1. Arsenal 2. Chelsea 3. Liverpool 4. Blackburn Rovers 5. Newcastle 6. Manchester United 7. Middlesborough 8. Birmingham City 9. Aston Villa 10. Fulham 11. Tottenham 12. Charlton 13. Portsmouth 14. Southampton 15. Crystal Palace 16. Bolton 17. Manchester City 18. Everton 19. Norwich 20. West Brom

There was speculation about this when it was rumoured that Andy was going but didn't JW(?) say no way would we be paying part of his wages? It was in the LET I believe.

There were leaflets included with the delivery of The Citizen on our round earlier in the year.

Aaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh! De Pedro has a thigh strain 'similar to that of Brad' according to Neil Yardley, Rovers World. Unlikely to be playing until West Brom Stockport sound a bit lively......

I noticed in passing some interview or other going on purported to be at notlob's training ground at the weekend. In the background was an impressive selection of plastic garden furniture complete with sunshades!

here's one

Now I'm totally confused....... Still, we've got a goal, well done Gally (I think)

A report has come through that Fulham are making a bid for Radzinski. Cue Cole's first Fulham tantrum?

Thing is, if he hadn't scored any goals no one would have bothered too much! It's a bit daft, having someone on trial in the first pre-season match (when supporters are gagging for some news); the said someone scores two goals and we're not supposed to be even curious about it.

Babysitting days are over! This story originated from two articles in the LET - this one re: Cole and this one re: Yorke Must admit I like Teamtalk's take on the story. Well done, Souness, for not letting these prima donnas walk all over you.

Pot, kettle and black spring to mind........ Good points by Ewood Spark imo.

I don't think Mr Al Fayed will stand any messing about if Cole doesn't produce the goods. Should be most interesting. If this move desn't work for Cole who's going to want him then?

Ah yes, but they said Hamandeggs wasn't having an Ewood trial. Or is that my tea I'm thinking about...... Or even a plot to stop us talking about Andy Cole..

We have Steb on site, speaking into a tin can and a string back to a tin next to Paul's ear Which is why we need donations................... I've got a ball of string you can have........ Lee says Reid, Flitty and Jansen are playing now.

uuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Men on the ground? I know the German beer is strong but............. What do we know about the teams they are playing?

I'm inclined to agree with USA Blue. This season, Cole only decided to put some effort in when Jon Stead arrived. His efforts changed for the better after that. To be honest, I'm now wondering if the three (Flitcroft, Cole and Todd) are partly responsible for at least some of the poor performances - it must be hard to lift your team when key members are sulking. This decision was made by the Board. It's not Souness who said he couldn't work with Cole, it's Cole who said he couldn't work with Souness. I'm very disappointed with Andrew. He would do well to remember that Souness has been there, done that, etc. It's also interesting to note Cole's attitude towards the arrival of Paul Dickov. Why should he be so nervous about another striker coming in (especially knowing that Yorke was expected to leave) unless he knew in his heart that he either couldn't cut it or he could but would have to keep putting the effort in for his place?

Somehow, I don't see a scenario similar to that of last year, when Duffer ran in tears from the airport to set up meetings with Chelsea

On the flip-side - Souness is being paid handsomely himself to manage the team. And managing a team entails garnering a team spirit and creating unity in the camp by being a good leader. Doesn't mean you have to be Mr Nice to everyone - but holding the professional respect of the players. But it isn't Souey who's at fault. If anything it's him who is being too soft, and letting them get away with it. It's not Soury who wasn't working hard. It's not Souey who thought he could override the Boss's instructions. It's not Souey who threw a wobbler because he didn't agree with the Boss's selections. It's not Souey who thought he could hide during matches. In my opinion he was being too nice to them. Discipline brings respect, and that's what some of them need, and hopefully will get now.

And remember who is the Boss.

I'm getting fed up with all this trouble in't camp sort of stuff. As far as I'm concerned, the players are being paid (and not too badly might I say) to play for Blackburn Rovers under the leadership of Mr Graeme Souness. So, Mr Souness rightly assumes that it is up to him to tell them to get off their backsides and do some work; or that a training trip does not give anyone the right to slip off home a day early without permission and then complain to the Union when the boss is not best pleased; and that if they go missing during matches they are likely not to be first choice as captain next season..................etc. etc. etc. To right it's up to him, and it's about time they got on with the job. Souness mentioned somthing about discipline in yesterday's Rovers World interview, and his intention for there to be more of it. Good for him. As Alan Kelly pointed out when his contract ended, he hadn't realised just how cosseted footballers were. So a message to the lads. Get Training. Get Fit. Get out there and do your very best for Blackburn Rovers. If you're not about doing that, then Get Lost.

Perhaps most telling among those articles, just from a purely footballing standpoint, is this one: Three on Trial in Sweden Yup that's right... Leeds are taking Steve Guppy, Brian Deane and our old buddy Craig Hignett on trial during their preseason preparations. Presumably they're there to replace James Milner, Alan Smith and Dominic Matteo, respectively? Oh how the might have fallen. Sorry, don't have the link on this but I remember reading a few weeks ago that Craig had asked to train with Leeds but had been told that although they were happy for him to do so there would not necessarily be a place for him in the squad.

Sky Sports have put up their own take on the story here. My first reaction was of horror in that there should be a proposition that we pay half of his wages - amounting purportedly to £1.5million over the year - why should we part pay for him to play for a rival team? Thinking again, wasn't it said he was due a 'loyalty' bonus of £1mill at the end of his contract if he stayed at Rovers? So that would amount to £4million come the end of next season and should the rumour be true and he went to Fulham that would give us a saving of £2.5million wouldn't it? I'm still not in favour of it though. For those who are getting uptight about 'fallings out' at Rovers - look at it realistically. We all fall out with others all the time; families; friends; Burnley Supporters - that's life. We don't know what's going on in the camp but I bet it's no better or worse than any other club, it just suits someone's agenda to leak these rumours, no doubt there are fall-outs but there are passionate people involved so isn't it to be expected?

I've a feeling I might have some trouble getting a junior ticket could probably get a Senior Citizen one though

That's nearly £50 for our family. Much as I love Rovers, dream on, Stockport