There is a Reserves match coming up on Wednesday against Manchester United Reserves. As they usually field a strong team this will be a good chance for players like Pedersen to have a game against a decent opposition.

Good points, Jim, brilliant post, Scotty. Jim, to reconfigure the ground is definitely the way to go. However, I would worry about relocating the family stand; at least the kids are contained up there, in the JWL you would probably get a lot of them running round screaming during the match - this happened in the Riverside at the U21s England match. The idea needs to be seriously looked at though.

*In case he is.......

I heard a rumour that Rihaz had been sacked. Anyone know? stuwilky is right, the concern over this issue doesn't mean that people don't care about the position of the club in the league. It's the disillusionment. You pay your money and hope to see a good match and hopefully your team win. You don't need unnecessary harrassment from those who are supposed to be acting in the interests of the club. Respect goes both ways, the supporter has paid for it, the club's employees have to earn it.

Despite those who believe Hughes could handle Bellamy, and much as we need someone to score goals, it is my biggest fear that he comes to Rovers. He would lord it over the other players and destroy their confidence in my opinion, his attitude must be one of the worst ever. The only reason he would ever come here is if no-one else would have him.

And hopefully, Revidge, by that time Mark and his merry men will have resurrected Rovers and things will be a lot brighter here!

OOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo, don't you just love it? Has anyone else noticed that Souness looks more harrassed these days than he ever did at Ewood?

I saw a Rovers fan, with dark hair, in a dark blue jacket man-handled down the right hand side of the steps towards the stairwell by two police officers. As they got to the top of the stairwell he pulled away from one police officer who still had hold of his left arm. The fan then disappeared down the stairwell. I don't know if this is the person you are thinking of. I saw this as well and was absolutely furious at the way the fan was manhandled - naturally he was struggling! I am going to write to John Williams - has anyone any problem if I quote posts (no names)? I really want to get across how strongly everyone is feeling. I suggest others do the same. I really believe the consequences of all this could have a hugely detrimental effect on our club and damage limitation is needed urgently. Mr Roversmum has asked for an emergency fans forum but no feedback if that will happen yet. I spent about 10 minutes bending a steward's ear after the match; shame was he is one of the decent ones!

GGGGRRRRR, have just been watching Sky Sports news and previews of the matches. First we get " It's 8 years since Arsene Wegner came to Arsenal and here is a clip of his first match" - a win against guess who and they show one of the goals. Then when they get to the Boro/Rovers preview, what do they show but a clip of Boro scoring against us. In the light of that, I'm all fired up now. The score will be: Rovers 3: Mark Hughes, Mark Bowen and Eddie Neddy Boro 1; Own goal by the Linesman.

I was going to say 'young, vocal fans' won't be used to standing at Premiership matches anyway but of course that isn't strictly true except at Rovers..............

Seconded. Too much negative thinking. Look at the positive side and work out how to make the best of what we have (which by any way of thinking isn't bad).

Hillsborough can no longer be used as an excuse becuase with technology available it should be easy to limit numbers in a standing area to a safe amount. Apart from that and a couple of other accidents; I doubt that there have been many life-threatening incidents in stands over the years and with good maintenance and limited numbers there's no reason why there should be any. However, it's not likely to happen. So what we need to do is come to terms with all-seater stadia and work out how we can still maximise vocal support. As far as Rovers is concerned, they now need to consider some damage limitation and work out how they can show some loyalty to their own fans and make the visitors sit down too. We have a game against Liverpool coming up so the whole of the Darwen End will be standing - how safe is that, jobsworths? and will get the usual rubbish from the media about Rovers not singing. Pah!

g/f even you lot are so funny.......

I saw a copy of this letter and was extremely annoyed about it. Jason is absolutely correct. I understand that the police are also videoing the fans during the matches. Rovers, if you want to keep your fans, this is not the way to go about it.

scored 2 goals the other week! Nah, leave the lad be. Read somewhere he can be recalled instantly if necessary so no need.

Good to hear Barry's take on things. Not too worried about Sparky being quiet. He's probably just assessing the situation and getting the measure of the lads, no point in saying too much to them and perhaps building false hopes until he is clear in his mind what each is capable of and their place in his future plans. He makes a bit of noise on the sidelines at the matches, that'll do for me for now! I have great faith in Mark II and Eddie (they look professional and as if they know what they are doing) and there is a bit of a buzz about the players which has been missing for some time. The new goalkeeper coach sounds okay too.

The first half of the match seemed a bit nervous and a bit flat. The second half was good, though, as had been said. We sat in the Blackburn End having been told JWL was sold out and missed a lot of the action because the lads in front of us insisted on standing up every time the ball came up that end. (Mr Roversmum can't stand up and down as he is disabled and it had been a bit of an effort to get there in the first place - great view of the pitch otherwise though!) Still, we taped it so could watch the second half at home. A lot of action otherwise, though. As Ossyrob said, there were a lot of kids running about especially in the Riverside - bit distracting. Some lads near us came in, sat down for about 10 minutes, went out again and came back bearing coffee and pies; went out again about 20 minutes before half time, came back after the second half had started and then left 20 minutes before the end. There was a lot of general coming and going too. Strange ideas some people have about watching football! Jon Stead showed his class we thought, and was instrumental in setting up the goals. He got into positions but often the ball was passed the other way - Taylor needs to point that out and get them to pass the ball to him a bit more.

Because it's an England International Game Because you can talent spot the up and coming England Squad Because we want to show off Ewood Because it's a special occasion Because our Jon Stead is playing Because you can Just Because Still, why would we possibly want miserable (thinking of rude word but won't say it) people there? I'm going, and I intend to enjoy it! Come on England, and Jon Stead!

Well, it's the least we could expect seeing as it's Jon's home stadium and a fair percentage of fans will be Blackburn supporters.

Gout making you irritable again, Jim? Thanks, Ozzie and Rob, thoroughly enjoyed that. As for the match, looking forward to that. Hope Bert and Lucas aren't too tired after their Ozzie trip. I think there will be goals, something like 2-2, Short will be back with any luck. Hope MarkII is busy putting the defence through its paces this fortnight!

mattyboy 6000, how can you get more factual than audited accounts?

It must have been a dream. I didn't know a) Dwight could actually run he knew where the box was as he hadn't been seen near it for some time at Ewood..... Still, give him time. It will be a marriage made in heaven for Dunny and Yorke. Wait till they set off clubbing together. It will be a short honeymoon. Think Hughesy could have a point though:

OK maybe Brad can't live up to the heights of 2 years ago but he was superhuman that season. He's still a top class keeper and better than most out there. To suggest he is a factor in our current plight and to ditch him is ludicrous There's certainly no keepers we could get who are proven better at the moment. I'd be more concerned if Brad had let Ferguson and Emertons goals in! I'm not suggesting ditching him - I merely suggested we should be thinking ahead. I'd be worried if he'd let Emerton and Ferguson's goals in too - I thought he was our goalkeeper.......

? I think you will find that Mark II and Eddie will still be at the helm. It's only Mark Hughes who is contracted for the next two Wales games. Just watched the highlights. Not happy about their goals, they could both have been avoided fairly easily. We need to take our chances a bit more confidently but thought both our goals were crackers. Surely Stead should have had a penalty? He was pushed over and elbowed in the chest. Still, who knows how to take a penalty? We've some tough games coming up so could really do without international interruptions, but at least MH will be all ours after them! Defending still a big problem. I think Mark should be looking for a fresh goalkeeper come next summer, I was very disappointed with Encks in the Bournemouth game and I'm beginning to worry about Brad.

Thanks, rover6. Personally, I couldn't care a toss about what fans of the opposition think at the moment, I just want some wins under our belt, don't want to talk about theirs. We don't seem to play well against Villa though. Hopefully the new regime will keep spirits up and our lads will give it a good go. I'd still prefer not to see Flitcroft on the field. Hurry up and get back to business, Thommo! Will leave the team selection to Mr Hughes and the result to providence. Anyone seen Mystic Meg?