DavidMailsTightPerm

I was as surprised as most to see the gate last night. However I won't call anyone - as I didn't go myself. I had to make a choice - 3 matches in two weeks doesn't agree with my finances. So it was Pompey for me - and I will be going to the Larissa match - I hope others follow suit, as we could really do with a good gate to cheer us on in Europe

Lets hope Rovers advertise - for both Pompey & Brum - cheapest adult ticket is £15. Even the Blackburn End is only £20. It is an absolute bargain for a premiership match. Hoping to hear lots of adverts on the radio leading up to these two matches.

I may as well put in my two penny worth. At this moment, IMO, Dunny is miles off an England place. However, he is slowly becoming (no doubt with help from the excellent coaches we now have at Rovers) the complete midfield player that Souness always said he should be. The most impressive things about his game recently has been his hard work and tidy passing - not attempting something flash every 5 minutes. He also seems to be more defensively aware - as has been demonstrated by him playing just in front of the back four when he plays along side Savage. IF he can get back that little burst of pace and dribbling ability that made him such an eye catching talent when he first burst on the scene - who knows he may force his way back in the England squad. For those that say his true test will be against Chelsea - does nobody remember a certain FA Cup semi final - when Rovers fans started to dream that that old Dunny may be on his way back (so good was his performance on the day)

Totally agree about other players moving into space - half the time that Tugay gets caught in posession or passes to his invisible friend is due to lack of movement. At the top of his game Dunn offers something in midfield that few other players can match. The reality is - we couldn't afford a young player with the same potential - and definitely not the finished article. So we have to put our faith in a player that has yet (mainly due to injury) to fully fulfill his potential. I think it was a gamble to buy Dunn - but without gambles like this we will always be a mid-table team - as (unlike Spuds, barcodes, West Ham, Aston Villa etc etc) we can't afford to buy players like Dunn or Bellamy if they weren't in some way damaged goods.

I agree he isn't irreplacable - but as has been shown in our not too distant past - we have previously paid far more for strikers who have done far worse than Benni. I also think that his work rate is underrated - possibly because - as you point out - it is often his general attitude that seems amiss. I do think that his work rate has improved drastically - but he will always seem lazy compared to Derbyshire. Also - to be fair to the guy - he has played virtually every game in (what has been) a long season - especially compared to what he has previously been used to. Many of the mutterings against Benni will hopefully fade into the distant past as he puts in match winning performances in the FA Cup Semi's and Final

RB gotta say I disagree - watching the match back on Sky I was amazed to see McCarthy tracking back on a significant number of occasions. Not one of McCarthy's better matches - but at the end of the day strikers are about scoring goals - which he has done frequently and in matches that count - aka Arsenal. Believe me - if Rovers decide to let him go I am sure there would be a long queue on clubs wanting an 20 goal a season striker in their squads.

A quick question - what is the main reason for our recent defensive improvement ? The pairing of Samba and Nelsen or the drastic improvement in the Axe ? Personally I think it is a mixture of the two - if you watch matches carefully - you see that the Axe often covers for defenders when they move forward. His style of play contrasts greatly with Savage - who runs around like a headless chicken often leaving gaps that the better teams can exploit. Even when Savage is fit - I think it would be dangerous to drop Mokoena on current form. Very often the best eleven players don't make the best team - and at the moment I think this is Rovers best attribute - they are playing as a unit - with the odd bit of magic from players like Bentley, MGP, McCarthy etc.

Gotta say that Nonda (at the moment) appears like Roberts but without pace and effort. His hold up play is probably as good as Roberts, and control slightly better - but Roberts makes up for that in effort IMO. Can't wait for him to be fit again - giving us either Roberts or Derbyshire to come off he bench against tiring defences - as opposed to Nonda or Jeffers.

Its now down to Hughes to get the best out of a player who has a special talent - the problem I have always felt - is that he struggles in centre midfield. Could be our ace in the pack though playing in Europe. All the best David - lets hope that Rovers own Gazza can finally live up to the hype (and form) that got him into the England squad.

And won at dominos I think the most disappointing thing for me would be if Dunn signs for Bolton when he knows he has the chance of signing for Rovers. All he needs from Rovers is a pre-contract agreement that they will sign him in the summer - and we could call Bruce's bluff up to the end of the transfer window. With then knowing that they either accept Rovers offer or end up with nothing.

Must admit that as a squad player the Axe is limited. However he does provide us with cover - and who knows may be helping to keep Benni settled. As has been said - he does provide excellent cover without the ball - but is so limited with the ball it can be embarrassing. It is a huge shame that the acadamy hasn't been able to provide us with a half decent centre midfield player post-Dunn.

Providing this a pay as you play - coupled with low transfer fee. It could end up being another pice of transfer magic by Hughes. Though it isn't enough of a reason to sign a player - it is great that he supports the club and wants to play for us. For me that makes a difference - am I the only one that was pleased to hear Matty Derbyshire saying how it was a dream come true to play for the club he supports. Having home grown players in the team - helps build a bond with the Blackburn public - and you never know might actually add a few to the gate.

On the presumption that Tugay can't go on forever - I would play a midfield formation something like :- Reid Savage MGP Dunn thats presuming that Dunn does arrive. With MGP and Reid expected to "tuck in" it would leave us a little narrow at times - but our forwards rarely seem able to convert what little wing play we have anyway. If we had the right forward - he would also be excellent in a 5 man midfield - maybe something for future away matches ? Regarding his falling out with GS - it could have been partly about being asked to play wide right - but by all accounts GS was poor at explaining his decisions and relating to players. Maybe this got up Dunn's nose as much as being asked to play there.

Totally agree - by half time I was praying that MH would bring Tugay on. Not just because it was a dire match - but I felt that both Gally, Derbyshire and Peter all deserved far better service than what our poor midfield was offering.

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