Really don't understand the hysteria around Curbishley. The guys currently at a club that’s bigger in both fan base and finance, why would he give that up? Also he's constantly being linked as the next England manager so that would leave us in more strife if it happened. Advocat isn't a bad shout as far as I’m concerned. The guys certainly got the pedigree having managed at both club level and national level extensively. I'm not saying he'd be my first choice but I’d much rather have Advocat than Jewell, McCarthy or IAN BLOODY DOWIE??? How anyone can see Dowie in charge of our club is beyond me! Bring back Kenny.

That post is exactly the reason i tend not to come on this site anymore Wee wee taker or not!

They always say never look back in football but wouldn't Kenny’s return be a real shot in the arm for supporters? I'd guess another 2500 on the gates to start with but surely just a pipe dream. Newell would be a disaster as far as I’m concerned and his 'troubles' at Hartlepool would surely rule him out of the running. Hughes would be a decent shout but lacks Premiership experience and wouldn't give up his job with the Welsh national side. So only one man for the job then......Strachan. Proven premiership manager and all the attributes to continue the good work his fellow Scot Souness put in at Ewood. Penny for John Willams thoughts right now

Well I’ve got to say I’m absolutely stunned by this news but don't blame Souness for one minute in taking up the post at Newcastle. On paper the job is one of the best in the country but I think he'll certainly have his work cut out doing anything with the current crop and setup. The most disappointing aspect for me is the stability Souness has brought to the club. By that I mean we've been operating quite happily as a club for the past 4 1/2 years and now we've been forced to change the man at the top and that could make or break our season and ultimately our future in the premiership. I would class myself as one of his biggest supporters during his reign at Ewood but must admit that recently even I’ve been puzzled by some of his decisions. I think his no nonsense style was a breath of fresh air for our club though and will be sorely missed. The focus now should turn to who will replace him? We don't have the finance we once had to attract the big names and this appointment will make our break this club of ours in terms of league status. I have the utmost respect for John Williams and the way he runs our club. Let’s hope that faith is still intact after the new appointment. Onwards and upwards.

And that is the funniest thing I've read on this messageboard in a long time!!! Got your season ticket for't Turf then Gav? Not only have I got my season ticket DP, but I’ve also received the customary membership to both the BNP and KKK (if every I’m over in the states again). I'll be cheering on my beloved clarets in the coming season and keep watching over your shoulders fellow posters as we'll soon be on a level playfield mark my words. I've been introduced to whole new way of living and coming back to blackburn and supporting you lot just doesn't cut the mustard I’m afraid. Up the clarets.

This thread, and numerous ones like it, is the sole reason I’m now a burnley fan. Oh yes and 'WE' are the best supported club in the WORLD! Up the clarets.

Because it's better than spending time in B & Q I'm convinced, see you in Bray via Dublin hopefully

Why spend all that money travelling to worthless friendlies when you can what them over here or on video.

Grass

Absolute Rubbish. The Dutch especially have a terrible problem with hooliganism at club level so are you telling me they don't follow the national side and don't get involved? The Germans like the English have improved domestically but to say those nations don't get involved is just rubbish i'm afraid. If the English acted as a whole it would like D-Day because of the numbers.

The actions of a few are indefensible so I’m not going to even try to put a case for their defense. I like many others feel that the gutter press and TV hype is nothing short of disgusting. How ITV and BBC can lead for the past two days on first of all 4 Englishman being arrested then some dodgy amateur camera footage of Portuguese police battering anyone is site is beyond me. Having been in the very situations seen over the past two days I can tell you that on many occasions the police just arrest individuals to show strength. This tactic is affective and doesn't really tell the whole story in terms of numbers arrested. Look at the 900 or so English fans deported from Holland and Belgium? Women and a 70yr old man also? It’s clear to many that this situation in albuferia is going to continue until the English leave the resort of the local police close down the 'Strip'. As tension remain high after the heavy handed tactics a few nights its just going to play right in to the hands of the ring leaders and expect more trouble and arrests in the coming days. As for UEFA well those crocked b******s are just looking for an excuse. German and Holland fans clashed on Monday and last night but not even a mention of expulsion. One rule for the English and one rule for the rest. In summing up we don't get praised for having 50,000 supporters in Portugal with 99% being well behaved. We get hammered for having around 200 people from various countries fighting with police in a tourist resort miles from the football stadiums where England are playing.

If the figures are correct and we're only paying 750k - 1million for him then he's a steal. I won't dwell on his ability as a defender because having played at the highest level for many years now that’s not in question. But one thing I feel he'll bring to the team is leadership. We've struggled in that department in recent seasons and Matteo will bring that in abundance. Good signing for me if it goes through.

I stick with what I said at the outset, very disappointed we're going for players like Dickov but after seeing his goal scoring record last season I did have a slight change of heart. For the money you've got to take a chance and he's a real awkward customer for opposition defenders to deal with. Also I think to beat of the competition for his signature should give us all cause for optimism. Lets hope this signing paves the way for a couple more aditions, younger and season ticket sellers.

When will players like Smith learn to keep their mouths shut? If he was indeed Leeds through and through he'd have stayed at the club to help them back in to the Premiership. As for his England chances, well if he's good enough he'll play regardless of what division he's in. Sutton is obviously the closest player to Smiths situation but at least Sutton wasn't a fan of the club. It’s hard to say how you'd react in similar circumstances but it would take a hell of allot to prise me away from the club I love.

Burnley...............new job................no holidays.....................enough said. Enjoy lads i'll be there next time. BLACKBURN BOYS WE ARE HERE.............

I can't praise highly enough the people working behind the scenes at Ewood because they're doing a terrific job on all fronts. Whilst attendances and ticket prises are rising around the country, at Ewood ours are falling on both counts which is very disappointing indeed. Let’s hope the fans show as much desire to take Blackburn Rovers forward, by buying season tickets, as the people running the club. If nothing else we should sell as many season tickets as last season but I fear the worse. Simple fact is that you can now more than ever before buy tickets on a match to match basis so why do people need to pay £400+ just before the summer holidays. Great news for all supports lets hope its not thrown back in John Williams and his colleague’s faces.

I guess you're talking about my finely chiselled torso Abbey

You're not the first person to say that JPW.......

Now that’s an idea Tris tends to bring debs a bottle of Gin to soften the blow, and then he invites half the message board around to his 'country retreat' So blame him for turning her into an alcoholic

As you can imagine I’m going to get some mileage out of this one Interesting talking to one hill troll today, he said he had it on good authority that Kilby had secured the services of George Graham and promised him a 10million transfer kitty Oh how I laughed. The rats are deserting the sinking ship

You certainly can't take anything away from the players who won the Championship but it's been interesting to read some of the comments from Shearer, Newell, Batty and Sherwood etc in recent years. All claim to have been part of a drinking culture whilst at the club and were tanked up on numerous occasions with the game in Moscow being the one that sticks me my mind. One of the first team squad claimed they were all tanked up the night before the game which sort of takes the gloss of things for me. Imagine what we could have won if they'd been sober....... I'm starting to sound like Jim

Great stuff indeed. Anyone remember his debut away at QPR? Complete sell out in the Rovers end and a wonderful atmosphere. A woman ran on the pitch as the players came out and gave Tim a big bunch of Flowers; he was a hero from the moment he signed. A true professional and good servant to Blackburn Rovers.

I'm behind the guy all the way, can't think of a better manager to replace him considering we have no money and its Soueys team in place at the moment. He's worked miracles over the past few years and despite some Rovers fans having short memories he's good for the club and is a winner at all costs. Great man and long may he reign.

I really do hope Houllier manages to keep his job at Liverpool because they're going backwards quickly and that’s fine by me. Both the club, manager, supporters and press believe they have some sort of divine right to dominate English football like they've done in the past. Well I’m sorry Liverpool but those days are long gone. If it wasn't for Steven Gerrard they'd be mid table at best. I think I mentioned Houllier taking over from Fergie in the whinging stakes? Well Fergie came back with a bang when Keane was sent of in Porto, he said: "Roys not that type of player" Ask Alfie haalend that Fergie!