I'm sure we'll go there regaling our 4-5-1 spoiling tactics but with our nanoscale forward threat and Man U's sensational cheating tactics, it's going to be 1-0 to the Scum.

Some people are suggesting that Dickov is our best option. But is he? I know he's overperformed this season considering his groin injury, age and his one season Premiership record. However, Stead's demeanour radically improved after his goal against Everton and he would surely offer more as a lone striker than Dickov, assuming that he's refound his confidence.

Powder-puff in attack. Lacking any artistry in midfield. Solid at the back. (Usually) I don't want to criticize Dickov because playing a lone role is not his forte. The goals he scored for Leicester last season were as a result of playing alongside another striker and getting onto nod ons and ricochets.

I'm guessing that Liverpool are going to stick to the formation that sundered Bayer Leverkusen - that means 4-5-1 with Gerrard with a free role behind the main striker. In that case, Hughes has to match up with our own version of 'pack the midfield' and see if we can't grind out another dull win but brilliant three points.

I will always be supportive of Savage when he's in a Rovers shirt but his lies and deceit employed to worm himself out of Brum and earn a nice pay day at Rovers has seen him fall in my estimations. Not that I held him in a very high regard anyway. I see in a recent interview the man finally admitted that financial matters did come into his thinking when seeking to join Rovers.

This is going to rile a few people but imo Pedersen dived. I originally thought it was a definite penalty in real time but having watched the incident numerous times on the bbc highlights they have on their website, after riding the initial challenge, MGP seems to flop to the floor without being seriously inhibited by Kenton. Now, I'm only looking at it from one camera angle - so perhaps not conclusive, but my honest opinion is that it wasn't a pen. Having realised that he might struggle to reach the ball, with Kenton decumbent, MGP topples over without help from the defender. Or that's what it looks to me. Take a look for yourself (link on top right) However, what they don't show is the other pen we could have had and the goal that wasn't but probably should've been.

Going to have to take issue with that. Sickening way to lose? Leicester deserved nothing, zilch, nil from this game. The Leicester defender goes to ground to play the ball in the box and brings down MGP, he gets up tries to step/jump over the defender who brings him down again. This was a nailed on, bang to rights penalty, it's in the rules so they lost. Leicester showed the attacking ambition of a road-kill. They deserved to lose and it would have been a travesty if this had been a draw. Not a great performance I agree but then the opposition chose to defend with 11 men and play the entire game in their half. This is how you lose games of football. Leicester did not create a single chance, it was 30 minutes before Friedel touched the ball.......and we have to feel sorry for them? Rovers haven't put in great performances in the cup? I'd argue with that. Against Burnley (twice), Leicester and to a lesser extent Colchester, we were asked to play against teams with only one intention - stop us scoring and hope they can nick one. In each game Rovers did not make mistakes, concentrated hard, took the game to the opposition for 90 minutes and WON. Burnley created four chances in two games, Leicester none at all today - they where there to be beaten. What else are the team supposed to do? Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd etc all struggle to beat teams who are determined not to lose. Look at the game against Chelsea at Ewood, we made them look very, very average as we tried to avoid losing first and foremost. I'm delighted with the whole team, I feel they are playing for the club and the fans. It's not the greatest football, but it is WINNING football. Given our current squad I'll settle for that. Would we rather have four wins and a draw out of five or the gutless stuff Souness gave us? You choice, I know who I want to support. Totally agree with that great post. As I pointed out, had that been one of the big teams they would have been praised for their professionalism of their performance and overcoming a tricky tie, for us, it's that we were crap. Fair enough, Paul. I'm not suggesting we should all feel apologetic for Leicester - but I just instinctively empathised with their fans, at the same time as experiencing the euphoria of victory. It must be a few of our own 'sickening blows' - Claus Jensen after Friedel equalised or Glen Johnson after Gally equalised or Saha handball for Man U this season coming back to haunt me. You can't really criticize Levein's tactics because the talent he has at his disposal makes a mockery of the word. I mean - Dabizas and Dublin at the back - you'd get more pace from an Amorusomobile. And Hughes has indulged in regressive tactics this season, namely against Chelsea - albeit we did occasionally try to attack. Bring on Newcastle and let's make it 'Corrado Grabbi' day. Although we will have to substantially up the performance level if we want the smug smile on Souey's face to follow his tache.

It's fantastic that we're in the semis but I can't help but be concerned about how we've struggled against two frankly mediocre, verging on rubbish, Championship sides. We seem to lack the poise and passing fluidity which will be essential if we have any hopes of getting to the final. However, with Ferguson gone and Tugay flagging - do we have anyone to prompt a passing game in the middle of the park? Nonetheless, Hughes deserves praise for getting us this far. I feel sorry for Leicester - what a sickening way to lose.

As did Michael Gray who's just been sent off.

Leicester have signed Stefan Moore on loan and he could play against us.

Good opportunity for both.

Yes, totally true. All we got was cynical tactics in a backdrop of dour football. You are obviously blinded by bitterness. Yes, there were indiscretions committed by individuals - but how can you ignore the brilliant football, the deluge of goals and the excitement? Surely that outshone any negativity. Furthermore, I think some of you who are condemning the Champs League are missing the irony of your words. What is the Champs League? A menagerie of the biggest clubs in Europe getting together to maximize TV revenues and transcend the national leagues, at the expense of the rest. What is the Premiership? A menagerie of the biggest clubs in England getting together to maximize TV revenues at the expense of the rest.

Reid's crossing isn't very good - but neither is Emerton's. Hughes will probably retain Reid in central midfield and I hope he gives Tommo another run out because Emerton was mediocre at best in the Burnley fixtures. (So was Tugay and he's been demoted).

Agree with that. Against Chelsea, 4-5-1 worked well - although not well enough to get us any points. But then the following week against Middlesbrough the same formation didn't look quite so impressive at all, as we lost. That formation can only work if the striker holds up the ball and maybe with Stead back on form, he can do that.

A backline signed for a pittance (OK if you exclude Nisse) but performing as well as any in the league. It gives hope to the Prem's paupers.

Sparky got the tactics perfect today and boy did we spoil Everton's party.

We just need one striker to hit a bit of form - permitting that we create more chances and we'll be safe.

I agree with this post. Get rid of all three. It will save money, which will give us the opportunity to pay a good striker decent wages. How can you advocate selling Gallagher? That is so idiotic but typical of the short-term myopia suffered by some fans. Gallagher only a few years back was the exciting young forward who was scoring hat-tricks and braces every other reserve game. And reserve regulars will remind you that he wasn't just scoring tap-ins, his rise to the first team was boosted by a number of spectacular goals he scored for the reserves. Yes, his progress has stagnated, big time. However, young players go through ruts - some even go off the rails. But Rovers have to stick by Gallagher - at least for a season or two - to see if he can regain that form. I can see why people want Jansen and Bothroyd to go - but Gally is here to stay - for a while anyway.

A few more flair players and Rovers might start playing exciting football...but I'm not complaining because our defence is now solid and that should be enough to keep us up this season - which was Hughes' prime objective when he came in.

It's far worse than that. If Dickov and Gallagher start, it's the worst attack in the Premiership. It's not even the best in the nationwide. Whoever starts, it's likely to be the worst attack in the Premiership. I really think Hughes should've brought Stead back into the fold after his goal and good performance for the reserves. Perhaps not to start but once he gets the elusive first league goal, I'll think he'll be up and running again.

A lot of clubs noticed MGP at Tromso. Middlesbrough had him on trial a couple of times whilst he was still a youngster at Tromso. And the fact that Marseilles wanted him on loan proves that he'd caught the eye of numerous scouts - but as far as I know only Rovers and Sunderland ever bidded for him.

A very fair and impartial match report, with not a hint of sour grapes to be whiffed...

Souness may have bought MGP but he didn't know how to use him... Sparky has really brought the best out of him & THAT is the sign of a good manager That's the biggest load of crap I've read on this board. Souness gave him a shot, it didn't work out at the time. Who's to say things wouldn't have ended up working out the same? Can I just agree with American here and say that as much as it is now in vogue to detest Souness, it is a little harsh to invent things to give the man a kicking. For God's sakes, there's an array of Souey-mistakes you can cite without having to invent them. Souness deserves praise for signing MGP and imo Pedersen would have been a successful Rovers player whoever the manager was.

A great find - what more can you say?

Is he dubbed that because of how he plays or because he is a talented player who Norwegians like to have pin ups of. Probably because he's good at free kicks. Ian Harte is the Irish David Beckham, you know...