Let's be honest, Benni could be class when he wanted too, but when he didn't want to - he offered little. A motivated and fit Benni is a massive asset, but it's clear neither is the case. Since Sam can't get the best out of him, and Sam's going to be here for quite a while I think, Benni's a bit of a waste of resources. In an ideal world, Benni would fulfil his undoubted talent and be the no 1 striker at rovers, banging in 10 goals and assits apiece each season from the hole position. Since that isn't going to happen, at least we will get some money for him and free up wages for the rebuilding project.

Agree, one of the few players I've had a decent length conversation with and you could tell he was pretty switched on and had a genuine love of the game, so it's not a massive suprise that he's got his shot at management. Just a bit of a suprise where he's starting out.

Spot on. Benni might be unfit, but he's the only striker who has that bit of magic and can be relied upon to stick the ball in the net. Loosing Benni would not help Sam win over the fans at all. This is my big worry. That we're left short up front. Equally depressing would be seeing 3/4 Heskey type forwards on the books as our strikers, big powerhouses who can do the physical side of the game, but struggle to score regularly. Not saing there isn't room for one of them in our squad, but the way I see it going, especially if Benni goes, is that we can kiss plan B goodbye altogether.

What a waste. Makes you wonder why players throw away their talent. I know if I had that amount of talent/potential I'd work pdh to make a good career. Looks like rovers youth got another one right, although maybe with better mentoring etc. who knows what could have happened.

I hope it's neither of these things but there must be a decent case for both explainations. I find it baffling that so many years of players have looked ok in the reserves (admittedly not the greatest standard) and then gone on to do very little. It begs the question what is going on at the acadamy. Unlike Rover6 I don't think giving them more of a run out is the answer. After all, I can't think of any who we've let go that we've regretted letting go. I just wonder whether all this promise, is unharnessed or a false dawn. I wonder whether with better coaching the likes of McEveley, Danns and the like would actually be squad players for us, giving us more of a togetherness and solidarity within the squad (not to mention helping the budget)? Byrom's another one, I'd forgotten about, yet was thought to have a lot of promise.

I'd forgotten about him. Looked ok the few times I saw him, and that he'd have the physique to tough it out in the lower leagues. Looking back I'm a tad suprised he hasn't done better. Likewise. Although he was always too inconsistent imo. Agree, this is a blast from the past. And I'm suprised at how fast they drop through the leagues. I mean if they were that bad, why did rovers persevere for so long with them? If they were that promising, why do they sink quite so fast?

Thanks for highlighting that. With regards to our game vs the dingles I've a couple of mates who are in the police in the Blackburn division, and for our derby game ALL police have to work that weekend, regardless of whether it was meant to be time off or not. Am liking the idea West Ham forfit their next game, surely this can't have a good effect on their preparations for it.

Looking at all the reports, both clubs, but West Ham in particular, really should be hammered - excuse the pun - for this. Firstly there was the racist chanting/noises, then there's the missiles being thrown, and then there's the pitch invasions. Any one of these things are rightly frowned upon and should bring heavy sanctions, but all three shows that the clubs had very little control on the situation. One such incident could be classed as unfortunate - the you can't stop everything argument - but all three makes you wonder what the stewards etc were doing. The same principle goes for the three pitch invasions. One's unfortunate, two's very careless, three... Has there ever been three pitch invasions in one game before? I can't recall that ever happening before, although I only started following football in the early 90s. I bet west ham being west ham get away with it though. They always do.

Very interesting. Of those the only one I know a decent amount (well something) about, bar Donnelly is Pidgeley. He's just moved to Carlisle having really struggled at Millwall due to personal problems. A lot of it in his case, from himself and the Carlisle manager (not that he's an authority mind) is that the taleny is there but the mental fortitude and application has been utterly lacking/messed up. This is only one case so not sure how far it can be extrapolated, but does add some weight to the argument that it's as much about attitude as talent. This becomes even more odd when you consider the current premadonna stereotype of the modern footballer, who's likes to party and spend their obscene amounts of dosh. Granted this to an extent is a stereotype but it does make you wonder how dodge a bad attitude must be to contribute to them slipping into obscurity. Kelbo - I've been saying that about reserve team football for years!

If Benni does that often enough then that'll be enough of a contribution from him, providing there are no more passengers in the team. Given the way our wide players in particular seem to work harder than average defensively for their positions, then I think we can accomodate Benni in the side, providing he is on form. Besides I think Benni can/does offer a bit more than goals. His link up play, when he's not trying to be too fancy can be really impressive, and hanging on the shoulder of the last defender can cause them to think twice about committing that extra man forward. Not saying he offers loads more, but he's not a total passenger.

Have to say regardless of his application/work rate Benni does the main job of a striker and sticks the ball in the back of the net. (His fitness and thus his professionalism is a different matter.) He's never going to do the running around job, even when he was on fire for us in his first season. But if he can get himself fit and sharp we have a real predator and finisher in our team. To me on ability he's easily our second best striker by a mile, possibly even our first. In form any team outside of the top 4 would want him in their team. He has the quality to create something out of nothing, against any opposition, including top quality ones, which is needed in the premier league. Sure it's dangerous to rely solely on this, especially with his attitude, but with our other striking options we wouldn't be. For what it's worth, with Sam at the helm, competition for places and it being a world cup year - in South Africa no less - I can see Benni having a stormer of a season. All the motivators seem to be in place. And when the guy is on form he's dangerous to play against and will get you goals.

Regarding Ferguson's ability didn't someone connected with the club - maybe Parkes - place him in the best rovers 11 he'd seen, saying he was one of the most talented individuals he'd seen? Or am I just making that up? Bit torn on this one, not least cause he's a pillock. He does seem to have ability, and it's a good price. Mind you, if Hughes who kept Bellamy and Savage and the like in line struggled to man manage Ferguson, I think anyone would struggle to, as several rangers bosses have found out.

I'll add my congratulations too, never thought he was good enough to cut the mustard at a big championship team like sheff utd.

First few months were pretty shocking, but once he settled in he's been a very dependable player for us, for a good two years or so. However now is probably the time for him to leave, freeing up the wages for the Big Sam revolution. His versatility in particular has made him a key member of the squad. I shudder to think where we'd have been without him this season, or who'd have played right back.

No to Barton on so many levels. Firstly, whilst quite a few players have previous, very few have anything near the amount that Barton has - both before and after the prison sentence (where he should still be imo). Morally it'd be wrong to give Barton a chance at Ewood. Agree with Fife and Imy9 and the rest on this - Barton is not a reformed or remorseful character deserving of a lifeline. Secondly even if you don't care at all about Barton's behaviour it is far too much of a risk football wise. Aside from being a bad apple in the dressing room can anyone honestly see him being able to play for rovers for more than half a season? If he isn't suspended for things on the pitch he'll be getting into trouble off it. What odds would anyone give that he would be available for 3/4 of our games. They wouldn't be good. We pay enough midfielders not to play for rovers - dunn, reid, grella, (formerly) vogel - we don't need to add another - especially such a loathsome individual. Our midfield needs quality and reliabilty - and Barton certainly doesn't fulfil the latter.

When the going gets tough Barry has a sulk. Seriously the guy just doesn't seem to be able to cope with things not going well. Ferguson actions show a lot about what is wrong with modern footballers, and they wonder why football fans are disillusioned. (Granted that incompetent FA, refs, obscene wages etc also contribute.) Have to say credit to Walter Smith for coming down hard on both players, loosing your keeper and captain can only hinder them at this stage of the season, but it's nice to see a manager act with integrety. Bet they come out tomorrow apologising and saying that they've been misinterpreted.

What a stunning rolemodel that lad Jamie is. Great example to us all. Now if that was a player from a lesser club I've a feeling that the FA would come down on them like a ton of bricks - and quite rightly so. However playing for Liverpool I've no doubt the FA will find another patch of sand to bury their heads in.

Agree. The thing is IF (and it's a a big if) we get him back to the level he can be, then we have a stunning player on our hands - easily in the 10m bracket. The chances of this happening though seem to be receeding fast. Hughes seemed to know how to handle tempermental stars like Bellamy and Benni, I'm not so sure Ince does. And as has been said Benni isn't an impact sub - even when in form - so he's pretty much redundant at Rovers. I don't care if he's arrogent and has an attitude if he does the business but as he isn't he should keep his mouth shut and work hard to regain his place. Can't see it happening though.

Gutted. No other way to put it. That Hughes would want to manage a top club, especially one he has played for, is more than reasonable and something I've been steeling myself against for quite a while. To be honest who can begrudge him that? He's a top class manager and deserves a chance to manage at the highest level. But City? No ties to them - in fact the opposite - and a chairman who redefines the word impatient? Sven did what asked to and got fired, that is hardly a stable working environment. Fans who have much too high expectations and a squad which is weaker than ours - there's some good players in there but how many (cm aside) would get in our team? The fact Hughes is willing to go to talk with City suggests that he wants out of Rovers in the worst way, he and could signal the break up of our hugely promising squad. When you've finished with the rope MC...

Utterly agree, my thoughts exactly. Mainly I think we need a manager who can put back the desire amongst the players. For many playing for the big 4 it really looks as if they don't care at all, they know they've better prospects of winning things with their club. Combined with big wage packets and iconic status it's hardly surprising they're not flogging themselves for england. Beckham and Richards have been two of our best players, and unsurprisingly they're the ones with most to gain from england - it's their best chance of winning something. For me it'd have to be someone like Mourinho who will put the hunger back into the players, not put up with pre-maddona attitudes (well, if not performing) and will give us a system and get us knowing how to play it. However the FA will probably go for another yes man, albeit one with a bit more pedegree then McLaren (hardly difficult.)

Well I think that pretty much guarentees West Ham's relegation. I know there's still a fair few points to play for but from the games I've seen (rovers and on tv) charlton are a poor outfit. And if they can't beat charlton ina game of that magnitude they might as well give up. Whilst I like the club, as others have commentated having a club with such financial backing not competing against us next year - both in the league and transfer market - would be very advantagious. Looking at how close the championship is at the moment, west ham may well struggle to get back out, especially when considering the exodus of talent that inevitably follows relegation. Whilst it won't be too nice for lucash to get relegated i'm hardly thinking it'll be sweet revenge on the chap. He'll just jump ship to somewhere else and get another big payday, which is pretty sickening. Still his marketability and reputation must have sunk a few notches and i'm not sure too many big clubs will want to take on a player with such a reputation as a mercenary.

After today's game it suggests that Robert's looks the more likely favoured partner for Benni. In terms of impact for time on the pitch I'd say Robert's is ahead at the moment, and whilst he hasn't scored he does unsettle the defence more, and create more openings we can capitalise on. Nonda seems the definition of an almost player. He get's loads of chances but many lack conviction and power. If we could get his shot's to have a bit more venom about them I'd be very happy to have him here on a perminant basis. Considering the improvement of Bentley between this season and last, or MGP from when he first arrived or the improvement of Ooijer over the past few months, it may well be that the best of Nonda may come next season. Hughes' record of whether to stick with them or let go has been pretty good so far so I'll trust his judgement on this one. Ideally though I'd swap Nonda and Jeffers (Derbyshire does his role better) for Mido who seems likely to move away in the summer.

Agree with Four Lane on this one. As for the best partnership it's difficult to say for certain as we've never seen Nelsen and Ooijer together. One combination which I think doesn't work so well is Zurab and Ooijer, as both tend to back off rather than be 'in your face' players (like Todd) which allows our opponents to have too much space. To me it comes down to who we're playing. Against more physical teams I feel Todd would be the ideal partner as he's better at scrapping. Against teams that play more free flowing football Ooijer's better control and pace is preferable. Factor in that Ooijer can also play right back, something I wasn't convinced of until his recent spell at full back, and you can really see the need for both players in the squad. The chances of one of our three first choice cb's being injured, or either Bentley or Emerton being out (Emerton moving to right mid if Bentley's out) means that both will regularly be involved in the team. Of course we can't forget Samba and Zurab either, which shows the competition for places in defense is huge. It'll be interesting to see if Hughes lets Todd go in the summer if Samba lives up to expectations, as 5 centre backs barring an outbreak of injuries is too many. Todd is the logical one to leave as both his previous and age are not on his side. However with Ooijer out for the season, Zurab regularly picking up knocks, and Samba adjusting to life in the premiership, I'm glad we've got the dependable quality of Todd in the squad.

I'm resigned that players will want to leave us for bigger clubs but Neill just wanting to go for cash is very disappointing. He's been a cracking player for us as well as being higly versatile, and a player of his quality will be missed (especially with our injury problems). Bellamy's move was more palitable, as clearly it wasn't all about cash - though i doubt if good money was not available he would not have moved. Liverpool fans on the radio have been saying he's not good enough which imo is wrong - he's a very good if not top class player. As for us as said it's not a disasterous move - we needed a top class left back before anyway and Emerton on this season's performances can more than cope at right back. However with the small squad that we've got plus Ooijer's and Reid's injury we really are short of options for full backs. Hopefully Hughes will be able to sign at least one in the transfer window. You wonder had he not been booed whether he would have stayed since i believe that we made him a highly attractive offer. However the club could not really have made any more signs that he was highly valued, so Hughes is blameless on this one. The fact he won't let him go until we sign a replacement also shows that Hughes recognises that the squad is dangerously thin. Overall other than his bank balance and his agent it's not a great move for lucas and i reckon he'll move on again in the summer after wham are relegated.

With his woeful injury record any significant outlay for Dunn would be questionable and a huge risk. The club haven't loosened the purse strings much during Hughes reign so 500k let alone 1m IS a significant amount of money to our club. With falling attendences and looking like a midtable team thus not getting the revenue from having fewer televised games than last season, 500k plus on a player with Dunn's injury record is a questionable policy. Added to which all the bargaining chips should be with the buyer - he's missed loads of games through injury, he's out of contract in the summer and he's a rovers fan. With all this in mind anything over 250K would be questionable on such a fitness risk when the odds are stacked in the buyer's favour to boot. Remember the club also needs at least one new full back, another midfielder on top of Dunn and another good striker as Nonda hasn't quite done enough. All of which will cost money, which we don't have in abundance. Don't get me wrong I'd love to have Dunny back providing the deal was right. He's as good a chance of regaining his form and fitness at rovers as anywhere else. He'd be highly motivated, would give us some much needed creativity, and the local lad stuff would give the fans a boost, oh and he plays midfield where we are pretty short especially in depth. Emerton seems best at full back, Tugs is ancient, whilst Mokoena and Gally haven't really impressed or look up to standard for a while, and Peter is still learning the trade. That leaves only Reid, Pedersen, Bentley and Savage for the medium term, i.e. 12-18 months who can really be relied upon (although I'd be happy for Tugs to stay on another year or two on current form). With Reid injured, Pedersen being off form for much of the seaon it really highlights how important it is to get a couple more bodies into the midfield position. A fully fit Dunn would boost the options in midfield considerably. Another thing which hasn't really been mentioned is who else is out there who could do a job in centre mid for us? With not much money to spend, risk's like Dunn may be the best thing we can currently get - both in terms of price and availability. If there was an equally cheap, fitter version of Dunn available I'd probably opt for that but off the top of my head I can't think of any. (The Hibs midfield pair if we have the cash?) This coupled with the need to strengthen the midfield may well be the deciding factor on whether Hughes takes a gamble on Dunn. Our need for a midfielder may also weaken our bargaining power with Brum too, something which worries me is how they got 6m for Heskey. Overall Dunn at 1m might be the best we can get, but Dunn on a free/£250K would be an excellent piece of business.