bob fleming

yes Now he says! I've gone and bought a ticket now! Prediction time: 0-0. Hughes should go with a 4-6-0 formation - keep this one real tight. Sure it's a testimonial but let's not get giddy just 'cause we've stopped up. We should stiffle the opposition and then hope to sneak a corner or something on the break. Whatever happens though, surely we can't lose this one.

I laugh in the face of Soccernet. Thanks Philly. I had no chance beating Scotty though. I've heard that he has a room with all the stats of all the Premier League clubs covering each wall, every July he locks himself away in this room and goes into some sort of trance like state, he doesn't sleep, he just stares at the squads, analysing in minute detail the pros and cons of each player (age, previous injuries / hair cuts), manager and team - (a bit like the goalkeeping player manager in Dream Team - in fact exactly like him - but even weirder) he even looks at their horoscopes as well, nothing but nothing, is left to chance. At the end of July he then puts all the team names in a bag and pulls them out one at a time - first team out wins the league. As I said - no chance - the man's an absolute genius.

Stop that with your non-argumentative rubbish. I had figured that one of the unwritten rules of this place was to berate and generally be single minded on as many subjects as possible... Oh, and I can help you understand a little bit, being an armchair supporter myself. Money. Cambridge is just to far away on my meagre part time salary Fair enough. That "Not that I want..." line is pretty feeble, mainly because I removed half of the post at the last minute (like you believe me). Too late now though eh? However, seeing how you mentioned it I'd better do some berating.... That's bloody pathetic - Cambridge! Cambridge?! I remember going there for a mid week match many moons ago (the one where we wanted "proper footballs" and the pitch was left long in the corners to suit their ball over the top approach) - didn't get back until the wee small hours - but I did it. And I was at College at the time. So don't give me all this crap about having a "part time salary" - it just won't wash. You should steal, borrow and beg - heaven knows you've had long enough to get the funds together. That better for you?

I find that incredible. £10 for Tony Parkes - who I'm sure was paid handsomely - but not as well as the likes of Davies, Blake, Dailly, Grabbi etc (I could go on for a while here). All Parkes did was get us out of the @#/? on umpteen occasions. Not that I want to criticise BRFC supporters for not turning up - it's just something that I'll never understand.

Can't wait - it's going to be a brilliant night. Those of you who aren't going -just what the hell are you going to be doing that night? Wifey type person "Aren't you going to the Rovers tonight? Isn't it Tony Parkes testimonial, that fella who got them out of the ###### on numerous occasions and was at the club for 35 years, and isn't the Championship winning team turning up? Alan Shearer, you used to worship him, and "King" Kenny Dalglish, and Mike Newell and Colin Hendry, they'll all be there, I thought you'd have liked all that, only a tenner as well. I can't believe you're not going. Or are you stopping in to watch Eastenders and play with those razor blades? Fair enough, there's a cracking sit-com on later on BBC3...." I'd have thought that if you were a Blackburn Rovers supporter then there can only really be one place to be on Tuesday night.

So the key to success for the deal appears to be the Television rights? As things stand 14 of the Premier League clubs have to vote in favour of a change. Can't see that happening in the short term. Long term the likes of Manure, Chelsea and Arsenal may well go and form a European Super League - well that's a shocker - I'll get the door. See ya! philipl - "The figures suggest that Mr Glazer could need to quadruple United's profitability to keep the club financially viable." That's not going to be easy is it? Don't Nike own all the merchandising rights to the Manure brand? Haven't the people at OT already bled this area dry?. I mean, I wish the fella all the luck in the world, I really do. Just in case, I'll get some more nails. Have a nice sleep Manchester United - (I'll not mention the "Football Club" bit - that went a long time ago).

Makes a lot of sense to me, save the majority having to travel so far. Well I'm not getting too excited just yet. Will this really mess them up long term? Sure they're going to lose a lot of Season Ticket holders but so what? I'm sure there are plenty more sheep queuing up to replace them. MUTV is the most watched Television Station in the world (even more than Channel 5 ) perhaps they could pay a little more over in Japan and Outer Mongolia for the priviledge of watching it? Why would the fella (who looks like a villain from a Scooby Doo episode) buy the club and then run it completely into the ground? (Other than to cheer me up). Surely he still needs some level of success to protect his investment? Maybe I'm just being naive. Anyway, surely it's better for them all to start supporting Chelsea now at this stage by way of "protest"?

Quality Sox! You should do these full time! Spurs away last game of the season, again. 4-0 Rovers. Rob Savage with all 4.

They should go back to Spall as far as I'm concerned. Something figure hugging will look really good on me. Sure it's a bit unfair on the lads with beer guts but that's not my problem, they want to have a good look at themselves that lot, get fit. If I ever get like that... blah de bloody blah.....etc etc Glenn - sorry but if I'm not very much mistaken that's this years kit but with some writing of some sort under the badge. That's not much of an exclusive is it?

We'll beat Newcastle - 1-0 however I'm afraid that United will beat the Saints as well, BUT... We'll be alright. For heavens sake, stop worrying. United have to go to West Ham yet, they won't win there. That Andy Cole is hopeless. I expect West Ham to get a draw. We'll go to Anfield and get the 3 points. No problem. Shearer to score and we win 1-0. Unless John Barnes scores and Jamie Redknapp gets the winner with 2 minutes to go. (BTW - that Jamie Redknapp is knocking off that Louise bird you know - so she told me). If anyone is going to Anfield or trying to get tickets then be careful - I've heard that they're all up for ManU and some have even bought / stolen United shirts, bizarre I know - you heard it here first.

Not bigger mate...just better. For confirmation I refer you to our respective trophy cabinets. Ha Ha! Very good FLB. You know they haven't got one of those - no plans to get one either I'd imagine. I would beg to differ. They won the Leyland DAF trophy in 1991. I forgot about that one. However, does the 1991 Leyland DAF Cup justify the purchase of an entire Trophy Cabinet? A simple plinth would do surely? Then again they bought Dwight Yorke so I suppose anything can happen at that club. Mind you, they'd have got more from playing an empty Trophy Cabinet up front than the Dwightmeister. Even the plinth would put a bit of effort in. Wait until the Summer, the Trophy Cabinet will be angling for a move, just to upset Steve Bruce - "I'm furious with it, we bought it in good faith back in 1963. Fair enough we've never used it but now it turns round demanding a move, I've lost all faith in Trophy Cabinets, in fact I'm fed up talking about Trophy Cabinets, thankfully I'm in a job that means I'll never have to deal with one ever again."

Not bigger mate...just better. For confirmation I refer you to our respective trophy cabinets. Ha Ha! Very good FLB. You know they haven't got one of those - no plans to get one either I'd imagine.

Preston Blue - don't worry, they're not doing. Jim - Well you would say that wouldn't you? Alan - Not that old chestnut again He did say "most" though didn't he? So that means there must be one or two on here who know what they're on about. Your guess is as good as mine.

Yep. I read it RM. Here are some snippets from Patrick Collins article, I'm sure he won't mind me quoting them... "Football was bitterly divided by the FA's contentious decision to exonerate Andy Todd for the blow which felled van Persie" See everyone, he was guilty after all - Patrick Collins says so. "Crystal Palace became the latest team to walk off Ewood Park vowing vengence on the odious Savage" Ah yes, Savage, everyone know's he's a bad man, after all he left Birmingham City. Palace's players wouldn't hurt anyone - hang on a minute! Two bookings for them on Saturday BTW, including that young Routledge (aged seven and a half). Benitez not happy with their tactics! Funny that. Funny that Benitez didn't complain when we played them. Hughes held a meeting last Monday Collins tells us. " Hughes: "I arranged a squad meeting on Monday and just told the players to keep doing what they've been doing" he declared. It would be risible were it not so depressing" I'm guessing that Hughes told his players to continue working hard and keep closing teams down, keep making the tackles. Collins seems to be under the impression that Hughes has asked them to carry knives. And finally, Gordon Strachan's article, to which there is a link on here... "It was left to Gordon Strachan, a former manager of debatable distinction, to make the cosy case for his erstwhile colleagues. "There's been a lot of talk about thuggery creeping back into the English game", he wrote. "I don't go along with that. There's a big difference between setting out to kick or intimidate people and pressing the ball or making tackles" - It is too easy to dismiss that as an expression of the bleedin' obvious. Much better to ask him which category suits Blackburn Rovers." Nice one. I could go on, you get the picture. So the FA were wrong, Hughes is wrong, Peter Reid (who Collins also has "a dig" at) is wrong, and Strachan is wrong. Patrick Collins, who I don't believe has ever played the game, but instead is "Sports Columnist of the Year" (maybe that's just in the Mail on Sunday?) is correct. Of course. Silly football people. I, like the vast majority of you I suspect, can't be bothered e-mailing these clowns to complain. What's the point? Like they give a damn about Blackburn Rovers? Boycott the paper? - I can hear them now "Ooooh Blackburn Rovers fans won't buy our paper anymore - what's that gonna be, a loss of £73.12 a week! Haw haw haw!" Best just to ignore them I say. Some other victim will be along soon enough. In the meantime likes get behind our team and kick our way into the top half of the Premier League.

guess what tonight topic on talk sport is!! Where have all the hard men in football gone? Whos Mystic Meg ay Bob?? It was inevitable. They're pathetic that lot. Interview with Alvin Martin on Thursday, went something along the lines of... "So Alvin what about that last night at Goodison, a bit fiery wasn't it, two sendings off for United.. "Yes Alan, it was all good stuff, Scholes had to go for his kick, but it wasn't thuggery like BLACKBURN." Everton vs Manchester United Alvin, remember? It's almost as though you couldn't be bothered thinking anymore, Homer Simpson stylee. *Must concentrate, must concentrate, Everton vs Manche.... No, I can't do it, it hurts too much, Blackburn, Thugs, Blackburn, Thugs, Must remain Topical, must tow the line* Talk @#/? - 2025. "Next up we have Andy Todd - "Hello Andy - I tell you what, the games gone soft! It wouldn't have happened in your day would it!"

Great reads from FLB and Gordon Strachan. The press, other than the LET, have NEVER done anything positive for our club. "Woo them back" ?!? They were never on our side in the first bleeding place. If you want to look for reasons as to why our fan base is still pretty much Blackburn-centric then look no further than the national Media. Give them half a chance and they'll do us down. "Next on Talk @#/? - Ron "Chopper" Harris! Ha Ha Ha "Hello Ron eh? I tell you they wouldn't have got away with it in your day would they? Ha Ha Ha." See also Norman "Bite your legs" Hunter and Billy Bremner - all held in high esteem by Talk Sport and also by most of the media. The next day they'll ask "Where have all the hard men gone?" and "Hasn't football gone soft?"

Van Persie?

I wasn't far wrong then Good news - but what a complete waste of everyone's time.

Totally agree, the sooner Sky and whoever form a Super League for those great footballing entertainers, Barcelona, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Burnley and Arsenal and leave us mere mortals to it then all the better. Actually no. I was talking out of my backside, as were you CC. I'd have thought it better for a supporter of a team wich has scored only one goal more than already relegated Rotherham United to keep their thoughts to themselves regarding "Entertainment". burnley have scored 36 goals - that's the third lowest in their division - it's a slightly worse goals to games ratio than us - I bet Sky are knocking t'doors down at t'turf.

There's enough reasonable doubt over the incident to not charge him in the first place. The FA are just bending over backwards to the whinging of the media and Wenger. FA: "Well, OK, Mr Hughes, we appreciate what your saying, but the Sunday papers really weren't very happy about your team making a game of it. I mean a lot of the reporters had Arsenal down to win 5-0 you know and Arsene is still fuming about one of his lads having his lipstick smudged. We really had no option but to charge Mr Bully, sorry, Mr Todd. However, what we'll do is cut the fine to say £5,000 and warn Mr Bu... sorry! - Mr Todd as to his future conduct. What about that? Isn't that good of us? Eh? Eh? We're a good lot really! Come on, cheer up, give us a smile!" Hughes: " "

Exactly. I've watched the incident on several occasions since, from different angles and so on. In one angle it looks a bit dodgy, in another, a total accident. The referee hasn't reported anything. So how the hell can a bunch of idiots who call themselves the Football Association decide from looking at the same TV evidence that Todd elbowed him on purpose? The answer? They can't. Obviously the FA think he's guilty or they wouldn't have charged him. So what's the point of appealing? FA "What have you got to say for yourself Mr Todd?" AT "It was an accident, he just turned into me." FA "Really? Oh well, sorry about that, we got a bit confused, on your way now and enjoy the rest of the season." It ain't gonna happen. They can talk about it all day long if they want but if these "experts" already believe him to be guilty then I fail to see how the words of Todd, Hughes, Coar etc will change their minds. BTW - I'd still appeal just to give them some grief. Will Wenger be on the panel? There's only one bloke who knows what really happened, not Wenger, not van Persie, not the ref, not Hughes and certainly no one at the FA - and that's Andy Todd himself. Guilty until proven innocent? Good luck Andy, I think the decision's already been made though.

No one likes us, we don't care. How dare we not sell all our seats, even then we have the bare faced cheek to actually compete and challenge - it's just not on. I have every sympathy for the media - they shouldn't have to report on "smaller" teams like Blackburn Rovers. The FA should get things sorted out once and for all. Make the draw for the Semi-Finals of next years "Greatest Cup Competition in the World" now. After all they are at the new Wembley - last thing they'll want is for a bunch of Northern gate crashers turning up again. Manchester United v Liverpool Chelsea v Arsenal There. In fact let's have those teams in the semi final every year, it'll be ever so exciting. Andy Todd should be thrown in the tower of London, Thompson and Flitcroft should be deported for being booked (new legislation should be introduced for Rovers players who receive two yellow cards in a match - a single shot to the head administered by the fourth official) and Savage should be banned for life simply because he annoys people. No one likes us, they can please themselves. Roll on Wednesday.

How dare you! You should know to believe everything I say on here. Heres a link to that BBC ticker thing.

Radio Five Live have just reported that Terry Henry is out of tomorrows game "suffering from fatigue". Poor lad. Too many late nights perhaps? Has he run out of va va voom? What a sickener!! (Look - I know you don't believe me but its on Sky Sports News now an all!!)

That's not what I heard Eddie, from a bloke in the pub. Apparently, there won't be any extra time or penalties because the police won't allow it. The United fans will be arriving in Cardiff during the afternoon and the police plan to have every Arsenal and Rovers fan out of the City by 14.30 for safety reasons and to keep their enjoyment down to a minimum. Apparently, the replay will have to be at Lansdowne Road, Dublin. It's the only suitable venue available for the date and the time the FA have in mind. So according to this bloke in the pub, who was extremely drunk, the replay, if required, will be on Monday the 18th, kicking off again at 12,15, with the draw for the final at half time (13.00) and the second half at 13.20. Hats off to the FA, at least they've thought about this one. Anyway, it won't come to that, we could sneak this 1-0. It's blindingly obvious. Roll on Saturday!