I thought Harkins was a midfielder? He's played there the couple of games I've seen him play. He has played midfield in all the games I've seen. Not sure I've ever heard of him being called a defender before.

It would be a baptism of fire against SWP. Reminds me of Rob Jones signing for Liverpool and having to mark Giggs. We'd certainly see what he's made of, and that probably isn't a bad thing.

buy them off you Sod off

I too was unlucky. I think cn174 has got a group game in Dortmund on the 22nd though~

A draw certainly wouldn't be the worst result in the world against a team clearly fighting to get Pearce a permanent job. I think they'll score, so it'll be down to whether or not we have the ability to find two from somewhere. BTW, there's a lovely irony about your spelling of 'ignorance' in your sig

Brilliant news if true. Henry can unlock any defence and we'd have had so many problems keeping up with his pace. The Sun website is suggesting that Sav won't play. Misleading title as he hasn't been ruled out. I think I'd start him on the bench and bring him on for any midfielder who receives a booking. We cannot afford a sending off on such a big pitch, and we cannot afford to pull out of tackles against such a good side. Perhaps having four or five central midfielder on alert will allow them to share the responsibility of big hard tackles.

I'll ave a gander if they're likened to Muse Wouldn't get your hopes up. I don't see the similarity.

When was the last time either of them got sent of doing that? I always worry when I see Flitty playing a big game because he does have a tendency to fly in to the tackle. Didn't know Savage had never been sent off in a club game - good news. He's only ever been sent off once in his career - against Northern Ireland just before the Wales v England game - and that wasn't for mistimed challenges. He got into an argument with Michael Hughes (I think) and was sent off for the handbags, which was pretty harsh, especially as he was on the receiving end of a nasty challenge.

When was the last time either of them got sent of doing that? Not entirely sure, but the last time I remember Flitty being sent off is actually against Arsenal when we won 2-1.

Forgot to add, bought the new yourcodenameis:milo single '17' yesterday and it's not too bad. The B-Side 'Capitol King' is a nice track as well from it. Their album 'Ignito' is out on Monday and should be worth a listen to. They're nothing groundbreaking or spectacular but I've kinda had an interest in them from the beginning so it's worth a plug. Better than a lot of hyped up recent stuff I've been hearing.

Downloaded fourteen songs from those links. They sound very good, although with the exception of "Catscan", none of the songs distinguish themselves from each other. Definitely something to listen to in the car and keep an eye out for. Cheers Glenn.

My point is that before the injury he had his fans and he had his detractors. He was recognised for the good things he did (and he did do some good things) and was rightly criticised for his bad performances when he had them. Since the injury a lot of people have started exaggerating how bad he is. Whether they have short/bad memories or whether it is just in comparison to the excellent centreback performances we've been treated to regularly, it just seems slightly odd. The same kind of thing happens to Nissa. Spells in the team are met with appreciation because he's a good player. When he's out then people "can't see the point in him" and call him "dodgy". Interestingly, the opposite happened with Thommo. The longer he was out, the more convinced people were that he was the answer and would turn things around when he came back.

Very good backs-to-the-wall defender. For example at Fratton Park last season. Strong, powerful in the air and brave. However, very sluggish and prone to the odd mistake so shouldn't be in the first team. Short, Nissa, Todd and Nelsen are all better. Seems a very good bloke who comes in for a lot of stick, especially on here. Most of it started when he got his injury, which is perculiar as you can;t actually be rubbish when you aren't playing.

Whatever happens all I want is to feel proud of us. I remember when Celtic came to Ewood and I expected us to play like we did at Parkhead. We didn't - we froze and embarassed ourselves. We lost both games but one time I was proud to be a Rovers fan and the other time I knew we'd let ourselves down badly. I 'think' I could stomach losing, but only as long as Arsenal know they've been in a game. This is a real chance for Rovers to get their fans to be truely proud of them, and that's what I think they'll do.

Not really on topic is it?

I fear a similar result. We can't score to save our lives and we can't keep clean sheets in every game either. but if we cant feel we cant score we have already defeated ourselves. No. If the players feel they can't score then they are already defeated. The fans are just giving honest opinions and predicting a 1-0 loss as a result of us struggling to score and that won't affect whether we score 0 or 5 on Saturday. Also, are you on some sort of crusade to have the last post on every thread on the main page or something?

Whilst it would be the best idea to apply in this sales phase, there are still several more (albeit with significantly fewer tickets available) if you need more time to prepare etc.

That, BP, is where you're wrong. Nation States

What the hell are you prattling on about now? How can you fail to understand the simple information that the club have provided us with? The WHOLE of the family enclosure is available at concessionary prices. (I have already purchased several concessionary tickets in the Blue zone, well above row 7). If that's the case , then thanks for enlightening me Spark - albeit in your own usual charmless and ignorant manner . If you had read my earlier posts you my have surmised that this information was given to me directly from the ticket office - ie , that only Row 7 was now available for concessions at £45. Naturally I found this hard to believe as it indicates that the rest of the stand is full !! May I ask how much you paid ? (If you can't be polite don't bother replying ) BP I apologise for my curt reply...but I can't help feeling that certain people are constantly searching out new ways to 'do down' our club when they(the Rovers) more often than not go out of their way to please the fans (ie handing out the information brochure etc..). As for how did I pay for my tickets.....I didn't (skiing in the Alps last week )...so I sent down 'mi good ol' Dad' and I think he either paid with a cheque or credit card. He asked how much, not by what method. I do, however, agree with your point that a lot of people on here are never satisfied. Worry does seem to consume some people. Yes there are things to grumble about but getting worked up by it all doesn't do yourself any good.

If we pull off an upset this weekend sales will go through the roof. The casual fan does not want to make a costly investment which takes up his weekend if he thinks that we don't have a chance of winning.

Very nice pic. I wish we could see that more often. Ewood can look very very good when full. 31,000 is asking a bit much though.

Now with added interview~! So following an excellent away draw at Anfield, we welcome Arsenal to Ewood Park on Saturday. Rovers should be full of confidence. We’ve kept three successive clean sheets in the league and the partnership between Todd and Nelsen is immense at the moment. Arsenal, on their day, are the best attacking team in the Premiership. Even including Chelsea, there’s nobody better than Arsenal at picking apart a team with a few sweeping passes and a clinical finish. Our recent results against them aren’t good, but generally we’ve had a strong history against them in the Premiership. We’ve won six times, three of those times being at Highbury which is never an easy place to go. Who can forget Mike Newell’s predatory instinct? Or Rovers beating the Champions-To-Be comprehensively. Or the heroic Brad Friedel saving all 744 shots on target in October 2002. In all domestic competitions since the beginning of time we’re currently down 26 to 46 with 28 draws. It is said that our biggest mistake was not building on the strength of winning the Premiership. It cost us big time and resulted in relegation in 1999. Whilst it is unthinkable that that could happen to Arsenal, Arsene Wenger must be regretting generally sticking with his “Invincibles” squad. Manchester United have consistently proven that they have what it takes to retain the title. No team has even beaten Manchester United to the title two years in a row. This is a testament to their strength. Therefore it is impossible to say that Arsenal are at that level. They’ve had their downs recently as well. Almunia and Lehmann don’t know whether or not they’re coming or going. Sol Campbell has spent a lot of time injured and Senderos and Cygan have failed to do the same job. Flamini and Fabregas are starting to look a little burned out and aren’t providing the same cover for Vieira as Gilberto Silva or Edu do. Reyes is all over the place – homesickness and rumours of him going to Madrid have seen his form drop. Ashley Cole is being investigated by the FA, and Thierry Henry comes under constant criticism for failing to deliver in important games. All this adds up to Rovers having a big chance on Saturday. Our defensive diamond of Mokoena, Todd, Nelsen and Friedel is essential. They cost around a million pounds cumulatively in transfer fees. No other team in the Premiership can claim that kind of defensive diamond at such a low cost. The 4-1-4-1 is the perfect formation for away matches or against big attacking teams. The onus will be on Arsenal to attack. This is a perfect opportunity to show them we’re no pushovers. If we do this right then we’ll show them and the rest of the country that our match in Cardiff is no forgone conclusion. Even if things go wrong, Rovers can be proud of how well we’ve been doing recently. Either way, I’m not going into this match with the same kind of fear as when we’ve faced Arsenal in the past. I know we’re going to be alright, and right now I’m very proud of my team. How would you describe your season so far? I’d have to say its been a poor season. We’ve not won the league or the Champions League. The main reason is that Chelsea have been too good, but another reason is that Mike Riley cheated at Old Trafford. What have been the good points? Fabregas – he’s been great. I also think that Wenger has finally realised that we need a goalkeeper. Who would you play out of Almunia or Lehmann? Neither. I think I’d play Sol Campbell in goal. He’s got a better chance. What have been your views on Chelsea this season? They’ve been brilliant, that simple really. It’s been good for the Premiership but not Arsenal. It’s good that it’s broken the Arsenal/United thing. But in the future everyone will hate Chelsea like Man United. Looking ahead, presumably Blackburn was the tie you wanted in the semi-final? No we didn’t want Blackburn because they really are the big team left in it. Are you worried about facing Aaron Mokoena once before the game? Nah I think we’ll be alright. He’s got respect for the brethren. I think the only people who have to be worried are Pires and Ljungberg. Everybody else is safe as houses. He sounds like a peace-loving brother. What’s your view of Blackburn this season? I think you struggled early on because of Souness. Since Mark Hughes has come in you’ve looked far more solid. Todd has been a revelation. You don’t really mean that. No, I don’t really mean that. I think the difference between us and Blackburn fans is that you guys see your players through Blackburn Rovers glasses and we wear normal glasses. So who’s the best player in the world? Thierry Henry. Several players have come in for criticism such as Ljungberg and Reyes for having poor form this season. Henry is still plagued by the belief that he doesn’t perform in big games. Is that fair? I think it’s fair because they’ve not been playing well. Ljungberg has been playing well recently, except for the last minute against Bolton. Reyes wants to go to Real Madrid. And Henry has been poor as well. He’s only scored about ten more goals than anybody else this season. Really poor, that lad. There are rumours that Wenger has a big war chest this summer. What would you like to see come in next season? I’d like to see a World class goalkeeper. I’d like to see Lauren out, as you already know. And if Reyes goes I think we need a poacher instead of another winger. I’d love to see Michael Owen in. I’d also like to see another centre back so that Toure can play at right back. What’s your take on the Ashley Cole situation? He was duped. He loves Arsenal that kid. He hates Chelsea. Actually, I think he wants more money, like everybody else in the world. Our wage structure means he’d be on £35,000 a week. He knows at Chelsea he’d be on £70,000. Are there any Rovers players you’re afraid of? Two years ago it would have been Duff. Now, nah. You having a laugh? I’m just worried about keeping our players fit, you ###### hackers. I just hope that Cesc doesn’t play – he’s got a career ahead of him. Leave him alone. What do you think the score will be? 2-0. Van Persie and Reyes. Ok, thanks for that Izzy.

warm balls...? not that I'd suggest any foul play, unofficial seeding etc... Arsenal only had a 33% chance of drawing Man United. Whether there was foul play or not, I think everybody knew deep down that we wouldn't get Newcastle. As I'd rather play Arsenal than Man Utd I think the draw is all we could have hoped for. Not so sure why people are saying Newcastle are more dangerous. A month is more than enough time for form to collapse. Shearer will be on fire, I've no doubts about that, but their defence is still decidedly average and I think we could have taken them if we'd been drawn with them.

Bored, Ozzie?

Hopefully Jonathan does well enough to warrant a permanent move or at least impress a richer Championship club. He's 23 now and I haven't seen anything "Premiership" about him. The decision to give him a new 4 year deal was a perfect example of the new and improved senile Souness. If we could get a little bit of cash for him then I wouldn't be upset to lose him. Jay has got plenty of time to develop. As a defender you are rarely the finsihed article until you are well into your twenties. More experience can't hurt the lad at all.