A bigger worry of Newcastle pipping us at the post - is the rumours in the Sunday newspapers about Hughes and Newcastle. Only rumours - but I have been amazed that this was the first time his name was linked to them. If we can cling onto a UEFA Cup spot - and with Fergie not too far from retirement - I still hope he would turn them down if approached. However, us missing out on Europe may have a bearing on this.

Anyone got any news on this - in desperation I even brought it up on the transfer thread - which seems reasonable as out budget is almost certainly linked to the success of this case.

I think for Rover's to get fourth place now would only be based on a series of results that would probably the best they have achieved since we won the Premiership. I think, from this point, to gain sixth will be a remarkable achievement - as only City at home could be seen as a "winnable match" - the others being very much in the balance. We will need to beat either Liverpool or Chelsea at home - and get results at Charlton and Big Club to even get in the top six. Top four would probably include home wins against both Liverpool and Chelsea - or a massive improvement in our away form. Wherever we end up - I don't think we should lose sight of the marvelous job that Hughes has done.

It has been noticeable to me how we have lost our bite in midfield in recent matches. I am sure it is no coincidence that Savage has been walking a disciplinary tight rope. Lets hope normal service is resumed now - as we can't afford any more second rate performances. Also - what has happended to Pongo ? I can't understand persisting with Dickov - these days he offers very little - no real pace, no height - at least Pongo offers more pace up front. The Liverpool game is now huge - just hope that Tugay is available - as we are sadly lacking when Reid and Savage play centrally. Maybe drop MGP to the bench - play Bentley left, and Reid on the right ? However - I was surprised yesterday that MH didn't push Bentley up front alongside Bellamy.

I agree with you 100%. I am hoping that the recent improvement shown by Pompey is just down to timing - i.e. playing teams when weakened etc. I don't know why - but I can see us winning this one. As always the first goal will be all important - if we score first the crowd will hopefully quieten down. My hope is that Bellamy and Pongo will be able to exploit the space behind their back line. Bellamy has been average by his high standards in the last couple of games (mainly down to the service he has been getting) - but I have high hopes for this game.

For all the moaners out there - lets put this in perspective Everton (A) 1-0 WBA (A) 2-1 Aston Villa (A) 2-0 Portsmouth (A) 2-0 West Ham (A) 2-0 Middlesborugh(A) 3-2 Bolton (A) 1-1 Spuds (A) 2-2 Sunderland (A) 1-0 Man City (A) 1-0 Before last night - this was Wigan's away record (excluding defeats). Lets :- 1. Give Wigan and Jewell a little credit 2. Lets give Rovers some credit for not playing particularly well - but still getting a result against one of the best away sides in the Premiership 3. Don't forget - Wigan came hit us on the break, leaving little space for Bellamy to operate. Had the initial disallowed goal stood - we would probably have gone on to win.

Why are people so surprised - when teams play a similar game to what we do (i.e. quick closing down, denying space) we haven't the quality to take advantage of superior possession. However, I had a feeling that we may lose this match - and then get a win on the south coast (lets hope I am right). Rather than criticise Rovers - lets give a little credit to Wigan. It was important that we didn't lose - this makes it difficult for Wigan to catch us now - and also means that Bolton have to win both of their matches in hand to overtake us.

This is a monster game - at least until we play Portsmouth Realistically - if we win this game it takes Wigan out of the UEFA equation (unless ours and Bolton's form slumps dramatically it will be too much for them to make up). However - this is a far more difficult match than people are assuming. We have left ourselves open at the back against (so called) lesser teams at home. We have to treat Wigan with the respect that there forward line deserves - and be patient. I expect to see Robbie and Pongo back in the starting line up - with Reid being moved to the right. On paper we have a far better team - but Camara and Roberts could punish us on the break. As always the first goal will be so important.

His prediction isn't without basis - Wigan have one of the best away records in the Premiership. Yes our home record is also excellent - but the pace of Camara and Roberts could well come to haunt us. My big fear is a Newcasle type match - where we are far superior but keep getting caught on the break. Lets hope I am wrong - I am sure Sparky will have done his homework.

Whelan is playing a few mind games prior to a game that will make or break Wigan's end of season. If they win this - with their run in - they have a chance of getting top six. Lose it , and they will be too far behind to make up the ground with only six games to go

I am sure I read somewhere that Hughes had let the players have a couple of days off as the Wigan match wasn't until Monday. This may explain him being in London - visiting friends and family maybe (hopefully not Mr Wenger )

Excellent news - I struggle to think of a better right back in the Premiership at this moment in time. After all not many right backs are football genius are they ? As for the accusations regarding World Cup year - though his play has improved this year - I put it down to better coaching of the whole defence, and better handling of individual players. I would also state, that no matter how well he has been playing, I don't think anyone can argue the commitment that he always puts in. Personally I find it a little insulting that anyone could argue that he is putting in more effort this year - because it just isn't true - just that the quality fo his play has gone onto another level (which for a defender does come to an extent with experience)

I am not 100% - but I thought that the Reid signing was rushed through after we sold Duff. Especially as there was lots of mis-placed media attention about him being Duff's replacement. It's debateable whether the Dunn money would have paid for Reid even if we hadn't sold Duff - though I think the sale of Duff did rush the deal through, and for money nearer to Millwalls than our initial valuation. While on the subject of Reid - I think Souness himself said that he saw him as a potential centre midfield star. Whether he would have actually progressed to that under Souness is debateable.

I must admit I was disappointed to see them score so late in the game. But then I thought about it - and realistically this wasn't one of the games that I could see Spuds dropping points. I'll still be happy extremely happy with a UEFA cup spot - but continue to dream of CL.

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Wigan have an excellent away record - and the pace of Roberts and Camara will have to be countered. It is a must win match for Rovers - Wigan have a relatively easy run in - but if we can win this one we will probably put enough distance between ourselves and them to take them out of the equation.

For all those doom and gloom merchants about CL. Given the miracles that MH has performed so far at Ewood - why can't he be the first Rovers manager to give us something to shout about in Europe ? Look at it this way - if we get into CL :- 1. We keep Hughes a bit longer 2. We get more exposure 3. We keep Bellamy, MGP, Reid, Nelsen and any other player that the "big boys" are sniffing around. 4. Hughes gets some genuine money to buy some decent players. The CL isn't necessarily boom or bust - top notch players can be brought in on loan - then released if we aren't successful. For the club to progress we need further exposure - yes the ground will probably be half empty - but IF we qualified for the group stages and put in half decent performances we would be getting extensive national coverage with additional revenue from Sponsorship as well as CL money itself. Also let us not forget - 6th to 4th is £1m in Premiership postion money alone

I think Reid is far more important to the team than many people give him credit for. How many times is he the only mid-field player with the pace and stamina to get back to help out the defence - and then two minutes later be up the field in attack. The Middlesborough matches was one of his best in centre-mid (imo) he showed some creativity and good passing ability. If he conitinues to develop we will have a very good player at the club. Personally I agree with the comparison with Gerrard - they both have pace, passion and athletisism - but as has been mentioned Reid doesn't have a consistently good first touch. But personally I feel that is improving - and I am sure will continue to improve under Hughes.

Unless he wants to leave - why break up a winning team ? At this moment in time - we have a team with individuals that are gradually improving (i.e. Reid, Bentley, MGP, Neil), all backed up by able squad players (Peter, Emo). Why break up a winning side. Far better to keep this team together - and just tinker with the weaker elements (ie second striker, left back, creative centre midfield). Lets back Sparky's ewood revolution Looking at it realistically - the £10m lost by keeping MGP would easily be recovered if he continues to develop and we keep getting european spots (we are on target for approx £5m extra position money this year - plus £10m in the unlikely event we qualify for Euro Money League).

The interesting thing for me - if Matty wasn't our player - how many on this site would be begging Hughes to buy the Wrexham star player that scores a goal a game When in non-league he was a too good - it is apparent that he is too good for 2nd Division. I think he will be given an opportunity to shine in pre-season - he can't be any worse than Kuqi - and let us not forget that (even if he signs a new contract) Dickov hasn't got many more miles in the tank left.

While we obviously take great pleasure in the demise of "Big Club" - lets hope that Liverpools recent scoring spree is finished by the time they come to Ewood. I haven't seen the match - did Dunn play ? Also were they totally outplayed - or was it just one of those nights for Liverpool when everything went in. I still have vivid memories of being at Maine Rd to watch us get beat 6-0 by City - when I could only remember them actually having about 6 shots on target.

Sorry Bellers isn't even close to Shearer at the moment. How many games has he actually played for us ? Yes he has looked good - but he still has a way to go. However - I will say that he is without doubt the best striker we have had since Shearer. And probably our fastest player - after Donis and Windy Miller (boy could he move).

I think we will win this one - mainly as the home team the onus will be on them to attack us. However - if they play as they did at Ewood they are in with a chance - as they can't surely miss as many chances again. Hughes doesn't seem to respect the Rovers tradition of getting beat by inferior teams - well not to the extent of previous teams anyway. So hopeful this will give us the three points to set up the Wigan showdown.

Interesting to hear the opposition perspective - maybe he just looked poor alongside Bellamy - which most strikers would at this moment in time On a similar vein, what did they think of Emo - football genius or what

Can't be bothered looking through all the previous posts - but has anyone mentioned what a good game Reid had ? I thought he was excellent - and is starting to look the genuine atricle again in centre-mid. In fact, if Tugay regains his form from earlier in the season I would prefer Reid to Savage. Also thought Pedersen had a good game. Zurab tackle following Friedal's "wonder" save - as good as Nelsens in the Villa match ? From my view in the BE it was an unbelievable challenge. As for Pongo - sorry at this moment in time I would play Bentley alongside Bellamy. His first touch was very poor - indeed we may as well have been playing with 10 men for parts of the first half. For those having a go at the attendance - lets not forget the backing that those that did attend gave. Excellent response to Hughes' prompting

That is probably the truest sentence - there is nothing we could do about this one. Whichever way you look at this Rovers lose - either losing a day of valuable rest between matches or risk a media out cry from hacks too quick to jump on the bandwagon. I agree with previous post - that it is the Premier League that bottled the situation and left Rovers in a no-win situation. As has been said - it is now time for Rovers to go on a media offensive to make thebest of this "kind" gesture. The only shame is that, if it had been the other way around, we would still be playing the match on the set time and date.