What a frustrating afternoon. We should have won this. We had enough chances. Emerton's sitter a couple of minutes before they took the lead set the tone. Dont get me wrong, I dont think we played well. But we did more than enough. A few players to pick out: Dickov played well in the second half. He won several free kicks, ran down the channels beating the offside flag several times, forced one good save from Crossley and had another narrowly go wide, both in the last 10minutes of the game. Bentley showed some good touches but doesn't influence the game enough for me. I am not convinced about him. Emerton continues to flatter to deceive. MGP was fitful. A few moments but nothing sustained. Not as good as last season. He looked like he limped off to the dressing room. Todd also a little wooden at times. On this form, not the same player as last year. Tugay again flitted in and out. He still has so much vision, so much time on the ball but he seemed to be directing play from very deep. The linesman on the same side as the team benches was awful. His good decisions were very late. One which stopped Dickov in his tracks after he'd rounded the keeper, nearly missed Chrstimas. Sadly, this chap who looked like Gen Sir Michael Jackson, the chap who runs the army with the baggy eyes, delivered too many bad decisions, both for them and us. Two of their players stood out for me - Boa Morte and Papa thingy. All in all, frustrating.

Thoughts at fulltime. Curiously I rather enjoyed that. A few thoughts in no particular order This was a good performance by Rovers. This is possibly the best team in Europe at home and highly motivated against a club they clearly wanted to sort. I think Mark H's dismissal was strangely influential. I dont understand why, but sitting high up the Shed watching the game it was as if the team lost their shape and coherence. That and the unfairness of the Cole deflection did for us. We could still have scored, indeed nearly did but those two incidents seemed important. I think Gray did well. I much prefer him to Matteo. I'd be happier with Nelson rather than Todd. Their penalty was a penalty, a poor tackle by Todd. MGP had a poor game. I am surprised he was booked. He seemed off the paste and so kept mistackling, often from behind or the side. Kuqi won so many headers today against both their centre-backs. Frequently they fell to Bellamy. But he didnt do much more than that. We missed four good chances in the second half. Four times we ripped open their back line with good, incisive play. Bellamy looked good. But he needs a classy partner. They sent on Robben and we introduced Dickov. Oh well. Emerton drives me mad. Clearly fit, powerful and capable at times, he flatters to deceive. In the last ten minutes, when the match was not over, he wasted several good positions. He either just stopped when given the ball or lost possession. I dont like saying this but I think he should be dropped and off-loaded. Tugay was solid. Too often the midfield stood still when in possession. If only they would play give and go, or there was more movement around. We would be much more threatening. I wasnt impressed with Mokoena. He deserved a booking - shocking tackle. He laid-off several simple passes, usually square. So-so. The 'Blackburn Cathedral Choir' were in good voice in the Shed. Mike Riley was shocking. Too many cards, too many whistles. Very disappointing. All in all an eventful Premiership afternoon. Finally, I remember last year. For me the low point of the season. This performance shows how much we have progressed. I still think two more good signings, and that progress should see us climbing the league. Living in nearby SW13, at least I will be able to look my Blue-nosed neighbours in the eyes this time.

Manchester Blue - you are right. I didn't mean Neill. Sorry. I meant Matteo. I am not his biggest fan but he seemed solid.

Two days later, I am still not sure about some aspects of Saturday's game. I think the media has gone over the top about our supposed hooligan ways. However, I think they have a point. Mark Hughes has done an amazing job - he shored up the defence, installed some battling pride and minimised our short-comings. I am deeply impressed by him. The club feels in safe hands. However on Saturday the passion, the willingness to battle went too far several times. This is not a stats issue. I saw, like others, that the second semi yielded more fouls. This is about tone. As the match progressed from Flitcroft's first minute tackle, through Thompson's ridiculous 'tackle' I felt increasingly uncomfortable. By the time Todd collided with Van Persie, it was inevitible some would put the worst possible spin on the incident. Clearly I saw Arsenal commit fouls. I am not blind. But we did appear brutal too many times. It felt as though we couldnt make a single tackle without leaving a boot in, catching a calf, showing studs, pulling a shirt. My mind turns to the Chelsea game. Then we seemed hard but fair. On Saturday we seemed just harsh and clumsy. We need to tone it down just a little, a few degrees. Meanwhile, Friedel and Reid played very well. Mokoena, MGP and even Neil were good. Much to be pleased about. I appreciate I am a minority on the board but please respect these comments. They are sincerely felt. The one thing I am looking forward to is the close season. I am confident on what I've seen so far that Mark Hughes cannot only good signings but also get the best of out them. A new striker or two would transform this team. Dickov is good enough to keep us from relegation and for that we should be grateful but he's not good to get us into Europe, which should be our ambition. Next season we can move forward - both in the way we play and also our position in the league.

As the Sky Prem Plus anchor says, not a classic first 45minutes. But .. after that poor goal, we've more than held our own. Not totally convinced by this 4-5-1 but it seems to be working quite well. For reasons I dont understand, always more difficult to decide on MOM performances on TV .. but for me Savage doing well, MGP making lots of incisive passes. We can score tonight.

A great day. I live round the corner from Craven Cottage and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the neighbours being outplayed and outfought. And that was the key: we didnt just run and scrap but we put the ball on the deck and passed it. Several things stand out: - the team as a whole seem more together. I know it sounds daft but there always seems a player on, so often you see two players chasing down a loose forward, the midfield take it in turn to close down the opposing team etc.. - I think Reid and Emerton look a great duo. Emerton today was extraordinary. One incident comes to mind - he ran about 40yards with the ball, passed it, then seeing the play break down raced all the way back to our penalty area to break down the play. Reid was not on fire like last week but he posed so many questions for Fulham and made several big strong tackles. - Gallagher was terrific. But we should have taken him off 10minutes sooner. He looked shattered. He should start next weekend, not Bothroyd. - Dickov chasing down a ball in the 92minute was something to behold. I have no idea where he gets that energy but I am deeply appreciative of it. - Friedel's save from Cole was key when we were one up. - Tugay played very well. There was one spell, lasting no more than 5minutes, when he was lunging in but that aside this was a good performance. - I think Ferguson is key to this side. I reminds me of Sherwood in many ways. Small simple passes, tidying up, simple linking-up play etc.. I am a big fan. Finally, the fans were great today. I know we had a much to sing and shout about but there was so much good humour and genuine satisfaction today. Sometimes I wonder how much games mean to players but seeing their faces, their body language as they came to the Rovers players at full time persuaded me that this game meant an awful lot to them. It wasnt about money. Bring on the Spurs.

I've just enjoyed the extended highlights on Sky. Like many others I take a lot of comfort from today's game. Some thoughts in no particular order: - I think there are at least two teams worse than us in the Premiership: Norwich and Southampton. It wont take much for us to pass any one of the next bunch: Fulham, West Brom, Crystal Palace etc.. - after two four-nil drubbings, we're not suddenly going to become world-beaters. A few draws is ok for now. Our Christmas run-in should yield points if we continue to play as we have in the last seven days. - for reasons I cant put my finger on, the side looked quite settled, calm today. Flitcroft for Tugay was one player replacing another in a system. Bothroyd's dismissal didnt disrupt the system: playing away from home, we played just the one up. There was no need to substitute the defence. Sure there were a few scares but they seemed ok. - several players seem to be playing for each other now and playing well - Ferguson, Emerton, Reid and Dickov in particular. - I'd like to see that defence play together for a few matches. - I am not sure Dickov is good enough to get us into Europe but he's good enough to get us to the mid-table, so I look forward to him battling away for the rest of the season. - Bothroyd/Dickov or Stead/Dickov or Gally/Dickov .. I am not sure which is best. Bothroyd's reaction today was ridiculous: he should donate this week's salary to charity by way of apology to us all. Rather looking forward to the next game now. Unbeaten for two matches ..

Agree with all of this. We just looked more together. Down to ten men, it was a different match. Until then we looked like a team with balance and purpose. Very pleased that Matteo and Emerton contributed. MGP needs time. Today's gripe - Yorke. You look at the game: Stead off, Yorke on and you think, well that has not improved our attacking options. I am guessing there's no chance of another striker signing before the deadline. We need Gally back ASAP to help Stead and Dickov. Hugely encouraged today.

This looks a much better line-up. The midfield looks so much more balanced providing Mr P is as good as his reviews, I am willing to forgive Matteo some of the shocking memories of the last three games if he justifies replacing Gray in this game. As things stand, I dont care about the result so much as seeing 70-90minutes of a decent performance. If we can bag that we can build from here.

Much to chew over here. Three players to focus on: - Matteo must not play in midfield or just in front of the back four again. He is not good enough. We are carrying one player. - Emerton likewise. I really wanted this guy to pull through. But once again last night he did some basic things wrong. - Nissa is also wooden. Sub at best. I know replacing those two wouldnt have made 3-0 into 1-0 last night. Or even a victory. But, in a game when were frankly always going to get a draw at best, we need to build for the upcoming games. I am looking forward to Ferguson and Thompson returing. I hope GS is.

The thing that bothers me is that I have no idea what team we are going to play tomorrow against the Arsenal. Souness' selections this season seem so haphazard, and coupled in the last two games with major substitutions it suggests this season at least, he doesnt have a preferred team or even the basis of one. I am not for sacking Souness. He's done much for us. Further, I thought we did ok in the both games in the second half. At my most generous, I accept we all have 'bad days or weeks at the office' and maybe that what the Scot is going through. But I'd like to see the beginnings of learning from what we've seen this season. [i didnt see any pre-season but have seen both games so far]. I'd like to see a little more continuity, especially in midfield.

Judging by the first two performances this season there's only two players I'd pick in the midfield, Tugay and Ferguson. We have to believe Emerton will come good. There were hints today at Southampton. That leaves the leftside. Again, I think we must try and stick with Pedro. We need a settled side for a few matches, injuries and 'sendings off' permitting. Flitcroft, Matteo, Gresko are not good enough. I'd rather raid the reserves side and risk the future.

A few thoughts having watched the game live and then again on Sky's 10.15 highlights: Flitcroft - thanks for the service but please, no more. He was lost today. Matteo - he is not a left midfielder and a barely credible leftback. Johanson - not sure he is Premiership quality. Why not Matteo? Friedel's injury caused one problem. When either Johanson or Short took a goal-kick, the rest of the defence dropped deep in order to protect the kicker as they followed through. Otherwise, and this happened a few times in the first half, the oppositions players were played onside. Knowing our luck at the moment, this could cost us. Stead, Ferguson, Brad, Tugay and Neil were good today. St Mary's should be a great stadium. Light, airy, clear sight lines but somehow it always seems a little souless to me. And there is the most bizarre massive poster between two of refreshment bars in the away supporters stand. Did you see it? Is it a south coast twist on Munch's Scream? Maybe it Le Tiss wailing at the state of his club? A draw at Arsenal would be good. Roll on Wednesday - looking forward to it.

My first post, so treat me gently boys. I live in London and didnt make today's game. However I have just seen the game on Sky. How good was the edit - did the roughly 60minutes of highlights fairly reflect the game? If it did, then the first half looked iffy. I was reassured to see Ferguson in the middle: we need a big season from him this year. He clearly has the talent. The half looked half-baked. If you are going to stand there, dont turn your back or move. Please. Matteo seemed to give away quite a few free kicks. Second half was much better. It seemed an altogether more passionate performance. I like to see Tugay pick up the ball and spread it around but I wonder whether how often he'll get that space this season? Compare him to say JJ Ok at Bolton - he seems to be able to make the space as well as use it. I am not sure about Dickov. He feels like a supersub to me. Something to keep on the bench, just in case. So all in all, not too bad. Looking forward to seeing the real thing at St Marys and Highbury in the next ten days. Still confident we'll be mid-table.