Damien who?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! multiplied by 10000

I don't think sub appearances would have done him any harm. In fact, in that streak of draws during Christmas, we could have done with him coming on and trying to turn draws into wins - but he stayed on the bench.

Good on you for that. However, I think you were way over the top on your early condemnation of MGP, fuelled, I suspect, mainly by your dislike for his fan club rather than a dislike for the player.

A nice concoction of humble pie and egg on face to make an ambrosial 'told you so' delight.

Mourinho has pi$$ed of the press. Oh my heart bleeds for those idiotic hacks. The more I hear and see of this man, the more I think he's a great addition to English football. If you think the press are going to hound him out, you better think again. They love a loser, hence King Ranieri, and they detest a winner but Mourinho has what it takes to stand firm imo.

Akinbiyi signs for Burnley. Probably cup-tied but they've paid more for him than we paid for Nelsen and Mokoena combined.

yes, he is good for the English game: He's got up Wenger and Ferguson's nose - can only be good. He's raising the bar in regards to tactics. His ploy of fielding two holding midfielders and one striker is yet to be out-foxed by other Prem teams. And he is quite entertaining in interviews. I don't expect Rovers fans to love the guy - the tribal nature of football dictates that anyone outside of your club is to usually be looked down upon, especially if they're successful. But you have to admit he has brought something different to the English game.

Lay off Mourinho - let him have his hissy fits, silly rants and silent sulks. He livens things up, unlike numbskulls like Bryan Robson who bores people silly before he's even opened his mouth.

By all means hate the guy but have a valid reason.

Ken Bates Neil Warnock Gordon Taylor Lee Bowyer Kevin Muscat

Interesting article, MGP comes across as a really cheerful character - although how long that will last with every additional interview he is asked to perform, I don't know. I see the Times have made two common but cardinal sins. In the list of Norwegian Rovers they have Martin Andersen and Per Pedersen. Per was Danish and Martin Andersen never played for Rovers. Tut tut. Edit: Just having a look around and spookily have found out that it was on exactly this day, 21st Feb, eight years ago, Per Pedersen was announced a Rovers signing. Check this.

oh no, i`m trembling at the thought Well, I wouldn't pin much hope on Nisse (if he plays) keeping up with Mr Gillespie - even John Oster looked half-decent against him. The sooner we get a real left back, the better.

I've just seen Cotterill's post-match interview, and I must say I was impressed with his analysis of the game and his sense of humour regarding the streaker who was not 'well-endowed'. (The interviewer seemed either not to get the joke or to brush over it in a moment of modesty...) He seems a decent manager and, after his calamitous involvement with Sunderland and Howard Wilkinson, he's getting back on track it seems.

Just a bit premature to cast Jemal as a no-hoper but I agree that the long balls were a bit ridiculous. As were the long balls to Dickov and Gallagher. Johnson came into a difficult game and didn't receive many good passes so I think it's mightily unfair to start castigating him. Paul Gallagher, however, is a different matter because he was truly abysmal. His feet seemed to repel the ball miles away everytime he went to control the ball. What has happened to the skilful forward who was blasting a goal trail through reserve/youth team football?

A few observations about the game: - A number of fans have mentioned on this forum that the 'clever' tactic of wingers swapping flanks achieves absolutely bugger all - except to leave the formation with about as much co-ordination as a rugby ruck as the wingers meander back to their rightful place - this was shown up today. - Gally was not very good - Far, far too many long balls to strikers who aren't very good in the air. - Neill and NEJ are the weak links in our defence which was superbly marshalled in the centre by Nelsen and Todd. - The pitch was crap and probably contributed to a disappointing spectacle. - If only Emerton knew what to do on the ball, he'd be a world beater. - At least we're still in the hat for the next round.

I wonder if this match mightn't be too frenetic and physical for Tugay to dominate. Burnley will no doubt have noticed his influence on the Norwich game and could do a Martin O'Neill style targetting of the Turk. Tugay is at his best with time on the ball and not too much tackling to perform - conditions might not be to his liking - with extra responsibility on Savage as a result.

It really doesn't matter anymore because MGP is playing and playing well, so everyone's happy. However, just to dally on this moot point, giving credit to Hughes for introducing MGP at the perfect time is a bit generous, bearing in mind he only came in to replace bug-stricken Emerton and Hughes had provisionally given permission for MGP to join up on a Middle East tour with the Norway B side towards the latter part of January.

To be honest, I think that is a little far-fetched. MGP has come out in the media and suggested that he has not changed a lot physically but mentally he is more prepared for the Premiership than he was at the start. Imo his poor first few games weren't necessarily down to a lack of physical strength but nerves and accustoming himself with the pace of the game.

So Rovers were too small for Barry Ferguson? Perhaps the Premiership was too big for him.

The fact he was quite a regular in the MLS team of the season did indicate that he was something special - even if the league isn't the 'mighty' standards of the EPL.

Fantastic that MGP is now showing Rovers his potential. With him and Emerton out wide we have the balance that we haven't had since Duff and Gillespie were on the flanks. Hughes seems really keen on Mokoena - hence dropping Nisse for the Cardiff game - but after today's half-time subbing I doubt he'll start versus Burnley.

When Sven realises that Gerrard and Lampard are too similar to play together and that Hargreaves should partner Gerrard in central midfield instead, England will improve. Anyone think Owen should be dropped for Defoe?

Two strikers please Sparky and let's have a real go and see if we can score goals....

Olivier Bernard was a canny signing. But not as canny as Marcus Bent!

Footballer on not - who should partner Savage in midfield? Mokoena has played most of his career as a centre back and I wonder if he has the passing ability. Thommo came in and did well against Pompey but has lost his way in recent games. Tugay and Flitcroft are seemingly on their last legs. I would go for either Thommo or Flitcroft. The advantage of playing Garry is that Savage would be given more licence to go forward, which he seems quite keen on doing.