Da black Jonny Wilkinson.....

H, from this end of the world it would have to be, but it's not beyond possiblities is it?

it was Maradonna jnr all the time. The Dunfirmline thing was all a smokescreen

We want Sturrock, we want Sturrock

Riml, Was Cole better when Stead was there than pre Stead? If you answered yes, then maybe Stead was the catalyst for the improvement in Cole's game. The point I was trying to make, was that Cole is going to be that much slower, that much older, and he was costing the Rovers that much more money. He had to go at some stage. It's not as though he was at the top of his game.

Bang

17! no weight, no experience. Unless he's the next Ronaldo/ Pele/ Maradonna.............

Hell, waggy, if Souness hadn't have made any additions over the past 6 months, I might have agreed with you. He has made additions, give them (and the rest of the squad) the benefit of a few games to prove that they are worthy of the blue and white. Perhaps, if you get so ###### about the rovers you may consider the short drive to Bumley during the season.......

Den, if we had the chance of the right striker coming to Ewood, then the money would be there. I'm not suggesting that Dickov isthe replacement, but he might score 0 or he might score 20, it's a risk, as is any signing for any club.

Come on guys, you turn up at a game with your boots and say, "any chance of a game?" Done it many a time........

Riml, was he forced out, possibly, but maybe for different reasons that you state. How about this scenario: Cole is entering the twighlight of his career. He hasn't scored that many goals relative to the number of games played (for the Rovers) He is on a very high wage per week plus a loyalty bonus The Board/ Manager are looking at every penny that might (in their thoughts) be better placed in some player for the future The Cole of last year (as some have suggested in other threads about other players) might not be able to hack it in the way that he did last season, thus only scoring, say 5 goals. How would we feel then? On the basis of my argument, then getting rid of Cole is not as bad. Yep, it's a risk, but wasn't it a risk for RFW to get rid of Cole from Manure? Isn't it a risk for any manager to get rid of any player, because it might have been the "off season"? It's as risky of signing Dickov, and Dickov might score 20 or he might score 0

Waggy, is that why we bought Stead? At the price we got him, it looks like a bargain, dosen't it? All relative isn't it?

This thread has had it's day as it mainly relates to the problems of last season. Remember, last season finished in a reasonable situation given the amount of injuries etc. I readily admit that I was getting tired of GS and his inability to get the players into a winning phase and out of the relegation area, but he did do it. The coming season gives everyone at the club a new chance to start, and that includes GS. If, after 10 or so games we're struggling, then let's look at who we can draft in to remedy the situation.

Can someone find out if there is a manager in the prem at the moment that hasn't had a spat with a player under his control. My feeling at the moment is, that Souness did enough at the back end of last season to deserve to be given a chance at the start of the coming season. We can all carry on about the players he's brought in, but the actual proof will be in the first 6 to 10 games. If it all goes belly up in that time, then surely the board must insist that Souness fall on his sword. edit: Conversely, if we get away to a flyer, then he'll be the best thing since beer was invented.....

Paul, I'm more than happy to be the pay point in Australia. Those here that want to donate, pm me please. May I suggest $50 per person.

FLB, your last sentence says it all

JBN, whatever story they print, there is absolutely no excuse for not printing the truth. When they have been sprung for lying, there is absolutely no excuse for not issuing an apology. In fact, by not apologising they are compounding the problem. All it does is, when they do print the truth, fewer people believe them. I think what you are saying is that the type of person that reads this paper will read it regardless of whether anything printed within it is true or otherwise. I can't remember which board memeber has a sig which says something like " When a liar tells the truth, who believes him"

'tas gone off thread somewhat..... but remember.... as a player, you only need to remember two laws of the game of football. 1. The referee is always right. 2. When the referee is wrong, refer to law 1.

Oi den, is this "played" as in 1955, or as in played 2004? I've done both. Funnily enough, shorts have gone "up and down" in those times Still 'ard though

Yep, bob, leather ball, wet weather, boots over ankles, leather studs that had to be hammered in on a last (to bend the nails over). Come off after a game on a frozen park, blood dripping from the sole of your feet where the stud nails cut into you........ forgot the lacemarks the ball left on your forehead after an attempted header..... I could go on, but it would only encourage the older folk on here.

It's about a paper reporting untruths about people that could have been you, or me, your dad/mum. Certainly someone ultimately has to cop the blame, but when it's an organisation as big as a tabloid, then "it" cops the flack.

and, bob, he shot imself in foot when he missed a sitter, but still turned up fer trainin next day

Passion! Some South American fans have been known to top themselves after a team loss. Now that's passion

I have been long gone from Englands shores, but this matter concerns anyone who watches sport in a Stadium, it's a disaster that could happen anywhere.. My main concern is that an adequate apology hasn't been offered by the newspaper in question, otherwise people wouldn't be campaigning. Perhaps if that were offered sincerely, then 96 people could truly rest in peace.

Indeed FLB, tris' post was very moving. If you forget the past, you can fear for the future. Something like that should never happen to anyone. It should never be forgotten. It's a poor state of affairs where an organisation cannot see the error of it's ways and avoid making a full , frank and deep apology. All it does is confirm the view that some newspapers and the people that run them are ratbags, and deserve the scorn thrown at them. Skemlad, Mottman, keep it up.