DavidMailsTightPerm

I was hugely disappointed by Emerton - mainly after seeing promising games pre and early season. However, I don't think he was as bad as some people on this site are making out. Ultimately, next season he will start as a Rovers player and everybody should be fully behind him. Has anybody stopped to think about his performances, without judging them by the huge weight of expectation that was placed on him when he signed.

Rover6 - do you actually watch Rovers ? If I am not mistaken Tugay has been playing as the attacking midfield player - trying to give a creative link between our three defensive midfield players (thats Flitcroft, Andreson and Douglas btw) and our front two (Cole and Stead).

Alright - I will reword - Souness gave Dunn his chance to shine Dunn was too arrogant to take the advice of one of the best midfield players of his generation. Strange that the position that Tugay currently operates in would have been ideal for Dunn. The truth of the matter is that Dunn jumped ship as soon as things weren't going his way. Look at Johanson this season, played well whenever called upon, and more often than not subsequently dropped to the bench - though I am not convinced he will be here next season, he hasn't gone to the press to moan about his treatment. Dunn threw away every Rovers fans dream - what a waste

I'll throw something into this debate - David Dunn. How does his loyality to Rovers match that of Smith ? Many will say that he stuck by Rovers when we got relegated - I would say that Dunn didn't have much choice at the time nobody from the Prem would have bought him. Whichever way you look at it Souness made Dunn - as he gave him the platform on which to perform. When Souness tried to make him work harded and become the "complete" midfield player - Dunn threw his dummy out. At his first opportunity Dunn was on his way (from the club he loved). Smith has had to put up with the club trying to repeatedly sell him against his wishes, and all the package that has come with a club in decline. Did he go for his first big pay day (and the clubs after Smith ware bigger than Birmingham) - no he stuck by the club he supported, and worked even harded. I hope some of the players like Gallagher etc show the same commitment to Rovers in the future, as Smith has to Leeds

I have heard lots of complaints about Souness's buying policy - but lets look it with realistic eyes :- Centre half - yes we all agree we need one, but he did buy Amo (not a favourite of mine, but has been good in the last two matches) and Babbel. For a club of our limited budget what do you expect ? Also, who could have predicted that rather than progressing into a quality Premiership defender (as we all hoped) Taylor would actually go backwards (to the extent that I actually agreed with his sale to Birmingham Rovers - something I would never have thought imaginable). Left Wing - we started the season with two options, Thompson and Reid. I agree with most people on this message board that we have lacked balance this season. But Thompson was a star for Coventry playing left wing (something that I am sure was on GS mind) and Reid had played in that position for Millwall. Also, in a more confident team (and playing better himself) Gresko has the athletic ability to join the attack to provide balance. Then you need to look at who was actually available - for me Reid from Forest was by far the best candidate - but £6m for a player untried at Premiership level Ultimately good left wingers cost a fortune (I think Chelsea got Duff on the cheap) - and even if we had the money who could he have reasonably bought to replace Duff ?

BUT - we are still outside the bottom three. THERE - are still about 7 teams that could go down (along with Rovers). A miserable day - yes, end of the world - no. Time and time again Rovers have surprised us this season - usually surprise that they can play so badly, but also surprise results pulling out wins when even the most dedicated of fans thought it wasn't possible. The only good thing that could come out of Sunday - is that the players actually wake up to the fact that they are in a relegation dog fight. Too often this season, they seem to have put the effort in for the odd match - just to keep themselves out of the bottom three. A while ago Souness said that maybe we would need to drop in the bottom three to make the players realise the predicament we are in. If yesterdays match proves nothing more than a wake up call - then it will be a silver lining to a b****y big dark cloud.

You can blame tactics, the manager etc. - but ultimately it is down to the players. With the exception of Duff (and to a lesser extent Dunn) these are the players that got us into sixth position. I still beleive that our alround team is better than the current position - it is time for them to pull their fingers out and starting putting in some effort - if not for the manager, then the club, - if not for the club then their pride, and if not for their pride, for their next contract - because if this carries on, their next contract won't be with Rovers because we won't be able to afford it in the 1st Div !!!!

Ferguson will prove to be the best central midfield player that Rovers have had for a long time. I have great confidence that he will justify Souness' faith in him

For those of you without the benefit of hindsight - which players that Souness has bought would you not have bought ? I question the Amo signing, and possibly Reid (as we already had two decent right sided midfield players). But other than that(and not buying a Duff replacement) I have agreed with his signings at the time they were made. In fact, how many supporters have questioned the Friedal and Gray purchases (even though both free transfers) before they set foot on the pitch. The point I am making is that (without hindsight) it is difficult to question the players he has bought. Unlike £5m Dailly, £4.5m Ward, £7.5m Davies and on and on............... Give the guy a break - especially as Rovers would struggle to get somebody in with his profile etc. We are no longer in the days of Uncle Jack - staying in the premiership each season is being successful for a club the size of Rovers - beyond that is a bonus