Well, he did want to stay in the Lancashire area, can't really say I blame him for signing for Bolton. Allardyce has done well with players out-of-favour in the past, and it's a top ten Premier League club. I feel pretty certain it was the best offer he could get. Here's to Matty having a good game tomorrow, and to Blackburn trashing Bolton.

It all depends on who Sparky can bring in, if we get a quality partner for Bellamy and if Gally comes back a better player, I wouldn't feel too bad about letting Dickov go, with his age in mind aswell. (he could probably play until he's 45 though, mentality and pain-in-the-a$$ism doesn't fade away with age) However, having big-man Kuqi in our squad gives us a different dimension, so as long as he isn't in the starting XI week in - week out, he's more than welcome to stay if you ask me. (getting a bit ahead of ourselves here btw, let's see if we're still in the Premier League next season before we decide on the matter? )

Still think Kuqi will do the trick as a 3rd striker, coming off the bench in the last 15-20 minutes. Would rather see Dickov in the starting XI, he basically does the same job- just not the aerial bit. (which really only paid off once)

Clever move by Saha though, dummied a run across before pulling back, with enough distance to Todd to make it 1-0. However, as said above, Todd should have simply allowed Saha to run into an offside position. Personally, I think Zura and Nelsen is a better pairing, especially against strikers with pace. Zura has more pace than Todd, which makes him a better partner for the Admiral in my opinion.

Would've liked to see Peter on the bench, and Dickov instead of Kuqi upfront.. oh well, let's get them anyway.

Joey Barton probably won't..

I didn't really think of the testimonial as a fundraiser for Matt Jansen, I was thinking more in the lines of a fine possibility to say goodbye to one of my all-time heroes! Strictly selfish thinking, in other words

EDIT: Misread that, thought the article said "who has also impressed Spurs"..

On a brighter note, the highlights are out on RW.

Bit of a misquote there, Eddie?

That's simple, Rovers reserves has become more of a Rovers u20 after Sparky arrived. However, both Thommo and Todd has played a few matches, so I guess it's because the coaching staff believes the club will benefit more from playing our younger strikers (Jemal, Derbyshire, Barker, Garner etc.) for the reserves. EDIT: I truly hope Jansen can find his feet at another club, he's a fantastic role-model both on and off the pitch - and has given so much to Rovers and us supporters. I like your idea, Alan, show Matty how highly regarded he is - if it were up to me he'd get a testimonial.

P e d e r s e n

C'mon Tugay, sign a new one year deal. If he can play half as many games next season, he's worth keeping!

That's right, great 2nd goal against Fulham. He did make a bit of an arse of himself, with the way he left and behaved while playing for the club, but I don't think he deserves a mentioning in the same sentence as Ashley Ward and Kevin Davies. Neither does Marcus Bent btw, in my opinion a very underrated striker!

Disagree on Sukür, he had a few very good games for us. Bolton, was it? Class player, but perhaps not the person Souness was looking for

Yeah, since he didn't score against Burnley, he can't be good.

Pandiani joins Robbie Blake as a million pound give-away for poor Steve Bruce. As said earlier; couldn't happen to a nicer fella'. Going down, going down..

Exactly, and the few times he actually does beat his man, like the game against Leeds in the cup, it's worth it imo.

Agree about Bellamy, worst case scenario for me with Bellamy / Kuqi upfront from the start, and nothing to add from the bench. Friedel Neill, Zura, Nelsen, Gray Emerton, Savage, Thompson, MGP Dickov, Kuqi Subs: Lee, Mokoena, Bellamy, Bentley, Peter

Lee: What's wrong with the highlights on World? Is it working for anyone else?

MGP rested, according to Tromsø based Nordlys. "I will be rested for the match against Boro, but will be back on Wednesday" - Gamst Pedersen. Thommo or Bentley or Emerton as left sided midfielder then, I guess? (Surely Peter won't start..)

Don't want to spoil your fun, but I do think Grooby basically picks the players with squad numbers and remove the injured ones, it's not like he's all that likely to start because he's there! (correct me if I'm wrong, Lee) Carling puts fizz into Gray's play That explains the sloppy defending..! Friedel Neill, Zura, Todd, Gray Emerton, Savage, Tugay, Bentley Kuqi, Dickov Just a guess, personally I'd like to see Peter on the left hand side and Bentley/Jansen up front.. Bellamy for the bench at most methinks, unsure about Nelsen. Peter for the 16's please !! Oh, and 2-2, Rovers win in extra time. Bentley (21') Yakubu (23') Morrison (26') Dickov (68') Kuqi (104')

I see Gary Harkins has opted not to play for Blackpool another month, and is heading back to Blackburn.. Also, their player Ciaran Donnelly has returned from a 3 match ban. When did he sign for them exactly? 4 goals in a u20 match, 'the next homegrown midfield star', anyone know how he's been doing in the Championship? Garner is still just 17, but would you say his progress has stopped, Lee? (or others) As for Taylor, if we can get him or McEveley in as our new leftback come next season, I'd be delighted.

Well, we do have the call back-clause don't we?

Agreed. Was watching the 93/94 season review the other day, and you don't get them much better than that. The current Shearer, plus pace!