agree. the title race will be a lot closer next year. bundles of cash helps, but you still need to buy the right players, be a great man manager, rotation etc.... it brings its own problems- pressure from media, fans and the players that arent getting picked. you cannot buy success, particularly in europe. look at inter milan and the millions they've spent (in search of an iluusve scudetto) and barca- 1 european cup in their history!

my worst fears are (it seems) about to be realised. steve mcc. teams mirror their managers - his team is as dull and boring as he is. he's been extremely lucky to survive the chop on several occasions. compare the cash spent to success aquired and it's nothing spectacular (like the man himself). i'm hoping that it's a media smokescreen, so o'neills odd lengthen, and the people in the knw (journo's and FA bigwigs) can make a fast buck!

it's splitting heirs a bit den. the form and tiredness are linked and although we've had some good results, the performances have been dipping for a while (i'm not including the 2nd half @ brum, the best performance since we lost to spurs). several rovers players are tired and in need of a rest and, after this 10 day break, i reckon we'll see a marked improvement. (hoping )

disagree den. bellamy admitted it on talksport, the other monday. "pro -zone shows the sprints and areas covered are getting shorter and we're not creating as much." hughes as indicated himself that we have a lot of tired players. "the break may have come at a good time." a lot of our players have played most games, we're paying the price for having a small squad. rovers are mentally and physically knackered!

agreed tony. the 'anti todd merchants on here' (he's a thug and shouldnt be picked) should remember his astounding performances over the last 3 seasons, or perhaps they've forgotton he was player of the year 2 seasons running! ? he is an exceptional reader of the game, great at anticipating danger and inspires those around him. i'm been to most away games this and prev. seasons and lost count at the number of times he's got us out of trouble. he was absolutely magnificent against birmingham and if he had stayed on we'dve got at least a point. (he wouldnt of allowed forssell the time & space to bag the winner).

good points. savage - 1 vote! spks volumes!

just getting ready to leave work and head down! brum 1-3 rovers sutton bellamy (2), savage. savage's appearance might work against rovers (geeing the crowd up), those idiots in the main stand (next to away fans) dont need any extra gee ups! and he he scores it will be utter carnage! i expect to hear "i predict a riot" played on the PA tonight!

every player has contributed to an exceptional campaign (& it's still not over), but picking the best player is easy...................................................... "bellamy, bellamy!"

harsh... but true. 2 full games in 2 seasons says it all.

rovers should look into it! perhaps give a stash away with season tickets. was wondering how reidy managed his wonder strike, maybe he had a p*ss next to gav ?

5:15 has rick parry changed his mind again ?

with park ji replacing him! ewood would have all the corners filled in and the riverside redeveloped, with the once promised hotel/ apartments (like chelsea) memorising the tv audience!

correction, he said he was ill. he told MH he was too ill to get out of bed and instead entertained 5 of his mates at anfield. he has no future at rovers and will only be used in emergencies. he's not good enough anyway!

he wouldnt have played anyway. he's out of favour after his trip to watch the merseyside derby (instead of playing against sunderland). back to the game, something tells me savage will score (although, id like him to save it for birmingham) and bellamy to bag the winner. rovers 2- 1 liverpool savage 66, fowler 71 bellamy 77 gate: 29, 123. (gav's bet is back on!)

they gave away last seasons collection free to season ticket holders. something tells me they wont this time. the best collection of rovers goals ever (including '95). tugay wins it for me..... close run thing though.

laughing was harsh eddie. sunderland fans dont love him, they couldnt wait for him to get the boot -mostly for reasons that i specified on the day he got sacked (different thread). one of irelands most successful managers- not difficult. he had the best crop of irish players (there has every been) to choose from (given, duff, both keane's, quinn). as a pundit the guy's better than most on the bbc, and he's not slagged rovers off yet! i've stopped watching 'match of the day' but from what i can gather hansen was scathing of blackburn on saturday, must be catching.

estonia. you're right tho.

jansen's finished. it's sad, but it was his own fault. MH and the medical staff gave him every chance. there's no place for sentiment in football.

guessing- berwick rangers (years ago!)

i bet 'big al' agrees with you. 1 medal for a player of his ability is a shocking return. he nearly left rovers for lazio in the mid 90's. i was talking to mark fish the other day and he mentioned meeting him and his agent. the discussion was interupted by gazza. he walked in b***ock naked into the presidents office, shook everyone's hands and strolled casually out! his departure rankled with rovers fans (including me) for some years after. the timing was awful (shirts, season tickets already sold etc...) and shearer was less than honest, with walker and rovers ("i'll be at rovers next year, in blue and white halves etc...). lets not forget, we let him get his knee fixed for euro 96. his reception over the last few season's has been better (maybe cos every1 thought it would be his last appearence). i remember people standing applauding when scored against us the other year and his ovation at tony parkes' testamonial healed any rifts. if any1 is still bitter, just remember- shearer's best years were spent at rovers and he's never hit those heights since

agreed. after our bright opening, wigan worked out that if they dropped a little deeper they'd be able to defend without too much trouble. 'the kuqi monster' made the difference and saved the day.... again. i knw he's got limited ability, but if you play to his strengths he can really be effective. he's won us 10 points on his own (2 goals v best brom and boro, winner against west ham). exstatic with a draw, didnt see and equaliser coming. it's def. a point gained.

dickov, southgate, ian walker, nigel martyn.

tonight and saturday are must win. if we can get 6 out of 6 and if arsenal lose to man u, we are firmly in the driving seat for 4th. easy win tonight....... rovers goals aquate to my pre- match beers, tough day.... rovers 4-1 wigan reid 15, 25, roberts 33 pongolle, 57 bellamy, 65

bob's reviews are far superior to anything 'the carrot' has ever done! good stuff bob. i've got stomach cramps from the 'reid description.' i'd been laughing since saturday (only just managed to stop) and you've set me off again! i feel an asthma attack coming on!