I noticed this in the United match - where players were holding onto the ball rather than pass to Kuqi. Though I like the big lump - more for his effort and endevour than skill - I can't blame them. As I have said before - I think that the current tiredness of the team is as a result of having to carry Kuqi. It was most noticeable in matches against United - where I honestly think we would have been better playing with only 10 men - as every time the ball was passed to him he was dispossesed. It was noticeable in the 2nd leg - when Kuqi went off and MGP was pushed up front we actually started to hold the ball up - and were able to link attacks better (and MGP isn't a forward)

This is a key match as to how the rest of the season will pan out. IF we can win - it will put breathing space between us and Everton (who will only be a point behind if they win). If we can then couple that with a win over Sunderland the following Wednesday - european dreams are back on again Everton don't seem to be playing well - but seem to have the knack of bringing teams down to their level - and then grinding out 1-0 wins (much as they did last season). Personally I would start with Reid and Savage - replacing one of them in the second half with Tugay (when their midfield has run out of a little steam and are less likely to close him down). I would also like to see Emo given a run out - and if Bellamy or Pongo aren't fit I would player MGP up front and Peters on the left. A lot depends on which forwards are available - but I think we have an edge over them - and it is a while since MGP scored a goal - so 2-1 to Rovers please

Personally I blame Kuqi. I think that the team have had to put in exceptional effort over the last few weeks making up for Kuqi's inability to hold the ball up or link the play. This has caught up with the team who are obviously tired. Isn't it interesting how people are slagging Tugay - he is only as good as the players around him. If they don't run into space - he can't make the pass - and often gets caught in possession. This is where fitness - and forwards like Bellamy who can make intelligent runs and hold the ball up make all the difference. Lets hope SP is fully fit for Everton - Bellamy back would also provide an obvious boost.

Just makes me smile - with each word he is doing a Cloughie. A once great manager that has stayed on just too long. I wonder how the football world will see his latest ramblings. Seems that every time we beat a "big" club it is our overly physical approach that is to blame. Funny they had a player sent off - no mention of Smith's assualts in the previous two matches between the clubs. He is just a joke - pressure must really be on

He now has a battle on his hands to retain a regular place on the right wing. The all new improved Reid gives us so much more in that position. Anyone else notice how many times Reid attempted crosses from deep in our half trying to get Kugi and Bentley in behind the Utd defence - an obvious training ground ploy - which almost worked on a number of occasions. Back to Emerton - he could have been so much more - but I fear we will never see the best of him. As previous people have said - maybe the best thing is for Emerton to have a good world cup - so we can sell him on for a profit to some Italian team. Though I more worried about Neil's form - at the moment he looks the complete attacking full back - if he continues in this vein of form I think Rovers should brace themselves for some serious interest.

Never mind that - anyone else agree with me that Reid was awesome second half. He gave us the pace that we so often miss in our midfield. Gotta say with Reid and Emerton running from our midfield we had plenty of pace to hit on the break.

Unbelievable. Hughes got his half time sub spot on - Emerton was superb second half. Only two downsides :- 1. If Bellamy had been available it could have been a cricket score second half - Kuqi (bless is little cotton socks) was awful (and that is being kind) 2. Didn't get back in time from the match to watch MOD Difference in Bentley was unbelievable - first half I thought he was ok - but for periods after scoring his first two goals he was absolute class. He just needs to repeat this a bit more, and over 90 mins. Still yet another sub-standard ref - every 50-50 challenge went Uniteds way - he wasn't even going to give the penalty until the linesman flagged. Though we won - it is an absolute disgrace how referees favour the "big" clubs.

Never heard such rubbish in my life - the holding role in midfield is extremely specialist and requires a certain type of player. At it's best the player will have good defensive capabilities married with good passing ability. In Gerrard and Lampard we have (arguably) two of the best midfield players in the world and yet neither of them can truly master the holding midfield role. Playing well in a certain position isn't just about raw talent - it is about positional sense, reading the game etc etc. I am amazed - surely you see that in Ryan Nelsen we have a player who typifies this - not the quickest, not the best tackler, not the best header of the ball. But the guy can organise a defence, concentrate and sniff out potential danger. For pure talent he isn't a patch on Ferdinand - but because of these other abilities he is as valuable to us as Ferdinand is to United. In many ways I would actually say that these abilities make him a better defender.

This result may be a blessing - the number of games has well and truly caught up with our squad. People questioning not playing Tugay from the start should remember how old he is - and that tired players often get injured (and we really couldn't lose him at the moment). The same could be said for Nelsen - maybe is carrying a knock so Hughes thought another game would be too much for him ? IF we can get a decent striker in before end of Jan - or IF we can get Bellamy fit - we can still rise up the league. Financially for Rovers - finishing in the top eight will probably be worth more than a cup run. Especially if that run in the league leads to a UEFA Cup spot - and possibly some high profile wins against Arsenal, Chelsea etc to bring the fans back (oh I can wish )

And your prognosis for this weekend is ? I doubt he will start against WH - but to have him on the bench would be brilliant. BTW - I go back on what I said on the MGP up front thread - in the current crisis he is better than Kuqi - at least he can control the ball and bring other players into play

Nice and slimming designs - do you think they are trying to say something about the average Rovers fan Who ate all the pies - who are all the pies

I think we are assuming that Kuqi could pass that far with the required accuracy - or that he even saw the pass. Must admit, as I was watching the incident I was shouting at him to pass and then watched in dismpay as he went down a blind alley.

A couple of points on last nights game :- 1. How can you call that a Premiership ground with a pitch that resembles a ploughed field ? Given Rovers short passing game - it actually favoured United 2. Referee inconsistency - too many points to mention .... but I will - How can you give a penalty to one team for handball - and not the other (I think we all know why ) - Why was the tackle on Tugay (which lead to the goal) not a foul, when two minutes later a similar tackle by a Rovers players led to a free kick - What has happended to the rule about studs up challenges being red cards - in both matches Smith did studs up lunges against Savage - in both cases yellow cards - Why wasn't horse face booked - We only get decisions when they are 60-40 in our favour, every 50-50 decision goes to the big clubs Right, thats off my chest now. Good effort by the lads - gotta wonder what would happen if Bellamy had been fit. I am looking with interest at the Kuqi situation - he let Jansen go, who even post accident has far better control and movement than Kuqi - will we see the likeable Kuqi moved on during the summer ?

I think that the whole team was amazing - considering we played the whole match with 10 players. Sorry - but I don't remember Kuqi making a pass, trapping the ball, winning a header all the time he was on the pitch. For me Reid was MOM - but I thought that the defence (excluding Gray) all had reasonable matches. A bit sad - a fit Bellamy, and an unbiased referee and I was sure that we could now be in the final. We soooo desperately need another striker. One bright spot (as an England fan) - thought Rooney was by far the best player on the pitch for both matches. Don't like the bloke - but with him on form England have half a chance at the World Cup

Doesn't matter who gets to the final as long as Rovers win it Seriously - the UEFA Cup spot doesn't go to the runners up in league/cola cup if the winners have already qualified via league placing for UEFA or Champs Greed League. This will go to the premier league.

If United play the midfield that is being reported - it will create an interesting dilema for Hughes. If he plays Tugay in the defensive midfield role, alongside Savage we will be sadly lacking pace in the centre of the midfield to counter Giggs or Rooney (when he drops deep). I would be tempted to play a five man midfield (Peds/Savage/Tugay/Reid/Emerton) then play Bellamy or Kuqi up front (depending if Bellamy fit or not). This gives us plenty of options - but a little more cover for the defence. Obviously this can quickly become a 4-3-3 formation with Peds and Emerton being encouraged to get forward. I would actually play Reid a bit deeper for this game - as his pace would be a useful defensive attribute - and just encourage Tugay to roam and control the game. Anyone doubting the use of Emerton should remember that some of his best performances (for whatever reason) have been against United. Though using Bentley wide right might improve the service to the front man.

I presume that the £22m you are referring to includes Dunns money - I thought the majority of that had gone on Emo and Amo. The Duff (and remainder of Dunn) money went on Fergie £7m ish and Reid (I think Millwall got £2.5m out of us). This left (apparently) £8m to pay off some of the debt. Though that £8m would come in handly now - just gotta be grateful they didn't give it all to Souness to waste

Please no talk of gettin to Cardiff - don't want to tempt fate

Though the Duff money paid for Fergie, lets not forget :- 1. It helped to pay of a chunk of Rovers debt 2. Fergie was sold on - the money being used to pay for Savage 3. It also paid for Reid Your logic also assumes that if MH unearthed another £17m player that he would waste it as GS did. I don't want to see MGP leave - and agree with your assesment that he isn't in the Chelsea/United league YET. But the way forward for the club is perfectly illustrated by our current position - i.e. we hold onto MGP for another season, continue to develop Peter, and then sell MGP for maximum profit (IF appropriate). Obviously we will struggle to do this in all positions - but this is the best way for the club to continue to develop. The biggest problem with Duff was that we didn't have a suitable youngster coming through - and Souey decided to spend some of the money on a right footed, left winger.

What absolute rubbish. Players like Duff/MGP/Dunn are what attracts the fans - and make us feel as though we could one day break the top 4 monopoly. I agree about the reliance - but all teams will play to their strengths - as we obviously did when we had Duff. We have a far better chance hanging on to players being a Premiership club. I doubt Walcott would have moved on so quickly if Southampton hadn't been relegated and were thus open to the best deal they could get. Aside from every fans dreams for better things for Rovers - there is the hard cash aspect to it. I like Reid as a player - but I doubt anyone would pay £17m for him - but he is exactly the type of player you are saying we should rely on. Picking up or developing that one exceptional player - and then eventually selling them on, is what Rovers are reliant on in the post Jack era

How is it that Blackpool charge £8.50 for a Junior - we charge between £5 - £10 and yet I bet nobody outside Blackburn know what good value for money the Junior tickets are. Premiership football for £5 - is an absolute steal - Rovers should have it publicised on every regional radio station across Lancashire !!!

This one is in the lap of the Gods - but Hughes does seem to have that "lucky manager" feel to him that is so essential for a top manager. There have been a number of times when I thought that Rovers would fall into old routines - Middlesborough away - two wins - we never do that, Newcastle away we never win there ..... Win at Old Trafford twice in the same season - well you just never know

I have been thinking about the relative merits of our current side against 94/95. I have to say that on balance the current side isn't far behind - with one glaring problem - the forwards. Big gamble for the board - give Hughes approx £10m to purchase a quality forward (maybe two) and Petrov - and we could be pushing for top six or beyond. It is all a gamble either way - don't invest and we could lose money, our better players, our manager and the ever dwindling fan base. Invest the money and there is no guarantee that we will get any higher than we are - but it should tempt back some floating fans, increase our chances of at least hanging onto 8th spot - and for once give back the impression that Rovers aren't just there to make up the numbers. I am not aking for hand-outs from the Trust - it should be based on a business decision(gamble). But I think (on balance) it is the only way to go - the alternative is the eventual slow decline of Rovers.

I find this disgraceful - what is MH doing ? The disciplinary table was the only thing we won last season

I wish that Lawro would make up his mind. Could it be that he has realised that he is c**p at predicting results - and has gone deliberately against his old team mate Souey in the hope that they actually win Still not changing my original prediction - 2-1 to Rovers. It will be an interesting team selection by MH. Though history would seem to indicate that MH will play his strongest side (personally I would rest Tugay, possibly Pedersen and Dickov - and give the youngsters a go). I do wonder how injured Todd is - and whether he is carrying only a slight knock - but being rested for Wednesday. Personally - I would swap a result tomorrow for a win at OT on Wednesday.