With all of the 'feel good" things going on around Rovers at the moment,I hesitated to post this but here goes.Italian bio

This is like one of those "Where is Waldo" children's games but I stumbled across this on Grabbi.Apparently,he was picked up at the Jan transfer window by a club at the foot of Serie B called A.C. Arezzo after having NOT made an appearance for Genoa in Serie C this year before the transfer.

So far,no appearances for Arezzo either.

Shabani turns 30 years old tomorrow.On the basis of what we have seen,do we re-sign him or is the jury still out?

If he scores us the FA Cup winner would that colour your judgement?

The fact is that Jeffers only played in 3 games in 2007 and Gally played in all three and Derbs played in 2 of the 3 and was injured for the other one.I don't believe you can make a case that the minutes of play Jeffers has consumed have been taking away from our young striker's (Gally and Derbs)opportunities.Jeffers only played in 15 matches for the entire year and Gally played in 8 of those concurrently! Now,Derbs you might think has had opportunities taken from him for playing time but he has played 7x as much Cup football this year as Jeffers (430 minutes vs 61 minutes) and Sir Matt has played more time in the league than Jeffers as well(410 minutes vs 357 minutes).While Jeffers has been a bit of a lightning rod for criticism from many quarters, I don't think you can say his presence at the club has stifled opportunities for our 2 young strikers nor hindered their development.

Here is an interesting look at Sparky's reign so far.There is also included a look at Souness' last 99 games with us.I wonder on the disciplinary front how many of the 25 red cards from the 198 games were from Neill and Flitcroft?Have a ganderOPTA stats

Whatever happened to Peter Cucumber?

If we had to sign him today,I would probably say no but if we're back in Euope next year I would say yeas because of squad size and injury concerns.In addtion,he would have had a full year to settle in England and as we all know learning to play in the EPL is unlike anything most foreign footballers have experienced.He does have the ability to score goals (as well he has several breakways he should have put away) but the pace of pre injury doen not appear to have returned.I think an intangible that we can't measure behind our keyboards is what does he bring to the morlae of theteam,how well does he get along with the rest of the lads and what roel might he play in helping Samba settle as well?These are questions we can't answer so best to leave it with Sparky.He will make the right call for us.

As if it will be that long?I could see him sacked if a loss in Israel occurs.Wouldn't be shocking if the FA are already eyeing up potenital candidates even as we speak.

Spencey,

Don't hold back,tell us how you really feel.

Yes Roger Jones! The entire ground sang his name Roger Jones! Roger Jones! for a large part of the match although he was playing for the opposition. That is how much he meant to us! Great keeper and a great guy.

Was this when he played for Stoke?

Was this the match?(dredged up from Soccerbase but no teamsheets for that day)

English Division 2 (old)

Blackburn 2 (0) - 1(0) Stoke

on 22-10-1977

David Dunn booed?

Some guy having a laugh :Jack Bauer is a character on the TV drama "24"

Mark Hughes blocks Lucas' move to West Ham b/c they won't include konchesky as a swap according to this article

i guess the Ukrainian trialist is not a consideration then?

Soccerbase says since Sept 7 2001,Lucas has had 184 League starts and4 substitutes (188 appearances)over a possible 209 league games played.As he acquired 58 yellow cards and 6 red cards over this time period,I would submit that many of his absences were for suspension and country call ups.Very durable player that whoever we replace him with,I hope has the same durability.

I know this is from another site but I did enjoy the synopsis of Tugay's career HERE

It is strange that he hasn't gotten more positive press from the sporting media but I suppose that is due to him p;laying for us instead of the big 4.Anyway,hope you relish the article as well.

What do you bet we see Benni hauled in before the FA for bringing the game into disrepute with these comments about meeting AR's in a nightclub?Hope nothing happens with this but it is becoming so sanitised that one can't speak what is on your mind even if it is in jest.(Hello Ryan Nelsen 's comments last year).It is no wonder you hear the same old tripe spouted in cliche' because it is safe.Nobody gets their feathers ruffled.Read what I mean HERE

Would the 5 players who had played at the Academy be the largest number on the pitch at the same time for the senior team since the Academy came into existence?Even if they did play poorly(based on your observations I have read and opinions espoused),that is a nice accomplishment and moreso that we won the game with them all on the pitch at some point.

Back to the question:have more than 5 Academy players played for the senior team at the same time?

3 & 3 no doubts about it.

Here is his goal

TUGAY

Here is his goal

TUGAY

Boy,the media don't mind picking on us do they?Look at the caption in the picture of Tugay in this article

HEREI haven't noted them picking on the crowds at Bolton and Middlesbroughlast season,did you?

Over at the Times they loved to point out the crowd numbers with the headline in this RECAP

So you are danged if you do (get in European 'mickey mouse competition'/poor crowds that show up) and danged if you don't(make it into European 'mickey mouse competition')The media need to make up there mind.I am sure ALOT of clubs would love to trade places right now with little ol' Blackburn.It probably hurts alot of media members to see Blackburn do well.

Here are some match photos for your perusal:

Click here

Great win!!

Just curious,with all these great values for tickets the club has offered up,when was the last time regular matchday tickets cost only £15?how about £5?(i.e. 1978?1966?1992?)

Apologies if i have missed the discussion,but, why did Bentley not get called up to the U21 squad that won today over in Germany?Is he injured or did he have a falling out with Taylor or what?Seems he had aquitted himself well in previous U21 matches and no one can deny he's been on a hot streak of sorts.

I'm trying to remember the last time we had 30,000+ in the ground - anybody?

This from a post I did April 13,2006:

"Here are the top ten crowds as I can find them since the 94/95 season:

1) Liverpool 24/2/96 30,895

2) Newcastle 8/5/95 30,545

3) Fulham 11/5/02 30,487

4) Man Utd 22/12/02 30,475

5) Man Utd 12/5/99 30,436

6) Bolton 3/2/96 30,419

7) Newcastle 26/12/96 30,398

8) Man Utd 23/10/94 30,260

9) Liverpool 13/9/03 30,074

10) Tottenham 30/12/95 30,004

(EDIT:FOUND A MATCH V NEWCASTLE 30,717 8/4/96 2nd highest)

Of these crowds, 20 of the top five and 3 of the top 10 have come within the last4 years.Also,3 of the top five are the last home match of the season.Just for yucks and grins, here is the second ten again as i could find it:

11) Newcastle 31/1/00 29,946

12) Man city 7/5/00 29,913

13) Arsenal 15/3/03 29,840

14) Man Utd 22/8/01 29,836

15) Arsenal 27/4/96 29,834

16) Celtic 14/11/02 29,698

17) Man Utd 1/5/04 29,616

18) Newcastle 26/12/04 29,271

19) Liverpool 28/8/02 29,207

20) Man Utd 22/1/03 29,048

EDIT MAN UTD 28/9/95 29,843

I'm sure there are holes in these number(meaning some games I've overlooked have a greater attendance than these listed).does anyone know if the club has an official list of the top attended matches?"

Lee,

Doyou know how the finances are recovered for the teams competing in the UEFA Cup(i.e. how do we make any money?)?