If you had asked my opinion on this in May I would have been the first to say get rid of him, but after his performance at the world cup I can see his value. He was versatile, played wherever he was asked, got the job done effectively, and often covered large parts of the field when Guus switched to a back 2 of Neill and Emerton. The question is whether we can elicit the same performances from him. In many ways Emerton is the Aussie version of Kevin Kilbane (great pace can't cross for sh*t) but he could provide useful cover for the backline, wouldn't mind seeing him being given a go at right or left back...

As an Irish person, and therefore slightly blinded normally about the skill of our team, I am telling you that signing Matty Holland would not solve our problem for very long. He may have another 2 years left in him at a decent level On the other hand, singing Liam Miller would be a good acquisition and its not like he is getting a look in at United...

haha, I have this theory that Hughesy is trying to make us the most hated team in the Premier League, signing Bowyer would be his fait accompli

At the beginning of the season, watching the West Ham and then the Newcastle game I though we were terrible, but after the Man Utd, West Brom, Liverpool (even though we lost), Brum and then this game we seem to be starting to get our ###### together... Just hope that Nelsen isn't out for too long

First game of the season, was so excited as was being shown on Fox Sports over here in Australia, half time came and felt we were bloody lucky. Todd had a shocker in the first half - had the job of marking Harewood and could not touch him for pace, it was only that he was uncapable of scoring in a brothel that this wasn't reflected on the scoresheet. The other worrying thing was the tactic of play it long for bellamy to run on to was a waste of time and the opportunity to be more creative, I know Bellamy is fast but he is not that quick and it is a tactic that should be reserved for sunday league. Kugi spent more time moaning than attempting to play soccer, and he definately deserved to be dragged off. It was not a good sign that when it went ot 1-1 that we changed our formation to 4-5-1, if this was going to happen should have been done at half time, it sent the wrong message that we were happy with the draw. IMO the only decent performance came from MGP, whose created the majority of our chances. It is obvious we need to get a defender with pace from someone, the thought of facing Arsenal or Chelsea with that defensive performance worries me. After this weeks performance, we desperately need Nelsen fit and another striker to come into form.

I can't believe how far down the order Chris Sutton is. He was in the chapionship winning side, a part of the most feared strike partnership in Britain. Three years later he was a member of the highest scoring partnership in the Premiership. His transfer to Blackburn was instrumental in us winning the league, he combined well with Shearer and was unfortunate to only get one cap for England.

Actually in the 1996/7 season the Sutton/Gallacher strike partnership was the highest scoring in the Premiership

This is something that I am really torn over. I think that part of the problem that Blackburn have is that we have too many strikers of too low a standard. Keeping Jansen for longer is not going to help, but he has been a fantastic servant... My football brain says he has to go, my heart wants us to keep him on

Looks like Charles Dickens is the go... although much prefer the Keepers Arms - maybe thats just the inheritted Celtic fan in me

I would go with Friedel, at least he is going to play every match, nobody else's form is that secure. Plus he is a good communicator on the pitch.

Hey, I am over in Australia at the moment so I won't get to see the highlights until tonight. Just have a couple of questions though... can anyone explain to me why Gally was dropped in favour of Jay (not the decision I would have made given Gally's performances recently and you need a striker to be in form) Also I can see how Tommo was stupid but hasn't he justified a starting place yet (if we were to discount the weekends performance)?

I can't pretend to be aware of the current inner workings at Blackburn but I do know that conventionally the Manager (i.e. Hughes) advises the Reserves manager what players are available to him, and he makes his choice from there. Hughes may also have decided that he wishes to use the reserves to develop younger players, or that he doesn't want to risk anymore injuries.

Eh.. is there another L Ferdinand around or are you talking about Les, am praying for your sanity that there is one that I have not heard about. We need to STOP buying has beens and trust me Sir Les is definately over the hill and would not solve anything.

What rivals would these players teams walk into... those staring at relegation too? Well thats why they are there. Or are you talking about Burnley? Seriously what Premier teams would be delighted to have Dickov, Short, Reid or Todd walk into there starting 11s, I am not trying to take anything away from the effort some of these players have put in nor am I reacting to recent games but lets face facts Short and Dickov are getting on, they are hardly the most skillful players and they don't exactly make up for this in pace. Todd and Reid are not even guaranteed regular first team spaces And the loss of Berg, Duff and Cole is not even close to being made up for by the presence of Fergusson and Dickov. Have you seen the league table lately, or have you been reading it upside down?

I can't believe you would drop Gally in favour of Bothroyd.. have to say I really have not been impressed by him - although he did manage to take out Tugay