Lineups

Silly red card.. the ref didn't even see where the foul took place, which is terribly poor. It was clearly outside the box, and therefore I can't believe how the ref could see Zura being the last man either. Which he wasn't, and Cissè was on his way over the line. But okay, we're still square. Tugay off now, with Mokoena or Reid coming on? Perhaps even Emerton for Bentley? Too bad, I thought Dickov was doing well alongside Kuqi upfront.

I'd be happy with a point here, keeping the fine unbeaten record. 1-1 anyone? Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet are using a 1.60 bet on Liverpool as a banker in their "double" oddscoupon, with the reason "Blackburn has not won in Anfield since 1993" - my hopes went up a notch after that. We hadn't won at OT for a while either..

Any news on Garner these days, Lee? (or others) Not in the last two reserves squads?

No Jemal Johnson in the "likely squad" on rovers.co.uk? Should get a win here, will be interesting to see whether Sparky changes the formation without Savage. Could get Reid in though.. Could also put Lucas at right midfield, push Zura to right back and allow Todd to partner Nelsen. Bentley alongside Tugay should be a little lightweight though

Runaround.. Amoruso.. no way.

With Dickov, Bellamy both injury prone, and Kuqi being Kuqi.. doubt it. But if either Gally or Derbyshire returns in January, I'm sure Braveheart can get Jemal the last few months..

Okay, can someone do a vote? Zura? Zurab? Khizanishvili Khizzy? Jimmy? (roversmum) "That Sovjet Defender"?

Lee: The official site says that highlights are online.. But not from the League Cup right? Can't find anything on RW. Explanation needed

That would be Cuidado mate. Stay away

Not sure whether this have been mentioned, didn't bother to read through these pages of misery - but young Steven Taylor blames Bellamy for getting him his second yellow.. Pretty pathetic really, even though it was a cheap 2nd yellow - the dumb fecker was asking for it all game through. He clearly didn't manage to handle Bellamy, and should've been sent off earlier when Bellamy went past him on the right side. "Hey, Steven.. you know that red card? I have an idea! Blame Lady Luck!! Or.. no, I've done that already. Blame Bellamy then!!" Newcastle Champions(hip)!

I think Gally's been loaned out this season as one of his last chances, tbh. But he will get a look-in next season, or maybe even from January if we struggle. Remember, this is his first ever season with week in, week out football at senior level. EDIT: Oh, and Matty Derbyshire played 70 mins for Plymouth, before being subbed. Plymouth beat the Dingles 1-0. Jonathan Douglas played the entire game for Leeds, beating QPR 1-0 with ten men. Ipswich play tomorrow?

I think that's a bit harsh. Emerton didn't do anything in the 1st half, but neither did any of the others. 2nd half, especially after Bentley came on for the just as uncreative MGP, I think Emerton did well. Nelsen was outstanding in central defence, and looked comfortable alongside Zura. Matteo was painfully mediocre as always, whilst Neill was man of the match. Sav was allright, he got a silly yellow card, and his passing wasn't great, but at least he tried. Mokoena did well also, his long passes are actually very good. His short passing though.. Reid didn't convince me yesterday, tbh. Bentley was great coming on, he should really be starting next week. As for Jansen, his job was impossible. Worked hard, didn't get a shooting chance all day. Kuqi looked lively coming on aswell.. should've started in a game like this.

Would've been effing great to put a stop to that poor away form today. Come on, Grooby, give us the lineups

True. I guess a 4-4-2 could be in order, with either Bellamy or Dickov coming back from injury. Dickov/Kuqi seems scrappy though. I am a bit worried that Savage and Reid in central midfield will be a bit scrappy aswell, neither of them are great passers. Plus, Sav likes to run halfway across the pitch to chase the ball (or the player!) and that usually leaves a great space behind him. Which is kinda ok with both Tugay and Reid there, but if we have 4 men in midfield - it might be hardt. So basically, I want 4-5-1, at least if Bellamy isn't fit.

I'd say the whole West Ham game was pretty awful. I think Gresko has done well, especially the last game he came on. Worked out fine defensively, and obviously offer a lot more in the attacking play than Matteo. I would really like to see this lineup today, agree with the "Zurab for bench" crew above- even though I do not know enough about him to really agree. Friedel Neill, Nelsen, Matteo, Gresko Emerton, Reid, Tugay, Savage, MGP Kuqi or Bellamy or whoever fit.

Thanks for the update. You are welcome to do this weekly if you like?

I'll settle for Alan Smith, Lee, it's all okay! I get your point, but thanks for the info anyway. Don't agree with Dan on the goalkeeper's haircut though, every team needs an Abel Xavier imo.. EDIT: Yes, it was Michael Keir (checked the academy site) who talked to us.

Kevin Pezzoni profile German news thingy about Pezzoni These claim he is a midfielder, but I guess it's just a matter of Blackburn finding a more suitable position for him.

Cheers, Lee, very interesting news! Good to see Garner, Nolan, Treacy and Hodge take a step up, and especially considering their age. (Hodge is 18, the three others are 17, according to rovers.co.uk) How far do you think these players are from making the senior squad, Lee? When visiting the Academy last year, Michael (?) something showed us around, and when questioned about Joe Garner, he compared him to Alan Shearer in playing style and commitment. But I guess Garner is still lightweight for the top league? He doesn't strike me (from the roversworld footage, haven't seen him live!) as the type of player to bang in goals as a youth because he's big for his age. So I guess he has to have a lot of other qualities, which gives me hope for the future. I mean, what would be better than to get through a new Duff (Treacy? ) or a new Alan Shearer. I'd even settle for a new Chris Sutton..

Is it just me, or has the academy now brought in more promising youngsters than usual? New names coming up all the time, great news of course.. EDIT: Oh, and wasn't Kevin Pezzoni a big, goalscoring midfielder when he joined?

You're joking? Mokoena against the strength of Kevin Davies. That's suicide!

Well, Bob, the goal shouldn't just be to do a better job than Sven last night surely? Stuart Pearce sounds like a good, but very unlikely shout. Motivating players are, after all, a very big part of the job.. EDIT: In other words, it's a damn shame that Clough never became England manager.

So who do you want to take over for Eriksson then? Are there any English managers good enough atm?

The goals is now on PlymouthWorld.. I've only got RoversWorld unfortunately, so won't be able to see the goals. Anyone with the full package then?