DavidMailsTightPerm

I do think that most of the smaller clubs in the Premiership do get the s**ty end of the stick - but think that much of it is down to crowd influence. This is where Rovers are at a disadvantage - the only time we have large crowds is when we have a large away support - which effectively evens out any "crowd pressure" advantage. IMHO the linesman at the Sheff United game was as good an example of this as I have seen. Another thing that can't be ignored is media coverage - make a hash of sending off a Rovers player - and you may get a sentence at the bottom of the match report. Send off a Chelsea player incorrectly - and you will be splashed all over the back pages.

They have changed their tune - wasn't so long ago that one of their commentators was saying what a good signing Roberts was. Dutch World Cup centre half can't be that bad either. For me Sky talk absolute c**p based on little knowledge of our club - did they mention how many sought after players we managed to retain - Reid MGP, Nelsen, Neill etc ? I doubt it - unfortunately they just wait for an opportunity to put the boot in.

Can't believe that it is a straight £2.5m - I am sure there will be a few clauses in there. Maybe even a large chunk depending on promotion to the Premiership. However - all I can really say is good luck to Kuqi - a hard working player, who always seemed to be a gentleman on the pitch. I hope he proves to be a success for them - he deserves it.

I disagree about Ooijer's performance. I thought it was an ok debut - against the current champions. He isn't the first centre-half to be out-muscled by Drogba - or cheated by jelly legs Terry (if he was defending in his own area there is no way Terry would have gone down like that - if that isn't cheating I don't know what is). MGP worked hard - but without his excellent set piece delivery (which seems to have gone to pot) and his goal scoring threat - he is a limited player. I would drop him for Peter or Gallagher. Other than that - same team against Sheffield United (with Nelsen on the bench as he builds up to full match fitness).

Can't believe some of the negative comments - we did quite well against the current CHAMPIONS. But for more even refereeing we would have got a point - and this against a team with a foward who cost more than our enitre squad. Debut boy was ok - but got a rude awakening to the Premiership. Amazing how Drogba could keep his feet - and yet Terry went down like a sack of spuds. All this rubbish about him being an honest player - he is as calculating as any foreign forward - its all how the press decide to portay him. Overall we deserved a draw - against the most expensive team in Premiership history. I am not too dis-heartened - though I agree that we lack a spark somewhere - be it in midfield or up front. However - I think that Roberts and McCarthy will prove to be good signings over the season - lets not forget that Chelsea are one of the most defensive teams in the Premiership.

2-1 Rovers McCarthy & MGP Can't help feeling I am letting my heart rule my head though

Shall we also give MH a bit of credit However - his real test will come against Robben, Duff or Giggs.

If Reid is carrying an injury - which seems to be fairly self evident - then it will effect his game. His best times at Rovers have been when he is injury free. His game isn't about finess, passing or great dribbling ability - but his fitness, physical presence, will to win, pace and a general competence in most facets of the game (i.e. fair header, not bad passer etc). Not fully fit - and he loses much of what makes him such an effective player - IMO potentially one of the most effective midfield players outside the top 4

I am amazed at the doom and gloom - but I think this is just typical football fans. If we had played c**p for 80 minutes but scored 3 times in the last 10 minutes, many would think it a brilliant performance - we played ok for 60 - 70 minutes and went into our shell, and suddenly it is a bad performance. Lets be honest - Todd played on absolute blinder - all he was missing was the guide dog. It was his inability to handle Johnson that gave us our few moments of worry. Yes, we sat back after taking the lead - but with three games in a week, you can't argue with the approach too much - especially as we looked as likely to score on the break as they did. Everton are a poor team overall - but do have a work ethic and the odd good player that means they will get results throughout the season. Last night wasn't far off our full first team - but for me our few problems revolved around centre half - which MH will resolve with Nelson coming back from injury and our new dutch centre half. Our forward pairing looks promising - and will only get better (this was only their second competitive game together, and McCarthy's 2nd in the EPL). And we have Tugay to come back from suspension.

Daily Mirror reports that Roberts is out injured tonight. If he is MH has kept that one quiet. I am going for a 3-1 win to Rovers - though that is more with my heart than my head. I also hope we beat them - as many of the toffee's fans on their message boards already seem to be dismissing our chances.

My personal preferance would be "Always look on the bright side of life" Eric Idle - be nice to have a sing along as the team comes out Or if something a little more lively "Living on a Prayer" Bon Jovi - just about descibes live as a football fan Or what about "You Sexy Thing" for Robbie and Gamst ? All our Southern Hemisphere players might appreciate "Down Under" by Men at Work.

Personally I am only pessimistic as our defence has been ripped to shreds by suspensions and injuries

Personally I am fairly neutral about Emerton. I think it was worth retaining him - as has been pointed out it would have cost Rovers far more than £800k to get someone of similar ability. For me Emerton's main problem at Rovers has been the level of expectation. I remember seeing his first pre-season - and then the Wolves game, and thinking we had a potential world beater. Everything that has followed has been at best average. He has all the physical atttributes to be a top player - but there is something missing - maybe its confidence - who knows. One thing I am certain - he is a reasonable player. Not the world beater that we thought - but even at 27 - one with potential. I am sure that MH can fit him into a team pattern that will make his retention worthwhile. For those that doubt this - see Reid, Neil, MGP, Bellamy, Nelsen (lots of people questioned his signing), Kuqi (to an extent). All players who MH and his coaching staff have seen something in and improved as players. Believe me, MH is ruthless, if he thought he could do more with £800k - he would have got rid of Emerton. The fact he has retained him for a further 4 years, IMO, means that he feels he can get more out of Emerton than we have seen so far (maybe at right back as has been reported).

But we always knew he was bright - he just turned down Pompey to sign a contract extension with Rovers

Disagree, slightly - I wonder consider starting with the Axe in midfield - to give us a more defensive edge. I have a feeling that McCarthy and Roberts will do well - so we just need to keep it tight at the back.

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.