Wow, we were the polar opposite of the team that turned out at White Hart lane, despite only one change (Gamst for Emerton). If anything this clearly highlights just how inconsistant our team is, which is why we'll struggle to hold onto that European place. Hughes has managed to massively overachieve with this squad through confidence tricks, fitness gurus and fantastic coaching (defensively, offensively and technically), it'll be a joy to watch him manage a talented side over the next few seasons when he brings in his own players.

As for the game, the only player who comes out of it with praise from me is Savage. He ran his socks off and never gave their midfield a minute of rest, and his distribution was also pretty good. I've been saying it for a while now, Bentley isn't a central midfielder, he lacks the drive, build, fitness or determination to play at the heart of the team. You could tell in his reaction to being subbed how craply he knew he'd played. Whatever I feel about Reid, he's clearly a more competant central midfielder and provides the backbone we need to structure our attacks and defence around.

Elsewhere, the defence was shocking. Nelsen and Todd were turned far too often for my liking, even though Nelsen comes out with credit for the season saving tackle (as Philipl suggests) and sprinting back to put Baros off when he was through on goal. I'm unsure if it was a tactical error , or poor game planning, but we struggled to cope with their front three of Moore, Baros and Phillips. I though Gray was decent, but Neill was shocking, he was constantly beaten on the back post, such as the header Baros put over (and the Mido goal last week). I love his drive, physicality and commitment, but his positioning is still suspect.

The frontline scored, so it's hard to criticise, but they did nothing to impress me. Pongolle was shown up by Dickov, yes Dickov! The difference in control, link up and ability to run the channels was astounding, especially considering how highly touted the young Frenchman is. Still, he's lightning quick, as Ridgewell found out! Bellamy drifted in and out of the game, though he did well to pounce on the rebound. He wasn't helped by our inability to string three passes together (what was with that long ball crap btw?!), but he's our most influential player and should have found a way to make an impact.

Finally Friedel, he had a mixed bag to say the least! He made several outstanding saves from Baros, but then countered that by showing embarrasing positional sense. Nelsen saved his blushes with his tackle, but can anyone explain to me what Brad was doing in no-mans land?

All in all, retribution for our performance against Spurs. I feel for the Villa fans.....ok that's a lie . Three points is three points, it's turning out to be a great season!

Pennant and Arca are two that spring to mind. Likewise Forrsell and Lua Lua.

- In the end, we would have won with just one bad miss and one bad refereeing decision against us but two bad misses (Bentley's scuffed shot was almost as bad as putting a penalty wide) and three goal-deciding refereeing howlers going the wrong way was too much for even Sunday's fabulous performance to be able to overcome Spurs.

Can't agree with that - Robinson is a top, top keeper, evidenced by his awesome save of the 30 yard screamer unleashed by Bentley. I doubt the outcome of the scuffed shot would have been different, on target or not. Both goals scored against him were close range, allowing him absolutely no time to react - he's not the England keeper for nothing.

Now Sinama's miss was diabolical, but you didn't really elaborate on that

If we play like we did on Sunday we'll turn them over, but with our consistency this season who knows?

Was it Harry Redknapp who sold Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United? I knew the players agent at the time (we both went to the same school) and I don't want to make allegations but there was something not right about that deal!

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Apologies if this has already been posted but I don`t have time to read the entire thread. I`m at work you know.

Nice article on the Sky website...click here

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That picture is brilliant, I can only imagine he's saying: "Fffffffantastic ball Tugay"

I know its a small media minority who aren't giving Rovers credit after a tremendous performance yesterday, but it blimmin winds me up. Take MOTD2 (Or London clubs 2+United). "The game hinged on 3 big hand ball decisions said the presenter", the two Nelsen hand balls and the Keane hand ball (which im shocked they showed)....guys aren't you missing one? THE HAND BALL BY STALTERI THAT COULD HAVE GOT US BACK TO 3-3!!! All the boys in the sky studio said it was a blatant penalty and that Nelsen's wasn't, so why couldn't they at least show it. Then onto the sun newspaper today: "Rovers' long punts up field looked to be winding Martin Jol up". The same Jol who called us a 'marvellous team' live on sky? It also said that our robust performance had Jol shaking his head. Where do these guys get off? Not one of our players in that paper had an 8, where as Dawson did?! For the neutral who only reads and listens to this garbage it looks as if we were lucky to get away with only a 1 goal difference. As I said I know it's only a small minority of the media, but still an absoloute joke after yesterday's game where we controlled the media darling's and England's elect 11 for 80 minutes.

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They seem to do it a hell of a lot, unfortunately most of the country saw the absolute domination of Spurs, so they look very foolish.

Regarding the third goal, I thought Gray made a huge mistake in not bringing Lennon down. It's an automatic yellow card, but it prevents a dangerous cross on the counter attack. I'd take my chances at a free kick.

he seems to enjoy playing for blackburn rovers and i enjoy watching him.

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I think it's more he enjoys playing for a team that actually wants him, rather than a French dominated side that didn't give him the time of day. Of course the fact he's working with an exceptional backroom staff must help, but overall it's that he feels loved right now

My dad made an interesting point today as he feels Spurs are just like us but a year on

Yep i know that pub, you were a bit brave going in there with a Rovers top on mate.

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Is there something I've not been told . I've done it a few times and been ok - though there was a few hairy moment when Ped equalised against United

What pub was you in in Hull Exiled Rover?

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The Boars Head, or whatever they're calling it now. It's on Bev Road.

SPOT ON JIMBO!!!!!!!!!!

LOSING IS CRAP

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Erm....nobody's saying "Fantastic, we lost!" Everyone is obviously disappointed that we didn't come out of the match with anything, but the performance has left a smile on most of our faces. When you're the best team on the pitch by far, despite being away from home against the team in 4th (who must have spent about £50m in the last few years) you can't help but be impressed. Spuds were playing counter attacking football for the majority of the game - this a team 4th in the league and apparently invincible at home!

Put it this way, I was in a pub here in Hull with a bunch of neutrals who were on the windup due to me being the only fan in the establishment. The way we were playing football brought them over to our side, with a few of them going out of their way to say how unlucky we were to lose. When your side has the ability to do that, well it leaves me happy and proud if nothing else

Fabulous performance from the boys.

A proper football team. Rovers fans should all be proud.

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I was just about to post, 'anybody else immensely proud of their team today?' I was beaming in the pub, despite the result - two goals you can do absolutely nothing about (even if the first Keane goal was a throw in, the finish was magical) and some fabulous flowing football. Best team on the pitch by far.

Not the most flattering pictures

Ruggedly constructed at 6ft 1in

Starting his son too

Match has been postponed because of "driving snow and freezing temperatures for weeks"

Must be a microclimate at deepdale.  This week has been "a bit cold, with a little bit of snow yesterday afternoon"

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We can't really comment can we

Queue violins..........

I'm certain that John William's plans to get bums on seats doesn't account for any of you lightweights

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Were you born with that tw@ttish attitude, or have you cultured it?

Typical yank.  I suppose the Bud advert is true.  Whats next Blackburn Panthers!!!!

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That's the Carolina Panthers, mate

So basically we're in decent financial shape, but would really suffer if the Walker Trust ditched us.

Anything in the top half is a pretty decent finish and a huge improvement over last season.

Is anyone else imagining the Trustees in a Jedi Council...esque scenario? Twelve of so hooded blokes in a big boardroom somewhere in deepest darkest Jersey making decisions that decide the fate of the Gal....erm, Rovers.....anybody?

Airhorns are the future!

This is the mentalist thread ever.

I cant even believev the Birmingham fans are discussing it, like they'd be losing a key player or something.

INJURED PLAYERS ARE NO USE TO ANYONE.

Dunny is the biggest crock in the Premiership and we I wouldn't touch him with a barge pole.

He is always injured yet he is always out on the pop. See any connection? He is totally unprofessional and Birmingham are more than welcome to continue picking up his 40k a week tab until the end of his ridiculous contract. All the best to the mugs.

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I'd definately take him back, but it'd be on our terms. Pay as you play type deal with big bonuses for goals, assists, appearences etc. It's hightly unlikely Brum could afford him if they went down (which is looking less and less likely, dammit ), and I'm sure we'd get first crack at offering him a contract.

One thing I wouldn't do is pay significant money for his services, £2m would be extortionate under the circumstances. A nominal fee and the removal of him from the wage budget would suffice for Big Club I feel.