Hmm...I wouldnt think we need Lucas to join Pool to free up funds. We havent even touched our transfer budget yet (rather spent the Bellamy money).

No Nelsen or Zurab. Could we push through a deal for Ooijer considering its a defensive crisis...Lets wait and see.

Utter rubbish. Hadnt seen such an inept performance for a long time. Actually last season at Fratton Park we were outplayed and dominated probably more than today but we had a fella who was a bit inspired that day.

Anyways, onto the main observations:

Lucas Neill in the first half was shocking. He was totally dominated by Benjani and the way he played, you would think he was trying to engineer a move out of the club this way. His body language wasnt good at all.

Bentley takes way too much time on the ball, and was muscled out of the ball way too many times for a central midfielder.

Reid is a very good central midfielder but just an Ok right winger. Doesnt have the technique to take people on and create things on the wing.

Gray was pretty good the whole game.

The amount of times that Mokoena let the ball bounce instead of clearing it early was unbearable.

Overall, we just lacked that spark. You couldnt see where we would create any chances other than set pieces.

And, the less said about Emertons woeful attempt of a shot off Benni's pass only 8 yards out, the better.

I personally wont blame the ref for much. Neill had it coming but the red on Todd was a tad harsh.

Gotta spend in my opinion and one center back wont suffice, as we need to strengthen in midfield too for sure.

Mokoena at right back really fills me in with fear.

I thought Zurab was going to be back by now. Disappointed by that, but no real midfielders on the bench. Looking forward to see Bentley play in the middle.

Nope. Its probably just an oversight. I could swear Lee mentioned in his name on the official site as available for the squad.

The Australian press is widely reported as quoting Emo saying that Hughes has told him that he will play him primarily as a right back this season.

Good news or what? I reckon so, as it would allow Lucas to play center back alongside Nelsen, or maybe its a contingency plan for if Lucas leaves.

If Neill were to do to noble thing and sign on the dotted line Like Reid and Nelsen before him, then that would, no doubt, be good news...

Which wing does Treacy play on and how good is he?

Which of the youngsters is closest to the first team do you think?

Cant see us winning as its a difficult place to get a result in. Last season was one of our worst performances of the season where we were outplayed and only got the point because two moments of genius by Bellers.

I am very excited about Bentley this season. He had it good last season in bits and pieces and in flashes was brilliant.

Obviously being moved around in many positions doesnt help but I feel if given the chance, he can do the Pirlo role for us, if he gets stuck in a bit too.

Glad to hear Lucas had a good game there again.

How did the rest of the boys play?

Interesting performance.

But a couple of things are clear now. Firstly, it looks like Bentley might be playing more at central midfield this season and Reid on the right.

Also, clearly Neill is being primed for central defence from the way pre-season has gone, and Mokoena possibly playing right back. Dont know how confident I feel with Axe over there.

Great to see Benni scoring again.

4th with the current squad is out of the question. But add two or three smart signings then I think we may just have an outside shot.

Otherwise our aim should be for a top 6 at least.

THANK YOU.

Since when has Huth become the next best thing? I dont give a rats if he is rated by big clubs and big coaches, as it doesnt mean anything! He hasnt played even 100 career games in my opinion. Has never been a regular at any level of senior football, and can be clumsy.

YES potentially he is a mammoth on the pitch, but come on guys. Nelsen has proven himself already.

Hmm the way I see it I want someone with the heart for the club to be captain. Some who is blue and white all the way through...

Yep I think they have fallen again by about 500-1000.

And show some leg for them too!

Sorry shilito, in theory your words might be encouraging, but in practice its not like that.

Sell your best players, and you will fall backwards, unless you replace them by BETTER players, not by MORE players.

The best case to point was after Duff and Dunn left and the players we replaced them with.

At the time, none of the gloom that we are now dishing out on those choices was being reported by any Roverite. We all were happy with Souness who was king. We had our best squad in a long time. We signed a player with a big reputation in Europe for only 2 million, etc...

But in retrospect all his transfers that summer failed and we fell backwards cause our starting line-up was weakened. The only success may have been Reid and that only paid dividends last season!

If he leaves it will be a sign of the lack of ambition from our part without doubt. And I cant believe that the club has no ambition, and wont believe it till I see it, esp coming off the back of a successful season.

Lets wait and see.

A load of crap if this is true.

What a blow.

Hmm either Lucas is really screwing us nicely for extra dosh, or he is afraid to come face to face with crazy Rover fans.

Haha he was probably afraid Orvil might stab him if he said he was leaving!

Is Orvil reliable?

Shot in the foot.

But its a double-edged sword. Even if this game were cheaper I dont see how it would revolutionize and impact our ST sales and attendances.