dave birch

I've been thinking about replying to this thread for a while. I've seen Harry Leyland and Fred Else, I've seen Flowers and Freidel on tv. There is one thing that people have not considered, and that is the change in the laws of the game . Keepers in the 50/60's were not as agile as the modern day counterparts, their kit consisted of woollen roll neck jumpers and linen shorts, both heavy when wet When Leyland and Else were keeping, it was legitimate to tackle the keeper, it was necessary for the keeper to be of a robust stature. It was not unknown for keepers to be bundled over the line even when they had the ball in their arms. If I remember correctly Bert Trautmann had this done to him in a Cup Final in the 50/60's. The other thing that comes to mind is that keepers didn't have gloves, they also had to put up with leather balls. Now, anyone who has played with a leather ball, especially in wet weather, will understand how difficult the game can get. The ball picks up water and gets very heavy; difficult to kick and difficult to stop if hit well. (On the downside as an outfield player, if you headed the ball, you'd always want the lace and the valve to be away from your head. It would leave an imprint on your forhead.) Finally, a few years back, I went to a mates 50th birthday, to a club just south of Sydney. Pete had asked us to wear a football jersey. Of course I went in my Rovers gear. I walked through the door and this broad Lanky accent said, "I 'aven't sen one ah them fer yers" It turned out that this late70 year old was an ex Rovers player, and an ex goalie at that. His name was Wilf Billington, played in the reserves in the late 40's early 50's. A big bloke, he would have been 6 foot or so, and he still liked an ale..... So, who would I put as my preferred keeper? In the old days, it would have to be Harry, after all, any player that could get a fan club from other teams supporters had to be good. Modern times, it would have to be Brad, he's done it at all levels.

vindaloo, if that happens, what's it going to be like on this board? By rights, there should be mass suicide!

un-bloody-believable-post

"verdict", that tends to say that his term is up. You can only give a "verdict" when all the evidence is in. The Souness era is not yet finished. I would agree that he is going (or has been) through a difficult period, but to give a verdict on his occupancy at the Rovers is a little premature. I reiterate, would the whingers tell me who they would replace him with, and, to state their preferences qualifications for the job. I was the one that posted a thread about stating yourslag off of the season. We're one game in, and the usual suspects are at it again. Effing amazing

just thought I'd interrupt you Theno...... Almost a one person thread.....

Amen, USA blue Target #1 40 points the earlier the better target #2 top10 etc etc....

The fact that he's part of that team is of no significance then. It's acknowledged that he had one of the biggest "assists" in the premier last season is of no significance. Take away those assists and what does it do? Put the rovers on the back foot maybe? He is better than he showed last season, but he isn't the touchline hugger that you want him to be. I'll state this now, He is better running onto the ball, put behind the midfield and heading towards goal. Two goals come to mind one v Scotland and the other against England. If his midfeild partners did that for him evrysecond game, then you'd be singing his praises. That's enough of Emerton, what about all the other abject failures from last season? Why aren't we berating them?

Tom, what pisses me off about the constant carping about Emerton is, that people aren't carping on about the ###### season that our goalkeeper had last season. Or they aren't carping on about how Jansen hasn't come good after his accident. A few rabbited on about Tugay, some commented about Neill (who, in my mind was badly done by with some of his yellows and certainly one of his reds) therefore stuffing his confidence. There were the Amaruso hitmen. Many on this board hadto have a scapegoat. It's clear that Emerton is yours and T4E, you certainly take every opportunity to have a go, don't you? As phillipl has stated in a couple of posts we only need a few of our players to improve on last season to lift the team. It is, after all a team game, and for any individual to maintain a high standard would see that player being the subject of a transfer enquiry. One thing, for certain is, that last season, we had the guts of the team ripped out by injury for a significant part of the season. Surley that made a difference in approach from the team. We had constant changes in the team, that causes problems. But that was last season It appears that you and others are not prepared to wait for a few games in the new season to see if the players are, infact, playing better than last season. You have chosen a few pre season games on which to base your opinions, games that players should be using to get themselves up to speed. All I ask is; give them a go before you target your predictable targets.

Tom, you'll have to hot foot it to Ewood and warn them then.....

There's got to be a parallel universe........ By what criteria do you judge a "good" or "bad" season, waggy?

Gs's main aim for the club should be to get the team enough points to avoid relegation. That is the first step on the ladder. Once he (and the team) have acheived this, then they can look to higher things. I'm stunned that some of you are anticipating the worst, when the season hasn't even kicked off. Bunch of effing doom merchants

Rev, if you want GS to "stop coming out with these daft comments", I'd respectfully ask that you go and ask him to desist, or to change his tune to one that suits you. There is a problem with him changing his tune. It may not suit some other person on this messageboard, and so the ranting will continue, albeit from a different scource. Methinks you take a very minor (negative) part of an interview and overlook the more positive parts. Do you deliberate over all the missives that emanate from Ewood park and scour them for negatives to quote on here? I, for one, hope that he can "turn Yorke around" and get him playing like he has shown in the past. As it stands, there is only one way for Yorke to go in football terms, and that is to play well. He can't get much worse, surely? If GS can't turn him around, then the status has been quo'd, so to speak, and nothing has changed from today or the last day of last season.

But, Sam, some were just milking it.

Clayton, R Douglas, B Woods, M Legends as well

There is an answer to all of this "card" problem. Next season you are going to have a barcode tattooed to your left cheek (nah, not the one on your face) and every time you pass through the turnstyle, you're going to have to bare your bum (or Mooning, as it's known here). All I can suggest to you guys is, get some quick release pants so that you can do the deed real quick. It could be scary. Apparently there are numerous postions available as turnstyle operators.

flops, you do realise that Lee has got fastcarrier pidgeons?

without providing an alternative.....

I was wondering what the smell was, abbey

Maybe if I walked upto the Qantas check in and said "United Utilities", I'd get on the plane for free

Don, discounted flights to London START around $1550. Generally you have to book months in advance. To book, say from week to week, you'll be paying top dollar. Business class is around $3500- $4000 American, I'd probably have to change in London anyway as most airlines flying from here don't fly direct to manc.

Some on here want to chop souey, and others think Cole slow. Just a bit of food for thought.

BobF, at a guess, the plane fare to England would be about $2100 (say 1000 pounds). Assuming a 3pm Saturday game, I set off friday AM getting into London Saturday AM giving me time to transfer to Manchester then getting a train to Blackburn (don't know the costs involved in England). Presumably there would be a return flight back from London on Saturday night, getting me into Sydney early monday morning (got to take into account the time difference of between 9 and 11 hours) I'd be stuffed if I could make the mid week games though. Methinks winning the lottery might be the answer, then I could pay to have a dedicated TV coverage beamed out to me here.

The mail is that Flitty will get 69 sorry

nah tom, he's saying "anyone got a screwdriver?"

My god, Bob, you've increased my guilt factor no end, 'cause I've missed 30 years of Rovers attendance......