We had a great day out - up at 4am clearing snow off the car and over to Ewood - apparently a coach did not turn up - hope those people got down safely.

In Cardiff enjoyed walking around the city, stewards were very helpful - even the police enjoyed a joke !

I would agree with Rovers mum - superficially the ground is fantastic but the hidden parts are really moth eaten.

To the match, slightly disappointed with the teams negative approach, it would have been good to bring Tugay on and Stead looked bright.

Instead of the FA cup semifinal it was more like the Blackburn Boxing Club against the European / African Olympic Diving team - Lehman was hardly touched by Emerton but I thought he may need emergncy surgery. Viera was a dirty piece of grass when given the chance and I cannot comment politely on Pires the ballerina.

On balance a fantastic trip , Rovers support was absoultely superb - even when we went down to the third goal - bring on the Palace.

Off to bed in a moment, heart says 1-0 to Rovers, head 2-0 to the Goons, looking forward to seeing Dennis the cheat against the admiral. It will be a great dayout what ever the result.

As usual, Lawro thinks Rovers will loose - if our defensive dynamic duo can keep Phillips / Crouch quiet I can see a comfortable 2-0 win for Rovers.

The Robinson's coach driver today claimed that so far 140 coaches have been booked for the trip to Cardiff, personally find that hard to believe.

Old Trafford is quieter than the Library, star performers in defence today but going forward was men Vs boys.Good to see Mark Hughes get a good reception from the Mancs.

Very worried to see the Italian Stallion on the bench but today has reiterated the glaring fact that we need 2 decent strikers, Steady was out of his depth and MGP was likwise drowning. Tommo was absolutely diabolical - it was nearly one nil after 60 seconds thanks to Tommo messing about deep on our half.

Still, what odds would you have got for 5points from our last 4 games?

Just purchased 2 tickets for Saturday - original allocation still has plenty left.

With Mr Riley the ref, cannot see anything other than a loss for Rovers. 3-1 to the Mancs.

With Henry, Bergkamp, Pires and Campbell mssing Rovers must fancy their chances for a win, if the Axe / Nelsen got a few early robust challenges agaisnt the like of Reyes and Van Persie, I really do think we can get 3 points. Can't wait for Saturday!

4-5-1 may see us escape with a point - I would be quite content with that - a Pool fan at work is not too bothered about the result as long as they finish with 22 unbroken legs!

Under Stanley's leadership ? - be interesting to see how they perform at the Gills.

We will be there - 3-1 to Rovers, Thommo / MGP / Stead, Dizzy to pull one back late on for the Foxes.

Yes 1-0 to ROOOOOVERS !!!!!!!!!!

3 minutes of added time

Arteta off Big Dunc on

I will happily take a 0-0 bore draw.

I anticipate a close anxious affair but hopefully Rovers better all round skills on a decent surface will see us through to face the Foxes, 2-0, Emerton and Stead.

Just saw on the US version of sky sports news that Burnley signed Akinbiyi... is he cup-tied?

Edit: answered my own question, he is cup-tied, but would it make any difference if he weren't?

As he was not registered with Burnley for the first match , he will not be eligible.

Simon Garner on 5 live now

2-0 to Rovers - I might be tempted to play Reid or Flitcroft next to Savage initially then bring on Tugay for the last 30 minutes.

The semi finals are indeed at Cardiff .

On the BBC local news this morning, the first item was a plea from Lancashire Police for Rovers fans to use the free coaches " to stop a repetition of the violence that broke out following the last meeting " - did I miss something ? - as I recall all the Clarrots had to use the coaches and the encounter was relatively trouble free.

2-0 to Rovers - even Lawro thinks we will win this one - is this to be a kiss of death ?

Looking forward to a day out on Teeside - with Boro's problems and afer Wednesday's display against Chelsea - 2-1 to Rovers. Just hope Lucas can keep Downing quiet and JFH has an off day.

Newsflash:-

Barry Ferguson makes his Rangers return back in the hustle and bustle of the SPL

Quality.

Whats Dickov doing standing behind the goal?

The goal keeper looks lke Graham Poll

Good bye to a spineless little jelly fish who prefers to swim in the tiny pond that is the SPL than trying to show his true talent in one of the best leagues in football.

Instead of playing some of the largest clubs in Europe, he can drool with anticipation to play the likes of ( no disrespect ) Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Livingstone , perhaps the 4 big games a season agaisnt the Bhoys will provide him with enough motivation to enjoy Rangers annual European epics- ie defeat to some minnow from a European back water.

Good riddance.

Home draw against Newcastle would be great - last chance to see Shearer at Ewood ( marked out of the game by Capt Todd )and an opportunity to beat GS - another season for the mighty Toon without a trophy.

Call me a pessimist but 0-0 would be a great result when the Roubleski band wagon rolls into Ewood, just cannot see our front line troubling a defence as mean as Chelsea's, their midfield will over run our foursome and

Duff / Robben / Drogba - how many will they score ?

Still - Keegan's mob beat them so why not Rovers - 1-0 to the Rovers.