Disgraceful if true. Utterly unacceptable. It's handy and all, that Etuhu can cover at CB, but that leaves us relying on lowe to shield our shakey defence (Petrovic is listed), which was the biggest on-field reason we went down. Why are we signing nine million midfielders, where we already had sufficient numbers, instead of addressing this? It's sheer stupidity or worse, there is no excuse. Still contemplating a youth player on loan in midfield though, what the hell? If we don't sign a single defender, I say this window has been a disaster.

There was a foul Scholes made earlier than that that he should DEFINITELY have been booked for at least.

Can't agree- that goal was offside and never crossed the line, and those are the linesman's job to spot, but there was also a foul or two, and a handball, and the ref didn't spot those either. Whoever was responsible, that is the single most illegal goal I ever saw.

Odd logic. Alternative scenario for you- we start him, he bottles it and plays crap, his Rovers career never takes off, Kean gets slated. You have to be careful introducing new, and young, players. Just because he's looked good in the ressies does not make him our new messiah. Starting him (probably on his own up front, too) would be madness.

That's happened to numerous players over the years. The way I recall it, what made that particular one so ludicrous was that if anything, Berg was fouled by Sharp. Or at least that it was a 50-50. All time Rovers refereeing cockup for me is -that- West Ham goal that never was. I forget the year. But disallowable on about 5 or 6 counts, yet both the ref and linesman missed them all. What are the odds?

In light of today's sad news, I'm wondering if there is any chance that anybody has got any footage from the days of Ronnie Clayton? I know it's a bit unlikely, but it's an era of the club I'd love to see a glimpse of.

I actually hope they're not, as then it would be incorrect. If true, a terrible day for the club. My sincere condolences to his family and friends- the only solace I can offer is that he will live on forever in the club's memory.

If Benni is still having work permit problems, then sod it, someone tell him I'll marry the bugger!!! I appreciate his contributions at times, and what he can bring to our team, but it sounds like we have a fair price for a vastly unhappy, disruptive slouch, and we should do everything we can to ensure we receive that money. On the proviso that we actually replace him. I don't want to see us with ONLY Kalinic and Roberts as forwards we own in the summer (I certainly don't count Diouf or Hoilett as adequate in that position).

Why are you assuming a replacement hasn't been lined up?

I concur.

That definitely happened LeChuck, I remember it well. However, it was when he left. The badge kissing thing came later, and therefore is probably more pertinent in determining his attitude to us. For all we know his agent penned the letter.

I've read it now... Oh no, I find it much more laughable that she said she was never really that impressed with footballers, yet proceeded to go off to bonk him after being merely asked, even after he kept chucking up everywhere. What a colossal slag. Assuming it's not just nonsense to sell papers, which nobody should ever put the Sun (or tawdry slags) beyond doing.

Good to see we're not shallow here then! There's a bit more to a broad than looks, who knows. I haven't read the story yet mind, she's probably just a tawdry slag. Point being, Cheryl is fit but might be an utter bitch for all we know.

Cheers Den, I was running out of excuses to keep posting to keep the topic easily accessible! Just watched those Burnley away highlights...gods the Dingles were dirty that day.

Weird, I distinctly remember being at this game, but I've no recollection of it being the opening day of the newly developed stadium, none at all. I didn't even remember that I ever sat in it before it was developed, but guess I must have! 25 million for a 30,000 seater stadium, you'd never get anything like that now! Wouldn't be surprised if it cost a similar amount just to rebuild the Riverside to the same capacity as the Jack Walker!

I've edited all the clips onto the first post in the thread, so people don't have to trawl around for them all. If anybody knows the scorers of any of the goals (naming which goal though please), let me know and I'll put that info in too. Us whippersnappers wouldn't know you see

There is a possibility that this is a slight exaggeration.

Personally I would just trust Hughes to get a decent one in. Of course, that also means that if he doesn't sell Andre, I don't expect I'll be criticising him either, as it will mean he doesn't think he has someone available who can do the job.

Didn't know we had an option for another year. That changes it a bit...I still wouldn't be distraught to see him go though if a replacement were lined up.

And why is that? It's called financial prudence. Not being first choice right now, he's a bit unlikely to make the position his own, and although, yes, some centre halves do play on til 36 or so, most are over the hill by about 33. Also, since he isn't first choice, how likely is he to want to sign a new contract? He will be aware himself that his last few years are upon him, and he is liable to want to play them out rather than sit them out. Therefore, a sale now for a mill, helping to fund a youthful replacement, would represent good business versus letting him go for nothing at the end of the season. Do you have a reason I'm wrong that doesn't involve computer games, which nobody else brought up? Besides, I've never been massively impressed with him. He's quality when he's on it, though not the fastest, and he has been pretty poor at times.

Would be nice if they'd make a 1 million bid for him IMO...I was never really happy with this signing in the first place, he's old, in his last contract year, and if we got that we'd get most of our money back for him. Plenty of other options to cover, and we could even have another expert Hughesy gamble on a new young centre half (he seems to be damned good at that!)

Don't know, if Derbyshire can fulfill his potential I can see him getting close. Doesn't look like someone who would want to leave.

Sherwood? Now? He's 38 and retired in 2005, are you talking about the next level down?

Capable, sure, as a fill-in. Nothing more. If we sold Pedersen we would immediately have to look at buying another left-sided midfielder. And though I agree Pedersen isn't entirely pulling his weight, good left mids are not a dime a dozen. We're also unlikely to get 10 million for him when he isn't on his game, and won't want to sell him when he is.

Thankfully, the Wigan vacancy seems to be one Hughesy isn't being linked with! Unsurprising I know, but I just looked at the oddschecker odds, and they've not got Hughes on the list- but Mourinho is 100-1 for it, and probably more astonishingly, Benitez is 40-1 with Betfred! Incidentally, my immediate instinct when Hutchings was sacked was that Jewel would be back. Wish I'd bet on it then, naff odds now.