Im at uni in notts so go watching notts forest quite a bit. Trust me, we do not want kris commons! Yeh he scores goals and has a great left foot but he is a poor mans pedersen. He's slow, lazy, doesn't track back etc. He stands out in league 1 because he's playing against relatively average players. He wouldnt cut it in the premiership. Some games you wouldnt no he was on the pitch. Bad enough having one pedersen in rovers team!!!

I've watched a fair few games of Forest and believe that both Commons and Clinghan are a pivotal part of Nottm Forest. Fair enough they are playing against average players, but these lads are fit to step higher. Clighan is a really strong player and does everything simple. On the International front he has shown this against Romania, Spain, Finland and also against Demark. He doesn't get over-awed by the step-up and would be more than capable of playing in the Premiership.

When you look at Common's I feel its the fact that the Division 1 is a slow league and this style is part of many teams. I feel that you are too harsh on the lad. He's only turned 23 a few months ago and has a good attitude to his game. At the age of 23 and when he moves to a bigger club, playing with quality players, then you will see this man break into his own.

Id love to see Dunny back at ewood. Theres no doubting it would be a massive gamble due to his injury problems. But its a gamble worth taking. He's a proven premiership player and was one of the best players ive seen playing for rovers. Add the local lad/increased crowd factors and we should put in a realistic bid for him.

90% of everyone here echo this view and we'll soon see in January.

Getting the topic back on track to the subject of Gally, it's fairly obvious why he doesn't seem to be getting a fair crack of the whip, McCarthy, Nonda and Jeffers are Hughes signings, Gallagher is not. That's not a particular criticism of Hughes, it's a characteristic displayed by all managers.

His lack of time on the pitch certainly can't be connected to his performances, by and large when he's come on he's done well we've looked far more potent as an attacking force.

On the flip side it's becoming obvious to a blind man on a galloping horse that Jeffers has about as much chance of making it at this level again as Matt Jansen. However I would imagine Hughes will persevere with him for a bit longer as he will be loath to admit he was wrong. Which again will be to Gallagher's detriment.

Revidge, not having a dig mate but some occasions I don't agree with what you say. But with this post (all for three paragraphs) I agree entirely. My isn't that a first!! Some great points in there and all of which i believe are very true.

I would be inclined to give Gally either a role up front or even on the flanks, due to one or two of his performances in pre-season. Again could play midfield but wouldn't be able to play with Tugay. Need some bit of rough and a physically strong player in there whilst Sav is away, who can break up the opposition's play and feel that Todd would be a great man for this role.

If we get a decent result against Feyenoord, then Gally has to play a full game up front against Nancy and maybe one or two of the reserve players, such as Taylor, Kane and another game for Brown.

Commons is a class act. Way to good for that division! Is he a Forest fan or was that a dream?

He started his career off with Stoke before moving to Forest about 2 seasons ago for £300,000.

Born in Notingham he probably is a fan of them. I have watched him closely since last season as I had a bet on them and is an essential player for them. Both Commons and Clinghan will get a move out of Division 1 either if they get promotd but certainly a few big clubs will make a move for them.

Over to you Rover6!!

Is he another fan of him??

Going by our past disagreements I think Rover6 will not be with me on this one!!

Anyone out of the three possible midfielders I would love to see join Rovers are

Kris Commons

Sammy Clinghan

David Dunn.

Forget about any defenders on that note and also please forgive me about suggesting a move for Forrsell in the summer!

I was thinking after Sunday that we must consider playing 5 in midfield, hence restricting teams attacking prowess (essential in the absence of Robbie Savage). It's unfortunate that we're also missing out on our target-man Mr Roberts but Nonda has a hidden deception of strength about him.

Maybe you can all laugh at me, but with 'The Axe', not performing close to what Savage does I was thinking of maybe throwing Todd into centre midfield to ruffle a few feathers. A strong tackler and steady on the ball I think he could be a useful addition to our ever-decreasing midfield.

With reference to Jason McAteer being thick..........

When told that a friend's father, a cancer victim, had "died of the Big C." he replied "What ? He drowned !"

To be fair to Heskey, asfar as can I work out he's not had a bad run against us -

Leicester 7 games 2 goals

Liverpool 7 games 4 goals

Birmingham 3 games 1 goal

Wigan 1 game 1 goal

18 goals and 8 goals

To be honest I don't rate Heskey either.

He gets felled far to easily and thought he would be better off as a bouncer due to his size and strength, but again they have to be fit to stand their ground. I agree with someone saying our defence made him look good and Ooijer needs to work on picking up a yard of pace. In the Premiership he's going to be up against top class strikers, (Shefki excluded and also because he's in the Championship) but he seems to be constantly a yard behind the opponent. Either this or indeed it's to concentrate on reading the game quicker to make up for the 1st initial yard.

Anyhow, great result yesterday with quite a few positives. Very impressed with the way in which Jeffers linked up with Bentley for his goal. A run of four straight wins is fantastic and now we mustn't get complacent. Well done Hughesy and the lads.

Lads,

I'm a disgrace. I was meant to do the preview for this game and foolish volunteered myself for it despite being in Germany since Wednesday with work. i missed my Saturday morning flight due to a slightly drunken state from teh night before and had to travel 200km and get a flight from Frankfurt last night.

Only for this I would have had the preview submitted on Saturday (yesterday) lunchtime. I also tried to do Harry Redknapp stunt, but unfortunately big coup never pulled off, so you have to make do with a crappy preview from myself.

If I'm to be punished, ie banned from the board for a week, then so be it. Once again I apologise for this.

Following our first win in Europe, the team don’t have to travel as we have a tough fixture at Ewood against Dave Whelan’s Wigan Athletic. They surprised a lot of people in last seasons campaign when they reached the final of the Carling Cup and finished a well respected 10th in the Premiership, when many doubters had them to be relegated. Wigan will be looking to regain their form they held last season and are looking to ensure Dave Whelan achieve’s one of his ambitions, by defeating his old club Blackburn Rovers.

- - - - - WHEN & WHERE - - - - -

Date: Sunday 1st October

Time: A traditional 3:00pm kick-off

Place: Ewood Park, Blackburn (Home to the best team in Lancashire

- - - - - WIGAN HONOURS - - - - -

One of the least successful clubs in the Premiership, but after only turning professional 28 years ago, what do you expect??

Division 2 Winners: 2003

Division 3 Winners: 1997

Auto-Windscreen Winners: 1999

Freight Rover Trophy Winners: 1985

League Cup: 2006 (runners-up)

- - - - - CORRESPONDING FIXTURE (2005/06) - - - - -

A drab enough 1-1 draw in last season’s corresponding fixture at Ewood Park. Both teams were lacklustre and failed to deliver the goods. Wigan opened the scoring through current Rover Jason Roberts in the 53rd minute, but Rovers equalised through ‘Shefi the Farmer’ in the 84th minute.

- - - - - PAST RESULTS - - - - -

Ewood Park, 03/04/06

Premiership

Blackburn Rovers 1: Kuqi (84)

Wigan Athletic 1: Roberts (53)

JJB Stadium, 31/12/05

Premiership

Wigan Athletic 0:

Blackburn Rovers 3: Pedersen (15), Reid (53), Bellamy (85)

Ewood Park, 03/01/98

FA Cup

Blackburn Rovers 4: McGibbon (20og), Gallagher, (37) & (60), Sherwood (48)

Wigan Athletic 2: Lee (62), Lowe (68)

- - - - - CURRENT FORM - - - - -

Wigan have endured a poor start to the season, picking up their only win at home to Reading at the end of August. It was obvious that they would struggle this season us they sold five key players this season. Last season’sgoal-scorer Jason Roberts secured a £3 million deal during the summer and paved the way for the Lactics to make their most expensive signing in the form of ‘Emile Heskey’. Yet to hit form, I feel that some side will get a thumping from the HAC (Heskey & Camara).

(A) Newcastle 2-1 L

(H) Reading 1-0 W

(A) Portsmouth 1-0 L

(A) Everton 2-2 D

(A) Crewe 2-0 L

(H) Watford 1-1 D

- - - - - TREATMENT TABLE - - - - -Rovers go into this game with slightly more worry over their treatment table listing, but have only two major concerns as quite a few of the players have made their comeback.

ROVERS (out):

Peter Enckelman (ankle)

Ryan Nelsen (hmstring)

Steven Reid (back)

ROVERS (doubtful):

Francis Jeffers (ill)

Jason Roberts (groin)

Andy Todd (leg)

Robbie Savage (hamstring)

WIGAN (out):

Ryan Taylor (broken leg)

WIGAN (doubtful)

Lee McCullough (thigh)

- - - - - PLAYER EXCHANGE - - - - -

With ex-rover Dave Whelan running the latics, it won’t be surprising to realise that there is fairly strong links between the two clubs. Over the past five seasons there has been no fewer than five players who have represented both clubs, with one of them making a double switch. Henchoz has moved to Ewood Park for the second time and could be on the bench for todays game.

Wigan’s top scorer from last season, Jason Roberts could also play some part in the game as he prepares to play against the Latics for the first time. He has missed the last month due to a groin injury, but returned to training this week.

ROVERS – WIGAN

John Filan (Goalkeeper)

Alan Mahon (Midfielder)

Stephane Henchoz (Defender) –via Liverpool

David Thompson (Midfielder)

WIGAN – ROVERS

Jason Roberts (Striker)

Stephane Henchoz (Defender)

- - - - - KEY PLAYERS - - - - -

ROVERS: (Savage) With Robbie Savage in the best form of his career, he will be the one to watch out for today, controlling the midfield. The controversial midfielder should also lift his game a bit further, especially as Paul Jewell showed significant interest in him during the transfer window.

WIGAN: (Camara) Henri Camara has only managed the one goal his season and that came last weekend against Watford. The Senegalese International can finish well and with his pace, he could cause Ooijer a few problems at the back.

- - - - - PREDICTION - - - - -

Physical game with Rovers edging out a 2-1 victory.

Oh how I laughed when it mentioned Lucas Neill.

I rubbed my hands in anticipation when Neill's name was mentioned.

In fairness it gave an insight into what could be happening in the world of football but never really delved into the concrete evidence of it all. It would be interesting as to whom the manager was who got really scared and pulled out of the meeting. If it was Souness, then that clip would have to have been before February 2006 as he was sacked on the 2nd of that month. However a few of his deals could be cast a doubt over, esp George Weahs cousin, but the Scouts can play an important part into persuading a manager to sign a player.

I don't think that there should be a reaction to Andy Tood about the manner in which his agent implied about him going stale. I feel that his agent had taken this out of context and felt maybe with Todd being a fairly high profile player he has on his list, it could have been a good deal to kick-start for this new agency. I'm sure Andy didn't ask for this and also his agent might have rang him what about Blackburn....

AGENT: Thats two games in a row you've missed out on!! How do you feel Andy?

TODD: Yeah, could be better mate. Don't know why I've been dropped

AGENT: You need to be careful you don't become stale and I'll look into this for you

TODD: Yeah cheers mate. I apprecaite it.

At the end of the day MOST agents are mainly looking after themselves and not the players situation or well-being. Andy might have thought that his agent was going to call Blackburn and see what the situation is or indeed what Hughes' makes of it, but in fact he could be waiving his player around to ensure he copes at least £100,000 out of the transfer.

But on the downside, I feel that the media should have stayed well clear of this, but I suppose how were they meant to know. If the FA contact them and say there is an investigation going on, then I'm sure a few reporters have their own contacts in football and could have relaid on the message for the agents to be careful.

Personally I feel that in due course, those identified in the programme should be sacked and stripped of all their badges and qualifications and not allowed to represent any player or club in Britain again. Good work by the BBC and it was just very unfortunate that further evidence wasn't gathered.

I know a lot of users here will think this Norn Iron fecker is going to come on gloating about how he said this and that. In fairness 'Shefki the Farmer', was by far one of the least talented footballers that i've see at Ewood Park, nevermind at my local amateur football club.

He worked his ass off and will be missed at the club. He scored some really important goals, but if we needed to improve from last season I thought that he had to move on. I was only expecting £500k and not the reported £2.5m we are laughing all the way to the bank, but not as much as Burnley when they sold Ade Akinbi for £1.5.

Shefki, I will miss the goal celebrations (not that there would have been many more) and wish you all the best in London. Maybe we will be back in the Prem with them next season. Thanks to Mr Jordan for the cash. Nice interest in it until January!!

All in all i think a pretty successful transfer window for us.

As it's been documented we have strengthened at the back and upfront and also in the keeping area. The midfield is something that we will have to look at come January. We will probably need to purchase a creative central midfielder if we have a tough few months ahead.

Poor start to the season, but with more options upfront and a tighter defense then I'm expecting the tide to change very quickly. If we aren't scoring goals freely in the next 5-6 games, then I expect Tugay to be used more often this season.

Glad Shefi the Farmer is gone though, but for £2.5 million is way over the top. Nice bit of business from Hughes!

Just a followup on a few Norn Irish Players:

DERRY CITY: Eddie McCallion

GLENTORAN: Peter McCann

LOUGHGALL: Jon Topley

Apparently a dreadful player who was fired out ages ago.

He was never properly signed on at the academy. He just played now and again when they came over to watch Damien play for Rovers.

Thanks lads.

I done a bit of searching on this one and was told exactly the same as what you put. I don't think he's even managed a club in the Irish League. I'll let you know if I find out any further news on him.

As some people said he's a tad too small for the Premiership.

He's quick andwill be useful for yourselves in the Championship. Was chatting to a few of the Media in Darlington when he was out on loan and done well. 9 games, 3 goals and made a few assists. He is fairly skillful and will be a threat in the Championship, but won't take it by storm.

Pompey 1

ROVERS 2 (Pedersen, McCarthy)

RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS:-

CAN'T STOP.

Great, lively introduction to the song and especially with the opening 2 lines can fire both fans and players:

Can't stop addicted to the shin dig

Chop top he says I'm gonna win big

Anyone with me on this?

I don't mind the drummers.

When I'm at Ewood I usually sit about 20 seats away from them on the front row and it's fine. If you knocked them out of Ewood then the atmosphere would be actually worse, IMO. Maybe locate to another part of the stadium, but I wouldn't get rid of them!!!

ACCRINGTON: Leam Richardson

BALLYMENA: Garth Scates

BACUP: David May (Assistant Manager)

BARNET: Paul Warhurst

BLYTH SPARTANS: Graham Fenton (Caretaker/player-manager)

BURY: Alan Fettis

CELTIC: Terry Gennoe (Goal-keeping coach)

DUMFERLIME: Lee Makel

EGERSUNDS IK: Jimmy Quinn (Manager)

GLENTORAN: Gary Hamilton

MAN CITY: Tim Flowers (Goal-keeping coach)

NEWCASTLE: Shay Given, Dean Saunders (Coach, despite the sacking of Souness??)

NEWINGTON COLLEGE: Robbie Slater (Director of coaching) continued below

SHEFF WED: Graham Coughlan

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC: Mark Atkins (Assistance coach)

TRANMERE: Jason McAteer

VALERENGA: Lars Bohinen (Assistant Coach)

WHITBY: Adam Reed

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Frank Talia

DAVID BATTY: Retired in 2004 and does a lot of work for charties. Works in adverts for Cancer Research.

MARTIN DAHLIN: All Rovers fans will know that he is retired and models his own fashion range and runs a FIFA registered player agency from offices in London.

TONY GALE: Retired and now working in the Media end of things, contributing to Fulham and West Ham websites.

GRAEME LE SAUX: Again working with the Media and usually with BBC. Crap pundit IMO.

STUART RIPLEY: Retired in 2002. Returned to academia, reading a BA/BSC honours degree in Law and French at the University of Central Lancashire. Turns out in the veteran Masters football tournaments, is contemplating a career as a lawyer or barrister after he graduates. "This course has given me a new goal after football," he said. "And now I have some form of long-term objective – which is important."

TIM SHERWOOD: Retired and now set-up a magazine and mailed soley to football clubs and footballers titled 'Icon'. It will give interviews of present & past players and giving a look into their homes. Interviews with WAGS will also be included. Could be tacky or indeed maybe could end up being a success.

ROBBIE SLATER: Retired and has set-up his own web-site where he writes articles in relation to Australian Leagues and general views on the world of football. If memory serves me correctly I think Groobs had him adding his views on Emerton when he joined the club.

ROY WEGERLE: Retired in 1998. Now plying his trade as a golfer and got his place in 'Alfred Dunhill Championship' in Johannesburg and also at the World Ice Golf Championship in Greenland in 2002.

JASON WILCOX: Looking for a club after Blackpool released him at the end of last season. Will probably retire now though!

sorry about a few of the repeats lads. Left my reply for a while and only sent it not too long ago and have repeated a few of the players since.!

Luton want derbyshire

think we should loan him out again let him get more experience.

I would like to see Derbyshire being used a bit more often now. Kuqi should be cashed in on if we can get at least £750,000 and go with a front paring of McCarthy & Roberts, with Derbyshire, Jeffers and Gally (maybe used in midfield) in reserve choice.

Anyone any word on Jamie Duff? Is he still at the Academy?

Blackburn End, Lower Tier.

Front Row.

Fantastic signing IMO.

After him breaking his leg last season, I thought all was under the carpet and was a thing of the past. Mido, his agent and Roma have pished us about and were supposedly holding us to randsom. All they were interested was the financial end. Benni seems eager to continue to develop his career and wanted the move to England and never did we hear about him playing down his interest in Rovers.

Well done to Hughesy, John Wiliams and everyone else involved in this and last but not least Benni himself.

Proven International striker, scorer of 2 World Cup goals and a well renowned striker in Europe. Will get ANOTHER BRACE against Utd at Ewood in November.

Irish recruits, Darragh Tuffy(Defender)Conor Kavanagh(Striker)from Limerick and Gavin Gunning(defender)from Dublin, are also starting their careers with Rovers.

And Darragh Tuffy came from Sligo (huge place so it is).

Well Unleaded, how about giving us some information on Jamie Duff. Blackburn snapped him up about 2 seasons ago but is he still at the club? The last i seen of him was at a marathon in Dublin last month which he done with Damien and his other older brother.

More than 8m. 12m I reckon.

It's about time we sold somebody for what they were worth.

How can we compare Curtis Davis (potential) with Nelson (world class centre half)

My thinking exactly Bucky.

£10-12 million is a true valuation of the player... nothing less and £8 million should be rejected if it is ever offered. Loosing Nelson and probably Brad shortly after (1 or 2 seasons) would leve our defence as one of the weakest in the Premiership.

Nelson to be given an improved contract if he asks for it!

Don't you need to add Sergio Peter to the list?

Sergio is a stong member of the 1st team.

He has proven it last season and with McEveley, Derbyshire, Gallagher hardley/not featuring under Hughes last season then thats why i listed these players again.

I think some of the players you name have now been released.

All are still with the club, only doubt is Ralph Welch

Whatever happened to Fitzgerald, the young Irish center-back?

He was released at the end of 04/05 season and joined Bury on a free.

Struggled for a while to get into their starting XI last season, but should be now a starter for them. Still a regular with the ROI U21s and is out of contract in June 2007. I was surprised to see him leave on a free and is being tipped to make a call-up to the Senior ROI squad.

what happened to the young swedish defender ollson i think?

we signed him up after awsome reviews?

Again as someone said that Ollson has been signed for the future and will struggle to get ahead of Mikey Gray and Jay. however should see more of him next season. No awesome reviwes, just recommended to MH from Stig Inge Bjornebye i think.

With a lot of the old-men out of the club and Hughes looking for a youthful team, there will be a good chance to see the lads who have graduated through our academy in Brockhall.

Who would you give the chance to don the Blue and White halves for the Senior team?

JAY McEVELEY: (inc. pre-season tour of Germany)

This left-back had a vast experience of 1st team football and is also an U21 International. A defender who can link up with the midfield with good effect, but his main qualities lie in defence. A tough tackler who doesn't lack pace and is a good reader of the game. My recommendation if Mikey Gray looses form or gets injured!

ANDY TAYLOR (inc. pre-season tour of Germany)

Can play anywhere in defence but usually at the left-back spot. Has been off on loan to Blackpool and QPR last season and is currently playing an active part in Rover's pre-season campaign.

EDDIE NOLAN (inc. pre-season tour of Germany)

Central defender who is a regular in the Reserves. Capped at all levels with Republic of Ireland through their youth squads and is capable of scoring goals from set pieces.

TONY KANE: (inc. pre-season tour of Germany)

Has been given rave reviews from Northern Ireland youth International teams. Another tough tackler who can play at either right or left back and will always get forward. Thought of highly by Hughes and maybe couldbe given a bit of a chance in the rest of the Pre-Season. Could be good cover is Neill decides to move on.

KEITH TRACEY (inc. pre-season tour of Germany)

Plays on the left wing and will create chances for the team. Has already played for Rovers in pre-season lat summer.

RALPH WELCH

Don't know much about him, but plays of the right-side of midfield. Ex-Scouser and could be useful to draft in behind DB if Brett departs.

MATT DERBYSHIRE: (inc. pre-season tour of Germany)

Promising striker who has a great key for goal. Loaned out to Wrexham in January and scored 10 goals in 16 games. Quick and an excellent attitude to the game and would expect to see much more from him this season. Initially he would be useful in enter the fray with 30 or so minutes remaining for that added bit of pace upfront to create havoc for defences.

PAUL GALLAGHER: (inc. pre-season tour of Germany)

Hard working striker who has benefitted from his loan spell at Stoke. Picked up an injury whilst there, but still managed 12 goals in both League & FA Cup. Not a targetman, but will create chances for his strike-partners.

To me the main lads that I would want to be brought in and given the chance are: -

Jay McEveley

Tony Kane

Matt Derbyshire

Paul Gallagher

How about a poll on this one?