i wasnt equating racists - neill haters. just added it at the end of the 'lucas chants' comments, and was pointing out that this scum, arent doing the club or blackburn as a town any favours. theyre getting worse as the weeks go on. they say football has priced out the working -class,-but the under-class are still managing to afford it. probably deserves it's own thread.

i take it you weren't there on his 1st return (boxing day '96), the atmosphere was 'white-hot that' day. as every 'shearer visit' went by, the number booing decreased. the 5-2 game atmosphere wasnt very hostile (large majority rovers fans, applauded as his goals went in!) back to lucas, he was 'only' paid #18,000 ish at rovers, and he'll have seen players like cole, yorke, ferguson, amo and a few others getting paid far more than he was at the time - and also far more than was offered to him to re-sign. blake, dailly, mcateer, carsley, ward were all on more money than lucas was at rovers. another sobering thought. i didnt take part in the lucas songs, at city, but - to say i was in the minority- is putting it mildly. *we also had a couple of 'burberry clad' scroatums who thought it hilairious to sing: '' 1 jade goody" at a couple of asian city supporters, in earshot of asian rovers fans, on leaving the stadium.

i'm generalising here, gav. i fail to see why everyone is annoyed / worried he's ruined his career. it's not your concern. it's his career and he'll have to deal with any consequences. he isnt leaving us in the lurch. rovers will quickly recover from his departure (providing konchesky isnt his replacement). theno and waggy's views, illustrate the situation perfectly, and i'm bemused that more dont agree with them- but not surprised.

it's obvious this is money motivated rather than a career move. personally, I wouldn't have chosen WHAM, but I can understand why- on a couple of counts: 1. Liverpool have tried getting him, on the cheap (comparatively speaking) and he's see that as them disrespecting him. 2. he's nothing to lose by going to WHAM (apart from the games), cos he'll have a relegation release clause and, even if they stay up, I'd expect him to have left there by this time next year. 3. he's probably watched 'cribs and seen scaloni's apartment (when he was on loan at WHAM). 4. he's probably fed up with being booed by the ewood park crowd whenever his name's read out and having idiotic 'riversiders' yelling nonsense at him. the one issue I have with the whole-thing is, rovers haven't got a decent fee for him. I bear no grudges against the guy. people must try and remember; Lucas Neill has served us well, he's been about his desire to move, but he's not a rovers fan (and hasn't the same emotional attachment to rovers as we have) and (for want of a better phrase) he's a foreign footballer. there are many before him, that haven't been as loyal and comitted to our club. I wish him luck, for the rest of his career, and I thank him for the service he has given blackburn rovers.

i've heard, it'll be number 19.

good work!

this 'forum' has fat too many 'fence sitters' on it! oscar, those comments are harsh in the extreme, but look on the brightside - he'll be gone within a fortnight. do we have anymore cretins in our squad ?

i wasnt for the deal (over the summer), but we are desparately short in the midfield and if anyone can get him back fit... it's us. the gamble is worth it. welcome back, dunny - "mines a guinness."

on saturday, axe's mission was to snub -out fabregas. he failed miserably. there was no point him being on the park. he didnt mark him (he stood about 10yards off him), track him, or kick him. his inclusion was baffling. when axe and savage are paired together, we have to miss-out the midfield area, and derbyshire and maccarthy weren't going to get much change out of toure and senderos (both are good in the air). i've been a defender of the axe, but having witnessed him at wigan, everton and home to arsenal, in recent weeks, - he causes more problems than he solves. if he cant carry out simple instructions/tasks, it's time to give him an aerial painting of ewood park and let him go. after watching bowen slice the ball into the JW lower, it dawned on me, obviously, mokoena has been having 1-on-1 coaching sessions from 'the master.'

agreed. any chance of getting dean saunders back, as striker coach ?

cant say, for obvious reasons, but it's a good source. i've been critical in the past, but we've missed him this season and i feel sorry for the guy on a personal level, too.

just heard some awful news, sorry to be the one to tell people this, but reidy had to be stretchered away from training this aft (friday), after breaking down. possible cruciate. he's devastated. get well soon, reidy.

it's not over 'til the fat footballer sings....

good work, den. I humbly apologise (how many times is that now..... ???)

rebounds and tap-ins will do fine. i enjoyed it, besides - rovers never score enough of those kind of goals.

sorry, the link is to .... ''Striker trial is scrapped'' i'm gonna find medical evidence that supports groin tear and strain being decsribed as the same... just for my own sanity. i wasnt trying to get anything past you, den - just giving some insight into groin injuries.

there were rumours he would be playing a couple of games for 'the mary's' (haslingden) along, with a couple of others including gerry taggart, but dont think nath fancied it. he did alright in the promotion season, in fairness to him,- particularly at the start.

I've torn my groin a couple of times, (interestingly, a tear is also called a strain) and my recovery time has been about 4 wks- after rest, ice, and elevation. i was told if the strain was more serious, it'd take a couple more weeks to recover and, if it was a rupture, they require surgery, 3-4 months recovery time. i was using the times article to illustrate there were conflicting reports, (even though i accept the times could have got it wrong) and the 'jeffers having a virus, hamstring and groin injury comment' was ment in jest!

you're quite right, den. he's had re-occuring groin problems, but he's been complaining he's been ill, on and off since october! reading the times last wk, they stated he was due to return against boro after a hamstring problem. found a link - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2518421,00.html virus, groin and hamstring! he's really been in the wars.

I think he'll be ahead of jeffers in the pecking order, from what I've been told. jeffers has had a virus for several weeks - longer than anticipated. I after being given adequate time off, he was made to come into training, the other week, (after phoning in sick), as MH and medical staff weren't sure he was as ill as he said he was. I'm sure someone else 'in the know' will confirm. disappointing. I thought he wouldve been more committed - given he's drinking at the 'last -chance saloon'. at least we know derbs will be fully committed.

i'm made up for him. he was terrific yesterday and has shown real in his other brief appearances. i just hope he's given a chance, and we dont push him down the pecking order - by signing an inferior striker, in the january window. a complimentary article : http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2526777,00.html

you didnt think todd shouldve been captain last season either, did you ? even though his leadership and performances were outstanding. blimey, you're a hard man to please!

i knw, but it's a small price to pay. great 2nd half performance. many thanks to jon oster (fat burnley reject). todd, neill (brilliant assist), sav, tugay, bentley, ped and mccarthy all did the business today. whether it's another 'turning-point', remains to be seen, but we were impressive in the 2nd half. my works-do hangover has suddenly cleared!

watching on star sports, 5 minute delay mccarthy's dive was hillairious, no where near him. his 2nd offside goal shouldve stood. misses arsenal game after getting booked after his goal. we've been great in the 2nd half, so much on top, i'm just waiting for the inevitable reading winner!

naive! (one of the nicest things said about me on here:lol: ) but numerous players have signed a new contract and been sold a few months later. i prefer being optimistic, than pessimistic, anyway