They only need a point from their last two group games to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League and are probably favourites to win La Liga again as they are only a couple of point adrift of Osasuna in second place. They are one of the best sides in Europe and would look for a manager who has achieved more success than Hughes has so far, if they were to be looking for a manager which I doubt they are. Toshack had achieved much more than Hughes has yet and besides already had experience of managing in La Liga. We don't have to be worrying about Barcelona poaching Hughesy...not unless he gets us into the Champions League or wins us a cup or two anyway.

Interesting article on the football365 website - The Premiership Start: The Statistics About Blackburn - "The difference between last season's Blackburn and this season's Blackburn? 22 goals conceded in ten games as opposed to ten goals in ten games. That's the difference between 20th and tenth place. They're still not scoring many (Morten Gamst Pedersen is their top Premiership goalscorer) but the tide has certainly been stemmed. The problem for Mark Hughes is that when the opposition do score first, that's the end of the road. Three times Blackburn have gone behind and three times they have lost (to Villa, Newcastle and Liverpool). Five times in ten games they have failed to score - it's a tad difficult to win games like that." The turning point in the Hughes revolution was probably the Chelsea match last season. It was a real low point and although we have had some poor performances since (most recently the Newcastle shocker) we have nonetheless steadily improved in the last year. However, I can't remember the last time we won a game from being behind. There is a theory that you shouldn't score against Chelsea as it will make them angry, as if they are some footballing Hulk of a team. However, if we concede the first goal...we might as well pack up and go home! Hope I'm wrong but I can't see us getting anything. Their bench will probably hold subs that cost more than our entire squad. 3-1 Chelsea. Mind you...after saying all that I'll still get my hopes up once the game starts Luckily all Chelski games are live on TV over here! One bright spark is that Chelsea may be tired, Mourinho seems to be worried too. Or is it just mind games on his part? Mourinho wary of fatigue ahead of Rovers clash

Sorry, thought you meant premiership wins - fulham, man u, wba and BIG CLUB.

That would be a great idea...no surprise it never happened. Why do something when the going is good if you can wait until attending numbers decline then blame the customers for not coming back, poor business sense anywhere but in the football world? Muppets are in charge of the game and have been for a long time. Football is a professional sport...shame it has so often (and I'm going back to Victorian times here) been run by amateurs.

Not only that but it is only four not five.

Gravesen has probably played in a bit over half of Madrid's games this season, although some as sub. He'll stay and fight for his place I'd expect for a while longer. If he leaves he will have offers from better sides than us I'd expect and will likely go to another team playing Champions League football.

Zura's Rovers renaissance

Sky Sports have a short interview with defender Tony Ryan here. Can't say I've ever heard of him but he seems to be an under-19 international with Northern Ireland. Has he played for the reserves much or even at all? Interestingly... "Who is the most skilful player you have played with? Sergio Peter"

How regularly would BRISA be attempting to meet up? I'd expect there hasn't been a decision as such but roughly what - weekly, monthly, quarterly or on an irregular basis? I'm not back in Blackburn too often so it would be nice to plan ahead.

Douglas is certainly doing well enough at Leeds to be starting every match and he played the full ninety minutes last night as Leeds beat Southampton 2-1.

Fair enough, you are right that it is only an chant and certainly not as bad some heard before. Still a bit nasty though even if I did make the same mention as yourself of it not being up there with appeasing Hitler.

Yeah if you think jokes about somebody breaking his leg and almost losing it aren't fair game then you must eat prawn sandwiches.

Good post Rev as usual. This has nothing to do with race.

If it was a criticism it was a pretty poor one. If it was an observation than it was a pretty empty one. If you have something to say then say it and stop pretending you are some man of the masses. Is shouting about sombody breaking a leg anti-PC? Is it actually some inspired attempt at trashing the prevailing dogma rather than just some lairy lads giving it their all after a few jars? You have to be pretty desperate to try and get a Political Correctness debate out of this one. Bloke breaks leg, almost has to have it amputated, opposition fans think it is game for a laugh. Tell me why that is unPC to object to it Phil. I'm pretty sure I have had a similar upbringing to yours in many respects but I don't find it funny. Why does that make my view, or those of others, on here "unrepresentative"?

Heskey is better than both Crouch or Davies. Discuss.

I've no problem with the Fans Forum as such, in fact it's a good idea but only really dislike this 'secretive' stuff. What things are brought up which can be described as "commercially senistive"? No need for specific examples but can you say what kind of things this could entail? Do all clubs keep these kind of details in the dark? Why can't the club be more open? Correct me if I'm wrong Revidge but you are one of the most outspoken members on here about the club being more honest and open with the fans? So...surely there are ways that things can be improved as regards that.

It was a bit of a sick chant but I don't think we should really go quite so far as comparing it to appeasing Hitler! It does make some of our support look really like they are awful people and unfeeling but we should remember that it is only a few people and not the whole of the Rovers fanbase by any means. I'd expect that some of those singing it didn't realise that Cisse actually came close to having his leg amputated, at least I hope they didn't. We shouldn't let anti-Rovers rags like The Mirror cast all Rovers fans in the same negative light. They tried doing it with the Yorke incident and it's just not on. So...the chants weren't that big a deal...as long as our support learns from this and stops trying to act like animals (if there were really were monkey noises which I hope isn't true). There are better (and certainly cleverer) ways to goad the opposition then laughing at a career-threatening injury. Oh by the way - disagreeing with chants about an accident that almost left a man without a leg is not being 'PC', it's about behaving with a bit of decency. What is most annoying about this incident is that it gives toilet paper publications like The Mirror another chance to bash our club and our support. Talk about hanging ourselves with our own rope...

I've never really understood the poin of the Fans Forum. They are unelected so do not represent other fans and don't pass on information told them in confidence. So...what is the point of them? All the Rovers board has to do is read a couple of messageboards or randomly ring up some fans if they actually wanted the views of the fans. I've spoke to some who have been on the FF and they have whispered some things they heard and told me not to pass them on but I wondered what on earth was the point in it? BRISA is a good idea solely because it will be above board and hopefully not include having secretive to the club and keeping things hidden from fellow fans. I've still to be convinced of the need for the club to say things to a small body of fans yet then implore not to let it be known to other fans. I'll be signing up for BRISA and hopefully this will make the club more open in its dealings with the fans. Clubs like Charlton are known for being transparent, Rovers can learn from them as their fans always seem to be happy with the job that is done. Often on here fans blame the club for matters which may or may not have been its fault. No need for so much misunderstanding and mistrust...honesty should be the best way forward.

That very same West Brom did play a weakened team away to Chelsea however. Not that I blame them.

That's just awful. What's funny about someone breaking a leg? Well done to him for scoring the winner after that and shoving it back down their throats. Isn't supposed to be just a game of football?

To be fair Cruyff was a great manager for Barcelona; four titles in a row, a European Cup and pairing the dream team of Romario and Stoitchkoff. Has been known to talk crap on occasions though I must admit.

Ok so Crouch didn't have the greatest of games but it was hardly so bad that it deserves quite so much ridicule. The reaction on here seems typical of the herd mentality which means ridicule for players who deviate from the norm. Heskey was another, as was Waddle, Barnes, even when they played well on occasion they were complained about. Crouch might be a nightmare but let's give him more of a chance than this. Although not great he did a few things of note. Not that I think he is good enough for the England team but his performance doesn't deserve such negative reactions. Seems like he is just an easy target.

The USA and Australia both refused to ratify it and Australia didn't even sign it. Developing countries do have some leeway and are exempt in some ways (not too sure what the specifics are) but are supposed to cut back on certain things. However regardless of this, the USA is still the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases despite having about only a quarter of the population of India and a sixth of China's. It's all become a political debate about jobs and industry for the USA and Australia yet while it is understandable surely something has to be done now rather than later if people want their kids and grandkids living in a healthier world. As for "The US is no angel but China and India are the ones to watch as they don't really care at all." Well...both China and India have some developed parts yet have hundreds of millions below the poverty line. The US doesn't quite have that excuse, especially as the factions against less pollution tends to be megarich companies. Wikipedia - Kyoto Protocol

Untrue, both India and China have signed and ratified the Kyoto Treaty.

Yep you got them all philip - usually the two Bradford sides and the two Leeds sides knock people off the scent.