Well another three points for rovers as we continue our excellent home form. With 11 vs 11 it always looked like a rovers win, just after boros second equaliser I'd have snapped up a point. As it was rovers continue to show why we're challenging for europe with a very dogged display. IMO the first half went pretty much as expected. Rovers scored two classy goals, Bellamy and Pederson are invaluable to the side, and throughout we looked like we were going to win it. Rovers weakness in conceeding as soon as they score is really beginning to hack me off. It cost us against spurs and very nearly cost us again today. Mindy you I'm not too sure what Hughes can do when Neill (who was at his casual worst all afternoon) does such a dog awful throw, Zurab shockingly misjudges it and Nelsen gives Viduka far too much space. Even so despite this at half time I was confident that we'd be three one winners, maybe four if we got a bit more consistency. One other thing that annoyed me is Pongolle who I thought had a shocker. Too easily shrugged off the ball, his first touch was poor, and every time he turned the wrong way. Any decision he had to make he made the wrong one. How he wasn't substituted at half time is beyond me. The worst rovers performance Ive seen for a while and literally had me jumping out of my seat with frustration. Second half - what a pillock of the ref. The first was predictable - it looks as if he's gone in horribly, although Savage did get the ball - but how the second one can be considered a booking is beyond me. Savage had no time to react, his arms were, if not glued to his side certainly they weren't raised, and from that moment on the ref had lost control. There was no consistency in his bookings and several incidents far worse were dealt with much more leniantly. When Boro got their equaliser I thought they'd win. Gray again made his goal-costing mistake, managing to loose his man in a terrible display of marking. Amaturish doesn't begin to discribe it. Fortunately we've got Bellamy and rovers seemed fired up by the injustice of it all. It was a lovely pass from MGP and the finish by Bellamy was just awesome. If he had a top class strike partner 4th would've almost been a certainty. Then we defended grittily and prevented Boro from having any real chances. Very chuffed about this. Reid ran his socks off (and got MOM by teletext) and was one of our star performers along with our goalscorers, never giving the boro players any time on the ball. With regards to subs I was a bit surprised Emerton made way for the Axe (although unsurprised Mokoena came on) as Pongolle didn't really know what he was doing in midfield. Fortunately Bentley replaced him. Defensively with 10 men though it was as solid as performance as seen in a long time. Overall a tough game to get 3 points from, but one a top team would look to win. We did that despite playing with 10 men for much of the second half, a credit to Hughes and the lads. If we can keep this up we can make europe.

Good to see Lawro keeping up with his contradictions. Wasn't it only last week that he said that our league position was more a reflection on the state of the league rather than us, or something similar? Can remember this game last season - a very unpleasant afternoon - and the confidence displayed on this board shows how far we've come under Hughes.

I'm somewhat nervous about this one. Rovers are well ahead of them in the league, they've got to play a draining game in midweek, and we've shown some very optimistic signs over the past few weeks - including grinding out a win against Villa - that would've been 0-0 a couple of years ago, we're becoming more clinical. So it all points to an easy rovers victory, and we never do anything the easy way. Team selection is tough. What do you do about the right midfield problem? Also with the boro defence and keeper not liking Kuqi and Dickov's style of play it's really tempting to put at least one of them in the starting line up. What's happened to Zurab? Is he injured? Not seen him near the team for a couple of weeks. Or have I completely missed him going back to Glasgow? My team would be: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Gray, Bentley, Reid, Savage, Pedersen, Pongolle, Bellamy. subs: Mokoena Kuqi Dickov Tugay Enks The theory beind this is Boro have a lot of attacking potential and we need to keep it tight which Reid and Savage in the middle will do. Later when they tire before us, almost a certainty with our fitness levels and their midweek game, bring on Tugs to look for the space that will develop. I'd be very tempted to give Kuqi or Dickov a good 20 minutes or more too, as Boro really don't like playing against them and will really unsettle the defence. Ideally Dickov on first as his passing's better and will link up with Bellamy better. When we're 2-0 upwith 10/15 minutes to go, bring on Kuqi to make sure Bellamy's hamstrings don't go. Despite nervousness I'm going for a 2-0 win Reid and Bellamy scoring.

I'm still not sure how happy to be after yesterdays performance. Yes for the most part we played some neat football. The fact we clawed our way back from 2-0 down shows great mental strength and determination. The loss is somewhat soothed by some appaling officiating. IMO Nelsen's hand ball was a penalty but so was Salteri's. Keane's handball however and the throw in decision were farcial, and rovers can't be blamed for that. We lost it in the first fifteen in my oppinion. The start was poor, too many long hoofs up the pitch, which for Bellamy and Pongolle wasn't the brightest idea. This meant we had little possession, which in turn allowed Spurs to get their slick passing act together and kept the pressure on rovers. The fact there was some controversy about their goal is to an extent immaterial, it looked as though Spurs would score. After that Rovers matched and for many parts bettered Spurs in terms of play and possession. The goal we conceeded was unlucky. The free kick was dubious imo, and Keanes hand ball blatant. Having said that brad wasn't having one of his better days, the save should have been pushed away from goal; free kicks really seem to be his archilles heel. Also the defence should have been more alert and rushed back. Poor defending from rovers, although a great assist from the ref. Despite this I thought we would get a goal back. The inconsistent Pongolle missed a sitter, the worst miss I've seen for a while, before scoring a cracking goal at a vital time. Great assist by Bellamy. On the subject of our on-loan forward I'm still not sure what to make of him. A good goal and assist were countered by some poor moves, misplaced passes and general inconsistencies. He showed some good running off the ball but this was countered by some poor control at times. As a spurs mate I was watching it with commented 'for everything he gets right he does two things wrong' and I agree with the sentiment. He's young and will gain consistency to be a very good player eventually, but that's no consolation for us in the here and now. After that the second half we deserved to get one back. We battered them, and whilst the magical spark was missing from Tugs and Pedersen, we still created a few good chances. It was interesting to note that the Sav-Reid in the middle of the park partnership didn't have enough creativity, which is rather worrying considering that's likely to be our starting centre two next year. Moving Bentley inside encouragingly solved this but created a whole host of other problems; Reid is much less effective on the right - he can't cross, and Emerton is worse on the left. Rovers were damned either way and I suggest a right midfielder rockets up the priority list. On that note the corners were disgraceful until Savage started taking them. Reid's in particular was shocking and demonstrated why he isn't a winger. At this level we can't afford for them to be that poor, and had we done better at our corners we should have sealed the win. What really hacked me off though was the manner of the third goal. The next five minutes after we equalised were crucial. Granted Spurs seemed to buck up their ideas but we totally let our foot off the gas. Had we played marginally as well as we had the rest of the half Spurs would not have gotten back into it. As it was Gray showed why he isn't quite good enough being easily beaten and Friedel again was floundering in the goal. And who was marking Mido. Even so we had chances to get back into it, and really should have equalised. As it was we didn't. Fifteen minutes cost us the game - the first ten and right after our equaliser. For the rest we battered them, but the premiership and the race for europe is not forgiving. The good news is that there isn't much we need to do to be as good as anyone all the time. With a bit more creativity coming back from injury, a higher tempo start, more concentration when we score, and better corners and we'll be pretty much unbeatable. These are things which can be rectified, it's not like we need a whole new team or the fitness levels aren't there, and I'm sure Hughes will be working on them in training in the coming week. Which is why I'm confident that we'll sneak into Europe.

Good news, though hopefully the wages will be somewhat reduced. I still think that Rovers need a better left back to take it to the next level, but with Gray still with us it isn't the most urgent priority, and he's definately worth keeping as backup lb at least.

Chuffed with a much needed win. After the performance against Everton I wasn't too sure we'd pull ourselves together in time but after I tore a muscle in my back this weekend scuppering my plans of going to the game my confidence that Rovers would get 3 points rose dramatically. There seems to be a few plus points from what's been said, the most evident of which being Bellamy's much needed clinical finish in front of goal and the continuing emergence of Peter. Regarding the Tugay debate, I feel he is still a class player but other teams do target him as they realise he is a danger. And as age is catching up with him from what I've seen of him this season it appears he has less athleticism and stamina to cope with this attention. The trick for Rovers is to provide enough other threats as to provide Tugs with the bit of space he needs to work his magic. For Tugay to play well Rovers need to play well. As for Savage, I thought he was initially poor for us, but over the holiday period he was magnificent for us; he provides the disruptive influence to the opposition that all teams need and have really lacked in just one player since age caught up with Flitty. I'll acknowledge though at times he doesn't contribute attacking wise as much as I would like, but then that isn't his role.

West Brom i could just about accept but this is absolutly isgraceful. If we are to be a top 8 team we need to be winning matches like this, and winning well. 80 minutes with a man advantage in which we couldn't find a goal is seriously worrying. A couple of key factors, already touched upon: 1) Flair players, there's not many players who can produce something from nothing except MGP, and Tugs. Tugay is getting a bit too inconsistent and imo Pederson was badly missed today. Another flair player is needed badly. 2) Competition for places. There isn't enough. If Gray could be dropped for poor performances, or some of our midfielders, then I'm sure that the effort - be it lack or badly applied - would smarten up. Most teams around us seem to have slightly bigger squads with a higher quality level, something I feel we need for bringing on when things aren't working/to change it around, and give players the kick up the backside. 3) On this note, one place we can rotate is centre back/right back. Zurab should be in to give the others a kick up the backside (probably at the expense of Todd) what with our recent defensive record. I realise funds are tight and we are a small team but if we are to proceed I firmly believe that more investment is needed. Even if funds aren't excessive, what with Hughes eye for a bargain, I'm sure the money will go far. We've become a midtable team - it's official - great one week crap the next. On the positive side I suppose that's better than relegation candidates and that progress takes time, sigh.

Quite worryingly at Boro is the number of tempermental players that he has signed, not in the violent sense but in the 'bothered' sense. This is fine if people are fired up but really works against you in a relegation scrap. This combined with boro's apparent attitude at the moment doesn't suggest he's much of a motivator. On the plus side he has brought some good youngsters through and has had some international experience with england. Even so you wouldn't want him at ewood, he's spent a lot for not very much, and Boro really should have done better with the resources they had even before you take this season into account. How the FA can consider someone who looks like he's getting a team that really should be too good to go down in terms of talent and squad size, for a top post is laughable. In fairness to Macarone he did look ace in the under 21 euro championship or the like, but this is hardly a one off incident - Ricketts springs to mind amongst others.

I'm not so sure we'll sell him, especially as we don't really have another out and out right midfielder. Bentley plays in the hole, Reid is better in centre mid and Tommo has now got the boot. All of which makes me think that he'll stay on. A big factor might be the emergence of Peter as Emerton until then was the only other feasible cover for MGP and the left midfield job. Even so I'm not convinced Hughes will want to get rid of him, especially as a fair few others will be going out in the summer and there's only so many signings that are available and/or that Hughes can make. I don't think he'd be offered a new contract though.

I have to say even for Brum the move for this Campbell really surprised me. When reading the headline Birmingham snap up Campbell I assumed it had to be Kevin from WBA, or failing that Wenger having lost the plot (or not after last night's performance) and sold Sol . As it was it was DJ Campbell who's not even had a full season in league football. To me this is a bigger gamble than Stead, as the guys not even proved himself for a full season in league one. Besides 2 goals vs Sunderland is hardly the last word in sensational. Ok I know Stead kept us up, but look at how he's doing now. And the chances of someone 'doing a Stead' and coming up from the lower divisions and getting a fair few goals is even less likely now imo. Sutton seemed an excellent tactical move by Bruce, but it's good to see him reverting to form with this signing.

Hmmm at first I was absolutely gutted when this happened, give Souness a bit longer and they'd be well and truely stuck in the mire. As it is a new manager still has enough time to turn things round, or at least steady the boat. Added to which most clubs go through a honeymoon period when a new manager comes in, regardless of who it is. Even Kidd had a bit of one with us as I recall. Having said that a Shearer/Roder combination for the time being is not too bad news. It's not exactly a partnership brimming full of tactical nous. Nor do they strike me as being able to discipline the more wayward elements of the club. Added to which they've still got the same players to work with, and the likes of Boomsong, Babyaro and Bramble don't strike me as a good enough defence. Nevertheless, I expect that they'll probably hover about where they are now for the rest of the season then in comes Sven on an even dafter contract than his England one. Hughes is far too sensible to take up the Newcastle job, indeed it's hardly much of a step up. I'm not sure that with bolton doing as well as they are that Allerdyce would go, although the man that is loyal personified at the 'big club' brum may be tempted now the goign's getting tough, and I doubt that the brum board would stand in his way.

I noticed that too, funny it coincides with us beating manure and other media sources beginning to say a few complimentary things. Didn't have much to say when we doing alright earlier on in the season. Ever one to jump on a bandwagon when he spots it.

Still think Rovers and Gav can win this bet. We've still got Liverpool to come, which will be very likely to be moved, as well as Manure who will sell out their end. Wigan seem to be sliding down the league and loosing fans as they do so. If their form continues to slump they won't be pulling the crowds as they won't be challenging for europe and won't be near relegation - arguably 'meaningles' matches - which will deter attendance. If our form continues however a top 6, or more likely a top 8 spot is well within reach hence generating a greater interest amongst fans.

It's really not looking good for the big club. Boro will stay up they've got a heck of a lot of talent and have put on some stunning displays this season, against United and Arsenal for example, as well as some shocking ones like the more recent Arsenal game. Also if they get their injuries sorted it could help a fair bit too. Brum don't have the potential imo to produce such performances. If they do there's been no evidence of it this season. I really though WBA were going to get relegated but they too have started putting in some good performances recently Spurs and Wigan amongst them. As for Pompey they've got enough cash to see them through. Woryingly for Bruce he needs at least 2 of the three teams mentioned to have a slump in form. The chances of that happening are very slim indeed

Is he playing up front or in midfield?

Maybe a tad harsh, although I think Neill is better than you make him out to be. (Admittedly he hadn't always produced the type of form he was capable of.) I'm not trying to make out that he's bad I just don't think he's exceptional as the other three - arguably four with Zurab are. I acknowledge that he's good and I'll admit age does come into it, were he 24 say, with room to imrpove on his good ability and form, then i'd be more than happy to let him develop up to the level of the others. Not top of the list for replacing by any means, a new striker and Tugs replacement come first.

Blackburn really could be a good side, but there are just one or two players who simply aren't good enough, and I'm quite willing to name names: Steven Reid Michael Gray Andy Todd Shefki Kuqi Now I'll grant you that Gray isn't in the class/form of our other 3 defenders )which includes Todd) that is to say excellent, and ideally we want someone at the same level as these three are performing, however Gray is doing well and is a good rather than excellent player. Is he good enough - look at our defensive record. Ok I'd like a new younger improved left full back but to be honest Gray is more than adequate cover based on recent performances. Saying he's not good enough is laughable based on the fact he hasn't let us down. There is a difference between the ability to improve and being good enough. As for Todd he's been one of main centre backs in what has been an excellent defence. I don't understand how he can be not good enough. Kuqi, name a third choice striker you'd rather have for his wages/fee. Granted he shouldn't be main striker, but is he good enough for a place in the squad - easily as boro will testify and he gives us an option that no one else does. Yes we can improve in terms of a second striker to partner Bellamy but Kuqi has more than justified his signing with some crucial goals. As for Reid, for what it's worth my oppinion is he's worth his place in the squad and is good enough to be one of three rotating central midfielders, for the following reasons. 1) Look at how much he has improved under Hughes - from playing everywhere uncomfortably to looking like he actually belongs in the position. 2) He's still time to improve and based on how much he has already, that's encouraging. 3) There are games when his style of play is much more needed than Tugs creative flair (and vice versa). Look at when he came on against Manure for a very recent example, he made us a lot tougher in midfield. 4) Some performances recently he's been fantastic, as good as anyone imo - Pompey 1st half and Wigan 2nd half are examples. Keepijg it up for 90 minutes is another matter though. 5) Tommo's shooting as well as one or two others is equally erratic and not been highlighted. Theres much more to Reid's game then just shooting - unlike for example MGP who seems to provide mainly goals but little else. In this respect the pair compliment each other in the team. I don't think we should see him as a replacement for Tugs rather as a different option that the manager has available. In these terms Reid is certainly good enough as the dependable workhorse midfielder. I notice all the players play unattractive games. Todd, Kuqi and Reid can sometimes look unpleasant to watch, yet this does not mean they are doing a poor job. For more 'attractive'/skillful footballers such as Bentley and Emerton for example it could be argued a lot more strongly that hey don't pull their weight and aren't not good enough.

Bellamy out is a blow but arguabley this is a game we can afford to miss him for. I'm sure Bellamy would've been very keen to show souness and shearer what he can do though. As it is Newcastle don't like physical forwards and I've never seen such a jittery defence, so Kuqi and Dickov should have a field of a day. My main concern is how many players will have an eye on the semi final and thus not be playing flat out. Even subconciously I'm sure such a big game must have some affect on players in this game. Hopefully everyone will play out of their skins to cement their place in the team on wednesday, but it could also have the reverse effect. I'm thinking rovers should really win this one, even at their best newcastle are an unbalanced (if talented) team, and with the amount of injuries they have they shouldn't have too much to offer. Even the in form Given shouldn't be able to stop us winning it. However this really, really must be absolutely Souness's last chance, any later in sacking souness and a new manager won't be able to shift in or out any players. So very concievably this could well be sounesses last game, which is a tad worrying to say the least. Every time he should get the boot he somehow manages to avoid it, he's been in the last chance saloon so long they're thinking of naming the bar after him. With Souness teetering on the edge the chances of him getting a result must be magnified and the chances of another lucky escape must be pretty high. Coupled with a semi-final appointment next wednesday for us I can see it being 1-1 with Dickov for us, Shearer for them, and Souness somehow avoiding the sack for a bit longer.

Reid back in the side and puts in a magnificent engine room performance to make it 1-0. Bellamy works his socks off knowing he has a holiday booked next saturday 2-0. Bring back Emerton for the inconsistent Bentley and Reid in for Tugay. It'll be physical and lets wait till the gaps start opening up before sending Tugs on to do his magic. Todd and Nelsen as centre backs as more able to cope with the physical side of the game. Think this is Kuqi's type of game but he wasn't that great against manure. It's a tough one which striker to leave out. I'll leave Dickov on the bench as he'll be needed more next saturday and wednesday.

Agree. Surprised no one else has mentioned this. Nelsen as captain - I personally think he would make a better captain, in terms of consistency and personality as others have mentioned, and the fact he's automatically first choice what with the performances he's been putting in. Todd not good enough to be captain is wrong, he is good enough especially based on the past 2 seasons. Take as an example Tugay. I think people have forgiven him having an imaginary friend and rovers stuck with him because of his performances in the long term for rovers - form being temoprary class being perminant. However ther is a storng case of their being someone better - Nelsen. However it'd be harsh to strip Todd of the captain for doing nothing wrong. Another headbut blip and it may be justified but at present he should on balance remain captain. Todd not good enough to be in the team??? He was awesome vs United, he's been decent all season with only one or two minor blips. If that's the not good enough criteria theres a whole host of players who've had a dodgy game should be shipped off to siberia - bentley, emerton, kuqi, tugay, reid, neill, gray, dickov...

Can see why he has signed for bolton, prem team, managers rep with damaged goods, stay in area, and the absolute and final last chance at premiership football. Having said that I'm not sure it's a good move with Boltons style of play and the fact he won't be first choice. He'd have been much better moving down a division and regaining his form that way. This way it'll be a lot harder, the odds of him succeeding are minimal and it'll most probably be a waste of another 6 months for the lad. To be honest Hughes knows about strikers, his judgement on Stead nad Kuqi for example went against popular trend, so if Hughes doesn't think he's good enough anymore, then I'm happy with the decision to let him go to anyone, it won't damage our chances. How many cheap strikers are there out there? Not many and Bolton need to boost their squad numbers what with the African Cup. As a pus fo us it also frees up a bit more wages for Hughes to play with. As it is I hope it works out for Matty, even at Bolton, though preferably not at our expense. Hopefully he'll begin to regain his form and someone else will nab him off Bolton at the end of his short term contract.

I'm still not entirely sure what to think of the game, aside from shoutimg myself hoarse. Disappointed that we didn't win based on the first half display, relieved we didn't loose based on the second. At times we really weren't at the races, but then niether were united who for all their possession and attacking dominance in the second half produced few threats. Have rovers failed to capitalise on a poor manure performance and thier chance to win the tie, or should we be encouraged united showed so little when offered to them so readily? Tugs, Kuqi, and Bentley were all disapointing. Kuqi was out of his depth but that wasn't too surprising, Tugs had one of his offdays which was gutting, and Bentley was just far too inconsistent. Worryingly we gave the ball away too much, and when bellamy did break no one was fast enough to get up the field quick enough to support him. On the positive side the defence however did well. Gray struggled for pace with ronaldo, but made an excelent defensive header to a dangerous cross as well as a few other nice moves. The rest of the defence was fairly solid, and bar the goal are centre backs handled United well. A big improvement is needed if we are to progress to the final, but rovers are capable of playing much better than that. And at 1-1 we are by no means out of the tie.

Cheers. Wasn't aware of it and can't remember reading/hearing about it anywhere before. Does it count for any part of the ground? Can you swap stands? ST looking more and more attractive.

Fantastic report well done to all those concerned. The biggest issues for me as a potential ST next year when have job and income (hopefully!) would be: 1) Being able to change your seat if you bring a friend. Ususally go with family but if were going with other people - which happens to 3/4 games that you can swap seats to sit with them. 2) Student tickets/University and college discounts - baffling why individual young person/student tickets aren't available. I know for a fact that a fair few of my uni friends would be interested in joining me if the prices were a bit lower - even before the Hughes revolution. 3) Parking. Woeful. It must cut down on the older age of support in particular. 4) Singing areas would be nice and help generate a better atmosphere. Aside from this the reasons for declining interest in football sky, matchday prices, lack of competition and players taking fans for a ride are all sentiments I heartily agree with although not too sure what club can do about them.

Similar problem, although have got ticket in the end. For games like this you need a previous history of buying a ticket. Now since I normally go as a family my dad books the tickets, thus despite going to most home games and a couple away each season for absolutely ages I've no history on the database. When I go with mates it's normally on the spur of the moment to less attractive games, paying cash and getting the ticket an hour or so before the game. Hence despite same surname and postcode they weren't altogether convinced, and in the end I gave the phone over to my dad (thankfully he was working from home) and I can pick up the ticket if I've got a letter of authority from my dad. A lot of hassle. Also it's annoying that I won't have a history for getting tickets to other high demand games if my dad doesn't book the tickets for me, which is becoming the case on a more regular basis.