"I feel that Hughes seems more offensive in his mind than Souness was"

T4E, Bellamy 11 deserves a standing ovation for that quote in your signature.

Getting this thread back on course....

MGP has had a very disappointing start to his career. But I really think people shouldn't be writing him off just like that. He's better than what he's shown but seems to be a bit over-awed with the Premiership.

He's definitely got the potential - he wouldn't have been scouted by so many teams (granted, only we bidded for him). Tromso played Wolves in a pre-season friendly and MGP scored two goals and put in a good performance to prove he can do it against more physical opposition.

Now he just has to prove himself against better players. Getting on his back would be so counter-productive, at least by being supportive, the fans will give him the best opportunity to prove his worth.

Egil Ostenstad scored 2 goals on his debut versus Norwich - what happened to his Blackburn career?

On the other hand, Matt Jansen had a very slow start to his Blackburn career and was on the verge of being sold, until Souness arrived.

So let's not dismiss MGP. The same way we shouldn't dismiss Sparky if we lose the next two or three. (Which isn't going to happen, thankfully).

My view on Pedersen is pretty well documented and I must say from what I've seen I don't look like being proved wrong (although I hope I am). My question to you Rover6 is how do you know he's got the potential to succeed in this league? Are you going off a friendly appearance against Wolves or are you a sage on Norwegian football?

I can only re-iterate that there are very few (if any) Norwegians plying their trade at a high level these days and I can't see Mr. Pedersen bucking that trend from what I've seen so far. Yes, players sometimes need time to bed in to a different environment (Henry, Pires, Okocha) but even they showed flashes of something. A decent long throw aside I've seen zilch.

He's been crap so far and I'm usually patient with new signings.

From what I've seen I prefer De Pedro.

He did well against manyoo and i don't think any played well vs newcastle. At least give the guy 5 or 6 games before you send him packing, he is a good player!

I'm sure he will be, though I thought he was awful against ManU.

Getting an assist against the "biggest" club in the world after half a training sessions isnt that bad.

If taking a throw in and hurling the ball into the box constitutes an 'assist' I'm claiming one for singing during the game.

Soueys gone and wasted another 2 million on a dud.  hurry up depedro. All Pedersen cares about is when his latest toni and guy appointment is.

Somebody's bitter because norwegians are dead sexy!!! Isnt that true, Bjarte?

Yep, Oyvind Leonhardsen and Henning Berg were real stud muffins.

And your Norwegian Beckham Andresen couldn't score at Mr.G's.

I just got rid of souness from champ man and we ended up signing dino zoff, is he in the names mentioned? I hope so, Rovers finished 5th in the first season

For a first post, that's pretty good.

With the right man in charge i think the current crop of players are as good as any outside the top five clubs.

The manager isnt coming to a club which needs alot of work we need a manager that can make our current squad perform to their best standards and give 100% each game.

Agree with what you're saying there but the one thing that worries me more than anything in the squad of players we have is the total lack of pace.

Even a team like Norwich can threaten with the 'out ball' to Huckerby, similarly Pompey-Yakubu, Palace-Johnson but we don't have that in our locker.

Most teams in the Prem have that bit of pace about them, especially up front.

Nothing we can do about it now mind you, cheers Souey.

Isn't Jay Bothroyd supposed to be quick ?

Yeah we're led to believe he is.

Then again we'd all enjoy watching the world class DePedro, Andresen was an exciting talent and Grabbi had a great eye for goal.

I'll believe it when I see it.

With the right man in charge i think the current crop of players are as good as any outside the top five clubs.

The manager isnt coming to a club which needs alot of work we need a manager that can make our current squad perform to their best standards and give 100% each game.

Agree with what you're saying there but the one thing that worries me more than anything in the squad of players we have is the total lack of pace.

Even a team like Norwich can threaten with the 'out ball' to Huckerby, similarly Pompey-Yakubu, Palace-Johnson but we don't have that in our locker.

Most teams in the Prem have that bit of pace about them, especially up front.

Nothing we can do about it now mind you, cheers Souey.

Dowie or Hughes would be good appointments as far as I'm concerned and I'm pretty sure that either would come if approached.

Make it happen soon JW.

Had my finger over the 38-1 on Betfair fro a tenner on Dowie before I saw the 14k thrown on Hughes so in that respect I'll be a bit sick.

It's a misconception that I actually know a great deal about the club.

I hung my chin out and you caught me squarely on it!!

Knew I could rely on you Bob.

Was hoping you'd show up Jason - heard owt?

Not a carrot T4E.

It's a misconception that I actually know a great deal about the club. Only contacts I have is someone on the PR side, a football agent, and reserve team player.

But, like I said, nothing doing at the minute.

I'll be astounded if it's not Hughes, Strachan, Moyes or Dowie.

If it's Reid

1) I''ll be astounded

2) I'll set off to Beachy Head.

Can you back up Allrdyce being unhappy at Bolton with hard evidence? He didn't exactly go skipping to St James's Park did he?

The rest of your assertions can be backed up by quotes and snippets though.

Just to follow on the 'I know a man who' theme, Allardyce turned down a 5 year deal worth 2.2 mill a year plus a promised 25-30 million transfer cash to manage the geordies.

That, I know from a friend of his son.

Reason for the post? Well he can't be that hacked off with his board can he? Consequently he WON'T be the next incumbent in the Ewood hot seat...like you didn't know that already.

Hughes now 6-4 on Betfair

Correct me if I'm wrong Brownie but does the graph not show that there's been about 14k lumped on him in the past hour or so.

Youre right, the spike is quite out of the ordinary.

That's a hell of a lot of money to be throwing at such a bet.

It's either someone 'in the know' or someone with more money than sense. I'm going for the former and expect him to be installed before the Portsmouth game.

Hughes now 6-4 on Betfair

Correct me if I'm wrong Brownie but does the graph not show that there's been about 14k lumped on him in the past hour or so.

Out of interest what has Dowies attitude toward the youth team been? Has he brought many young players through?

Very good actually , he's tried to build a team for the future here , and has resisted the urge to buy over the hill last big pay packet players.

If a players good enough he'll play regardless of age .

Thanks for your original post Smithcpfc.

I've long held the opinion that if Rovers wanted Dowie they'd get him because of the fact his family live up here and it's caused him considerable upheavel in the past year or so.

I certainly think we could do a lot worse. He talks a hell of a lot of sense, takes great stock in the fitness of his players (look out dePedro) and is not afraid of being innovative in regards to new training techniques.

Oh and if he does come, I hope he brings Wayne Routledge with him.

Advocaat was a quality manager for Rangers for 3 years and kind of lost it in the last 12-18 months.

Now where have we heard that before?

Information I have is that of the 20 applicants there are at least 3 from current Premiership managers.

Good source from inside the club too.

Ian Dowie has been the subject os some concerted support on Betfair.

Backed down to 20-1 from 80.

Significant? I hope so.

If the objective this season is to stay up (which I believe is the case) give George Graham the job til the end of the season.

We might not play total football but there is no way on this earth that we'll get relegated.

Looking long term, I think Hughes, Dowie, Strachan or Newell would serve us very well.

One thing's for certain, the board must act decisively, we can't afford to be in limbo with the state of our current league position.

I think that Wenger has now done enough to get the job.

I've got my doubts cocker.

I'm absolutely gutted.

I've not got an account on Betfair.

I remember Gordon Strachan being asked about Bothroyd and his response was 'if he was as good as he thought he was, he'd be a world beater.'

Draw your own conclusions.

Kasabian are quality.

As a side issue did anyone see Gary Speed for Bolton last night.

He 'lorded it' over the mighty Southampton. He may be 34 but why the hell were we not in for him?

Beats the hell out of 5 chins Matteo in that position anyway.

Hughes - yet to manage in Premiership.

Dowie - wouldn't leave Palace for a club in a similar position

Shearer - would not be a good manager, would pick his favourites rather than in-form players

Strachan - doesn't want to come back into football yet

Newell - has no pedigree, just ask Hartlepool fans!

From what I recall Newell got sacked from Hartlepool for getting them promoted but not winning the championship!!

Dowie, I believe, WOULD come to Rovers because his family still live in the North and it can't be argued that we have the better squad.

Shearer as a player would give us all the excitement we crave and the place would be sold out every week. As a manager - who knows.

Can't comment on Strachan or Hughes' availability but you don't know til you try.

Oh and one more to throw into the hat. If we're still struggling at Christmas and are desparate for points - George Graham.

We'd play crap football but he'd sort us out at the back and we'd get enough points to stay up.