Who is this philip? As someone who watches the Under-21s and Under-18s the only players I heard being released are those who have really failed to make the grade. Is there a surprise name that we don't know about?

Very sad news. We exchanged pms from time to time and he always struck me as one of the good guys and someone who really knew his football. Condolences to his family.

At the end of a week when Circus Venky's, once again, grabbed national headlines for all the wrong reasons the Rovers slipped into the dreaded relegation places for the first time. Although it was a far more spirited display, particularly in the second half, than the one at Cardiff on Easter Monday, the end result was still the same — nil points. Sheffield Wednesday (2) 3 – 2 (1) Blackburn Rovers Jermaine Johnson 20, 78,Lita (pen) 35 Rhodes (pen) 12, Dann 71 Referee: R. East Attendance: 24,660 At the end of a week when Circus Venky's, once again, grabbed national headlines for all the wrong reasons the Rovers slipped into the dreaded relegation places for the first time. Although it was a far more spirited display, particularly in the second half, than the one at Cardiff on Easter Monday, the end result was still the same nil points. Watching the tortured figure of Gary Bowyer on the touchline trying to inspire, cajole and encourage his troops throughout the ninety minutes, one couldn't help but contrast the raw emotion of a genuine football man with the mob who sit in Pune and their acolytes in the boardroom. Whilst Shebby, Shaw, Agnew, Madam Desai and the Brothers Grimm argue over contracts and continually rearrange the deckchairs, the good ship Blackburn Rovers steams relentlessly forward towards the impending iceberg that is relegation. The dynasty that Jack Walker envisaged and that was so jealously guarded by the likes of John Williams and Tom Finn has long since been sacrificed on the altar of mammon. It is days like this and games like this that makes one realise just how far we have fallen in such a short space of time. Sadly, one suspects that the damage being wrought by the "rich kids" from Pune is likely to be irrevocable. Of course, one could argue that the present demise of the club has not been intentional and is simply the result of poor decisions by those sitting in Pune. However, that would be to forget that the "rich kids" in Pune wanted to be pro-active. It was their decision to replace Allardyce with Kean. It was their decisions which led to the departures of John Williams, Tom Finn, Martin Goodman, Andrew Pincher and others. Indeed, when the very people who they appointed to succeed these guys told them things they didn't want to hear, it was their decision to make more changes. In a little less than two and a half years they have taken an established, well-run and well-respected Premier League club and turned it into a national laughing stock that stands on the brink of a second successive relegation. The "rich kids" of Pune have become the accepted model of how not to run a football club. The players, of course, must take their share of the blame for what has occurred this season. However, a quick look at the teamsheet today compared with the eleven who lined up when the Brothers Grimm were first paraded around Ewood Park a couple of years ago merely underlines the folly of the owners. Michel Salgado, Chris Samba, Ryan Nelsen, Brett Emerton, Phil Jones, and El Hadji Diouf have all gone. Paul Robinson has seemingly played his last game for the club, whilst Dunny waits to see if he the one player who shows real commitment to the cause will be offered a new contract in the summer. Then there is the mysterious case of Gael Givet the eternal bench-warmer who it would seem is never to be actually called into the action. To replace this array of talent we have scoured the bargain basement for the likes of Lee Williamson, Cameron Stewart, Josh King and David Jones, amongst others, all good journeymen every one, but nowhere near the same calibre as those we have lost. The sad fact is that Dunny apart, until he tired in the second half, the Rovers had nobody who could provide that spark of magic to undo a very ordinary Wednesday defence. However, in Jermaine Johnson the home side had a player who had little trouble in destroying the Rovers back-line time and time again. After the debacle at Cardiff, Gary Bowyer made six changes to his starting line-up with Grzegorz Sandomierski, Jason Lowe, Lee Williamson, Cameron Stewart, David Dunn and Jordan Rhodes all coming in to the starting eleven. Sheffield started positively and straight from the kick-off drove into the Rovers area and won a corner within the first minute of the game. However, after a few minutes of early pressure from Wednesday, the game settled down and the Rovers started to enjoy a little more possession. On 12 minutes the Rovers got a major boost when Chris Kirkland felled Dunn in the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The move had started with a ball played forward by Lowe which enabled Rhodes to get the better of Miguel Llera before he was thwarted by Kirkland. However, the ball broke for Dunn who was brought down as he attempted to round Kirkland, who was anxiously trying to regain his ground after the initial save. Rhodes picked up the ball and calmly sent Kirkland the wrong way as he slotted home the spot-kick. The Rovers enjoyed a spell of possession as the home side seemed rattled by the early goal. However, it was clear that Wednesday carried a threat down both flanks with Jermaine Johnson looking particularly impressive. Sadly, the Rovers were, once again, masters of their own downfall when a shockingly inept piece of play by Williamson, after 20 minutes, allowed the whippet-like Johnson to pick up the ball, race into the area and then beat Sandomierski with a perfectly placed low shot which found the net. The goal provided the spark that Wednesday and the large home crowd required and only excellent work by Sandomierski prevented Jeremy Helan from giving Wednesday the lead. The corner that followed brought more mayhem in the Rovers ranks until an agricultural hack from Scott Dann cleared the lines and allowed the Rovers to regroup. The home side were now enjoying far more of the ball and their direct running was causing problems for the Rovers down the flanks. With ten minutes to go before half-time the Rovers fell behind to a somewhat controversial penalty decision. A deep cross from Reda Johnson was confidently claimed by Sandomierski. However, the officials deemed that a combination of Josh Morris and Grant Hanley had pushed Leroy Lita as he waited for the cross and a penalty was awarded. Lita, like Rhodes before him, sent the 'keeper the wrong way to convert the spot-kick with ease. Long-range efforts from Dunn and Kane were well held by Kirkland and the Rovers had cause to be grateful to Sandomierski when he did well to thwart Lita when the Wednesday man seemed certain to score. The Rovers started the second half strongly and enjoyed the greater share of possession as they forced Wednesday onto the defensive. Wednesday began to employ a "they shall not pass" mentality which brought an increasing number of free-kicks as Rovers players were hacked down whenever they threatened to get clear. Dunn, in particular, came in for some harsh treatment and got very little in the way of protection from a weak set of officials. On 71 minutes the Rovers' endeavours were finally rewarded with an equaliser. A corner from Jones was only partially cleared and when the ball fell to Josh King, who had replaced the disappointing Williamson, the former Manchester United man swung the ball over to the back post where Scott Dann headed back across goal into the far side of the net. Having got on level terms it seemed as if the Rovers would go on and win the game as they were enjoying the greater share of the attacking play. Unfortunately, it was when one of these attacks broke down that Wednesday were provided with the opportunity to take the lead. Once the ball found its way to the feet of the ever dangerous Jermaine Johnson, the Wednesday man set off in determined fashion towards the Rovers goal. Evading anything that resembled a challenge he got within 25 yards of goal then unleashed a strike which beat the dive of Sandomierski and found the corner of the net. The Rovers tried to get back into the game, but Wednesday settled for what they had and played out time quite successfully deep in the Rovers half. Indeed, they might even have stretched their lead with Helan firing over when clean through and then in the final moments they carved out a wonderful chance when the ball found its way to Kieran Lee in front of goal. Fortunately, Sandomierski was alert and was able to make a save with his legs to prevent Wednesday from scoring a fourth goal. In goal Grzegorz Sandomierski did everything that could be expected of him and but for one or two crucial saves the margin of defeat could have been greater. His handling on crosses was good and he looked positive when he elected to punch the ball clear. However, he looked to be caught somewhat by surprise with the third goal and was possibly a little late in trying to get down to make a save. At right-back, young Todd Kane looked very impressive both defensively and whenever he got forward. He is comfortable on the ball, is prepared to take people on and isn't afraid to have a go at goal. Josh Morris worked hard at left-back but struggled to contain Sheffield down the flank. The pace and quick feet of players like Jermaine Johnson and Leroy Lita caused him problems, but at least he stuck to the task. Grant Hanley and Scott Dann were again impressive in the centre, although Hanley was caught out on a couple of occasions and had to give away needless fouls. Despite the improved form of the centre-back pairing, the fact remains that the Rovers are conceding far too many goals. Once again, David Dunn was the pick of the midfield men and was the one player who looked capable of breaking down the Wednesday defence. Unfortunately, he appeared to be targeted for some rough treatment in the second half and received very little protection from the referee. Lee Williamson, Jason Lowe and David Jones were workmanlike but nothing more. Indeed, Williamson struggled to get into the game and was directly responsible for the opening Wednesday goal. Cameron Stewart made little or no impression on the left wing before being withdrawn along with Williamson early in the second half. Jordan Rhodes again ploughed a lone furrow up front, but at times his link-up play was better than it has been of late. Once again, with limited service he had few chances in front of goal apart from the penalty. Having entered the relegation zone the Rovers now face two crucial home games that will surely decide their ultimate fate. Six points from the games against Derby County and Huddersfield Town and the club have a chance of survival. Anything less and the prospect of trips to the likes of Crawley Town and Stevenage become frighteningly real. Whoever would have thought that one family in India could have wrought so much havoc in such a short space of time? Teams Sheffield Wednesday Chris Kirkland; Lewis Buxton, Anthony Gardner, Miguel Llera, Reda Johnson; Giles Coke, Stuart Holden (Kieran Lee 59), Seyi Olofinjana, Jeremy Helan; Jermaine Johnson (Chris Maguire 84), Leroy Lita (Steve Howard 69) Subs not used: Stephen Bywater (gk), Martin Taylor, Rhys McCabe, David Prutton Manager: Dave Jones Blackburn Rovers Grzegorz Sandomierski; Todd Kane, Scott Dann, Grant Hanley, Josh Morris; David Dunn, Lee Williamson (Joshua King 63), David Jones, Jason Lowe, Cameron Stewart (Colin Kazim-Richards 56); Jordan Rhodes Subs not used: Sebastian Usai (gk), Gael Givet, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Nuno Gomes, Karim Rekik Caretaker Manager: Gary Bowyer Bookings Sheffield Wednesday Chris Kirkland, Seyi Olofinjana, Anthony Gardner, Reda Johnson Blackburn Rovers David Dunn, Lee Williamson, Todd Kane, Josh Morris Join in the discussion on the forum here. View full article

In 50 years of watching the Rovers I don't think we have ever had a period like the present one. We simply slump from crisis to crisis with no end in sight. I don't know if Jensen left of his own accord or if he was axed but whatever the reason the club ought to explain to the fans - we are, after all, the paying customers. It would appear that Venkys have learnt nothing from the shambles that they have overseen so far and their PR is as bad as ever. If things continue in this manner one can see that not only will be getting cries of 'Kean out' during matches, but before long it will also be 'Venkys out'. The season has hardly begun and we are in the relegation places with two thirds of our League games ending in defeat. We have no assistant manager but have a manager who has little or no support amongst the fans but is propped up by a bunch of clueless owners who spend most of their time on the other side of the world. As a former Prime Minister was once misquoted - "Crisis, what crisis?" and we all know what happened to him!

Moko had a very good game today, particularly in the first half. He sat in front of the back four and did what he did for us - broke up play and protected the back four - something which our midfielders have failed to do so far this season. Like 92er I was pleased to see he got such good reception for the Rovers' fans. Clearly rover6, they appreciate a player who, despite his limitations, always gave 100 per cent for the the team.

I don't know why you don't give this one up rover6. At the end of the day Mokoena will end his career with far more Premiership appearances and international caps than players like Gary Harkins. You may not like it. You may disagree with it. But at the end of the day it will be fact! I've seen countless players pass throught the academy and reserves who possessed enormous talent but lacked that little bit extra that could turn them into top flight players. Mokoena obviously poessess that something that enables him to maximise his ability and harness it into a team situation. I've seen a great deal of both Harkins and Mokoena and in terms of Premier League ability there is no comparison. Mokoena is by far the better player as the career stats of both players will no doubt show at the end of their careers.

And I confidently predict by at the end of their careers, because your predictions are dealing this two players of differing ages, that: Aaron Mokoena will have played more Premier League games than Gary Harkins. Aaron Mokoena will have appeared in more international matches than Gary Harkins. Aaron Mokoena will have enjoyed a far more successful career than Gary Harkins.

I believe that to be the case. Watt joined them last season and Howson signed for them during the summer.

Jerome Watt is now playing with AFC Fylde along with Stuart Howson, another ex-Rover.

A couple of updates for rover6: Andy Reid is now playing with Beith Juniors while Adam Nelson and Kieron Renton both joined Musselburgh Athletic in the summer. With regard to the debate over Black, Harkins and Mokoena - having seen quite a bit of all three I know which I would choose. On this we will have to agree to disagree. When Aaron left the Rovers there were two or three other Premiership clubs interested in him. When Harkins left the Rovers he went to Grimsby and struggled. He then moved to Partick Thistle and has now moved sideways, so to speak, to another club in League One in Scotland in Dundee. Black, on the other hand, has played continually in the Scottish Premier League since leaving the Rovers. His star appears to be on the rise again with an international call up in May and a transfer to Hearts in the summer. As I said before, he has been the most successful of the youngsters who returned to Scotland after their stints at Ewood. What I do find surprising, is how quickly these lads seem to drop through the Leagues in Scotland and into Scottish non-League football. The latest to disappear seems to be Alan Morgan who was not retained by Stenhousemuir at the end of last season. I must say I find that surprising as I always rated Morgan when he was with the Academy and the Reserves.

Ian Black has been, by far and away, the most successful of the youngsters who returned to Scotland. He joined Inverness Caledonian Thistle after leaving the Rovers and won a Scottish 'B' cap in 2005. He moved to Hearts this summer after playing for Scotland 'B' against Northern Ireland 'B' in May of this year. I would suggest, rover6, that you keep track of him, he always looked impressive in the Academy. Is he good enough for the Premier League? That's another question. With regard to Harkins, while it's good to see him doing well, there is a huge gulf between the second tier of Scottish football and the Premier League. Certainly, at Ewood he was noted more for his physical approach to the game rather than skilful midfield play. Perhaps the level he is now at means that he can use his physique to provide him with more time and space to play the game.

I think you're getting a little carried away there rover6 to suggest that Harkins is on the verge of the Scottish national team. He failed to make the grade with Grimsby Town and in Scotland is plying his trade in the second tier of Scottish football. I would have thought that he would need to make a move to the Scottish Premier League and prove himself at that level before the international team starts to call. At Ewood, he was never anything more than a workmanlike midfielder-cum-defender. I seem to recall him playing a full-back for the Academy on a few occasions and he caught the eye early in his career. However, he never really looked a possible candidate for the first team. I'm not quite sure on what you base your assumption that he is better than Mokoena or Andrews. There have been any number of youngsters who have left the Rovers and carved out a decent career in the Scottish Leagues - Nelson, Black, Morgan, Renton and Cummings to name a few. However, none would have made it in the Premier League.

They are all playing in the Championship as far as I am aware rover6 - all at the same level. You can't compare Taylor, McEveley and Nolan with Berner and Simpson. The first three were products of the Academy who failed to make the grade. McEveley was undoubtedly the most outstanding prospect until injuries began to set him back. Both Nolan and Taylor looked fairly unimpressive in the reserves and never really threatened to break into the first team. In fairness to Nolan there seemed to be some confusion as to what was his best position. He spent much of his time at right-back in the reserves rather than at centre-back. Berner was brought in to provide experienced cover at left-back and left midfield. He also played at centre-back and centre-midfield with the reserves. With their job dependent on results, managers really can't be faulted for opting to use experienced players as back-up rather than a youngster who has not really impressed in the reserves. Again, Simpson was brought in on loan with a view to becoming the first choice right-back. It was a gamble that didn't work. However, there was no other option as we had nobody in the reserves who looked anywhere near good enough to play right-back. Ultimately, Ooijer did an impressive job for the majority of the season. To answer your question as to why we let them go - it's quite simple. Neither Taylor nor Nolan looked good enough in reserve matches to suggest that they would make the breakthrough. Better that they dropped down the leagues and try to rebuild their careers elsewhere - which both have done and good luck to them.

At Academy and Reserve level Jay was far superior to Andy Taylor. As a youngster, McEveley was a central defender who could also operate at left-back. Andy Taylor now commands a regular place in what is the old Third Division while Jay is operating in the old Second Division. Both players have found their levels. Having watched both develop through the ranks at Ewood Park it is disappointing that neither was able to establish themselves with the Rovers. However, in truth, I don't think anyone who watches reserve football believed that Andy Taylor would ever make the grade in the Premier League. Jay looked the more promising as a youngster and looked a really decent prospect at one point but, sadly, he seemed to lose his way and wasn't helped by injuries.

Mark Hughes has been an excellent manager for the club and I wish him well if he goes to Chelsea or Manchester City. He's ambitious and wants to make the most of his managerial career. It's the same in any walk of life, if you can advance your career you do. We are supporters of Blackburn Rovers and love the club but to Mark Hughes, his staff and players, their time at Ewood Park is just one phase of their careers. It doesn't make it easier for us as supporters but you can't blame them for trying to further their own careers. During his time at the club he has given 100 per cent, he's improved the squad and the League position and turned the club into one that challenges for Europe. For that we should be very thankful to him. The sad fact is that the Rovers are no longer a big club in terms of being able to compete in the transfer market. The hardest task for John Williams will be to find someone as good as Hughes.

The major flaw in your argument rover6 is that your policy of 'systematically promoting' young players at the expense of more seasoned professionals may well lead to a downturn in results. The first team is a results driven business and the manager's job rests in getting the right results. It is only natural that he would want experienced cover for his first choice eleven. Berner was a better choice than Taylor to act as cover. Olsson has looked like a player who could develop into a Premiership player while playing with the Reserves. Taylor never did. Surely players should be selected on ability and not because of their age or the fact that they have come through the club's Academy. Berner has looked a far better player than Taylor in Reserve football and, in my opinion, has done a decent job when drafted into the first team. For what he has cost us I believe he has proved good value. The same applies to Mokoena. He has been an excellent buy in terms of what he cost, the number of games he has played and his contribution to the team. When he first arrived he helped us avoid relegation and last season he was excellent after Savage was injured. I would agree that Olsson is likely to become the backup to Warnock and or Pedersen next season and Berner might leave. However, unless we make another couple of signings in midfield then I would want Mokoena to stay, particularly if Tugay leaves. With only O'Keefe, Marrow and Hodge in the Reserves to fill the gaps in central midfield I would think it essential that Mokoena stays as he is head and shoulders above these three.

rover6 you suggest that Fielding has a future at the club but do you honestly think that he will want to return and be the number 4 'keeper? Brown and Neilsen are both ahead of him in the pecking order - and rightly so because both look better 'keepers. Both of these were signed for fees by Hughes because he rates them and he obviously had concerns about the younger 'keepers at the club. I still maintain that selecting young players, ahead of better and more seasoned professionals, just to give them experience is wrong. It seems to me that Hughes has got the mix just about right. He has experienced back-up players like Zurab, Berner and Mokoena while at the same time he is able to bring in younger players like Olsson, as happened yesterday, when the opportunity arises. Are you really suggesting that we put players into the first team who are inferior to the players who are already there, simply because they have come through the Academy? Do you really believe that Hodge, O'Keefe or Keita are better players than Mokoena? If you do, then I can only assume that you have never seen these youngsters kick a ball!

Personally, I wouldn't include Nolan as a future first team player. He is being used as a right back in the reserves and I would certainly prefer Brett or Andre to fill that position ahead of him. Also, I don't see a future for Frank Fielding at the club as he would be, in my opinion, fourth choice 'keeper. After a season with Wycombe I feel sure he will want a permanent move away from Ewood Park. If you are asking me if I would use Berner and Mokoena in the first team ahead of Olsson, Nolan etc. I would say everytime. I've seen all of Berner's games, both for first team and reserves and I honestly feel he is the better player to act as backup to Warnock. In truth, I feel he could have been use more in away games on the left of midfield instead of Pedersen. Mokoena has no obvious challenger in the Reserves - he is head and shoulders above the likes of O'Keefe, Hodge or the departed Keita. Personally, I fully agree with Hughes when he opts to sign senior players with international experience to provide backup for the senior team rather than rely on youngsters who may or may not make the grade. Clubs like the Rovers can't afford to allow youngsters to learn their trade in the first team.

His main position is midfield, but he has also been used in a more attacking role operating in and around the main striker. He has scored some good goals in recent weeks. I would like to see him go out on loan next season to see how he does at a higher level than the Reserves. He has great skill and an eye for goal but I'm not quite sure what his best position is. He's operated in wide positions, in the centre of midfield and playing off a main striker.

rover 6 how many times have you watched the Reserves over the past few years? You talk about our best young players being an 'elite' but in truth they are not very good. If our best young reserve full-back, which you imply that Taylor was, is worse than Bruno Berner, why should the manager pick him? Why should the manager select inferior players just because they have come through the Academy? We have a whole host of inferior players in the Academy and Reserves at the moment. Are you seriously suggesting that we get rid of the senior backup players and put all these youngsters in? The manager has a duty to select the strongest side possible from the players he has available to him. My firm belief is that the management team should be OBLIGED to select the strongest team at all times and win matches, irrespective of where the players originate from. This blind faith in some the of the youngsters suggests to me that you have seen very few of them in action. I'm intrigued to know who you consider to be our 'elite' young reserve players. Apart from Nielsen, Olsson and Judge, I can't think of any others who have played with any degree of consistency this season. Of these, Nielsen is not going to get the nod ahead of Brad or Jason Brown at the moment. Olsson has suffered from injury recently but has great promise while Judge, tricky little player that he is, is not going to get selected ahead of Roque, Jason, Benni or Matt at the moment.

I wonder how often some people actually watch the Reserves when we get demands that certain players be given their opportunity in the first team simply because they have come through the Academy. The simple fact is that Andy Taylor is not a Premiership left-back. Bruno Berner is an experienced international with European experience and having watched both play I know who I'd prefer to act as backup to Warnock, and it isn't the one who is now plying his trade in the third tier of English football. Football has changed from the days when clubs like the Rovers could afford to allow a youngster to learn his trade in the first team. There is too much money at stake for that to happen today and experienced football men like Mark Hughes know this and bring in experienced players who are willing to act as squad players and play a backup role. Taylor didn't get a chance because he had no top flight experience, Taylor didn't get a chance in the Premiership because he wasn't good enough in the view of the manager. I, for one, don't have a problem with that as I saw nothing in his performances in the Reserves to suggest Hughes has got it wrong. I'm sure Andy Taylor will have a successful career lower down the Leagues but not at the top level.

Personally, I'd take Aaron over Treacy any day of the week. At least with Aaron you get effort, Treacy gives the impression of not really being all that bothered and drifts in and out of games. He has all the ability in the world but it's his application that I question. He could and should be knocking on the first team door, particularly when Pedersen has been so poor for much of the season. That he isn't suggests that the management have reservations about him.

Rover6 are you seriously suggesting that Mokoena and Treacy are the same type of player? The reason that Treacy is not in the first team squad is because his performances for the Reserves have been average to say the least. I sometimes wonder if the people who are demanding that the youngsters in the Reserves be given a chance at first team level have actually watched them play. As one who watches Reserve team football I don't believe that there is one young player at the moment who is better than any of the senior squad. I think that Nielsen and Olsson have a chance of making the grade, while Judge is a player of promise. However, I can understand why the likes of Mokoena and Berner are important to Hughes. He wants experience and players who can perform at Premiership level to act as backup. I agree, Aaron has not had the best of seasons but then Samba, Nelsen, McCarthy and Pedersen have also been very disappointing this term. Having watched a great deal of Reserve and Academy football the one thing I feel certain about is that if we have to rely on the youngsters at the club at first team level then we are in trouble!

Why is Mokoena getting so much stick for making a tackle in an international match? He is a professional footballer who had been chosen to represent his country. South African supporters would have expected him to give 100 per cent - after all they had paid to watch the match. No doubt his manager also expected him to tackle the opposition. I'm as Blue and White as the next supporter but to expect players not to try in international matches because we don't want them to tackle a clubmate is beyond belief. People may not like Mokoena but he is a player who always gives 100 per cent - something which I admire about him. He doesn't have the technical ability of many of our players but he always does his best when he takes the field. I don't recall people asking him not to tackle when he helped us avoid relegation a couple of seasons ago. I suspect that if Roque had put Mokoena out of the game there wouldn't have been a word said. If we don't want players to get injured on international duty then make it a clause in their contract that they don't play internationals. But, of course, if we did that we wouldn't be able find players willing to sign for us. International football is a fact of life and the more international players we sign the more they are likely to face each other in international matches. The world, surprisingly, does not revolve around Ewood Park.