackburn European Shirt by most of the players (02-03 season)

• Worn & Signed Andy Todd Premiership top

• Worn Training Jacket (Newcastle) by Alan Shearer when he scored his 300th & 301st career goals and signed

• Pair of Puma boots (never launched) issued to Tugay to try out and signed by legend himself

• Signed Blackburn shirts by respective squads ranging since 2001

• Two autograph books since 2001 but lost the one around the 1994 era.

Also have other non-Blackburn items, such as:-

• Signed and worn Kyle Lafferty Northern Ireland shirt

• Worn Championship Top and signed by Alan Mahon (disgraced to say its a Burnley one)

• Autograph book from Tottenham Hotspur (inc. Sir Alan Sugar, Ginola, Gough, Walker, Anderton, Sherwood etc etc)

This collection is priceless to me and Most of my possessions are personal and ensured that anything I have has been signed to myself. I know this will take the value off it to other persons, but it shows I've no intention of letting these go.

What does everyone else have? I'm sure some people have some great items esp. around the Premiership Champions and promotion era.

Hadn't noticed there was a picture of the signature till I read the thread again. I have, in front of me now, a copy of "Blackburn Rovers FC - A Pictorial History 1875-1988" by Peter White. Nicky Reid had this signed for me by the entire first team squad and the Simon Garner signature in no way matches the one on the e-bay shirt.

On that basis I'd say the signature is false and the shirt is probably not a match-worn Simon Garner shirt.

As a matter of interest I have the last Rovers home shirt used by Colin Hendry. It is signed, by Hendry and Kevin Gallagher, and was match worn when he captained the home side in a charity match at Ewood. Also have a photograph of me, Hendry, Gally and my lad stood in the BBE goalmouth from the same event. Hendry is wearing the shirt. What would that be worth? Not that it's for sale.

Worth quite a bit my friend.

But how about Alan Shearer's sweaty worn training jacket from the day when he scored his 300th and 301st career goals on the day Blackburn defeated Newcastle 5-2. I know its a Newcastle jacket (ntl sponsored) and got him to sign it the year after.

I decided that he was good enough to hand it over and asked if he wanted it back then he could if it meant so much to him. He said he never takes any tops or boots back that he gives away. Absolute legend.

Were we not linked with Baird when he first made his debut for Southampton? Sure I read that somewhere - this was back in the Souness days of course.

That is news to be LW.

Never hear this, but he has matured and progressed steadily in his career. Never would doubt Baird in the Premiership. In the past I would have questioned him, but he not afraid to be pitted in amongst the best. I know it's only Latvia, but he stood firm and gave his best performance I've seen from a defender in absolute ages.

A possible Neil replacement Gareth Bale has again been linked away from St Mary's. It would show good ambition from the club if we went for him-but it is obviously dependant on how much he is available for (Teamtalk mention 7million but this is surely some way off) and who goes in for him. Out of the big four I could only see Arsenal possibly needing a left back.

Lads,

You can have a go at me for suggesting this. But Chrissy Baird at Southampton is in great form. I've been at the last few Northern Ireland games and he is playing the best football of his career. He was MOM against Latvia and had strong performances against Denmark and Spain as well as playing well at Southampton.

An amazing talent who is very composed defensively at right-back. Rarely gives away a free-kick and will tackle hard. Has the versatility of being able to play at centre-half, left-back or as midfield anchor man. Not too often I would suggest a fellow player from my country, but this lad will soon move from the South. 18 Caps at 24 is quite an achievement.

QUOTE

I'll be e-mailing this to the mods at BRFCS and members on the official

board. No doubt it will be posted and removed by Williams stooge Lee Grooby

but this is intended for public distribution.

Looks as though John isn't the only one off Vinjay's Christmas Card listing.

There was me wondering why Groobs never won half of these polls that are created on the messageboard.

Now we know!!

Well Vinjay, in relation to this messageboard............

You're like Coronation Street on a Thursday, you're simply not fecking on!!!!

Come back when you turn 16 and maybe you might start to speak a bit of sense.

Eurosport said last time that they're definitely showing all of our group games. Lets just hope they don't have technical difficulties for the first 15 minutes this time!

Good spot Philip.

I knew that a compensation package and the Surgeon striking himself of the list of surgeons was being thrashed out, but can't believe it's taken four years for this to happen. The poor woman has went through a horrendous ordeal and largely thanks to her husband Colin to bring her through the whole trauma.

I can't believe that she still has an open wound four years on and this goes to show you how much Denise and her family have gone through. Never mind this surgeon not being allowed to work in Britain again, he shouldn't be allowed to work in the world again as a surgeon! Money will be little recompence to the Hendry's, but at least she still has her life to enjoy. I think that this ordeal will have lead many women to think twice about having cosmetic surgery performed on their bodies.

Whatever people think of Neil he's still one of the best full backs in the prem.

Way over-rated SR.

He is one of the best full-backs in Europe at going forward, but defensively he's like Borat in the second hand shop...... a total liability. He can have some impressive games, but at times he can get skinned, rashly take people down and end up giving away free-kicks in dangerous areas and more importantly bringing the team down to 10-men.

I was disgusted at his agents comments back in Aug/Sept about Lucas will not be signing another contract at Rovers. IMHO i would have either cashed in on him for £3million or let him rot in the reserves and loose any form that he had. No player will ever become bigger than the club, unless you are Brad Friedel!!

Personally a straight swap with Warnock for Lucas and £500k would be a great bit of business. How much do we know did Liverpool actually offer for him in the transfer window. If it's the reported £4-5million I would have sliced their arm of for it.

Thanks for the reply Capt.

I wasn't at the game as you well know, but I know the Brotherston's general feeling towards Man Utd and would believe Mr Brotherston and his statement. I didn't miss your point, but know where you are sort of coming from. No matter of the circumstance/heated reaction but Mr Brotherston did not do anything half suttle to give an indication that he was a Mancs. supporter. This is my point and can't understand this female mouthing off to create some sort of mayhem. She knew how it would turn out if someone states that there is an opposition fan in the stand.

This situation as you said is a one off and I agree with this entirely with that. Of all the games that I have attended I have only seen a reaction like this at a Liverpool and Celtic game where their fans blatantly celebrated the opposition goals in the wrong areas of the ground and a reaction was inevitable.

The situation was poorly handled and can understand Mr Brotherston's choice in going to the Press. Can you imagine the humiliation of being kicked out of the ground by stewarts who quite possibly have handled this situation poorly?? I feel that the fans who subjected the three people to this abuse should have the balls to write to them and apologise for what was a huge misunderstanding. The female on the other hand should learn when to mouth off and falsely accuse people and this could have turned really nasty. This is why I want her to take responsibility for her ludricous actions.

Also before everybody knee jerks and starts categorising people of the same ilk (Im a BB Ender by the way)- he has said in the report that he does not blame the BB End. There are alot of the more passionate fans who sit/stand there and has always been the case

Now let me just throw in the Citeh game and then think about it.

What if they had been UTD fans - would there have been any moaning then?

Apologies to Mr Brotherston and co but this was a one off incident that he has explained and understands how the situation arose - remember though emotions where running high which the visit of UTD always raises and creates a hostile atmosphere.

Capt, forgive for seemingly having a go, but it sounds like you are condoning this idiotic approach from these 'unfamiliar' Rovers fans. I always sit in the BB End when I go over and haven't witnessed anything really like this. The only moranic Rovers fan that I can really critise whilst being inside the ground was the knob who gave racial abuse to Dwight Yorke. Totally unacceptable and this is certainly no different.

Why the heck does a fan get attacked verbally and physically for 'taking a photograph of the opposing team scoring'? If he had celebrated the goal then it could have been quite acceptable for a person to get this treatment (but I'm not saying that I would get involved in a spat like that). I was at a Liverpool game at Ewood about 2 years ago and two fans were ejected (male and female) after they were spat at, with a cup of coffee being thrown over them. They celebrated when Riise scored and they were subjected to that abuse, but I'll confess I never felt sorry for them!!

Lee Brotherston on the other hand showed no sort of favour to Utd and I can assure you that the Brotherston family certainly aren't supporters of Utd. I was chatting to Noel's father last night but I never knew anything about this incident. He commented that he is getting a bit old to be travelling to the games and it was the first Utd game at Ewood Park he missed for the past 6 years. Can you imagine if he was in the stand at that particular time?? Absolutely disgraceful incident to read about and the girl in question along with her father should be given some sort of punishment for inciting violence. They knew that if someone is highlighted in the BB End as an opposition fan then they will be subjected to foul treatment. Certainly a letter of apology from them should be given, they also pay a refund for their tckets and a final warning on their behaviour that they could be moved to Darwen End or CIS Stand. This really should not be up to Blackburn Rovers to apologise for this incident and those in question should really take a long hard look at themselves, no matter how heated a situation can get.

How do the rest of you feel on this matter?

Any idea of how much money we have to spend?

Supposed to have been 9 teams watching him at the weekend.

Presume £2.5 - 3 million would get the ball rollng.