The result was disappointing to put it lightly, but from what I saw of Switzerland and Croatia I still think we'll go through to the next round. Defensively we were solid : Campbell was as good as ever, King looked like he had played in that position for years and Cole and Neville worked hard in the full back positions. We didn't really have enough of the ball upfront to really test their defence, although Rooney looked superb. My only complaints were that we were too defensive in midfield in the 2nd half. France were getting 20-25 yards out and piling players forward before a challenge was being put in, which in my opinion is perhaps asking for trouble. Despite that, our defence handled the attacks brilliantly and played very well. I thought our most disappointing player was Scholes - he wasn't ambitious enough on the ball and was a complete liability when the opposition had the ball. His tracking back was almost non-existant, as was his picking players up off the ball. He also seemed alot slower than the other England players in closing the opposition down. Hargreaves looked alot fitter and more determined when he came on. Overall, Scholes looked jaded and lacking in confidence - we can't afford to carry a player like that against one of the best teams in the world. Did anyone notice that on Rooney's run which led to the penalty, Vassell was unmarked for a simple square pass to put him one on one with Barthez? Rooney didn't even look up, he was so determined to get into the box and score! Beckham's penalty was unlucky, credit to Barthez for getting a couple of yards off his line and saving it (not that I'm bitter of course). 2-0 would have finished the game off. Zidane's freekick & penalty were both superb and unstoppable - the sign of a genuine world class player I hope the usual witch-hunts don't start - I don't blame Beckham, Heskey, Gerrard or anyone else and hopefully, the media won't either. For the 1st 45mins we were the better team. The 2nd 45mins we tried to defend the lead and almost got away with it. Keep your heads up - we have the ability to beat Croatia and Switzerland, let's hope tonight's result fires the players up to take the game to them. Tonight's result was a very painful and upsetting affair, but it's not over yet - we've been 120 seconds away from taking at least a point from arguably the best team in the world. Switzerland and Croatia won't be able to dominate us like France did in the 2nd half and they'll also struggle to contain Rooney if he keeps tonight's tempo up. England fans were brilliant as well, it was almost a home-match atmosphere for the England team.

Spot on. I voted 'Good buy for the money', because we know what we're getting with this signing. I'd rather see a player like Dickov on the bench than Yorke, even if he only comes on towards the end of a game where his style of play will put the pressure back on their defenders. I also think that he'll be a good player to call upon when we have to out-battle opposition, rather than outplay them. We've always struggled to take points from teams playing in the lower quarter of the table, who are happy to put players behind the ball and defend. If we can't play around them, Dickov gives us the tenacity upfront to try play in a more direct fashion. It would be nice if we could promote a youngster from the reserves or spend more cash on a promising young striker, but upfront isn't the area we're desperate to improve in. What limited budget we have will be better invested elsewhere in the team. I'd rather have Dickov and a half-decent left winger than spend money on an Earnshaw/Ashton and only have a little left, making it harder to sign a left-sided midfielder. My only concern is that this may push Gally (and to an extent, Jansen) further down the pecking order and potentially hamper his progression. (Digressing slightly - before the Dickov signing, I thought Gally would be in the frame to make a big impact next season, with other teams focussing on Cole and Steadinho upfront, leaving Gally to make an impact when he was on the pitch (as he did against Man Yoo)) If Dickov's here to replace Cole (which I think is highly likely although the rumours are still around), then we are in big trouble.

The Beta Band's "The Three EP's" was (and still is) amazing ! I didn't get anything by them after that (I think they've released 2 albums including the new one since ?), maybe I should..... Is "From Heroes to Zeros" anything like "The Three EP's", Ste ?? Well, they seem to be alot more focused now. The Three EPs (how good is "Dry the Rain"?) had some pretty long rambling tracks on. The latest album is just over 42 minutes long with 12 tracks on. I think it's brilliant, it took 2-3 listens but I love it to bits now. The latest single "Assessment" is on there, if you've heard and like that, then you'll like "Heros to Zeros". Ste Thanks, Ste - looks like I'll be grabbing a copy this weekend !

The Beta Band's "The Three EP's" was (and still is) amazing ! I didn't get anything by them after that (I think they've released 2 albums including the new one since ?), maybe I should..... Is "From Heroes to Zeros" anything like "The Three EP's", Ste ??

Just got it posted this morning, and ill go as far to say this is the best debut album ive ever heard. Bloody brilliant! Agree with you both, bought it this eve and it's brilliant ! There are some cracking songs on the album and it's pretty obvious they're gonna do well if they can keep this sort of quality up. I remember seeing them support Lowgold last year at Manchester Roadhouse and although they didn't upstage Lowgold or play an amazing gig, they had a couple of great tunes up their sleeves. They had that something even then that made you think you'd be seeing/hearing them again at some point.... Shame about the name, though !

That just warms my heart Me, too ! ....and I thought Bruce was quoted as saying Tiny could play anwhere across the back four ! I'll go for a 1-0 to the Rovers - Tiny's handball on the line sets Steadinho up for a penalty, which is put away with ease ! I just hope we put out a line-up that's a little more attacking than the one we've battled to safety with.

It's a shame to see Todd leave after some impressive performances this season, but was there ever a way back into the team for him after the Leeds incident ? Regardless of the events leading up to him refusing to be on the bench against Leeds, Todd throwing his rattle out of the pram and storming off home had to be the final straw. He was entitled to feel upset and disagree with the decision, but did not react the way a well paid footballer should. It's a team game and the manager has to have the final say, not the players. To keep Todd at the club would have sent misleading signals out to other players who may find themselves aggreived at being dropped and replaced at some point. Whether or not the actual decision in question is right or wrong, it is the manager's decsion and it has to be abided by his players. He had a great chance to replace Short or Amo against Man Yoo alongside Nissa, but was left out in preference to Babbel, who despite having a good game doesan't look like he'll still be here in a couple of weeks time. If you can't get into the team ahead of someone who's leaving soon, then surely the writing's on the wall ? I'm sure if he'd taken being dropped at Leeds with a little more professionalism, like Nissa managed after the Citeh game, then he'd probably still have a future here next season. I think he's played well this season on return from the Dingles, but I still think of him as being a squad player who played very well when asked, rather than forcing himself into regular first team contention next season. I'd have be disappointed if we didn't look to strenghten that area of the team in the summer, regardless of Todd's future. With Short getting on and Babbel destined to return to Merseyside, we'd have been left with Amo, Nissa and Short as available first team centre halves. Hopefully Jay will get a chance to stake a claim if his recovery goes well and we still have Fitzgerald and Bruce to look at in the reserves, but another quality centre half is still required. Todd's absence will make this an even bigger priority. As for whether he's released or not, I think we'd have been able to get something for him if he'd been listed, even if it was only a fraction of the £750k we paid Charlton for him. There are 2 main factors that have probably sped his depature up : 1) Souness' desire to get him away from the club and away from the rest of the squad (for both personal and professional reasons). 2) The fact that this will be the third consecutive club he's left under unfavourble circumstances (after attacking Phil Brown at Bolton and Dean Kiely at Charlton and now refusing to co-operate at Rovers), which will deter those looking at signing him. Who would want a player who is a liability to the cohesion of a team/squad ? A shame to see to him leave, but it's not the end of the world - he can be replaced.

apologies if these have already been mentioned : 'Are You Dave Gorman ? by Dave Gorman - diary of 2 friends travelling the world trying to meet as many Dave Gormans as they can after a drunken pub bet.......very funny and well written. 'McCarthy's Bar' & 'The Road To McCarthy' by Pete McCarthy. very witty journals of Pete's quest to trace the history of his surname and his Irish roots. 'Miracle of Castel di Sangro' by Joe McGinness. another journal - this time an Amercian follows a lowly Italian football team for a season. Interesting match fixing revelations in the book meant that it was banned in Italy. None of these are masterpieces, but they are qyuite easy to pick up for a few mins here and there when on holiday. Pete McCarthy kept me sniggering to myself (and no doubt looking like a right eejit) for a good couple of hours when the Amtrak between Buffalo / Toronto broke down last winter. Almost disappointed when we started moving again !

Bought the 'For Lovers' single (Wolfman featuring Pete Doherty (the Libertines)) today and it's getting better with each listen. Also dug out 'Scream, Dracula, Scream' by Rocket From The Crypt and 'Terror Twilight' by Pavement earlier, forgotten how much I liked those albums ! Looking forward to hearing the new Keane album as well - it's getting some really good reviews.

Thanks Alan (and Tim) - really enjoyed reading that ! Jolted my memory back to the 0-0 pre-season friendly at Bloomfield Road a few years back. The team was mainly reserve players, but Tim was between the sticks and, due to the lack of action on the pitch, seemed to really enjoy the chanting from the Rovers away fans, turning round to clap the fans several times with a big smile on his face. Tim Flowers - Ewood Legend

Dug out 'Behind the Music' by The Soundtrack of Our Lives this afternoon - I'd forgotten how much I love this album ! Anyone else a fan ???

They already do, blue phil, it's those involved with the direct running of the team that aren't doing so. Williams and co. have done their level best to keep the club's finances in order, whilst also trying to make ££ available for players fees & wages. If that ££ is wasted, we can't expect the hand to go back in the pocket for more. The blame must lie at the feet of the players and the management. Souey and his sidekicks must look at the fact they can't motivate a team to at least battle for a result, even when we can't match teams for quality. Tactics and player selections (despite injuries) have been poor at times. The players must also take a fair share for showing a complete disregard for the club and fans that pays their wages. They show very little sign of hurting when giving bad performances and carry on with a 'we're too good to go down attitude'. I genuinely feel sorry for Williams - he's in a no win situation and will no doubt find himself being blamed regardless of what changes he makes (if any) if we struggle to stay in the premiership this season. Could anyone have imagined this situation coming at the end of last season ?? I know I didn't and I'm sure the board would be the same.......

Well put, ad0102, welcome to the messageboard - hope you've got plenty of anti-depressants ! I've been trying to stay out of the topics regarding saturday's results and the usual scapegoat hunt on the grounds that it's just too depressing. For me, it's fairly simple - everyone needs to put all their bad feelings and problems aside and concentrate on working together in getting the points we need to ensure we get another go at Premiership football next season. They can have the biggest barney they like at the end of season as long as we're still a top flight team, but now's not the time. We, as fans, need to try and support the team, no matter how much we disagree with player selections, formations and tactics and try and give them our full support in their remaining games. We're happy enough to sing, shout and cheer when things are going our way - let's try and remember that whether we like it or not this is OUR team and they deserve OUR support when things aren't going the way we want. We'll be here come rain or shine next season, because we love Blackburn Rovers - it's not necessarily about cheering on the the individuals that are involved - it's about making them realise that they happen to be playing for the team we support. We need to give our all for the rest of the season, no matter how upset, disappointed and angry we are. The players and management need to realise that it isn't the time for arguing and turning on each other - they need to show some solidarity and spirit (and a bit of pride would be nice too !). We aren't going to find it easily trying to fight our way out of trouble if we're too busy fighting within ourselves ! As for Souey's future ?? I think he'll still be in charge until our future's determined for next season. If he can turn this team around and get us looking like we want to play the likes of Man Yoo, Arsenal and Chelski next season then he may get a short repreive for the start of next season. However, even then, I think if he fails to address the basic problems that have so badly affected our performances this season, then the board may start to look elsewhere. I hope it doesn't get to that point, though, I like the squad that Souey's putting together and think it isn't too far off being a capable Premiership team.

'Take me out' is the best song I've heard for a while - the rest of the album's pretty good as well. Has anyone got the new album by The Stands - 'All Years Leaving' ?? Got it a couple of weeks ago and can't stop listening to it

- that's some forward thinking Nelsta, chav-prevention from the beginning !! (and bonus points for the SFA songs). Looks like the highlights from Swinton Pool Hall jukebox to me ! This week I have been mostly listening to : Make up the breakdown - hot, hot, heat Just backwards of square - lowgold shoplifting - straw lots and lots and lots of grandaddy and I'm currently dusting down Fuzzy Logic by SFA - God ! Show me magic

If you like Final Straw, check the other albulms ('Songs for Polar Bears' & 'When it's over we still have to clear up'), because they're just as good (although perhaps not as commercial), if not better. If you like the quieter Snow Patrol songs, look out for the Reindeer Section albums (there's 2 I think, can't remember the names, though) - it's the main guy from Snowpatrol's side project (with about all the bands in Scotland involved at some point).

It's funny how those 3 keepers went on to enjoy some success with other clubs despite not being rated at Anfield - wonder if Dudek would do the same if he left ? Can't believe the hype about getting Kirkland into the Euro'04 squad - at best he'd be 3rd place behind James and Robinson (but at least keeping Walker out of the frame). He looked quite nervy against Leeds and bottled out of the challenge against Viduka for Leeds' 2nd goal.

When you consider the support/ground, talent that the Anfield academy produces, the players they have at their disposal and the amounts of cash he gets to spend each season, it's little wonder that most of us outside Liverpool (and some inside) can agree he's not doing a very good job. For the outlay he gets to spend in the market, the return is very little. OK, they won a few cups one season, but their league/CL performances are not good enough. It seems that when people point this out, he gets a little upset. He's turned what was famously an entertaining, attacking Liverpool spirit/team into a counter-attacking, defensive team. To do such a consistently poor job must invite criticism - to whinge about other people pointing this out all the time is petty and deflects from the fact he can't handle the pressure / compete at this level. A team of Liverpool's quality should be challenging for the title, let alone battling for a CL place. Houllier doesn't seem to know what his best team is or what formation it should be. He also seems to have a knack of spending large amounts of cash on players who have very little impact on the team (Smicer, Diao, Diouf and Biscan for example). Once he gets the boot (and it must be coming in the next year or so) and a decent manager gets the job, Liverpool could be an amazing team given the support & resources available. Until then, let's enjoy Houllier taking them backwards and making them, at best, a half decent top six team (and then watch Owen and Gerrard leave !) Not that he winds me up...........

"Same old Jon Stead, always scoring..." an old one I know, but it's true, it's true !!

I was enjoying your one-man Mickey Gray appreciation society (complete with replying to your own previous posts !) Good luck with your songs !

Amen to that, brother !

Geese everytime. Always looking for a rumble when out in public and guaranteed to try and start a barney with any unsuspecting, innocent bystander within range. Complete nutjobs who have no regard for their own safety, making them fearless and relentless in their attacks. Usually don't give up once they've kicked off and will happily give chase waving broken bottles or knives. Nothing to do with the fact that I was the victim of a malicious and unprovoked attack as a 6 year old on holiday near a farm once. Still wake up in tears with the sound of angry honks now and again - when will it stop ? Nothing against swans, mind, but I'd wager on the Geese everytime; be warned they're serious headcases y'know ! Sharks vs Tigers ? Sharks would win. Why ? Could you imagine Tony the Tiger surviving in any of the Jaws films? Me, neither (and, yes, I have taken Tony's impeccable extreme sports-related skills into consideration).

Anyone for Weezer ?? currently listening to the 'blue' album, with 'Only In Dreams' on repeat a few times for good measure. current faves: Snow Patrol (all albums), Jet (Get Born), Soundtrack Of Our Lives (Behind the Music) and Super Furry Animals (Outspaced)

If anyone's playing the freebie Yahoo league, the bottom's just fallen out of the market due to opening day points reflecting on prices. Go grab those crazy bargain's before everyone realises