Just reading a report :- http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story...37-2722,00.html Hughes is lining up Emerton as a right-back Some of the earlier comments on here about his game being more suited to european type football do make some sense. Maybe we will see the best of him during our UEFA Cup campaign ?

Sorry to disappoint - but Cheryl is promised to me I still hope that MH can turn Emerton's career around. Look at MGP and Reid - who would have thought either player would be integral to the team when MH first took over ? Also, as many people keep pointing out, we do need additional numbers for the (hopeful) UEFA Cup campaign

Ok - ever the optimist - Pompey with a new centre half (who Roberts gave the run-around last year) - and a new keeper. Going to go for a 1-3 win to Rovers - the score flattering us - but Roberts and McCarthy to make all the difference with a goal apiece, Reid with the other. Here's hoping

I am sure that it is more than £5m - it would be unusual for there not to be add ons - i.e. £500k for european place etc etc. Also - wouldn't be surprised if Newcastle paid a significant signing on fee - possibly to avoid Chelsea paying out loyality bonus etc. It will be interesting to see how he goes on - last season he didn't look anywhere near as effective as he did at his best when at Rovers. But that could just have been the way he was asked to play - who knows. Id be surprised that Rovers weren't interested at that price - unless there is more to it than is being reported.

But I think Rovers demonstrate that big money signings don't necessarily equate to success (Grabbi, Davies, Ward, Blake, and on and on), while also recently showing that limited budget signings can work out (Friedal, Nelsen, Zurab). I'll reserve judgement on Jeffers - but think that Roberts is an excellent signing. If we have got him at £2m or less - then he is a bargain, especially if Kuqi goes (as rumoured) for £1m.

I wonder if Bolton fans were as negative as people on here when they signed Jansen ? Or maybe they thought - hang on a minute this guy used to be one of the most promising strikers in the league - I trust our manager to get him back to his best (if any one can). Before anyone talks about Jansen being a flop at Bolton - don't forget a certain Kevin Davies - who has been transformed into an effective premiership striker at Bolton. That is how I see the signing of Jeffers - a gamble - but if anyone can get him playing like he once could, then it is Mark Hughes and the back room staff. Rovers have to take gambles like this every now and then - we can't afford the finished article so we have to trawl for damaged goods (very few clubs - and many people on this MB - wanted to touch Bellamy last year - until MH sorted him out)

I find English mentality amazing - we don't need any body else to put our team and players down - we do it all ourselves. Yes, imo, it was a dive - but hey get over it. Gerrard isn't perfect, but he is one of the more hard working and honest players in the EPL - the out cry over his dive is unbelievable considering what players from other countries do - watching players from other countries - you think they had been shot. Think Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Drogba, Simeone etc etc. Why doesn't anybody mention that in a normal match Hungary would have been lucky to keep 11 players on the pitch. Deliberate hand ball, body checking etc etc - all yellow card offences that would have totted up in a normal match.

I think Arsenal didn't get the "rub of the green" with the referee - I was amazed at some of the offences they got pulled up for, and yet Barca players went unpunished. His handling of some of the challenges on Henry were "soft" to say the least. The first goal was marginally offside - but the speed of the pass and player would have made it virtually impossible to see with the naked eye (not exactly a Cisse type decision ). Ultimately Arsenal (especially Henry) had by far the better chances. On a different night they would have won the match. But I don't think that makes them unlucky - ultimately if the opposition goal keeper plays well it isn't luck as that is what he is paid to do.

I am glad it wasn't just me that sat waiting in anticipation to see which of his magnificent saves would make the final cut. I sat bemused to see him totally omitted. I do wonder what Rovers need to do to get some recognition for their achievements. Mark Hughes is a well respected manager, who enjoyed a high profile as a player. Rovers achieved sixth place on some of the smallest gates in the League with probably one of the smallest transfer outlays. We were the only team to beat Man Utd at Old Trafford, also beat Chelsea and Arsenal for good measure. This season has been beyond my wildest dreams - and who knows, with a little more luck - and a full fit Bellamy for the full season we would probably have finished 4th. In 18 months Hughes and his backroom team have transformed Rovers from relegation probables to Europe. For me, Hughes or Paul Jewell would be my manager of the season - but you know it will go to either Wenger (if they win Champs League) or Mourinho.

I think that Walcott has been taken to give England the surprise element. I don't think he is going to be in the first team if Owen and Rooney aren't fit - I think the back up players will still be ahead of him. He will be sat on the bench - and be introduced late on to help swing matches. Though he hasn't played many matches this season - and none in the Premiership - lets not forget the last 17 yr old to break into the England team - Owen didn't turn out too bad (if I remember he hadn't played that many matches for Liverpool either). What it shows - is that beyond Owen and Rooney we are struggling for anything special up front. It is a huge shame - we actually have one of the best midfields in the world - one of the better defences, a goal keeper who I would rate in the top five in the world - but struggle for genuine top quality strikers.

Must admit that squad size is a worry - as some players have looked visibly tired towards the end of the season. But, in these post bosman days, and with the "Big" clubs carrying big squads with plenty of loan opportunities I am sure MH will have us covered by August.

Fair comment - but under Hughes anything is possible. We could hardly buy a win against United for years - and then we do the double. Lets not forget Arsenal and Chelsea home wins. Hughes is destined for great things - lets hope some more of it rubs off on Rovers before he moves on.

Reid is the most improved player in the Premiership. His distribution from right back was amazing - as were his runs down the right. Zurab was exellent, as was Neill - Tugay showed what he can do when you give him space. Nice to see Peter's little cameo - I would be worried if I were MGP - this looks the best youngster we have had for a while. All in all star player for the season - gotta be Mark Hughes and the backroom staff - they have got the best out of some average players - and improved average players beyond recognition. Lets not forget Bellammmmmmyyy - was out for large parts of the season - where could we have ended up with him fit for the season. However - now is not the time for what might have been - time to applaud the whole club on a marvelous achievement.

Ideally we need two points - Bolton could conceivably win both their remaining matches - and have a superior goal difference. However - who would have believed we would achieve top eight (which is now secure) let alone possibly come sixth and qualify for UEFA. A huge season - and if we do it Hughes should get manager of the year. What he has done at Rovers on a virtual shoe-string is unbelievable (especially when you look at the money spent this year by two of the relegated teams - and the position we were last season)

Waggy I hope you are right. A fully fit Dunn would be an asset to any team. One the subject of his injury record - I seem to remember lots of players at Rovers having problems with fitness before Hughes took over. Maybe he thinks his medical/fitness staff could do the business.

I have some sympathy for Spurs - but as FLB has pointed out, this possibility was known at the start of the season. I can't see how they can complain.

All players that would walk into our team Our best hope - is that the Chelsea players have one eye on the World Cup (especially after seeing what happened to Rooney and Terry this weekend). Still - even if they played their best team and we win - it would still be a Championship hangover rather than anything Rovers did

I agree - Bent is used to playing on his own up front - and this is the way England should now go. Play five in midfield - and give Gerrard, Cole and Lampard the opportunity to show their attacking talents.

Such an important result - if Bolton had won this match - I think they would have actually been favourites for the sixth spot (with two easy home matches to come). We have had some wonderful results this year - it would be a dream to secure 6th spot by beating the newly crowned champions.

TDI has opened a can of worms - lets hear it for a good debate Personally - as I stated earlier - I agree with him, maybe "burnt out" is a little extreme, but we seem half a yard slower, aren't winning as many second balls etc etc. For me the thing that shows it more than ever is the passing possibilities that players have - previously when a player had the ball he would have numerous options (as players were making space) - lately the options have greatly reduced - for me this is the sign of either a team low on energy or confidence. As for the MGP debate - his goals over the season have masked some average performances. But as I have often stated - he was worth a place in the team for that alone. However, take away those goals - and his worth is greatly reduced. Lets not forget though his excellent dead ball delivery - but I don't feel that is enough alone to keep Peter out of the side.

For those of you that can remember - exactly the same thing happened under Hodgeson during his first season. He introduced new training methods - and we played a high tempo pressing game similar to what we do now. First half of the season we were actually top at one point - but fell away badly in the second half of the season. I don't think we look as tired this season, as we did towards the end of that one - but the tempo and energy has definitely gone from our game. That season we limped into the UEFA Cup on the final day of the season - I will be more than happy if we manage to do the same again

In reality luck always plays a part in football - but I don't feel we have been particularly lucky this season. We have lost our best player for over 50% of the season, against Wigan we had a defo penalty turned down, against Liverpool two awful refereeing decisions decided the match both home and away. Most importantly - Tugay gets injured when we most need him - i.e. when Savage is playing c**p. IMO Reid is carrying the midfield at the moment - and not having Tugay available is one of the main reasons we have struggled recently. Surprised about the stick Bentley has had for last night - barring his aborted clearance the guys on radio lancs spent most of the match praising him. The only thing I agree with - is top 8 would still be a good season. But for all the doom and gloom - if you had offered me our current position with three games to go at the start of the season I would have snatched your hand off.

Yes - but with probably 25k to watch Chelsea - and I expect Rovers largest gate of the season when we play City. Hopefully Rovers celebrating sixth spot - and a place in the UEFA Cup, and City bringing 8k + as it is the last game of the season.

One thing is certain - if he plays it won't be boring. You just know that he will either score the winning goal or get sent off. It is a huge game for the club - about time Savage started to show why we paid £3m for him. IMO Reid has overshadowed him this season. However, if Tugay is fit I can see Reid being pushed out to the right wing. Playing away from home - I would play Bentley just behind Bellamy and try to get some decent service to him on the break.

I think the remaining fixtures are pretty well balanced between the two teams - both have Chelsea at home as their most difficult match. After big club - we also have fixtures against Charlton and Man City in comparison to them playing big club and WBA. Though this could rebound - we should find it easier playing two team with nothing to play for than teams fighting for their lives. However - I can't help but worry that they play Chelsea just prior to the FA Cup. Wednesday is huge - IF we win sixth spot becomes that little more definite - and 4th still looks attainable (though unlikely).