I thought I would leave it 24 hours or so before posting my thoughts on the game. Defensively we have real problems. I'm not sure it's (all) Ooijer's fault either. As some have mentioned communication seems to be an issue. I would be very tempted to drop Zurab, push Lucas over to centre half with Ooijer and bring back Mickey Gray. Whilst Ooijer has been awful so far - in the long run he will be an asset. He has the one thing our back line lacks - height. Even the great Nelsen lacks height. The thing that is worrying me at present is the back line looks like Souness has picked it. It's back to that mentality of 'they are the four best players' so they can be our defence. It requires balance - a defence requires players to fit a system, not a system to fit the players. Tugay looked tired. Savage is starting to become consistently good. Mokoena was fabulous - for me won the game. He broke everthing up. MGP's poor perfromance was masked by three moments that changed the game. Mccarthy looks very much like an individual type of player - but with the right partner will be a real bargain. Nonda raw pace and power - everyone loves that. According to the press Jeffers played. We miss Roberts. Hopefully, the three points won't tempt the management to sweep the defensive frailties under the carpet. There is no chance that we will keep a clean sheet a Middlesboro'.

Arrived back at Ewood last night after 3 days on the official coach. First and foremost let me say if we go through I am most definitely flying next time! Brief comments on the game. Gamst and Gallagher were poor. I think Gamst has a problem - he looks afraid to sprint. Tugay was excellent as were Bentley, Emerton, Zurab and Savage. Ooijer was much improved. Mccarthy, to me played far too deep for a lone front man. Ultimately the result was fair and let's be honest we all feared a right drubbing after they scored early on. If we can't beat this lot at Ewood then we don't deserve to be in europe. It was a truely great trip and the Rovers fans were immense. This was my first time in europe (barring Celtic away) and it was an experience I will never forget - I only hope we get the chance to do it again. The only negative point for me was the lack of appreciation towards the fans from the majority of the Rovers squad after the game. Only Sav, Tugs and MGP showed any real thanks. After spending three days on a coach it would have been nice for Hughes to walk over and say thanks. Anyway I am far too tired to be on here - it is impossible to sleep on a coach.

On the coach so will be there Wednesday morning, I guess I'll see you all in a pub somewhere. Can't wait.

Back from the game so here is my report. First and foremost thank the lord for Brad Friedel. Now, this isn't a knee jerk reaction but if Ooijer and Zurab play like that in Salzburg we will get beat 4-0. I really do fear for us on Thursday. I think back to Everton at Dinamo Bucharest last year and them getting beat 4-1 - It may well be our turn on Thursday if we don't learn how to defend. If Sheff Utd had a striker instead of Rob Hulse they would have won easily. Back to today. Pedersen or Gamst was awful, simply awful. Bentley, Tugay, Emerton did well. We missed Roberts up front - he holds the ball up well. While Jeffers did ok he's no back to the goal front man. I can't blame Neill for missing the pen. He had the bottle to take it and I applaud him for that. Anyone who thinks he is doing 'a Gallas' is completely stupid. I was pleasantly suprised to see Lucas go round all the players prior to K.O and give them a pep talk and at full-time nobody looked more gutted than Lucas. In summary - Lots of possession, no cutting edge and can't defend. Oh, Nelsen hurry back and Brad you earned your wages this week.

Also (i'm gonna sound stupid here but ah well) on the ticket application form in the account number box - do they want your bank account number or your season ticket account number? Your help is greatly appreciated.

I really fancy going to this. I'm not sure whether to wait for the official package to be confirmed. Anybody travelled with the official travel before - is it worth while? I imagine it is going to be a little more expensive. Definitely need to go - just need to sort it out. Anybody yet to book and need a travel buddy?

What a terrible day. Do the suspensions start for Wednesday? I seem to remember last season they were activated after 6/7 days. Has the rule changed this season? If Todd got the ball that can be overturned pretty quickly I would imagine. Although the FA will find some reason to justify his suspension. Back to today. Firstly, Neill has absolutely infuriated me today - I am livid with him. I haven't seen the game (watched Soccer Saturday) but by all accounts Neill was way off the pace today. I'm not saying he was trying to get him sent off but Charlie Nicholas didn't give the impression he was being careful after receiving a yellow. I am not happy with him at all. I look forward to seeing his contribution on Football First this evening. Secondly, Mokoena is not a right back. Granted we had injuries, but it doesn't take a genius to work out when Mokoena plays there we look defensively vunerable. It's only the first game and there are plenty of points left to be won (and lost) - but we have started in just about the worst possible way. The only glimmer of happiness I have within me is that Hughes and his team pay great attention to detail and we couldn't be in better hands. When someone gets in from the game please tell me - how bad was it?

Jack Walker upper for me - the only place to watch the game!

He really is saying all the right things - The ESPN interview is class, he talks a very good game. I can't imagine Mido saying the same things . I would have rather had Mido but the bottom line is Mccarthy wants to be here and that can only be good news.

The obvious choices Shearer, Hughes etc would be interesting. Jansen is a good shout. Others that would interest me would be Tim Flowers, Brad Freidel, Tugay and Kevin Davies. Other good reads would include; Dario Marcolin and Oumar Konde

Who decides that the fee remains undisclosed - the buying or selling club?

That is class!

Sunday should be a brilliant day. Everyone should just enjoy it thoroughly - it's rare we can watch a game with NO pressure! I hope Hughes doesn't tinker with the team too much. Although I'd like to see MGP up top with Bellers and Sergio on the left. Here's hoping for a good game with plenty of goals and a bumper crowd. There aren't enough days like Sunday in football. But I s'pose that is what makes it so special.

Just reading that list has made me realise we have all been very lucky this season, whatever happens. I voted for Tugay's volley - I have been waiting for him to do that. Bellers 1st at Pompey showed unbelievably tight technique and to take the shot at that speed really underlines what a player he is. MGP's volley was also technically very tight. Although I'm not sure that cross from Shefki actually happened In terms of sheer elation experienced at the time of the goal I find it hard to split Bellers goal against M'boro and Reids thunderbolt of a strike at Wigan. But, remember there is still time to add to this list. I would find it hard not to vote for a Savage 90th minute free-kick winner against the Champions.

Well, your Dad is going to get a nice suprise then!

Sorted now. Well, I think so anyway. I didn't need to use the online booking reference number should I have? I'm rubbish at this stuff.

I'm panicking. I'm trying to renew today, but the system isn't taking my email address and password. It isn't even emailing me my password or details when requested. Anybody else had similar problems?

Yes, It's Rovers remember. Newcastle have it tough with Brum away and Chels at home. It's Bolton who are the danger - they have two home games. I think we need 5 points for 6th, but only because Bolton have a bettter goal diff. It's all on!

This is a monster of a game. We have to win really if we have any ambitions to snatch fourth place. We are now going into the business end of the season with something positive to play for after a couple of years of struggle, if that doesn't motivate the stragglers to come along nothing will. For the players sake I hope a couple of thousand extra turn up tonight. The prospect of Europe excites me and tonights game will be a real cracker. Wigan, as somebody mentioned, play the game in the right way. They have good English players dotted about, they have an English manager who tells it as it is and play attacking football. It all points towards one hum-dinger of a game. I am going to try and enjoy it, but something tells me we are heading for a nervy evening. Can't call this one - it could go either way. I will make one prediction. Both sides wil have had the lead at one stage or another.

Take Morten's goals away and look where we would be in the league not only this year, but last season too! When you see where we would have been that underlines just how valuable MGP is to us.

Actually, had I been driving from home, I would have been going past Hull. Sunderland to win - they have to sometime and it will probably be Saturday!

According to my Spurs supporting friend they have sold out, including the tickets we sent back in the lower tier. Let's hope we can sell out in the top tier. It is as bigger game as we have had in the league for a long while. That's the incentive to go.

I shall be there

I will always remember (I think) his first game back was against Newcastle at Ewood (after his accident) and he came off the bench and with his first touch he was through on goal and Given made a wonderful stop I always think what if that had gone in. But for Matt it's been a case of what if for too long now. Remember Matt as he was. He'll do a decent job for somebody somewhere, there just isn't a place for him at Rovers at the moment. P.S Matt if your reading don't go to Burnley and you will forever be a legend.

An absolutely cracking day out. I was very impressed by the car park and 'away bar' in the stand, although the car park took about 3 days to get out of. The players were brilliant, the fans were brilliant. It was an away day I will remember for a long time. I can still hear Reid's shot hit the back of the net. A wonderful sound. I honestly don't think I have seen anyone hit a ball as hard as that. Absolute hum dinger!! Finally, a special mention has to go to Robbie Savage. He was excellent yesterday and must have ran about 87 miles. He is getting there.