You're taking the fun out of it Bryan

I quite enjoy Scotty's match reports, but, whilst retaining a modicum of respect for him, find myself rarely agreeing with any of his other opinions. However, his post stating that Yorke was right to report the incident, and that everything after that was beyond his control and not his fault... I agree with 100%. It really should have been the last word in this thread, and I lament along with others on this thread that there are still who want to flog this thread to death.

Ooh er missus! Oops. Apologies. Replace the p with c and you get what I mean, racist.

That's because they are thugs, there are no positives for the bulldogs It is a real shame that even though you are now the victim, indirectly, of being collectively labelled a rapist for merely being a Rovers supporter, by a shameless press, you fail to perceive how it might be on the other side of the equation. I am a Bulldogs supporter, and you obviously, are not. The same aggrevation that many Rovers supporters feel with being branded because of a handful of idiots, is something that Bulldogs supporters have endured for a long time now. If you feel the aggrevation, then imagine how it feels for a law-abiding, loyal Bulldogs supporter, when the gutter press collectively label Bulldogs and their supporters as rapist, racists and thugs. Or would you just want to take the attitude a Burnley supporter would at this time, because you support a rival of the Bulldogs?

It won't work. The media are scum, plain and simple. They will never focus on the positives. For evidence, do some research into the club that the logo in my signature represents. Google hint, Bulldogs "Coffs Harbour" or more pertinently Bulldogs Roosters crowd trouble.

Amongst all this hate for Dwight Yorke, he could be the one person that could bail us out, so to speak. If in his time with Rovers, he could easily distinguish the fans genuine criticism, as opposed to veiled racist abuse... which we are all sure the latter is not the case, he could well comment on it being contrary to the nature of the support. It would be the ideal scenario now, but realistically, it is unlikely. Here's hoping.

Come on Rovers 'till I'm dead, I'm sure

Thanks to Tony Parkes for his great service to the club. The way his dismissal was handled was a very bad error by the club, but I am sure Mr. Parkes will remain true to his character, by handling it with diginity. I really hope that there is no *revealing* news story as some are intimating.

Yeah I couldn't beleive they put him watching a Rovers match, thats about as unbelieavable as us being given a penalty. Who?

Not improbable, but I'd advise against jumping to conclusions. Not saying that MGP is crap, but the way you've stated this, it seems that your faith in MGP is so strong, you would be happy for him to be a passenger in the team now. In football, it is always wisest to allow players to find their feet in a team that is already successful. There are so many examples, Arsenal with this Van Persie guy, Chelsea with a no. of players... it is just the way it is. He'll have to be patient, and so will you. No offense, but it seems you are someone who is naturally pessimistic. The squad depth is not great at the moment. Injuries happen. I am 100% certain that if MGP is required due to an injury to one of the players, the 1.5 million will not be a consideration. He will be played. Patience is needed by MGP, and it seems, his vocal fan club.

I didn't think Tugay was bad today. He was living on the edge today, but it seemed precisely what we needed, a bit of blood and thunder. His efforts, although bordering on insane in some instaces, I agree, stopped Liverpool from playing in the midfield. And we out-played them wide. So he was effective.

I agree, and it seems harsh to "drop" him. But I feel his contributions can be more valuable of the bench, so he'd have to accept the drop for the sake of the team. Liverpool's centre-back pairing are/were big and strong, and the obvious situation, that the stronger Bothroyd would win more against them, eventuated. I feel Stead would have benefited more from some of the won challenges and knock-downs in this game. There was one situation were Dickov was muscled out of his attempt to take a shot, and ended up being pushed out wide, where he had to just lay-it-off. Queue a similar situation when Stead came on, and he was able to hold of the defender to have a shot. Stead has a good shot. We all know that from last season. This season hasn't really validated it, but really is a Shearer type striker, able to find space on the defensive line and get shots on target. He needs to have more shots them the shortened playing time allows. Bothroyds strength means regardless of how many goals he'll score, and of course he'll need to chip in, he needs to start, poor form exempted of course. That's just my view of course.

I really respect Dickov's work rate... but I feel now is the time he needs to switch roles with Stead. Stead should start, working with Bothryod's strength to get more shooting opportunities, and Dickov should come on later, trying to exploit the tired defense.

I am watching the Rovers - Liverpool match as we speak, and it's 1-1 at the moment. I feel I have to put my two bits in. I've been on this messageboard from day dot, and have adjusted to the constant moaning. I am someone who tries to look on the positives. Here are my opinions on some things people have moaned about here. I didn't really follow-up on the thread I created, but I actually got to the Rovers - Villa game, my first and only Premiership fixture. That day, I felt pleased with the tactics that Hughes employed. I was very much pro-Souness, but I am equally supportive of Hughes. The best tactical move that day, I felt, was switching Emerton on the left. I was seeing exactly what Tugay4England had been griping about with Emerton, until he switched to the left, and started to pick up his game. I don't know why there is moaning about it. It's the 35th min. of the Liverpool game now, and he's been good in that position. The other gripe is Souness supposedly forcing out Cole. I am glad Cole left, even if Souness left anyway. I am certain Souness being there or not wouldn't have made a difference to Cole, his attitude to the club had started to deteriorate and to mine, Stead's appearance forced him to pick up his performances, and ruffled his feathers. The other good thing to come out of it is that we've got Bothroyd. He's not done anything spectacular so far with the Rovers... but this guy is strong, and has a lot of potential. That was a Souness decision, and I am yet to see it as a bad one. Anyway, I guess that's my moan. I'll let everyone else have their chance. Bye for now

And so would have Souness IMO. And so will Hughes... eventually. Once he learns that man management is all about holding these players to professional contracts and not how pleased they are with him. That was one of the biggest criticisms of Souness (upset players), but I believe it was his biggest asset (he had the courage to ruffle their feathers). The problem is... will the learning curve prove to steep to climb in time to save Rovers.

Everyone is using the 'Souness screwed us' as a crutch at the moment, aren't they Tris? In my view, based on his achievements, he was our second best manager, not far behind King Kenny himself, in the modern era of the game. FFS, we retained our position in the Premiership last year. To mine, Premiership status is all that matters for Rovers. So, he avoided failure, yet people are still carrying on so negatively over his reign. So what we had a close shave. It's not how you get there, it's getting there that counts. Souness got us going at the absolute final moment, but he got us going. As you can tell, I am quite annoyed by the constant criticism... Souness was a success at Rovers... I wish people would stop suggesting otherwise.

Just an observation, I am in Paris, and am planning on making a second attempt at getting to a match at Ewood, for the Aston Villa match... I can't book my ticket on-line. I could last season... I'm quite busy during the day, and I have to fit in time to make an international call to the ticket office to book a seat, so for me this is annoying. I'd imagine this would have a neglible impact on crowd figures, but I find it strange that a booking option that existed before, is now no longer an option.

Unfortunately for us, I think he will.

I've said no. I'm not totally against the appointment, but I just feel that the gulf in experience between Souness and Hughes is eventually going to tell. I am mentally prepared for relegation now. Anything other will be a huge bonus. I hope I can eat my words.

glad you're back from holidays sox.

Thanks Tris. It maybe you just telling me what I wanted to hear, but I am still glad I've heard it. Reading this page, I was quite dejected at the number of supporters so against someone who was great for the club. I kept telling myself, 'surely this isn't indicative of the wider support base', and at least you cast the first contrary argument to all those that thought Souness had passed his expiry date.

It will happen again, and the same detractors will look back and say... "you know, that Souness bloke wasn't so bad after all". I am extremely disappointed that he has moved on. I genuinely would have been less disappointed had it happened in the pre-season. I am very much of the opinion that the club decide on a manager in the pre-season, and let them do their job for the entirety of that season. In the same vein, I believe a manager should honour the appointment. In that respect, I do believe that Souness has wrong the club, and shown a weakness of character. However, I still have a lot of respect for the man, and his achievements at Rovers. Thank you very much Mr. Souness for providing some fantastic times at Rovers, and the all to easily forgotten, attractive, expansive and ultimately entertaining style of football for most of your tenure. I do harbour great doubts about our chances of survival now. Souness is... was the man for that type of fight. One of his greatest assests was the ability to string together some important results, just when desperation stakes were at their highest. We definitely need an experienced manager for the role now. I honestly would not be too disappointed if some of the much derided figures, such as Graham, or Reid, or... shudder Hoddle, stepped in, to do a stop-gap job for this season... because looking at the alternatives, there are few managers with experience, or affinity with the club to handle the job. Perhaps Mark Hughes, or Mike Newell would be ready by next season, but I don't think they are now. But it goes without saying, Strachan would be great, but I suspect he meant it when he said he was quitting the game. And we have to be realistic, we aren't really going to tempt premiership managers away at this late stage. We are definitely in a bind now

Judging by the comments of many posters in the last six months or so, the biggest acts of betrayal seem to come from certain sections of our supporter base. And regularly too.

You should know better Dave. I am absolutely gutted, and will finish reading theread before I make a proper comment.