Martin O'Neill may not be as tactically astute as Jose Mourinho (although he still 'out-tacticked' Souey in the UEFA cup) or as percipient in the transfer market as Arsene Wenger, but he is a fantastic motivator. You only had to see him as a World Cup pundit to see that he's a spiky individual not to be messed with but at the same time straight-forward. His record at Leicester, with an ordinary team, was very good. Better times for Villa, I suspect. Even if Doug keeps the cheque-book firmly closed. Excellent times, if he's persuaded to open it.

Clark Walsh (CD/St) - Clitheroe? This was the 'genius' youngster that was released because Bobby Downes didn't like his Dad - according to someone on this board. Anthony Williams (GK) - Carlisle. He of ELEVEN different clubs is now at Carlisle. I believe he saved three (maybe two?) penalties in one game for Wales U21s. Michael Taylor (CB) - Lancaster City Craig Barr (CB) - Gretna (released this summer by Rovers) Dario Marcolin (CM) - Palazzola AC (whoever they are) Oumar Konde (CM) - Hibernian Bothroyd's at Wolves now and Unsal has retired.

North of the Border: Elgin City FC: Kieron Renton (GK) Adam Nelson (RM) Montrose: Stuart Cumming (RB) Inverness CT: Alan Morgan (LB) Ayr United: Andy Reid (LM), Paul Weaver (CM)

Hakan Sukur. An illustrious career and a fall-out with Souness. As long as it was in English... BTW hasn't Henning Berg done an auto-biog?

Wow, I didn't realise he was that unappreciated at Leeds. Obviously, those opinions don't reflect the Leeds's supporters as a whole but those comments are supported by the fact that no clubs have apparently come in for Dougie. "no real ability can't see the point" "a nothing player" (and to balance it out) "I really liked him last year one of my fave players had good energy bit of pace and got a few goals but i think now weve strengthened the midfield we dont need him"

Okay, I correct myself, if you are an under-performing employee who has received the unconditional backing of your employer or manager - you cannot start criticisng their/his methods until you have looked at your own failings. And in this case, not only should Lampard 'look' at his own failings but he should publicly announce them before he even begins to publicly target anyone else or look for excuses.

If you are an under-performing employee who has been unconditionally supported by your employer - you have no right to criticise the methods of your company imo. Lampard was quite bad in Euro 2004 and worse in the last World Cup. I notice that Gerrard has stayed quiet, no doubt because he realises that whilst Sven is an idiot, he didn't help the cause one bit with his crap showings. I have not read any quotes from Lampard conceding that he under-performed or apologising for being so poor and letting down his country in another tournament, Once he's done that, perhaps, he is in a position to criticise the Swedish Fraud. What attitude did you have towards Martin Andresen when he left Rovers at the end of his loan spell, bad-mouthing Graeme Souness' training regime? I think the general consensus was 'f off you crap Norwegian nobody.' Not - "despite being decidedly average and picked regularly by Souness, he has a right to criticise." (I can't say for sure that you, Bryan, held that view but I know - because people were slagging me off for suggesting Andresen had a point - that a lot of people did.)

What a total plank. I'm no fan of Sven he should be thankful for the Swedish fraud for picking him no matter how crap he has been for England in the last two tournaments. Sickening that someone could be so myopic. I would be embarrassed to criticise anybody - whether it be tea lady or manager - if I had been given the full backing of everyone and given an unconditional starting berth and performed as miserably as Lampard.

Stupid error against Liverpool. Allowing Gary Neville to get past him in the Carling Cup for Scholes' goal (i think) and allowing Mario Melchiot to stroll past him with ease for a Birmingham goal versus Rovers. And then even during his sojourn into the Championship, he struggled against pacy wingers, from what I've read. There's no doubt he has some talent (Ipswich fans would have him back tomorrow, if they could) but it's obvious why his favoured position is centre back. He's an aggressive tackler, good on the ball and confident. But not a Premiership left back. Probably not a Premiership centre back either but he has never played there for Rovers first team and rarely for the reserves.

Even the best salesman in the world couldn't 'sell' Matteo. If he goes (leaving his nice big contract) it'll be on a free. We might get a little bit for McEveley.

I hope no-one minds me doing a little match report - match viewed via a dodgy internet stream, with Greek commentary ringing in my ears, all from the safety of my lovely armchair. (Excuses for factual errors in early, you note). Olympiakos v Rovers: On a hot, sticky afternoon in sunny Germany - okay I'll leave the scene setting spectaculars to Scotty in his match reports. Rovers started the first half against the Greek Champions with a number of luminaries from the glitzy world of international football in the first eleven. Aaron Mokoena (South African international) aka the Axe, was planted in central midfield. Shefki Kuqi and Francis Jeffers (of Finland and England fame) were the spearhead upfront and Dominic Matteo 'The White Elephant' was trumpeting orders from the back. Robbie Savage won the toss - but that was the full extent of his victories in a match to forget for Savage and the rest of the Rovers players. (Actually, I don't know if he won the toss but it's a good line). Olympiakos had Brazilian ex-superstar Oswaldo Dehors Cheatindo Rivaldo in the line-up and it wasn't long before he was on the receiving end of a Mokoena slide tackle. It was only a momentary set-back for the silky skilled midfielder because before long he was orchestrating Olympiakos' best moves as Rovers struggled to threaten the Greek side. On the rare occasions that Blackburn got hold of the ball, it was given back with the efficiency of an assiduous ballboy. Michael Gray and Dom Matteo performing that role splendidly, in particular. Didier Agathe was looking tidy in possession as he sought to impersonate Lucas Neill, but his skin colour did not help – nor the fact he refused to perform a two-footed challenge on a the Greek left-winger. A forage forward from the former Celtic man looked promising but his link up play with Steven Reid let him down. From a counter-attack, Olympiakos scored from long-range. Aaron Mokoena and Robbie Savage managed to get back on the pitch with their ice-creams before the re-start. The goal gave Olympiakos confidence and Zeus started orchestrating play from up above. (Sorry, I don’t know any of their players’ names apart from Rivaldo and Djordevic). They kept the ball in a style not seen since England last played in a international tournament. Then Olympiakos scored again and Friedel ran out to berate someone. Then it was half-time and then my stream ,courtesy of Greek satellite TV ERT, displayed a smug-looking long-haired fella talking in Greek. Georgis Donis? The second half started and it took me a mere 20 minutes to work out that Douglas, McEveley and Bentley had come on. Everyone’s favourite Irishman, Douglas, burst forward and hit a way-ward shot. Soon, Olympiakos scored from a spectacular bicycle kick. Friedel came out to berate someone – probably Jay McEveley who had allowed the winger to cross the ball in. Suddenly, Pedersen – I mean GAMST appeared on the pitch. Never mind ‘he hides’ – ‘he appeared’. Rovers seemed to have lost the plot and Olympiakos scored the fourth with consummate ease. A cross came in from the left (Agathe was held up at the ice-cream van disputing the change he was owed) and Jay McEveley was out-numbered in the box so he did the best thing in the circumstances – run away from the man about to receive the ball. He volleyed it and someone headed it in. Tugay and Gallagher appeared on my fuzzy screen and they appeared to add some life to the comatic performance. Only for a Rovers attack to be quelled and for Olympiakos to go down the other end and someone to chip Friedel from 20 yards. Why Friedel was off his line is a debatable. I think he was about to go and berate someone. Roberts came on and fell over, earning some free kicks and hugs from Greek defenders. I think they were grateful for being forced into action after playing the first half against Francis Jeffers. The game ended early, as the referee was fed up with annoying regularity of subs coming on. The intro for Junior Eurovision began on ERT satellite and although I was tempted, I decided against putting myself through further torture.

But will he stay? His demeanour in certain games near the end of the season - particular the last game when he didn't celebrate his goal, weren't positive. I have heard (not sure if this is true) that Kuqi was particularly miffed that he had to play second fiddle to a unimpressive Pongolle for most of the latter stages. I agree that having him on the bench is very useful. I'd suggest he'd be a better option than Jeffers if the team need a late goal or two.

So true. When the opposition are closing you down quickly and keeping the ball well when they get it, it is essential that your central midfields have the skill and composure to get on the ball, be patient, make probing passes and give the team a foothold in the game. Tugay does that brilliantly but none of our other central midfielders are capable of it. A Tugay replacement is a must. Bentley does have that close-control that makes him a potential for that position - but whether he has the mental strength and all-round game, is another matter.

McEveley was generally crap defensively. Has a great willingness in the opposition half but lazily strolls around in his own. I thought Hughes should get rid before this match and this has only strengthened that view. It's time to allow Andy Taylor a chance as Gray's understudy. Although, to be fair, most of the players were dismal. The performance was so bad that in a 5-0 thrashing, imo Zurab, playing in the heart of defence, was Rovers best player.

Roberts' white bicycle shorts (or whatever they are) come below his normal shorts. Most remarkable thing about Rovers - barring the general crapness.

HEAVENS ABOVE! More crap defending from a centre half and McEveley as the cross comes in, he leaves his man, who has all the time to mis-hit a volley that is deflected in. Surely Andy Taylor is a better prospect.

Jay McEveley caught out for the goal. That's just predictable. Who's at right back now?

Only a friendly, so judgments should be reached with caution but a few observations: - Agathe - right midfielder at right back, shaky on crosses - Jeffers - poor/anonymous - Reid - doesn't want to be on the right but strong running - Peter - barely got the ball - Matteo - distribution crap - Zura - decent - arguably player of the half for Rovers - Kuqi - aggressive but nothing worth noting - Gray - careless in possession - Friedel - difficult to tell if he should've done anything about either goal - Mokoena - poor positioning and seemingly not good enough to play in a 4-4-2 - Savage - energetic but that's it. Olympiakos were very good in possession. Djordevic looking good and got a goal, I think.

The commentators mentioned Acuna - I think! Could he be on the bench?

I'm not sure if I'd have preferred Mido. Whilst the Egyptian's a more skilful player imo, he is a loose cannon and would surely not have lasted long (altho similar things were said about Bellamy). However, I'm pretty confident that the McCarthy - Roberts frontline will be very good. Pace and power and no Jon Stead in sight.

Bob, you missed out the respective groundsmens' state of health. Could be crucial.

No idea why they've got Garner amongst those players like Sturridge, Anderson and Anichebe. The latter three are currently playing with their respective first teams in pre-season and are set to play a part in the Premiership. Garner needs to start scoring goals at reserve level before he'll even be considered by Hughes. Sergio Peter should have been the Blackburn representative in that list.

So who's got Pedersen on the back of their shirt and how annoyed are you?

Is it me or are all the 'words of wisdom' from Clifford there, eg distance yourself from Sven, obvious?

As far as I know, it's only an informal relationship. Cercle do not want to go the way of Beveren and Antwerp by becoming bona fide feeder teams. I'm not surprised either - they want to retain their club, not let it turn into a conveyor belt masquerading as a footy team. Co-operation not domination. They don't want to get relegated either - as has happened to both Beveren and Antwerp despite their links with English monoliths. I get the feeling that all parties are reasonably satisfied with the informal links. Rovers currently have Dwight Wille on loan and that may become permanent and I'm sure they'll be monitoring Cercle's best players. Meanwhile, Cercle recently came over to England and used Rovers training facilities and had a few friendlies with English clubs. I'm sure they were a bit miffed, after last season's embarrassment of cancelling a friendly against Cercle at very late notice, Rovers couldn't find time in their schedule to play thim this pre-season. Obviously, the Rovers players that Cercle took on loan weren't good enough and that'll remain a big problem because I'd guess most Rovers fringe players would much prefer a loan move to an English club in the Championship than to Belgium. So the guys they have to pick from are very inexperienced. Further, Rovers increasingly lean squad couldn't cope with too many going out on loan. Last season, many of the U18s were also reserves regulars.