13 pages of angst which unfortunately I can't really be bothered reading, sorry. Here are my thoughts: - 1. Ref's a clown. 2. Ref's got a ridiculous beard. 3. Beckham didn't look fit. 4. We missed Rooney. 5. Too many long balls to small people. 6. Why take Scholes off and replace with Hargreaves (who was poor). 7. England played badly. 8. Despite playing badly we had this won - but for the aforementioned clown of a ref with a blonde goatee beard. 9. Campbell was immense. 10. Ref was an absolute (please don't use that word) who had a (please don't use that word) on his chin. 11. We probably got what we deserved. 12. Beckham really isn't very good at taking penalties. 13. Sven didn't do much of a Souness impression by way of "motivating" his players. 14. I'd better take that St Georges flag down from our upstairs window tonight. 15. The next idiot who says "Well let's hope Tim wins Wimbledon" is gonna get chinned. 16. Portugal aren't good enough to win it either. 17. 7 weeks to the start of next season.

Good to hear that Waggy. He's not a bad lad is he? for a multi billionaire. Did he get a round in? He's a bit shy in that department.

An Everton fan I work with sent me this link - like I'm even remotely interested . Anyway here it is Rooney - Leaving Boo Hoo etc . Whether they like it or not this is the Duff scenario all over again. I do feel sorry for them but as we all know the money comes in handy when paying off your overdraft.

A great bit of channel hopping was taking place last night - the Sweden v Denmark match was certainly never fixed as both teams had umpteen chances to win it with more than 3 goals. Anyway - how I laughed when Sweden equalised - 2-2 - the Italians are out - switched back to see Italy bombing forward and then they went and scored. 3-2 in the 93rd minute. What a sickener. Anyone who didn't feel a bit sorry for Italy as they celebrated and then realised they were actually out must have a heart of stone. I felt a lot of sympathy for them and remembered some of the times Rovers suffered similar misfortune. Yeah, whatever. It didn't stop me from laughing long and loud in our front room - the best way of showing sympathy at times like this. "Football - bloody hell" as some red faced chap once commented.

I got in there at 6.30 yesterday and got a good seat no problem. So I reckon 2.00 in the afternoon will be just about right.

I'll second that - I look a bit of a chimp as well now. You'd have thought I'd have learnt by now not to make "knee jerk" reactions / comments.

I'm sure this doesn't need pointing out to everyone on here but if this was the other way round, if an England fan had killed a Croatian fan, then we'd have all the headlines this morning of "Shame of the nation", "Bring them home now" etc, etc. Instead what do we get? Hardly a mention of this anywhere. I fully expect UEFA to act in the strongest possible way by making sanctions against the Croatian FA. (Yeah, right) Still in all fairness to the press, it doesn't sell papers does it, to report this sort of thing. Let's just stick to the stereotypes that we all know and love - it's a lot easier and doesn't involve having to think too hard does it?

Bit harsh that roversismylife - you'll be old one day as well you know - I agree though that if they start weeing themselves and that it's a bit bad but you should learn to turn a blind eye. Cravenblue - I'm off to the Blues Bar as well, I'll be the one in the England shirt .

Superb Could we get rid of the "Arte et Labore" bit on the badge and convert the above into latin? "Blackburn Rovers Football Club" - "Staying Out Late By Going For A Slash And Not Getting A Round In"

and a little hysterical as well. Calm down, take some deep breathes, then go and take your tablets and everything will be OK.

Shouldn't / Couldn't this be in the "Who's Looking Forward To The New Season?" thread Jim? Please make a comment in there Jim, please, please.

Not sure about the Shearer chant for de Pedro to be honest LD - a bit obscure. Anyway - Come on Kenny! I don't think anyone is building the fella up too much. Personally I'm just excited that we've finally got a left footed winger in. He sounds reasonable enough and was free! Next thing we'll have people being enthusiastic and optimistic on the MB about the new season. We can't have that can we?

De Pedro OOOoooooooooooooOOOOOOOooooooooo De Pedro OOOooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOooooooo He's not up to the task! Doh! I've dropped me thermos flask! De Pedro OOOOOOooooooooooooOOOOOOOOooooooooooo They can be cruel up there.

P...lease.........!! Tell me you are joking It doesn't actually matter does it? As Bob Dylan pointed out at the time. None of us knew where Sociedad was but with a bit of work we managed to avoid saying it is in Spain (which it may well be - I have a feeling it is actually, or Germany, wherever that is). All we did say about Spain was that de Pedro's Dad is actually Spanish. Which he undoubtedly is. Probably.

De Pedro OOOoooooooooooooOOOOOOOooooooooo De Pedro OOOooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOooooooo He comes from sunny Spain More tricks than David Blaine De Pedro OOOOOOooooooooooooOOOOOOOOooooooooooo Tune the tune of that irritating Paddy Vieira song Arsenal sing. Actually no that's @#/? I like it Dave. Over the last few days I've been busy working on a slightly different version. Spoken to McCartney, John, Dylan, Kilmister, the usual types I often turn to at times like this. Basically they reckon if you substitute "He comes from sunny Spain, More tricks than David Blaine" and add.... "He came from Sociedad, He's got a Spanish Dad" We'll be onto a winner. Or maybe not.

Smoke & Mirrors. The thing is I don't even think the Board know what's going on. Hang on a minute- maybe that's the idea? Brilliant stuff. Never a dull moment with this lot.

It could spell the end for Nissa.

Thats what I was trying to say earlier. I think it's the LET just trying to sell a few more papers on a quiet and depressing "Rovers news" month/week/day. On reflection you're probably right. I'm sure John Williams is delighted with it's timing during what is probably the busiest week for season ticket renewals. Let's be honest it couldn't have been timed any worse.

It might have been better to not come clean at all. Just a bit of a quick wash of the face, behind the ears and other assorted bits. Maybe it's a bluff, or a double bluff. Who knows. Smoke and mirrors, all in code, double meanings. Maybe the truth, maybe a pack of lies. I don't know who to believe anymore. We shall see. Anyone had their season ticket delivered yet? This is getting ridiculous. Eight weeks off the new season and still nothing. By the way I don't think the LET would jeopardise their relationship with Rovers by printing something that the club didn't approve of.

Absolutely agree Rev. Obviously it could be argued that Rovers are being honest with the fans, or as previously mentioned, pleading poverty in order to secure new signings slightly cheaper, however... Regardless of whether we are skint or not this isn't going to encourage new season ticket holders or anyone to renew. Therefore we end up even more skint. Wooops, that was careless. All in all it's an extremely badly timed press release IMO. No such thing as bad publicity? Despite this statement I suspect we probably have enough for a left winger and maybe even a centre half. But nothing beyond that (i.e. certainly no Nicky Butt and his poorly knee).

Exactly. He wasn't even on the bench as far as I could tell. Still never mind all that, seeing as we always need a scapegoat I'm going to choose David James. Why have a wall when you hide behind it and can't see where the ball is going? Why have hands when you can tackle with your feet, badly? Why wasn't he sent off? If that was the Premier League he'd have been off in seconds. Still - all is not lost. No one, I don't care who, will look forward to playing England, and that includes France.

lucky mascot

Ah yes - but you're in Leyland. I'll settle for an hour less ale thanks.

Your not going to believe this but it's really sunny. It's getting a bit cloudier as the day draws on though but we should be OK. A real nice summery feel to the place, tempered only slightly by the fact that the pubs shut at 10.30 this evening and I've got work tomorrow - I'm confident of avoiding arrest though