I dont know if its any where else but I heard that Mokoena was hacked down in a disgusting manner by none other that Fulham's Heidur Helguson. Apparently he was laying screaming in agony and was removed from the pitch very quickly.

Were dropping like flies.

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Report on SA game

According to this article Mokoena did go off injured in the game against Iceland doesn't mention what the injury is or how serious it is.

Having just got back from Cardiff & read the Sunday Times reprts on the match I have e-mailed their sports desk:-

" Dear Sir

It is not customary for me to feel so strongly after reading a newspaper article that I should want to respond. However, having read the various reports concerning Saturday’s FA Cup Semi Final, between Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal, I feel I must challenge a number of comments made in your newspaper.

In an effort to set the record straight, I would make the following points :-

• Blackburn Rovers are clearly not a big city club. In fact, Blackburn is probably the smallest town in England lucky enough to have a Premiership football team. Your journalists appear to have contracted a disease called ‘big-club-itus’ which is so easy to catch from others. They should be careful in their comments regarding Blackburn whilst considering the town has a population of just over 100,000.

• The fact that the FA, for reasons best known to themselves, decided to play a game over 200 miles from Blackburn with a 12.15 kick-off time is a matter for them. The fact that almost 20% of the population of Blackburn set off at 5am to make the game, and paid up to £45 (yes, David Davies, £45!) for the privilege, is no small matter. If Manchester United had managed the same 20% then over 300,000 would have turned up in red shirts on Sunday.

• Mark Hughes deserves much credit for steering a side to a Cup Semi-Final within months of his arrival. Blackburn are obviously a side in transition and their manger will bring in new faces, particularly strikers, in the Summer. He has not yet had the luxury of the time or money that Mr Wenger has enjoyed.

• Blackburn Rovers have won the Cup six times. They have appeared in eighteen semi-finals (only seven other teams have appeared in more). Blackburn won the Worthington Cup only three years ago. They are one of only three teams to win the Premier League. They appear well up in all time Premier League rankings. They are one of the form League teams since Christmas. Credit where credit’s due, this is a team that over delivers and their achievements should not be belittled.

• With regard to the game. Please be reminded that for all supporters outside the M25, Arsenal are regarded as a team not afraid of falling to ground to win free kicks. This may come as a shock to your London based correspondents, but it is the truth. In some football supporters eyes this is regarded as cheating, just the same as late or strong challenges.

• Were it not for an incorrect off-side decision, Blackburn may have taken the lead in a game more even than you suggest, particularly in the first half.

• As you point out, in the game Blackburn received six yellow cards to Arsenal’s three. Clearly, Steve Dunn (a referee of some experience) holds the view that strong challenges should still be part of the modern game. Mark Hughes confirmed his team were asked to compete but not to use rough tactics – I believe he is an honest man.

• The influx of foreign players over the last ten years (particularly to bigger clubs) should not confuse people into thinking football has become a non-contact sport, whatever those players may think. Blackburn field a side dotted with British players and I believe this gives then a competitive advantage in many respects.

• I confirm that as a Rovers fan of over 35 years standing I have a bias towards Blackburn Rovers – the difference is at least I am honest enough to admit it. I would only ask that your sports journalists adopt impartiality in their reporting in future. 

Regards "

Read the same report. Couldn't have put it better myself. I actually only made it to the end of the first paragraph on page 2, couldn't stand anymore of the drivel.

Anyone staying at the Future Inns in Cardiff Bay

If Todd has been told he can go then why was he in the squad for last week and why is he in the squad for tomorrows game, surely if there's such a problem and Souness is so keen to get rid of him then why is he still in the squad

It would appear David Batty's love for his home town club has run out

Batty to refuse pay off

Registered for the BRFCS one

My team

Too dunrk to learn

Friedel

Samuel/Gresko/Johnson/Riggott

Emerton/Lampard/Gilberto

Ameobi/Van Nistelrooy/Vassell

Robinson/Matteo/Quashie/Barton

My team in the Telegraph is

Friedel

Silvestre/Woodgate/Terry/Finnan

Emerton/Jenas/Scholes

Van Nistelrooy/Bellamy/Jansen

Ditto for the apologies on jinxing Brad and Brett