The integrity of the competition will have already gone out of the window if they have to play at neutral venues.

Mark Hughes as a player would be my shout for this. Played a vital part in our promotion year in 2001, we had been stumbling a bit early season and he came in and made an instant impact with 2 goals on his debut. Important goals against Stockport and Preston that year too. Also, that performance in central midfield against Spurs in the cup final the year after, absolutely bossed it at 38 years old.

I personally don't think Filan was anywhere close to Flowers when he was at his best. Filan was good though, and I'd agree he was better than Robinson. He would probably be 4th for me behind Brad, Flowers & Mimms.

Haha yeah, it was certainly a strange set up. Only thing I have seen that I think is similar is behind the goal at Oxford, although there is no stand behind the car park.

Went down to that Chelsea game with my mum & grandad on the train. Cracking following there, was stood down near the front somewhere and don't recall seeing that much of the game, but a good view of both of our goals.

The same should be done over here, just forget about it until September.

That was in his second season, our first season back in the top flight. 5 goals in 6 games between 5th Jan & 22nd Jan 2002 (2 in the league and 3 in the cup), so nowhere near what Van Nistelrooy was doing but not bad for us at the time.

I find this very strange. Obviously I wanted to win the game, but I remember the conspiracy theories out in full force before the game suggesting that Liverpool would go easy on us and wouldn't be bothered. To stop any rediculous doubts, I think what happened was the best outcome.

They released a better one a few years after that where they got the sponsor more akin to the original. Still poor though.

The rumour at the time (that I heard anyway ?) was that the players didn't like the new red shirt for that season, so reverted back to this to try and change our luck for a couple of games. We didn't win away from home in the 95/96 season until we beat QPR in January, which was in the 94/95 away kit. We went on to win only two games in the actual 95/96 away kit, at Spurs & Chelsea.

Oh yeah completely agree, not really a slight on him that he couldn't get in front of them three. However, when you look at his numbers at Barnsley the previous two seasons, I expected him to come in and have more of an impact than he really did, thought he would be the experienced head that would have complimented them three, remember the season prior to this we were in a complete mess. Still, that free kick at Bolton was a beauty. Think he also scored an injury time one against Stockport too that was a huge three points.

After Hignett's season at Barnsley the year before, I expected much more from him to be honest. He was ok, but could never quite force himself in as a regular with the likes of Dunn, Duff and Jansen in the side, always seemed to end up shunted out to the right hand side instead of being central where he had his success at Barnsley. Didn't really let us down, but underachieved a little IMO.

Quite possible. 2 league wins out of 11 straight after Shearers injury tells you that we initially struggled to get to grips with things without him, with a couple of good cup runs masking the form a little.

Remember we had a really good end to the season, think we won 8/9 out of our last 10/11 games or so. I especially loved that Liverpool game with most of my school mates being Liverpool fans, my first taste of bragging rights in the school yard I think.

What do people think about this plan for next season? Splitting each league into north & south, and have the relevant clubs meeting at the end of the season to decide promotion, relegation etc. https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/championship-blackburn-preston-leeds-united-18117298

I think he did earlier on in his career in Turkey. He was so good at dictating play though when he came here, I don't think he would have been as effective further forward I think if we're looking at a "perfect partner" for Shearer, I always thought Santa Cruz would have been an ideal foil for him. Them two could have caused absolute chaos for defenders in there prime. Individual players though, I have to agree with Bellamy. A fantastic player who always made you think something was to happen when he had the ball.

How close is Tugay to that 11 Tyrone? Agree that's high praise for Bellamy indeed considering he only played 32 games for us, but what a player. Had you out of your seat everytime he got the ball.

Next summer window maybe, if he comes back the same player.

Warnock was a left back though, and will always be behind Le Saux in best 11's. He's the best left back we have had in the past 20 years though.

It's just white noise all that. He'll be saying the same thing in 3 years.

You thinking of the one against Middlesbrough? That was a beauty. He got an assist against Arsenal at Ewood that was a superb bit of play down the right wing that could be confusing things.

Every other seat being vacant is hardly social distancing anyway, how do you get to your seat if it's in the middle of the block? It's all nonesense, I wouldn't expect fans in stadiums until next year at the earliest.

I don't think Ke*n was ever in any real trouble where a defeat at OT would have seen him potted. He would have been here well into 2013 if he hadn't of walked.

The top flight clubs will be business as usual before we know it. It's lower down where will suffer.

Yeah, I might be more inclined to watch Rovers matches online or on TV in an empty stadium, but I think i would get bored very quickly of watching the premier league every week with no fans in attendance.