I'm shocked to see people doing so well with Rovers. The squad is useless. What I am even more shocked at, however, is how somebody with Roberts stats could score 16 - 18 goals on the game. For me he was useless, as was most of the team, Benni aside.

OH MY GOD! AMAZING NEWS!!

I'd have to say that I agree with Joey. When playing Tugay in the centre we need a ball winner and, right now, the Axe is the only one available.

I've always been impressed by Gallagher's technique. I think he could be a very handy player on either the right wing or up front.

Newell is a funny, funny guy. I like him a lot!

I wouldn't be surprised to see him move to Arsenal. I would be more than surprised to see him at Rovers! Don't get me wrong though, I would be absolutely ecstatic if he were join us. He is still a top quality player and capable of playing for one of the worlds biggest clubs.

This game is miles better than 06, but why do Rovers have to be so ######?! McCarthy is very good, but the rest of the team is poor. My main complaints are: 1) Hardly any players appear when you do a player / staff search. 90% of them will be based in England! It makes buying players very difficult. Maybe the database just isn't as big as the past games? 2) Players seem ultra sensitive - you could be the manager of a conference side speaking of your respect of Alex Ferguson and the team will question whether you should be praising other clubs and become unhappy. Actually that's all I can think of right now, which shows just how good the game is. Good players to go for are: Pocognoli: Very good, young left back who can also play at left wing. You can pick him up for between 350k - 1.5m Vanden Borre: Just as in the previous games, he is amazing. He plays at right back. Will cost between 1.5m - 2.5m. Silva: (can't remember his first name, but he plays in Portugal) Described as a "wonderkid." Good stats and will become amazing. Costs 6.8m every time.

Now I'm not a fan of horror or gory films - in fact, I really don't like them at all - but even I could see just how appauling Hostel is. I recommend people stay well, well away from this piece of garbage. I can't believe I wasted my night sitting in watching this crap.

Pretty poor first half from Rovers, but credit has to be given to West Ham who were extremely successful in stiffling Tugay and not giving us a second on the ball. We barely created a thing. Second half we were the vastly superior team and really took it to them. 2 - 1 was not a fair reflection of the game. We deserved a draw. For periods as long as 5 - 10 minutes West Ham were penned in their own half and barely crossed the half way line. I think Peter is a much beter all round player than Gamst and I was really impressed with Gallagher's late appearance. I think he should play a larger role in the team considering our injury problems.

Going to see Modest Mouse now as well. Really excited. Will be awesome to see Johnny Marr as well.

YES!! Got tickets to Idlewild in Portsmouth! Bit of a trek but the only one of three venues that hadn't sold out. Absolutely ecstatic. I've been to a fair few gigs and to a few bands that I really like. I've even been to see Morrissey twice, which was amazing. Yet I've never been more excited about a gig before. I actually feel privilaged.

I've been away for a week and was wondering if somebody might be able to give me a quick summary of the match against Sheffield United. It would be very much appreciated as the thread has grown rather long

I'd have to say that I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw we'd sold him for 2.5m. I don't know if you are aware, but we bought a proven Champions League striker in Benni McCarthy for just 200k more. Let's not forget also that we signed him on a free. Kuqi did a job for us and we will be thankful for his efforts. He is a good impact sub, but offers little as a starter. His control is poor and his shooting isn't great, but i think he will score goals in the Championship due to his physical presence.

So is Nonda currently free from injury? Do people think it likely that he will start against Sheffield United? Hughes brough Ooijer straight into the team, I wonder if he'll do the same with Nonda.

Like McCarthy, Nonda had been linked with Rovers over a prolonged period. This makes me think that Sparky thought highly of him. If he can replicate that goal scoring record in the premiership then we will have an excellent strike force. He has great pace as well as height, by all accounts, and will give us more options up front. In defence, now that we have kept Neill, I think we have enough cover at left back and with Ooijer coming in we have good cover for centre back and right back. I am sure he will come good. As for midfield, I fear we are dereft of quality and depth. I have not been convinced by either Bentley, Reid or Emerton on the right over the last few seasons and felt we really needed to bring in an out andf out winger. Also, in the centre, with Tugay out, we lack creativity and we also lack players that can make a run into the box and support the attack. I think this was the kind of player we really needed to bring in. However, it has to be remembered that Hughes has spent relatively little, yet brought in some class players. It would have been nice to bring in some more, but maybe Hughes just couldn"t find anybody good enough and at the right price. On top of this, we have signed Reid, Pedersen and Nelsen on long term contracts. Not a bad summer when you look back on it, but I do feel we have slipped behind a number of clubs.

2.5 million?! I still feel like I'm dreaming!

People seem to be disputing the Chelsea penalty. I can't understand this for a second. It was the most blatant penalty you will see all season. What you should feel aggrieved over is the fact that teams seem to be able to get away with it over and over again. I reckon that if Clattenberg were to ref again this season and Terry or Carvalho manhandle a player like Ooijer did, then they'd get away with it every time. I don't really blame Ooijer for the penalty though. He is probably used to getting away with what he did week in, week out for PSV and, judging by the refereeing at the world cup, for Holland as well. The second goal, however, he should never have let Drogba just waltz alongside him. It looked more like Ooijer was trying to get Drogba to do the tango that make a tackle! On top of that, a few times when a passback or a header back to Friedel was on, he got caught in two minds. I think this is because he needs to settle in the team. I don't knowe how good his English is, but he nneeds to develop an understanding with Fridel and Zurab / Todd / Nelsen. I think Ooijer needs a commanding presence next to him, like Nelsen or Todd. Zurab is a good defender, but he isn't the commanding type. Tugay will be a creative enigma, but even more vital I feel is to have an attacking midfielder to link the attack and midfield and drive into the box. Maybe If Bentley or Gallagher were played in the centre? I think this is a good point. I agree entirely over Roberts, and McCarthy's work ethic is to be questioned, but the difference between the two for me is that McCarthy possesses genuine class. For all Roberts presence, physical attribute, heading ability, McCarthy can undo a team with a single touch. I think for that reason, and for his good goal scoring record at the highest level, that he will be a superb signing for us.

I think the only thing that I disagree with, and it's only a small thing, is that I thought the forwards worked well enought today, but were completely cut off and isolated from the midfield. I don't think Reid and Savage had bad games, but playing them together limits our attacking options and they lacked vital support from the centre. Often McCarthy tried to do too much by dribbling through a mass of players, trying a killer ball, or a little flick, but there was rarely anyone in 5 miles to help him out. I don't think we need Tugay back as much as we need an attacking midfielder.

Our attack was just isloated from our midfield, the gap between them was huge at times. I don't like playing Reid and Savage in the middle. There isn't enough attacking intent or creativity. We need to either buy a new central midfielder that will support the attack and for Tugay to be fit. Ooijer was verydisapointing. He should never have let Drogba score the second. Hopefully he'll pick his game up. He looked distraught at the end of the game.

2 - 0. A decent enough performance, but the quality of Chelsea will show.

Those locals complaining about the price should look at the prices those long distance travellers have to fork out every game. If I lived further north, I would sure as hell be at every Rovers game, even at £36. As has been said, on the basis of last season, we are the countrys sixth best team and we are playing in Europe. You cannot blame the club for raising their prices.

Seeing as this is not the first time that Thatcher has done this, he should be facing a seriously long ban. I think somethingin the region of 10 - 15 games would be appropriate.

Absolutely gutted. Not gonna be able to make this one

So what do people know about FC Salzburg?

Have to say that the arguements over Reid seem a little silly. As far as I'm concerned, if Reid were carrying an injury that could hamper how he played when we had Bentley and maybe Mokoena that could play in the centre, then Sparky would have the sense to not play him. Furthermore, if he was obviously being hampered during the game by an injury, why did Hughes bring Bentley off as opposed to Ried? In fact, why did he leave Reid on the full 90 minutes? In regards to Todd, I thought he had a good game up until the Everton goal where he made a horrendous misjudgement of the flight of the ball and the position of McFadden that no centre half should ever make. By all accounts, he did not play well at Pompey either. Don't get me wrong, I like Todd a lot, but nobody that is underperforming, two time player of the year and captain or not, should be beyond dropping. If Zura remains fit and Ooijer is half the player he is billed to be, then that should be our central partnership for Chelsea. Theno, Ooijer is first choice centre back for Holland and PSV where he is also captain. I'd say that is enough to base an argeument that he must be in our starting line up.