Didn't really get a reply to my wish for young Ben Watson of Crystal Palace. He seems like a really talented young midfielder, with good passing and a powerful shot - plus he's quite hardworking and knows how to put in a tackle! Would be a good addition to Thommo IMO.

Absolutely brilliant article! It also takes away a bit of my anger towards Ferguson and concentrates it towards that p**** Murray - which I like.. Eagerly awaiting an official statement from Mr. Ferguson himself, this time not through that moneymaking agent of his - I want a bloody good explanation of why he suddenly wants to go back. If so, I'll might forgive him for what he's done, but it should be a good one - a whole year's salaries while our captain goes injured doesn't really help his cause.. But I'm sad to see him give up so soon, even though it might be other reasons for him wanting to leave than just relegation struggles... He still hasn't played for a long period of time with a good partner and without injuries - he just hasn't proven what a player he could've become! But as said in the article, I'm sure he'll show off against Partick Thistle and in the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League.

Savage?? Come on, he hasn't even signed for us. Thompson or Toddy would be the obvious choices, I'd say Todd for his recent performances and for kicking back at his critics the way he has. He's really handled himself well under Sparky, and is arguably our most reliable player.

I'm sure they'll work their problems out somehow if Sir Souey comes along with his blank chequebook...

You're kidding?? Most highly rated footballer outside the Premiership?? I'm sure I could find around 50 players more "highly rated" in Europe.. Perhaps he was the most highly rated player in the UK outside the Prem, was that the original opinion..? Roverbath: I think you are wrong there, it doesn't say that at all. It says a 3 million bid was rejected, that 3 million bid included the deletion of our debt. (I'm sure someone can find a link) Sell him for at least £4m, or put pressure on him to stay. Spend the £4m on Ben Watson plus a striker, and use Thommo as our attacking midfielder. ??

I hope Moyes comes along.. up the bid, force Rangers into doing the same. (alternatively, sod off and let Ferguson replace Gravesen ) Either way, was sorry to see Barry turning into such a t***, but now that he has done it - good riddance. Thommo can replace him, as long as he stays injury free. Totally agree with whoever it was, btw, the thing McLeish said to SkySports about Blackburn not having much choice if Barry wanted to leave - is a disgrace. "I don't want to talk about other clubs' players" was the last thing we've heard from him.. then shut your mouth!

Thank's a lot, Barry. 7,5 million pounds, 1,5 years of wages to an injured player - captaincy, and then you sod off to play Dunfermline. Well, we've got Thommo, and won't miss you that much.

If Ferguson goes, we should at least get 3 million pounds - right? That's a minimum - even though Gers has said they don't want to up their bid, we COULD get a bit more.. In addition, we won't owe Rangers anything, which could mean some of those £2m+ could go to another signing.. ? IF this happens, I would like us to go for a quality striker. A cheeky bid for Robbie Keane anyone? Don't know if he's interested in moving away from London, but at least Defoe/Kanoute has begun to take control over the two places upfront.. my point is really, as long as Thommo stays injury free - he can take Bazza's place any day of the week IMO. However, he is injury prone - and without Bazza he would really be our only attacking central midfielder... well, Tugay... Therefore, a quality striker like Robbie Keane would've been brilliant....

I hope Crystal Palace stays up, if Southampton go down it wouldn't really be much of a miss IMO.. they do have a tendency to make it in the last few matches though, and buying Quashie from Pompey is a good start. (and obviously getting Harry Redknapp) If the Saints make it, I wouldn't exactly be sorry to see either Fulham or Birmingham go down either...

Great media handling from JW there, IMO. "In other words, Mr. Murray, if you don't raise your bid then **** off." Good attempt to silence the media, it probably won't work though - since the Scottish media seems desperate to get Bazza home to Scotland - but it's a good signal to Barry and his agent aswell.. Three hours ago, I was just disappointed in Barry, I really don't see going back to Scotland - even if Rangers DO play a match or two in the Champions League - as anything else than a step back. The Barry/Savage partnership sounds really exciting (still sure the Savage deal will go through) and think it will finally show how good Barry Ferguson is. Good example of Ferguson's class is the Scotland game against Norway earlier this year, he really dominated in midfield and kept possession great. He also delivered some great passes.. This was mainly because our (Norway) midfield totally lacked tenacity (right?) and I think Savage will help Barry break down the opposition in that department.

Erm.. Arteta out is a change right? Who has come in? EDIT: Dunnie would be great, but we need players who stay fit over 50% of the season. Besides, are you sure Mrs. Brady and Mr. Sullivan wants to give us both their CM's?

I wonder if United would've gotten the goal if it were the other way around..? Absolute disgrace..

Interesting to read the CharltonMad reviews... the writer hasn't seen the games, but still makes a "my view: vs Blackburn" article..

Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim !! or? Cuidado?

Robbie Keane and Jermaine Defoe... both 7 million pound strikers when they signed for Spurs? £3,5m pounds for Savage is ridiculous.. instead, put in a cheeky bid on someone else. Who? Don't know. But 3,5m...

Really optimistic there, Producer.. If we pick our best players we MIGHT get a draw.. Let's give MGP, Gally, Stead and McEveley 90 minutes - and secure our 3-0 win after two Stead goals.

Still, he played well yesterday. So if he can take off that little extra aswell.. Mind you, he wasn't skinny when he played himself into the England squad..

Friedel- Neill, Mokoena, Todd, McEveley- Thommo, Reid, Flitcroft, Gamst Pedersen- Stead, Gally Subs: Enckelman Jemal Nissa Emerton Dickov Anyone?

Just watched the game on TV, great result ! Important to get 3 points now, we'll get a breath of fresh non-relegation air from this hopefully... Pleased to see Stead get stuck in today, ran and created chances both for himself and Dickov + midfield up there. Lacks that goalscoring touch he had last year, but he more than deserves the place alongside Dickov for the next match IMO. Thommo also had a good match, clever balls and aggressive play on his right side of midfield - offered more width than Reidy has done IMO. Would as mentioned in a lot of threads like to see MGP get pushed in in OT, just to delay time and give him a small feeling of contribution to the victory! But won't complain more about it in this match, fully understand Hughes' decision to keep the players when battling to stay in front. Dickov worked his socks off again, troubled their defence as always. Emerton looked a bit out of position, some poor attempts to take on their rightback and a few poor choices. But a good goal, after a brilliant cross by Thommo. (why doesn't he take all our set pieces??) Flitty and Ferguson did okay in the centre, the ball wasn't in there much really.. battled well, which was the most important thing since we were in the lead for a change... Thommo, as mentioned, did well and should start in the next Prem match. Lucas in defence, was instrumental in keeping a clean sheet today. Some good tackles, some horrible tackles (Murphy coming through, and pushing Konchesky out of the pitch when the ball clearly headed for goal kick) and some good passes/runs and one horrible pass. (Rommedahl nearly getting a goal) Todd and Nissa solid in central defence, a bit nervous of Toddys dribling for a while there though.. finally, Matteo did okay at left back - against a Rommedahl with extreme pace. (thank god he's @#/? at everything else) Great win, up the Rovers! EDIT: Oh, and what a delightful sight - a Rovers winger that actually can put in a good cross!

I saw that coming, to be honest..

Robbie Savage? Yes please. John Hartson? No. I want a battler alongside Ferguson in midfield, and I believe Savage is one of the top ones in the Prem at exactly that. He's also a fairly skilled footballer in terms of passing and technique, which is why we are going to sign him instead of playing Flitty, or feckin Jon Douglas. However, a striker should be able to do more than brushing people away. John Hartson is a powerful striker, who scores quite alot of goals - in the EPL and 1.div mind you.. (no stats to prove it, might be wrong-just my recollection..) After seeing Steffen Iversen play for Vålerenga this season, I'm tempted to say that he's one of the best ones around on a free transfer.. he's been nothing short of brilliant, and also for Norway.. however, I'm sure he'll struggle with injuries and so on IF he leaves for a bigger league- therefore I don't want us signing him. (even though my impression of him has changed for the better to say the least) My point is really, Iversen is a playmaker, (at least he has been in the Norwegian league and for the national side) not just a powerful striker.. Hartson lacks other qualities, just like Dickov lacks some qualities. Hartson/Dickov - relegation scrap pair Stead/Gallagher or Bothroyd - top ten pair In theory, that is.. I'm not saying Dickov hasn't been impressive for us, it's just that he's that kind of striker. That's what I find a bit depressing.. But nevermind me, probably just the cognac talking anyway..

This match is so important, it is now that we HAVE to start converting draws to wins - because the league table are clearly starting to crack up... Manchester City 18 22 - 18 23 Bolton 18 26 - 26 23 Portsmouth 18 23 - 25 23 Newcastle 18 29 - 35 21 Birmingham 18 18 - 19 20 Fulham 18 20 - 30 18 Blackburn 18 16 - 30 15 Norwich 18 17 - 32 15 Crystal Palace 18 19 - 29 14 Southampton 18 18 - 31 13 West Bromwich 18 15 - 36 10 If Brum and obviously Newcastle wins, we're locked in a group of five-six teams with a gap up to the next ones... we need to get up with that group, or else we can expect one hell of a relegation battle for the remainder of the season. Newcastle 1 Rovers 2 Flitcroft 8' Kluivert 49' Stead 84' One can hope..

Agree, Dan. Flitcroft has done enough to justify a contract at the club IMO, however as a big-earner he might be offloaded or at least forced to take a paycut to stay. Yesterday, he combined well with Ferguson to stop their midfield trio from helping the solitary Bent upfront. Was glad when Everton put on Ferguson, that they kept playing with just one striker. It just isn't dangerous, when the runs from midfield are being followed with great discipline.

Who doesn't?

That's what I thought, Hasta.. I checked the official site, and it says two bookings in 14 starts or something.. thought he had more, but I'm sure Lee's got things under control!