So you would prefer - with Todd, Henchoz, Nelsen and Zurab unavailable this weekend - for him to have a go at him ? I think his reaction was ill-judged. But then again I can understand him feeling disappointed and maybe upset at the reaction of the fans. He has always given 100% for Rovers - he has carried on playing 100% even though the club blocked his move to Liverpool. Personally I think ,on the whole, he has behaved well in a difficult situation. It is about time that Rovers fans woke up to the reality of the post Bosman era.

Dunny seems to be spreading this particular rumour himself. If true - even with all the fitness considerations - it has to be a good deal. If we are signing him on a pay as you play deal - I would suprised (and disappointed) if a large transfer fee was involved. All in all could end up a good deal for Rovers. Will also be nice to see a player with a genuine feel for the club - rather than players with no appreciation of the club or its history.

You have it spot on there - I know a number of Rovers fans who no longer go as they feel the standard of officiating is so poor that it takes the pleasure out watching football. Though I still go - I do agree with the sentiment - how many times have we been the recipients of bad refereeing. I am not saying it is a conspiracy against Rovers - more the small clubs in the EPL. Referees are only human - and the pressure they get, via the press, from high profile clubs like United - must pray on their minds during the split second decision making during a match. Add to this increased vocal support from better supported clubs - again you have to be a very strong character not to be occasional swayed by the shout of "Penalty" from the Kop etc.

I agree - we should be careful what we wish for. People like Jack Walker, Jack Heywood and Abramovich (to an extent) don't come along everyday. These guys put money into football clubs with no great expectation of a return. When it is business men putting money into clubs - it is only for one reason - to create money. Not for the clubs but themselves. So though West Ham and Pompey fans are currently enjoying supposed large transfer kitties - I would enjoy it while it lasts - as many of these people don't have the clubs at heart (or enough money that it doesn't really matter i.e. Abramovich), and one day will want their investment back.

MH has got to use this game to experiment - not whole sale changes - but something is obviously wrong at the moment, and this is the ideal game to shake things up. I'd have Todd back in, consider playing Peter on the left and Derbyshire up front. I would also consider playing Bentley central again (give Tugay a rest) and play Gallagher wide right - my only objection to this, is watching Tugay in Europe has been like watching a master class in midfield play - but he does need a rest. Again not certain about going the full hog - and resting Savage and bringing in the Axe - probably a step too far against a good Nancy team. For all those that worry we may get a Champs League club if we don't finish top of the group - so what. These are teams that are obviously playing so well that they couldn't qualify for the next stage. Yes there is a risk of coming against a good team - but there is also a chance of coming across a team on a downward spiral. Anyway - there are no easy matches in the latter stages - as we may find out when we play Nancy.

Lets not forget Hughes previous record in the transfer market. I think too often fans are attacted to players with unwarranted big reputations with similar transfer fees. Some of our best buys have been free's or relatively small money - I must admit it would seem that because we have limited funds MH and his staff go the extra yard to pick up bargains. It is difficult - but a number of the players that MH has signed for relatively little money couldn't really bet bettered if we were back in the Jack Walker days - and indeed remember how much money we wasted at that time on average players - quick comparison :- Dailly (5.5m) or Nelsen (Free) Davies (£7.25m) or Benni (£2.25) Ward (£4m) or Kuqi (Free) Point is - spending big money doesn't necessarily bring success - ask any Wolves/Newcastle etc etc fan

Wonder if the club are going to close the JW Stand - that way people will have to sit in the stands opposite the cameras :-)

This is absolutely amazing - we already have some of the most competitive ticket prices in the EPL - we have more offers than any other club (in doing so the club have been careful to ensure season ticket holders get some benefit) - and yet some people still aren't happy. Yes we need more bums on seats - but we also need to balance the books. I feel sorry for the board - this season they have gone to huge lengths to increase attendances - and yet people still moan.

I think people expect a little too much from the academy. The last few games have seen Peter, Gallagher and Derbyshire on the bench. Comparatively speaking, these players will be on low wages - and are filling places in our first team squad. If we had to buy Gallagher or Derbyshire from the clubs we loaned them to last year - how much do you think they would have asked for them - I think you are probably looking at them trying to fleece us for at least £2m for the pair of these high scoring players at lower league level (which is what they were). Straight away the Acadamy is paid for a year (especially when you consider their wages would probably be higher). I think when considering the acadamies recent output - you have to consider the impact of two seasons in the Championship - and the impact that would have had on our ability to attract the best youngsters. Youngsters that would be in their early twenties now ! Rovers only chance of keeping Jacks dream alive is the academy - or free transfers like Kuqi bringing unexpected windfalls. If we look at the balance sheet - Duff paid for approximately 8 seasons of the academy - as well as the joy we all had in watching him play. I can't see the benefit of closing down because we got beat by Reading - these things go in cycles and it is likely that an overall poor youth team may produce that one gem that we all crave. After all - we only really need (and should expect) one or two youth team players a season to get to the fringes of the first team.

I think that Gallagher and McCarthy are too similar to play up front together. I would play Derbyshire - as has been said,he can't do any worse than Nonda. If nothing else it would send out a clear message to the players that lack of effort won't be tolerated. Bit split about MGP - I don't think he is playing much worse than last season - IMO he works fairly hard, is always a threat from set pieces - but this season hasn't been as good in front of goal. Beyond that there isn't much more to his game - he rarely beats his man - other than in the air for the now well documented long ball ploy (which rarely works). For this match - I think I would start with Peter - rest MGP to the bench - and see how it goes.

Rev - though I agree with your sentiment - is not every player purchase a gamble. I could list a whole host of players that looked good on paper and at their previous clubs (Kevin Davies coming top of the pile) - that ended up being less than successful at Rovers. Looking at your list :- McCarthy 28 - no Premiership experience - but Champs League winner and previously highly sought after player Nonda similar age - only on loan Ooijer 32 - World Cup player - who has been one of our better players recently Jeffers - I think the jury is out - but i would allow Sparky one pet project - and age is on his side Henchoz 32 - don't think he would have brought in if Nelsen hadn't got injured. I agree we need serious investment - but even then we would probably be gambling on foreign players - just hopefully a better class and younger. Or would you prefer to buy Nugent for £4m ? From the clubs perspective it is difficult - they are doing more than any club in the premiership to make football affordable - and yet the gates are only just holding their own. Against this back drop - all us fans will ask the club to spend between £5 - 10m (which I think is the minimum investment we need at xmas). Its all a gamble - with Rovers Premiership position at stake (believe me if relegated I can't see us coming straight back up) - boy could we do with another Jack

Though I agree we do need more pace in the team - it is mainly up front that we are lacking. Getting Reid and Roberts back will bring in some much needed pace to midfield and attack. I think we are missing Reid more than anyone would have ever imagined a season ago.

Personally I would play Derbyshire. From what I have seen of Benni - he isn't the type of player to hang on the shoulder of the last defender and then beat them for pace - he is far more comfortable filling the hole between midfield and attack. Having Derbyshire up front would provide us with a bit of pace - and stretch the opposition providing a little more room for Benni. Regarding Nonda - I don't think he has been as bad as people on this board are making out - but his biggest problem is that he doesn't have the pace to stretch the opposition and neither does Benni. At this moment in time I just feel they are ill-suited to play together - especially for our style of play.

I am glad there haven't been any knee jerk reactions to last night Irrespective of league position - everyone can beat everyone in this league. I am not surprised at getting beat - as some of our away performances have been diabolical. This isn't the first bad away performance is it ? But lets put it in perspective - we have two of our best players from last season in the treatment room (Reid and Nelsen) - with our new Kuqi (Roberts) also out to the new year. We already had a thin looking squad without these long term injuries - and I think the number of matches is catching up with a number of players (which is worrying). However - even when playing well we have a habit of getting beat by teams like Charlton. It puts more pressure on the Newcastle game - again I don't think it will be a roll-over as they have some good players. It is down to Sparky and the players to make sure we exploit their main weakness in defence - and lack of bite up front (put like that we should win )

Yes - but for injuries we would have had Roberts coming off the bench - who can do a similar job but has more pace and can actually occasionally trap the ball. I wish Kuqi all the best at Palace - but it was one of the best pieces of transfer business ever done by Sparky - only just behind signing Nelsen - which must merit alongside Friedal is one of the best free transfers ever.

It is absolutely vital we score first - if they score first their confidence will come back. On paper their squad isn't that bad - but confidence is a fragile thing. Benni to score first to see us to an eventual 3-1 win (I hope)

Oh come on guys - surely it has to be Morecambe away (though they have a tough match away to Swindon) ? Also it would probably be switched to Ewood.

I am disappointed about some of the remarks about Neill on here. Lets not forget he is playing out of position, he had a transfer turned down - and yet I haven't seen any reported dissent in the press (as so many players do) - the only thing he has said is to re-iterate his desire to move to pastures new. For those that accuse him of being a money grabber - he will get far more money by sitting out his contract - and yet he has said nothing in the press to indicate this. I personally don't want him to go - but if he does, he will go with my thanks. Irrespective of the level of his performances, IMO he always gave 100% in a Rovers shirt. Yes we gave him his initial break in the EPL - but I think he has repaid us - especially if we get any form of transfer fee in January.

1960 FA Cup Final - before my time - but the start of the decline.

I can't understand all this talk of SWP - unless everyone thinks that Beckham will be playing centre midfield when he arrives in January

We are missing the power and pace of Roberts - though Nonda has some neat touches he seems to have lost the pace that he once had, and we look very one paced at the front. I would give Franny a go - he looked sharp last night - and probably deserves a start (at least that way we will be able to see whether he is worth keeping or not)

The professional foul rule has always been a little bit of a minefield. For me - if a player makes an honest attempt - it should be a penalty and possibly a yellow card (at most). I would even introduce penalties for so called professional fouls outside the area. The professional foul rules were brought in for cycnically fouling a player, when running through on goal - hardly what happened on Sunday

Without wishing to bite the hand that feeds us. The main reason for our decline in gates (imo) is the advent of Sky Football First. Why bother going to a match if you can watch all the best bits ? Add to this ever increasing number of live matches - and is it any wonder gates are declining ? Get rid of Sky and we would be selling out far more frequently - however without Sky we couldn't afford to pay the players wages. We are also seeing a resurgence in local clubs - Burnley punching above their weight (well until recently), PNE doing wonders (considering their squad), Blackpool with new Latvian owners etc.

I honestly believe that some body at Rovers has run over a black cat. Was it against Sheff Utd that Neill gave away a penalty for chesting the ball away (though in Neill's case it was the chest). Mido handles in the area (and from reports on here has admitted as much) - but it isn't given. Funny old game

I agree - but I feel it unfair to single out any one player. It was almost as though the injustice of the sending off really gave us a lift. To be honest - we played better with 10 men than 11. I will always believe that Refs and linesmen give honest decisions - but why do they always go against Rovers