After the last few years of, at best, mediocrity, last night I found myself more emotionally attached to the club than I have done for a long time. Hughes is a very good manager. I look around at the other managers in the premier league and very few would I prefer. He is level-headed, tactically smart, calm and yet, very passionate. He has vastly improved our defense and is now looking towards the attackign side of the team. Many questioned his purchase of Bellamy, and his ability to manage him. So far I have seen nothing to suggest that Bellamy had the upmost respect for Hughes. Gone are the days when the players questioned the managers ability, gone are the days of regular bust-ups and gone are the days of wierd tactical decions. Hughes respects the cup competitions and I think he really sets his sights on Europe through the cups. Last night Hughes got it spot on tactically. Two of the three subs scored and, Kuqi in particular, turned the nature of the game. With Thompson back in the team and Tugay nearing the end of his career, this season could be quite emotional. He is getting the best out of the players - Reid (on last nights performance) and Neill in particular - and is gradually bringing back players like Thompson, not risking injury like Souness. He is building a charasmatic team with players the fans can feel excited to watch. In hindsight, I think the appointment of Hughes was an excellent decision.

What an amazing game - certainly the most exciting I've ever been to. There were so few fans there tonight that people were allowed to sit wherever they wanted - I chose the front row. I bet those who didn't go tonight are kicking themselves. It sounds stupid, but I can hardly remember the goals as I was just so caught up in celebrating. For the first, Kuqi slid it under Kiely, the second was an absolute wonder-strike from Thompson and the third was slotted home from fairly close range by Bently. Hughes exactly the right subs with Thompson and Kuqi both scoring and, Kuqi in particular, having a huge impact on the game. The secondd half was a real spectacle with the Rovers back four playing virtually at the half way line and reid spreading the ball about really well. Until the 73rd minute, all we lacked was the killer ball. Really hoping we avoid the big guns in the next round. Come on Rovers!! EDIT: oh yeah, and I touched Bentley's arm!

2-1 Rovers

In playing ability and style, yes. I was commenting on the similarity of his and Kuqi's playing career in that neither have played at a high level and both have scored a lot of goals in their respective leagues.

Everton? That is really surprising. Thinking about it a little more, he is similar to Kuqi in that he must be in his late 20's, has never played above championship / league one level and looks pretty over weight. I guess he could probably do a job, but like Kuqi, if he was good enough for the premiership after so many goals in the lower leagues, he would have been snapped up.

Another thought on the match - how utterly embarrasing was the drummer? Ok, he's stopped doingthe "get into 'em" chant every three seconds, but now he seems to be drumming beats on his own when nobody else is singing. It's an utter embarrassment. I also found it quite cringeworthy when our fans would start singing "shall we sing a song for you..." and "shhhhhh'ing" at the arsenal support, when we were probably ten times more quiet. I think this was further proven when the very same fans started singing "there's only six of us singing."

I agree entirely Brownie. Savage didn't have the best start to the season and I thought he was needless'y getting carded. Since then he has become a fundamental part of the team and has been excellent recently and with him in the team we can accommodate Tugay in the starting line up. Against Arsenal he was our best player and the only thing preventing Arsenal attacking.

Oh come on, Lee Trundle?

I'm sick of people defending players because they consistently play "ok." Surely we should expect more from a premiership player than a few good performances every year? Kuqi played ok, as he usually does. I don't think he can escape criticism though. I also think it is perfectly clear that AESF does not think any less of Kuqi because he is foreign. I think the first goal was less Todd's fault than the whole team giving Arsenal acres of space and hours on the ball throughout the first 10 minutes.

I am very surprised to hear people saying Savage was poor yesterday. I thought he was one of our best players. He was everywhere and won us the ball on numerous occasions. Sure he looked a tit, but that doesn't mean he had a rubbish game. |Without him in the team, Arsenal would have run us ragged. He was the only thing in midfield preventing their attacks.

First 20 minutes Arsenal looked like one of the best teams in the world and they were runnign circles around us. Fabregas, Henry, Pires, Reyes and Ljundberg are all good flair players, able to go past pretty much anybody. They are an exciting team to watch with world class players. Add to that Gilberto, Bergkamp and Van Persie and you are facing one of the world best attacks. To come back into the game the way we did in the first half after such a strong start from Arsenal deserves credit. We managed to stop them playing for a long stretch and their second goal was slightly against the run of play. The difference between the teams in the first half was that they had the quality to score, whereas we didn't. Although we did have a bit of bad luck with a few cleared off the line. In the second half they seemed to set out to defend and we had the vast majority of the possession. However, we just could not make the kliller ball. Nevertheless the team played extremely well in the second half. Their third goal was entirely against the run of play and a 3-0 scoreline flattered them somewhat. I thought Savage was our MOTM. Superb running and tackling throughout and was instrumental in holding Arsenal back in the first half. I thought Reid was also good in the centre and attacked well in the second half. I also thought that Thompson looked very good when he came on and full of confidence. Very promising as I thought Emerton was average again today. Thommo apart, today showed that the only outfield player with real class in our team is Bellamy. And a final thought, was it just me or did Cygam do the most blatant push in their penalty area in the first half? I couldn't believe my eyes when it wasn't given.

I could be wrong as I haven't really paid that close attention to the case, but didn't the case collapse because of a lack of evidence? That wouldn't necessarily mean that the girls were lying, just that they couldn't prove they were actually raped. Got to say though, the impression I get from this is that the girls became jealous when Ronaldo picked up another girl and cried rape.

I think some people need to get some perspective - not necessaily people on this board, but people as a whole. It is like Vinjay mourning as if a true hero had died when Eddie Guerrero, a bleeding wrestler, passed. Probably a good man, but not really deserving of such credit. Best might have been a good footballer, even a great one, but that is all he was. He ###### away his life and lived irresponsibly. I do not think his death is the huge loss many are making out. I certainly do not think he warrants any national mourning. Respect his footballing talents, but those who did not even know him can hardly grieve over his death.

2- 0 Arsenal.

Keane would probably be the perfect january signing for Real Madrid, if a move were possible. Otherwise, I cannot see Keane settling for another premiership team outside of the top three or anybody being able to afford him.

Goal was a great game too, but not in the same league as sensi - as I'm sure you'd agree. I could pick up SS or SWOS, play it, and enjoy it for hours and hours. I'm excited about this, but I hope they do it properly - as Bellamy says, there are some things better left in ther past.

I wasn't criticsing those that weren't going, just stating that I wish I could take advantage of it and that those going should not take it for granted. I also think that those in Blackburn should consider how lucky they are to have this offer in front of them and am trying to motivate them to go. I'm afraid there is a lot stopping me from taking it up. Currently I am studying in Canterbury and it would cost anywhere between £45-75 to travel PER WEEK, not including any evening matches, which I would also have to book over night accomodation. It would take 6 hours to get there and 6 hours back, taking up the entire day. I play football on Sundays and that would mean I would barely get a chance to do any work or see my girlfriend. Unless I moved considerably further north there is everything stopping me from taking up this offer.

Half a season of football, including some of the higher profile matches, starting at just £100? Those living in or near to Blackburn really shouldn't take this for granted. I really do wish I could take advantage of this offer. EDIT: sorry, thos eprices are for young adults, like me. Even so, £160 ain't half bad!

I know that this is an evening game in the south of London against one of the lesser appreciated premiership clubs, but I am a little worried about getting tickets. As I am not a member I do not get the opportunity to purchase tickets until Monday 21st november, whereas season ticket holders and members wil be able to on the 14th and 18th respectively. What do people think?

Ah yes, I didn't read the posts before properly.

22 years old and you managed to sneak in as a kid?

Jesus Tris, that was totally uncalled for - I thought it was a perfectly reasonable question. But yes, the Valley is extremely easy to get to. Once in London, I think it is one train to Charlton.

I agree fully that Jansen is not at his best, but I wouldn't agree that Dickov is in far better form. For all the running Dickov does, I never notice anything else. That is all there is to his game. I have never really seen him perform oustandingly, just steadily average, whilst missing some opportunities that I doubt Jansen, or the majority of the team would miss Don't get me wrong, I don't really feel sentimentally about Jansen anymore. I have accepted that he is past his best and that he hasn't got a future at the club, but nevertheless, I still believe him to be a better player than Dickov. Due to Jansen's undoubtedly low confidence, Dickov might be a better option in the short term, but an in-form Jansen with games under his belt would be a far better option in the long term and might prevent the need to splash out on a new striker in January.

I certainly don't think it immoral to criticise Jansen. I also think that Jansen should look to leave to get first team football. However, being told that I am stupid for even thinking that Jansen is a better player, from an illiterate child is too much. One thing is for certain, Dickov's aggression does not immediately make him a better player. Pre-injury, Jansen was far and away the better player. Since then he hasn't had the same opportunities or fortunes as Dickov and it's hardly as if Dickov has been great for Rovers. Personally I don't see the risk in trying Jansen out alongside Bellamy, as neither Kuqi or Dickov are particularly good players.

You're obviously a fool, I won't even bother arguing.