Best game since his comeback even shading the Bolton performance. Yesterday, he was mobile, worked hard, tackled, made good runs forward and looked dangerous. I think if he had more of a license to roam forward, had we played against lesser opposition, he may have even scored or created more chances.

Great performance.

Still too early to judge him. We cant expect miracles. But the important first step is that he is (touch wood) staying fit and getting a run. Next season will be the time he can be judged.

Linked to Liverpool by the Daily Mail.

Not a bad extension overall.

Any word on a new contract for the great man???

We cant really say we had an unlimited budget under Souness.

I think net spending was very low under him. Considering all the sales we made during that time.

And the legacy players like Peacock, et al?

You dont win the League Cup, get us promotion and finish 6th if you arent a decent coach.

Maybe he isnt in the class of Ferguson, Mourinho, even Sparky in man management, but he was decent during his time.

Poor cameo from the Nonda.

Cant wait till Roberts is back.

Oh how funny that would be! For a guy who never was injured while with us, and he gets knocked up on his debut there.

Oh well, life after Rovers is usually downhill for most players!

Mcnamee with the winner. Didnt he used to play for us? I think him and Burton O'Brien came over to us a few years ago, right?

Starting his first game for them against Watford, seemingly in central defence.

Ooijer is out for the season. Where have you been?

Benitez has said that he did speak to Neill contrary to what Lucash has told the media and cant understand why he is not telling the truth.

Looking bad for you Lucash.

For me as a natural defender he is one of the best at the club. His tackling is good and he reads the game well and for someone with no pace at all, he rarely gets himself into a position where someone can get past him, unlike some of his younger teammates.

He was a class defender and still is. An asset in the squad in my eyes.

Savage said on his BBC interview that he was happy to be captaining us for the first time but that he looked forward to giving it to our captain Ryan Nelsen soon as he is a true leader.

So I guess that confirms it!

Im guessing thats the most likely scenario whereas he plays the reserve game then gets a run out in the FA Cup.

Ya translation of being wanted = The more you pay, the more you want me.

Ya I guess we didnt want to pay him the 45-50k he was looking for and neither did Liverpool.

Hughes gave him the captains armband, the fans wanted him to stay, his teammates too, the club was in a stable position, looking good in Europe, etc...

Yep, he wasnt wanted!

How is De Vita rated? Is he more highly rated than Derbyshire? What are the expectations of him?

Possibly the only ever player to return and not get booed then!

Cant see how he would have gained any match fitness over this weekend without playing so I think that pretty much rules him out of the Tuesday Watford game. However, if he plays a reserves game this week, if there is any, then he must be with a good chance to start in the FA Cup.

Has there actually been any player that hasnt been booed by the Ewood faithful on his return?

I think the main reason people will miss him if they do is because he has been at the club for a relatively long time and in todays world we like the idea of players sticking around at a club for 6-7-8 years rather than the now typical 2-3 seasons maximum which has become the norm.

guaranteed first team place ? with ALL of our players fit lucash, your not guaranteed a first team place at Ewood nor will you be at wham fc

Agreed with most of your post, other than that last bit. He was always a regular at Rovers, althought through merit. Im sure he will be a regular at West Ham too. I think he dug himself a bit of a credibility hole with his comments though.

I think if we bring a left back in we still will have enough cover, with the new guy, Gray and Jay on the left and Emerton on the right with Zurab at a push playing there although he hasnt looked that assured there. We cant have two players for every position cause it isnt an ideal world but I think if Emerton stays fit we should be OK.

Well, how many of us would say no to another company willing to more than double our wages? Yes we all are slating him cause he is only moving for more money, which is a shame. His excuse about Liverpool is a joke because no club GUARANTEES first-team football. Liverpool made a take it or leave it offer, well big clubs dont have to rub you too, their name is advertisement enough. Anyways, Im glad this saga is coming to an end. I honestly would have missed him more if he had moved to a bigger club cause of ambition, but with the way things have turned out, I will not be shedding any tears for him.

Good player, great servant, always committed, and the kind of guy you want on your side, but we will move on. Bigger players have left us in the past...