He wont be sold - He's reliable, experienced and our 3rd choice centre back and second choice right back! He's done well this year and I'd be concerned to see him go - especially with our other options and priorities lying elsewhere. He's this season's Mokoena for me - much improved from when he played his first few games... Oh re his contract - I've had a look and although it does expire at the end of the season, Rovers have an option for another year which I expect we will activate in the next few weeks...

I'm another fan of The Axe. As already mentioned he has played his best football for us in a 4-5-1 and took time to adapt to playing in a 4 man midfield. At first he was comical but when he was given a regular place in the side he has shown to be more than capable replacement for savage. I think Hughes rates him too - I remember a comment not so long ago about keeping players happy and that good players like Mokoena cant be kept out of the side for too long.

Matty has just scored for England Under 21's after 7min

He wont be cuptied if he plays in the intertoto for us tomorrow...

This is why I dont really give a rats arse about England - Run by cretins from top to bottom. Only really take an interest if a Rovers player is involved but Bentley may as well have been left out of the squad and given a rest before the Under 21's. I could've watched Super League instead of that crap!! I can understand Downing coming on as he played really well last week but Dyer, Jenas & then Carrick coming on in a non-competitive game where there was an ideal opportunity to experiment was a joke. Do you think Bentley would've fluffed that cross towards the end by Dyer (Edit - It was apparently Super Jermaine Jenas) when it was 2 on 2? Probably not. I'm semi-hoping for a draw/defeat on Weds just to get rid of this clown but that would probably mean no Euro 2008. Aaaaaaaargh!!!

Nice to see McLaren experimenting and using new players... Dyer & Jenas FFS!!! Aaaaaaargh!

Thought he was England's main outlet tonight and once he had gone off there didnt appear to be anyone who wanted to be on the ball and create chances. There were a couple of passes in the first half that were very 'Beckhamesque' (!) Hopefully he will get his chance - would cap a brilliant season to be involved against Brazil next week. Delighted for him...

When I've seen Berbatov he has impressed me a lot but then I came accross this stat on another forum. Here are the teams he has scored across in the league this year... Sheffield United. 2 against Wigan. 2 against Boro. 3 against Charlton. 2 against Fulham. Newcastle West Ham None of these are in the top 10! He's also contributed a lot of assists too to be fair but it looks as though he could be a big game bottler?! I hate to go on about media bias, etc. but it's ridiculous all the hype about him (given the stats above) when our no 10 doesnt get a look in.

Do the people posting saying he hasn't done anything when he's played only have a 9 month memory bank? Last season on his debut he provided 3 assists albeit against a lower leage side but in the games that he featured in after that game he looked very promising and provided a few more assists too if I remember right? I dont see how he can really make an impact in the few games he's played this season. AND he is just 20 years old FFS!!!!

On Radio Lancs they said he was there and wasnt injured. Also said 'make of that what you will'...

He started off playing very well but the nearer we've come to the transfer window opening he's been prone to the odd mistake. Unfortunatley at least 2 of those mistakes have led to goal - that pen and last week the free-kick for Arsenal's first goal.

Haha sorry yeah with Bolton. Just seen that I was too slow on this anyway - Someone has already mentioned it on the transfer thread.

Sky Sports News are reporting that Dunn has today passed a medical and the deal is expected to be confirmed later today...

I've been a fan of Mokoena but yesterday he was truely awful - Couldnt pass and offered no movement. Even when Rovers had the ball he was constantly next to an Arsenal player. He didnt move into space and look to receive the ball and make any mark on the game. He was a passenger for 45 minutes. If we had Tugay on the pitch from the start then I think we would've won - By effectively playing 10 against 10 in the first half we allowed them to remain in the game and when their goal went in there was no way back. As a matter of interest - Who plays centre mid for the reserves?

I've not read the post match thread but it's not been pointed out on here that it was Lucas Neill's balls up that led to their first goal. Such a dependable player has turned into a liability recently. sell sell sell...

Hmmmmm - Given how keen both Lucas and his agent have been to talk to the press I'm sure something would've come out if we hadnt offered him a new deal? They dont strike me as people to stay quiet on something like that...

I've a feeling that Hughes see's that our circumstances/need for Dunn has changed since the end of the last window. Who would have thought in August that Tugay would have played as many games as he has done so far and been so influential? Add to that Bentley's performances in centre mid when he's been called upon & the iminent return of Reid he doesnt seem as much as a priority as some might think. Yes another body in CM to pick from would be good but there's no point in wasting £1m-£2m on somebody who might actually only be able to play in 5-10 games between now and the end of the season. I have always placed faith in the management team - at the end of the day they see the players in training, know their strengths & weaknesses & know who/what is needed to take the team forward.

Agree 100% - I dont think I have been willing a player on like this in a long time. I was delighted he scored on Saturday - Because he is a fan and a Blackburn boy, us supporters can empathise with him a whole lot more than a Johny Foreigner. This will have a positive effect on the atmosphere and then hopefully a knock-on effect the team too. You're wrong - See above.

Just seen that if Lucas receives a booking today it will be his 5th and therefore a ban for Liverpool?! Can this be confirmed? If true then I'm sure he will be aware of it and I wouldnt bet against a bit of shirt pulling or something late on this afternoon... :ph34r:

I think he's done alright recently - certainly no worse than alot of other players in the side. He's a very useful player to have in the squad in my opinion...

Well he's saying the right things about the club... http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...y+Rovers+chance

He didnt say 1 or 2 strikers - he said 1 or 2 people to add to the squad or something similar.

I have to agree it's quite sad reading personal attacks because somebody has a difference of opinion... I agree partly with rover the moon - I've been impressed when Gallagher & Jeffers have come on as sub - most times they have come on and provided fresh legs and a sense of urgency. I though Nonda was shocking last night - didnt look interested or fit and was a passenger for much of the game. I hope we go with Jeffers & McCarthy up front on Sunday...

Hasnt Michael Gray been playing centre mid for the reserves?! :ph34r: He's done quite well too by all accounts - I'd rather have him in there than someone inexperienced.

It's been picked up on Sky Sports and have quotes from Neeskins confirming interest... http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...g+tabs+on+Neill