Barton was released because of a serious back injury. I assume he was released after taking medical advice. It's a bit premature to blame anyone at Ewood without knowing the full facts.

Messi's foot after being stretchered off after shocking foul for Barca tonight [from Paul Plunkett twitter] twitter

Well, the 12 of us went to Manchester on Saturday. Thanks to everyone who recommended pubs. I have to say that Manchester has some cracking pubs - but unfortunately, we didn't find any of them .We tried four pubs. First stop was Corbieres. Sorry Ozz, but I just didn't get what this place was supposed to be about. To be fair it was around 5ish that we got there and maybe the atmosphere lifts it later on, but at that time it wasn't great. We also tried the Walkabout, which I've been to before. There's nothing great about it, but the Mrs wanted to go there. The two other pubs were the Tiger bar? [next to the waterhouse] and the waterhouse itself. Nothing about any of those that would make me recommend them. We then went through to the Pacific China in Chinatown. It was a clean, fairly modern place and was frequented by quite a lot of Chinese people, which is usually a good recommendation. Most of us had the banquet at £28+service charge. One of the women asked if they would throw in the seas bass, considering there were so many of us - which they did at no extra cost. The food was very good and I would recommend this place to anyone. possibly not quite as good as the Yang Sing, but still an excellent meal. It was the wife's Birthday and when there's twelve of you, you always have a good time. No matter what the pubs turned out to be like, we had a great evening and a great laugh. So thanks again everyone.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. The idea is to get into Manchester around 5:30ish, have a beer or two somewhere near [10-15 mins walk] to the Pacific China, where we are booked in at 7:30. So, maybe one of these suggestions before the meal, with another one afterwards? It's on a Saturday night, so I assume all these pubs will be open 'til midnight?

I've done the walkabout in Deansgate Ozz. Are there any decent pubs actually in Chinatown, or should we stay nearer the city centre? Need somewhere to get the coach driver to drop us off you see. Edit: I mean I've done the walkabout pub!

12 of us are off to Chinatown in Manchester in May for the wife's 60th Birthday do. Any suggestions for a pub pre/post meal, within say - 10 mins walk from China Town? Don't want stupid prices, but do want a bit of life in there. Good atmosphere more than anything.

Facebook.

I think you mean you would want it to. That right mum?

A couple of eye witness accounts of what they saw happening: LT comments.

LT update.

Official Statement.

He said that Mellison. Is there a real difference here?

Oi! He said we could go to Wham not needing to win.

He said that on Radio Rovers after the Wigan game. He also said, for the benefit of the Sam haters, that now we didn't need to go into the Wham game needing to win. We could sit back, stifle them, then try to nick one on the break.

I would say Sam's general comments about selfish players will be shared by 99% of football fans.

He'll have the same service that's available now Smoss. Kalanic - 0 goals Di Santo - 1 goal Roberts ? goals That's enough?

It is the natural reaction though. The level headed fan would ask if there's enough goals in Roberts, Di Santo and Kalanic to see us safe this season, if Benni is moved out without a quality replacement.

If they have put it in writing, then they have been told to put it in writing............ comprendo?

With no replacement? No way. If we can't get someone of the required ability, then he may as well rot in the reserves with no pay.

Gold and Sullivan wont pay the price on Benni's head [which isn't very much], so they have told Benni to refuse to play for Rovers. Pay back time for Savage. Hope Rovers don't cave in on this one as they have in the past.

Oh stop reminding me of when Ray Matthias told us that we couldn't deny Bentley a move to a bigger and better club. "We'll just have to replace him with someone better" was the follow up.

Sam can't get anyone fit. Only Benni can get Benni fit. Rovers provide the facilities to allow the players to do that. Whatever you think of Allardyce, a players fitness is down to the player, not him.

Not a good situation for anyone. I would only really say one thing here, - how many managers would put up their player being overweight and unfit? I suggest none in the Premier league.

I reckon it's the other way round with Benni. For quite a while now, when he's started, he's been poor - apart from the the last couple of games. If he had been good enough, regularly enough, he wouldn't be on the bench, or out of the squad altogether, as often as he has.

Yep, Benni was superb against Liverpool. No way can we afford to let him leave in January.