Excellent news re- henry the vacumn cleaner. He can play in away matches without the expence of providing him with a kit! His position will be sweeper! You felt so good when you posted that, didn't you?

I really hope this deal comes off, Gamst-Pedersen seems to be a player with a big future ahead of him if he fufills his potential. But it's gonna be wasted with Souey playing him at right-back.

Someone said about us once having Gillespie and Duff racing down the flanks and giving us good width and balance. Well I suppose everyone thought Gillespie was well and truly out of our minds when they saw Brett Emerton against Wolves... However some of Souness's midfield tactics have been baffling. Fingers crossed De Pedro can get his fitness up, then tie up a deal for Gamst-Pedersen who apparantly only wants to join an 'ambitious' club going places. Thompson Tugay Ferguson De Pedro/Gamst-Pedersen anyone?

Arsenal 1 Rovers 2 Believe it. Rovers will play quite badly but have their moments and grab a winner between the 75th-83rd minute. ~My team would be~ Enckelman Neill Amoruso Short Gray Emerton Tugay Bazza De Pedro Yorke Dickov ===== Friedel Stead Nissa Gresko Thompson

With Friedel apparantly not looking ready and Enckleman as our only reliable back-up, I was a little dissapointed we didn't try and get Chelea's Jurgen Macho on a loan deal before he joined Rapid Vienna. Quality 'keeper.. As for the result...dissapointing and definitely robbed by a diabolical referee. One question though, why on Earth is Garry Flitcroft still featuring? I personally think he offers us little now, I mean Bazza is obviously his long-term replacement. Flog him off to Leeds and trim the wage-bill. Am I right in thinking Matteo played left-midfield at one point? I would rather see Gresko out there. But not Douglas..hehe..

Southampton 1 Rovers 1 ---My team---- Friedel Neill Amoruso Short Gray Emerton Thompson Ferguson Gresko Yorke Stead subs: Enckelman De Pedro Donnelly Nissa Dickov

I'm just still peeved we never got Van Buyten and got that chump Matteo.

Damn editor

What evidence do you base this genius bit of punditry on? One match in which De Pedro was still patently lacking in match fitness but showed signs that he may have a sweet left foot when fully fit and properly deployed, Matteo performed adequately if not spectacularly (the free kick from which West Brom scored aside, and that wouldn't have been an issue if the wall had done it's job properly), and Dickov did very well when he came on, as even his critics on the board have conceded. Yes, first half our tactics were all over the place - Souness obviously had an idea which didn't work, so changed things round at half time and got us back into the match. With a bit of luck we might even have had a late winner, but don't let these facts get in the way of a perfectly good delusion will you? I said Souey messed up 'a bit'. I think Dickov was a good signing as I love players who at least give 100% in every game but you will see Matteo will be a very dissapointing signing. Why we never pursued our interest in Van Buyten baffles me. I mean we're a established Premiership club, surely £2m COULD HAVE (like you could have paid more attention in school) been spent on a Amo/Short successor. I mean even my hometown Pompey are willing to dish out £2m for Carrick.

John Filan was much better than Flowers.

I'll support Rovers to the end but I still have to admit Souey messed-up a bit in the market this summer and with his tactics/selection against WBA. I will stand by my decision that Dominic Matteo was a poor signing. I think maybe some people assume he is some defensive dynamo after that one fairly solid game he had against us at Ewood last season. Gresko playing centre-midfield is just a joke and I must also say, do we really have much promising YOUNG players in defence? McEveley doesn't really seem in the picture, and Short, Amo and Matteo aren't exactly spring chickens.

I don't blame the guy - he's a centre back who's trying to play central midfield. Regulars at the reserves are best placed to comment on this - but don't you think that Ciaran Donnelly or Neil Danns would offer far more in midfield than Gresko ever will? I don't understand why Souness chooses to play our second choice left back in midfield after one decent pre-season performance. If Thommo's not fit let's give Danns or Donnelly a go - young players with enthusiasm and no shortage of talent. It's a classic case of foreign players blocking the route of youth to the first team. And Gresko isn't even a good foreign player. Got to totally agree with you. I have been very keen for Donnelly to be given at least a chance in the first-team. I mean if Souey is prepared to put Gresko in midfield, I don't see why Donnelly can't be given a go. About Emerton, I hear his Aussie team-mate Harry Kewell is starting to be slightly similar. I heard Kewell seems to just be not bothering to take people on and just doing 'enough' without giving that bit extra to open a defence up consistently.

I told you Matteo will be a dissapointing signing *cue 1000 replies about it only being his first competitive game for Rovers* How long is Thompson going to be abscent? We really need him back so he can provide good competition for Emerton- who seems to taking off from where he ended last season. Good to hear Yorke had a good game- I'm not his biggest fan but a dissapointing result and hearing Yorke had a stinker would of been even more saddening.

*mr Burns voice* Excellent...

Oh right. My bad

Friedel Neill Amoruso Nissa Gray Emerton Thompson Ferguson De Pedro Stead Dickov (~my team~) Rovers 2 (Amo, Dickov) WBA 1 (who cares)

3-1 Two goals from Dickov and apparantly a great 25-yarder from Thommo.

I wholeheartedly agree with the Matteo comment but I don't think Amoruso is crap. His commitment and spirit showed when he returned to the side last season, plus he is good at bringing the ball forward, good power, and an aerial threat to the opposition. But of course I'm not forgetting his poor positioning and lack of pace.. I think we have four good centre-backs in Amo, Short, Nissa (and with more work, McEveley). I think if we were going to sign another central defender it would of had to be a good established, quality defender... not some Dominic bloke...

Does anyone think Matt Jansen is really going to recapture his ability of old? I doubt it but I so hope I get proved wrong.

Friedel Neill Amoruso McEveley Gray Emerton Thompson Ferguson De Pedro Stead Dickov (would of said Cole but his depature looks likely)

Maybe we should do what Harry Redknapp did and just give him a fake name, like when Redknapp clearly lied and said he thought Amdy Faye's real name was Andy Henry.

I'm sure (and hope) Souey won't just rest with Dickov, Stead, Gally (and Jansen) if Cole & Yorke and both destined to depart. He'll most likely go back for Radzinski.

Ugh how many more times... HE HAD A £17m RELEASE CLAUSE IT WAS OUT OF OUR HANDS ONCE CHELSKI BID £17m

Hopefully bull-crap.. But then again...

Aww why you so mean to me? Because my opinion is different sometimes. I won't say I like the signing of Matteo if I don't... As for me not supporting England at Euro2004...Get over it. And I get slated for a topic one time where I said I admired Quaresma & Joauqin.... ooooooh big woop!