if the professional league was abolished, and replaced with a counties league (like in cricket) then Lancashire would be as well supported as any other team. But this isn't going to happen. As long as Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Preston, Leeds, Crewe (thought I'd mention them, small crowd, decent club) keep their teams they will have supporters.... enough supporters, to keep their clubs afloat. And in this environment a Lancashire or Yorkshire Utd would dwell in the lower leagues on the verge of bankruptcy year in, year out. We're talking about football clubs with over 125 years of tradition, so it would take a very brave (and very foolish) conglomerate of businesses to invest in something with a relatively small return, over an extremely long period of time (25 years at least I reckon)

That's another thousand off the gate then

We finally get our first UEFA cup victory. 2-0 MGP and Nonda The big question is will the crowd be more than our total season ticket holders? I think just about.... 14,000

How much were tickets? And how many fans did we take in the end? Agree lazy journalism, but was the match being broadcast on foreign TV? If so then I don't blame people for not going, as it saves a lot of cash. Although it's no further than the midlands games, and we do seem to take a lot more fans down there.

I think that young people today in Britain have more disposable income than they've ever had. Yes, most of them have long term debts (esp students) but more and more young people are finding it harder to get on the property ladder, so they stay at home and have more cash at their disposable. Problem is there's so much more to spend it on these days that paying to watch football to some, doesn't compete.

And what, prey, was Davies' redeeming feature? He scored 1 goal in the league, and 1 goal in the cup, both against Charlton, and both amounted to nothing. As others have pointed out, we also lost Beatie when we signed him, and both players are now 1st team strikers at North West rivals. Davies - worst signing by a country mile

Unfortunately, as in most transactions these days, there is a broker or agent involved. Wouldn't it be refreshing if we could buy or sell a house without the need of an Estate Agent? Players also seem to like having agents to "help out" with the financial matters. Don't forget they'll be getting a much bigger cut these days compared to the past when a player requesting a transfer got bugger all of the fee. At the time I imagine Hignett still had a while on his contract to go and Rovers wanted rid. This put all the power with the agent.

Gally!

Sounds harsh on Jeffers. The back 4 are lucky they remain intact

Although I haven't seen enough of the games to comment. My gut instinct tells me I would like to see the back 4 as close to last season's as possible. So now that would be Gray, Zurab, Todd and Neill

Not sure I understand that remark, but Todd partnered Zurab well on a number of occassions last season and they did very well.

Well MGP has just scored so is that good enough for you? But so have city again I'm going to stop posting on this game Ooijer OG

1 - 1 Defence open wide again

And the lad at Southampton (ex Forest player) gets a 10 game ban for shouting at the linesman.

Remember when City got relegated 2 seasons running and the board reduced ticket prices to £10? They were still one of the best supported teams in the country, and of course they played some entertaining football and won a fair bit. Now it's simply a case of a hard work ethic and survival in the prem. Nothing else matters. I'm not surprised they've lost a lot of fans, and that goes for a number of teams in that mid-table group. Probably a better reason though...

If all my trains connect (and they should) then I'll be checked in to my hotel about 2pm and can head over to the sportsground for the game. I'm assuming it's not too serious and I can play in pub trainers and have a beer at half time etc?

From someone who wasn't at the game, I've never felt comfortable listening to Rovers on the radio and I blame the experience of this match for it.

A lot of tripe being spouted on here. Away point is never bad in the prem. Incidently our first three opponents of the season are in the top four. We're also the only team to take any points from Everton. Things looking up....

It's strange how people love to hold a grudge against a departing player, for no reason at all. Henchoz said part way through the relegation season that he was suprised there weren't any language schools around Blackburn, and that the weather wasn't nice. The guy was right on both accounts. Switzerland is full of language schools, and you tend to get snow in winter and sun in summer. So he was right there too. (I could list many things wrong with this strange place but that would take me all day) After this comment the tabloids lapped it up and he was public enemy #1 for Blackburn for all of 10 mins until he put up another excellent defensive display. Such were his performances that season, including a memorable moment outpacing Michael Owen at Anfield, that Houlier decided to sign him for £4m in the summer. His tears after the ManUre game (sorry to bring that up) i do remember. All in all bit of a nothing signing, but like Andy C said, we have no choice. Certainly nothing to get wound up about.

Despite the Dunn of old (the good one) being exactly what we are looking for in midfield it didn't really make any sense for him to move anywhere during this transfer window. Big club are looking to come straight back up and are hardly going to offload one of there most talented players for next to nothing. At the same time we weren't going to pay up for him (don't believe £2m stories in the slightest) when he's such a big gamble and is no doubt on big wages. Even from his perspective he's better off regaining fitness and form in a good team in a weaker division. Come Jan, if he's playing out of his skin, injury free, expect a host of clubs to come bidding for him whilst Brum wave a swanky new contract at him. If he's done nothing then I expect that a pay as you play deal will be the best thing he can hope to get.

Warnock played a lot of premiership games in the first half of last season, but was then relegated to the bench as Kewell found some form and Risse was moved to left back. I think Traore was used more in the Champions League as he was more defensive than Warnock, who likes to go forward a fair bit. In theory, he would be ideal in a part exchange for Neill, as we do have other options at right back... but.. I am concerned about just how much we may miss Neill, and whether Warnock will just turn out to be like a couple of other "promising" left backs we signed from Liverpool

That's fame for you Rev.....

Where did you find the info on trains from Munich?

Salzburg away first as well..

and Hearts go to Prague.