I'll second that. Rovers is no longer the obsession of a wealthy supporter, it has to be run as a business.And as a business it has to keep its head above water or it will sink without trace. Sorry off topic. Who is going to be captain today. ?

I would tend to agree that fans have been brainwashed, however they have been brainwashed, due to the success of the 90's, for higher expectations. If Jack Walker hadnt bailed Rovers out in the late 80's and then pumped his wealth into the club what expectations would the fans have now. ? How many people would have taken an interest in Rovers if it hadnt been for the success of the 90's? We have lived the dream, that very few supporters have experienced, we no longer have the same financial backing of a supporter who was prepared to dip into his wallet to fullfill his dream. What we do have is a chairman and board of directors, who manage the finances of the club to their best abilities, without taking the club into administration. The club now has to run as a business, it does not have a man at the helm who was prepared to throw his last penny into the club that he loved. We can no longer afford a lambouguini, we have to make do with a mini. What we however do have is a good pit team, that are able to fine tune that mini and a team leader who knows where to pick up the spare parts and has enough tactical awareness to know how to beat the lambourguini.

Tottenham Hotspur Preview by bellamy 11 On Sunday we face Spurs at Ewood in what is turning out to be a pivotal game in the seasons of both teams. Rovers have lost their last four Premiership games, scoring one goal in the process, and really need three points to halt an alarming slide towards the arse end of the league. Spurs, for all their promise and impressive results last season, have had a bit of a ‘mare. They still haven’t won away from home this term, and despite a recent victory over Champions Chelsea they looked woefully inadequate as Reading put three past them last weekend. Therefore we should expect the inevitable Spurs win with four players all scoring their first goals of the season. continued......CLICK HERE

Vinjay's rants just undermine the club. Whilst many other clubs bury their heads in the sand at least the Rovers board and John Williams are trying to turn things around, with new initiatives. Loyalty Pays

LOYAL FANS NET A WINNER WITH THE CHANCE TO SEE ROVERS FOR JUST £15! Rovers are urging supporters to back its latest initiative to reduce the cost of watching Premiership football – a loyalty scheme which will allow fans to watch the club's next home game against Tottenham for just £15! It follows the success of the club's recent move against local rivals Bolton where home and away fans were charged just £15 resulting in an extra 10,000 supporters packing into the stadium creating a fantastic atmosphere. Now loyal Rovers fans have the chance to see another Premiership game for only £15. Under the arrangement supporters who use the scheme known as The Card, receive a sticker for every home league game they go to. It means for example, that supporters who hold The Card, and have been to three home league matches, can get £10 off the cost of watching the fixture against Tottenham or Fulham. The Card is free and open to all people who buy adult match tickets. It is the latest marketing initiative from the club aimed at making watching football more affordable and getting more fans through the turnstiles. As the Tottenham and Fulham games are Category B fixtures, fans who do not have the Card or a season ticket, can still watch either of these games for just £15 in the CIS stand outer (EO4) or the Jack Walker Lower outer, (WO1) with juniors paying just £7. Rovers chairman John Williams said: "The Card is all about rewarding our loyal fans and encouraging supporters who come to Ewood Park on a regular basis but don't have a season ticket. "Football still offers value for money and we want to make it as affordable as possible for all our supporters. We believe watching Rovers is best enjoyed live at Ewood rather than on a television and we want fans to continue to turn up and get behind the team. "However, whatever we do in terms of pricing for individual games, whether it is in the Premiership like against Bolton, or the UEFA Cup we are mindful of the valued contribution season ticket holders make." Rovers have recognized the loyalty and contribution that season ticket holders make with reduced prices for the UEFA Cup, ie £15 (£7.50 each)for the two home games in the group stage, whilst the first home game against Saltzburg was free to season ticket holders. Fans who buy tickets from the club over the Internet can also take part in the Card scheme.

The next BRISA Meeting will be held on Monday the 20th November 2006 at the Fernhurst. 7.30pm All existing and new members are welcome. BRISA is here for the benifit of supporters, so come along and give us your views.

Two first half goals by 18 year old Keith Treacy earned Rovers Reserves a 2-0 win tonight away against Sheffield United. Match Report - Link to Rovers Official Web Site

Well at least with women refs you dont get.

It is easy to criticise the team, but it is worth remembering that it was not our first 11. We have a small squad and without the likes of Nelson, Reid, Savage we were bound to struggle against most teams, let alone United who are on a winning run. Take away the fact that Rovers lost, it was exciting and entertaining with both teams playing their part, in poor weather conditions, especially the first half. On the whole the game was hard fought, without any armature dramatics by either side. Whilst United may have taken all the points thanks to Saha’s goal just after the hour mark, it could easily have gone Rovers way earlier if Nonda’s deflected looping shot had dropped over Van der Sar or if Khizanishvili headed corner hadn’t gone wide. The game could also have been out of sight for Rovers if Wayne Rooney had put away two glorious chances to score, in the first half. After getting breaking through the defence on 20 minutes, he hit the outside of a post, then on the half hour mark failed to get the final touch to a low Ronaldo cross with the goal at his mercy. The inevitable United goal came in the 63 minute when O'Shea's right wing cross was turned back across the box by Giggs at the far post, to Saha who made no mistake from 6 yards out. Rovers could have grabbed a share of the spoils late on when firstly Van der Sar had to punch the ball clear, to stop Benni McCarthy getting on the end of David Bentley's cross. Then in the closing minutes McCarthy fired a Tugay long range pass straight at Van der Sar. Mark Hughes post match comment: "No complaints about the result, but I thought we put in a good effort and created a problem for them. "I think United will go very close this year. They have a lot of pace and power in their team and I think they are more dynamic this season. "They have also got really good movement in forward areas and I think they will go close, but I was pleased with our performance and if we continue to play like that we will win more than we lose this season." Rovers: Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Neill, Bentley (Peter 79), Mokoena, Tugay, Pedersen, Nonda (Jeffers 84), McCarthy. Subs Not Used: Brown, Henchoz, Gray. Booked: Mokoena, McCarthy, Khizanishvili, Peter. United: Van der Sar, Neville (O'Shea 46), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (Silvestre 89), Ronaldo (Fletcher 90), Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Saha. Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Brown. Booked: Vidic, Rooney, Evra. Goal: Saha 64. Att: 26,162. Ref: M Riley

Ye bring back Tiny,

I'll second that. They will be cold by the time MGP gets there

Forget Derby & Joe we should have played the Uner 18's.Rovers Thrash United

Thanks to Sky and the most stupid kick off time imaginable I missed my first home game of the season. Who in their right mind ever considered the paying fans when they agreed to a 5.15 kick off time, it's no wonder that only 26,162 turned up for a game that's normaly a sell out. Against my better judgement and maybe I'm two faced but I ended up watching the televised game. So despite not being there I would like to advise some posters who are slating Lucas Neill for lack of interest. Neill pulled up in the first half clutching his leg and it was clear that he was injured and Gray started warming up. The worrying factor was that despite Neill being unable to run off the injury, he still came out for the second half, which says a lot for the confidence that the management have in Gray. It is easy to critisise the team, but it is worth remembering that it was not our first 11. We have a small squad and without the likes of Nelson, Reid, Savage we were bound to struggle against most teams, let alone United who are on a winning run. Take away the fact that Rovers lost, I enjoyed the game. It was exciting and entertaining with both teams playing their part, in what appeared poor weather conditions. On the whole the game was hard fought, without any armature dramatics by either side and on the day the better team won. From a personal point, the worrying factor was that I didnt miss being at Ewood and I can understand now, why so many people are prefering to watch on tv. Volume off - no drummer.

A controversial penalty 5 minutes before half time turned this afternoons game in Villa's favour, as Rovers lost this premiership game 2-0. Villa went in at half-time 1-0 after the linesman had flagged for a penalty when Andre Ooijer was alleged to have handled Sutton's cross. Villa's Pablo Angel made it 2-0 five minutes into the second half when first Gray and then Khizanishvili failed to clear the ball from the area. Rovers themselves had a good shout in the second half for a penalty, when a Villa player handled a Rovers free kick, however on this occation neither the referee or linesman saw it. Match Comments by AESF Perhaps one or two of the Rovers players who disgraced themselves at Villa Park on Sunday, may well have benefited from a short sharp dose of the hairdryer from Mr Hughes. I don't know if Hughes had a pop at them after the match. But in my opinion, he bloody well ought to have done. Because the performance, just like the shambles at Upton Park a week earlier, was completely unacceptable in my view. Managers can hide behind excuses such as tiredness and injuries, but nothing excuses the woeful lack of effort - indeed the downright contempt that the Rovers players displayed for the fans who had travelled to Villa Park. A team, which as Tris rightly says, couldn't be arsed to perform on Sunday. They lack the individual motivation and the sense of responsibility to put in the required 100% effort in run of the mill Premiership matches. Our defence, previously a strong point of Mark Hughes's management, is now letting us down on a regular basis. After the three previous Premiership matches in a row where Rovers conceded soft goals at corners through dreadful marking, we also now have individual players (namely Zurab) guilty of ridiculous schoolboy errors when in possession of the ball in the penalty box, gifting Villa a goal on Sunday. In midfield our problems are evident for all to see. None of the present team can tackle properly. Mokoena is useless in a midfield four. If I had my way he'd be booted back off to South Africa in January. We're relying on a 36-year-old to provide any semblance of creativity. When Tugay is shackled, as he was on Sunday, then the midfield has bugger all creativity. There's nobody else with the vision and ingenuity to create enough quality clear-cut chances. Finally, the two up front: I'm pleased that Tris and Bing have both recognised how ineffective and idle this pair were on Sunday. It was like a return to the bad old days of Dwight Yorke. I haven't been convinced so far by Mr Nonda and although Benni McCarthy has scored some important goals for us, he can and SHOULD be doing more for us in certain games. At the very highest level, strikers need to do more than just score every couple of games. They need to work their balls off, link up the play and create space and chances for others. I'm afraid I'm not one of those who feels that the sun shines out of Benni's black backside. The top managers in the world will tell you that it's not enough just to score every so often, if you don't also put in the required effort at all times for the overall good of the team. We've had much debate in recent months about attendances, culminating in a very disappointing crowd at home to Basle last week. While not defending the stay-aways, perhaps it's to a certain extent understandable if some fans can't be bothered to attend, when they see players (earning lucrative seven-figure salaries) who can't be arsed to put in the effort on the pitch. In the match prior to Basle, the Rovers players put in a disgraceful first-half display against West Ham. Perhaps some fans who saw that horrendous performance at Upton Park thought to themselves: "Why should I pay money to watch this type of rubbish." After three successive Premiership defeats, Mark Hughes needs to get back to basics and spell out in no uncertain terms to the players that they have a duty to wear the blue and white shirt with pride - and a lack of effort from anybody is completely unacceptable. Mark Hughes post match comment: "We think the penalty is a poor decision from the referee and his assistant. "They are paid to get big decisions right - he didn't get that one right. At that time, we were comfortable. "Then in the second half, Petrov has made a movement to the ball with his elbow. It struck his elbow, but the referee doesn't give that one." Villa manager Martin O'Neill on the penalty decisions: "I have seen the penalty again and also the incident where Petrov was involved. If you give one, you probably have to give the other. "Some people said it was a very soft penalty - I've seen them given, but if that's the case, Petrov's is the same. Villa: Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Laursen, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Petrov, McCann, Barry, Angel, Sutton (Baros 90). Subs Not Used: Taylor, Davis, Cahill, Osbourne. Booked: Sutton. Goals: Barry 41 pen, Angel 50. Rovers: Friedel, Neill (Henchoz 85), Khizanishvili, Ooijer, Gray, Bentley, Mokoena, Tugay (Peter 61), Pedersen, Nonda, McCarthy (Jeffers 61). Subs Not Used: Brown, McEveley. Booked: Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Mokoena. Att: 30,089 Ref: H Webb

Rovers U18's beat Manchester United U18's 3-0 away yesterday morning in the Academy Group C league. Unfortunately the first team couldnt emulate their juniors, losing in the premiership later in the day to a solitary goal by United's Saha. Rovers 0 United 1 Match Report

Rovers Dutch defender Andre Ooijer has been included in Holland's squad to play England next Wednesday in Amsterdam.

Mark Hughes, is being quoted today in The Timesonline that he would consider an audacious move for David Beckham should the former England captain decides to leave Real Madrid. Just over a decade ago, the media laughed and mocked when Rovers made a bid for an other England captain, Gary Lineker. This time they arent so ready to laugh and are ready to accept the possibilities of Rovers bringing Beckham back into the Premiership. Mark Hughes is being quoted as saying. “I think everybody would be interested in David Beckham You have to cut your cloth accordingly and I am sure if he came on the open market — that there was an indication that Real Madrid were happy to let him go — there would be a few people in the queue for him. “Everybody considers top-class players. We have thrown our hat into the ring for big-name players in the past — there were a few clubs in for Bellamy and we were able to get him — but whether we do so I will keep to myself." Hughes however is also quoted as saying. "Possibly I have different priorities in different places. I have got to look at the strength of the squad as a whole, but obviously quality players like David coming on to the market would interest anybody, although it may be the right player at the wrong time.” Fans Comments Click Here

Love or hate Manchester United, you have to give Sir Alex credit for remaining at the helm of a club that is undoubtedly the biggest club in the world. Job security at any company is based on the ability of the employee to undertake duties that ensures the success and profit of the employer. The fact that Sir Alex has retained his job at Unit for 20 years is testament for the success that he has achieved, which on last count was 26 trophies. It may be argued that he has had the financial backing to achieve that success; however Sir Alex has over the years built a number of teams and continued the success, not only through the transfer market but also by developing talent from within their own ranks. Other managers have had financial backing and have failed to achieve a fraction of Sir Alex's success; in fact many have been total disasters despite the backing of their board. During Rovers glory days in the mid nineties, the media loved to accuse Rovers of having bought success, very few gave credit due to the managerial and coaching abilities of Daglish and Hartford. When their partnership broke up, Jack Walker still pumped money into the club, yet Hodson and Kidd couldn't bring back the glory days and Kidd eventually took the Rovers down. Whilst Souness brought back some success to the club, with promotion and a Worthington Cup victory' there never appeared to be the same harmony or team spirit, which eventually resulted in the loss of the crown jewels of Duff and Dunn developed from the academy started during the reign of Daglish and Hartford. On Saturday Sir Alex brings his troupes to Ewood, to play against a team assembled by the United heir apparent, Mark Hughes. A team that once again play for one another, showing a resolve to overcome adversity and visually indicate camaraderie and a passion to win for the manager and fans alike. Some supporters may dispute that comment, due to Lucas Neill's refusal to sign a new contract, however his commitment and performances on the field of play this season cannot be disputed. Who in any occupation would not want to reach the highest level of their chosen career path ? With the gates that Rovers get, there is no way anyone could argue that Rovers would the ultimate achievement of any player wanting to reach the highest goal in their chosen career. The lure of a big club is going to sway any player or manager. That is why I personally hope Sir Alex retains the United hot seat for another 20 years, for otherwise Rovers could easily loose Hughes before he finalises the resurrection of Rovers as a force in British football. Hughes's pedigree as the heir apparent must have been noted in the Old Trafford boardroom last season after he master minded the double over United, with David Bentley being the first player to score a hat trick against United in the premiership. When I left Ewood after that win last season I'd lost my voice and virtually floated down Bolton Road to the car park, this time it could be oh so different. With United having lost mid week to Southend, Rovers will need to be on their guard, for they could be the whipping boys as United seek revenge not only because of that defeat but also for last seasons double win by Rovers. Fans Predictions Click Here

Ive seen him a number of times now and at reserve team level he does stand out. However what must be taken into account is that reserve teams are now virtually are an overspill of youth team games. Very few clubs play first team squad players in the reserves due to first team squad rotation. For example the most experienced players Rovers have played in the reserves are Matteo, Henchoz plus Todd. Derbyshire has an eye for goal, but he needs to build up his body strength before he's thrown into the premiership. Experienced defenders will eat him alive, which will set back his confidence no end. The best way to blood him, is a sub, when there is no pressure on him. Throwing him in the deep end, is not the answer. A couple of bad games and how long would it be before the fans would get on his back. If anyone knows how to evelop a striker Hughes does, so I'll await his judgement on young Derbyshire.

Hold on, Bob, stop taking the credit. Ive been watching these lads for some time and have been singing their praise for ages, after WATCHING them in the reserves. If Andy had played last night we could have gone into double figures. Recall him now Hughey, Serious mode. All 3 Derbyshire, Garner and Taylor at present are to lightweight for the rigours of premiership football, they need to build up their body strength and stamina.Thats one of the reasons that Hughes farms them out to lower league clubs, to get them used to competative games where body contact is a bit more than shirt pulling.

Hat tricks from Joe Garner and Matt Derbyshire, plus a single goal from Eddie Nolan, gave Rovers reserves a well deserved win against Tranmere in the Pontins Holiday League Cup tonight at Christie Park, Morecambe. Rovers 7 Tranmere 0.

Lets be honest with ourselves. Villa's were better that us. We have a small squad and our better players are out through injury. And Lucas looks as if he's joined that injury list.

A controversial penalty 5 minutes before half time turned this afternoons game in Villa's favour, as Rovers lost this premiership game 2-0. Villa went in at half-time 1-0 after the linesman had flagged for a penalty when Andre Ooijer was alleged to have handled Sutton's cross. Villa's Pablo Angel made it 2-0 five minutes into the second half when first Gray and then Khizanishvili failed to clear the ball from the area. Rovers themselves had a good shout in the second half for a penalty, when a Villa player handled a Rovers free kick, however on this occation neither the referee or linesman saw it.

no problem Ricky, just class me as an old anorak. there again at my age maybe a duffel coat.