Rovers to finish 7th this season?

The biggest plus point for me (other than the three points) was the performance of Jon Stead. Easily his best since coming to the club. His touch and general link up play was excellent, whilst his workrate showed that we do not need to rely on the limited talents of Dickov. I agree with Scotty (again ), Stead deserved the man of the match.

Who's the ref for tomorrow's game, and does anyone know where Jansen is?

That's twice this year Scotty, people are gonna talk

You got me, It was a deliberate ploy to get a grooby for the funniest post!

Just rediscoverd the Dusted album, man is that a classic.

Much underrated!

Are you actually going yourself?

The reason I ask is that generally it seems the people who make the most noise about our level of support don't go themselves.

People who find the club "embarrassing" because of our followings really get on my nipples. It's all about supporting your team, your club. What does it really matter to you if x thousand people you've never met choose to go or not? It's a matter of choice, it's not compulsory, and you can't force anyone to go.

More to the point where were all these people "embarrassed" now by 20,000 gates when we were getting 7,000 gates in the 80's in division 2 or even 4,000 in division 3 in the 70's?

Probably not even born then but if they were no doubt they wouldn't have supported us because it would be far too "embarrassing" being associated with such an unfashionable club or being seen in such a small crowd.

A "proper" fan (God I hate that phrase) would support us no matter what and wouldn't be particularly concerned if there were 3,000 or 30,000 like minded souls alongside him or her. (Although obviously the latter is nicer)

And if I read once more that someone going to this one off game is more of a "proper" fan than a season ticket holder who forks out his money season after season I think I'll scream.

RANT OVER:

P.S. After all the hot air expended on this thread it's a 4am start, it's live on TV, it's mostly £45 per head with no reductions for kids, we currently average only 19,000 at home with 14,000 season ticket holders. Yet we're now looking like taking a respectableish 16,500.

Much ado about nothing? If you must have a moan direct it at the FA not your fellow supporters.

NOW CAN WE FINALLY GET DOWN TO TALKING ABOUT THE ONLY THING THAT REALLY MATTERS? TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO WIN THIS BLOODY GAME OF FOOTBALL!!!

Brilliant!

Put simply ...if Blackburn, the town, was twice the size it actually is in population terms we would have sold all the tickets. Put another way.....there will be more non-attending 'fans' (with 'can't afford it' excuses etc.) from the other three semi-finalists' cities than there will be from Blackburn. Bet Newcastle, London and ..er..Surrey pubs are just as full of 'deadheads' this weekend as the pubs of Blackburn.

Spot on!

All it needs is a little perspective.

To all those who are 'embarrassed' by our attendance for this game... get over it.

What's there to be embarrassed about? You are going, you are a true fan. All those who literally cannot afford to go are not true fans.

I mean, imagine wanting to feed the kids, or pay the bills instead, what are these people thinking about? This is the first time Rovers have been in the FA cup semi final for over 40 years. What could possibly stop these 'fans' paying around £100 to see this prestigious game, when a lot of them will be bringing home something like £170 per week.

To all those who put their family finances first, or are deciding which credit card to pay this month, instead of swelling the coffers of our caring sharing FA should HANG THEIR HEADS IN SHAME! (cos you embarrass us!)

Paul Shepstone

Not only was he a bad footballer, he was also built like a 6 year old!

Just like to mention Neill, oft critisised by me and many others. I thought today he had his best game in a Rovers shirt.

Only if they request them from the FA, but Arsenal selling out is good news as it means more moolah for the club.

Good news indeed. However it also means the FA will probably pitch the tickets at ridiculous prices next year

Colin, that's the best post on this thread- simple!

Spreading love (and possibly chlamydia) through the valleys

I'm in the fortunate position of being able to afford the overpriced tickets. However I was still faced with the dilemma of whether to go or not due to my principles.

I know people who genuinely cannot afford to go simply because of the location and ticket price. On some salaries, the cost for the whole day could equate to more than half a week's take home pay.

In a way I hope there are lots of empty seats on both sides, just to send a two fingered salute to David Davies and his cronies in their ivory tower.

Anyone listened to Kaiser Chiefs album?

Fantastic!!!!!!!

Too true

Sorry Sg194 but the Capt. is spot on.

How can you possibly compare Blackburn with Newcastle. I'm sure you'll find roughly the same ratio of disillusioned supporters in Tyneside. They can shift 31,000 in the time we sell 8000, so big deal. Now compare populations and importantly, surrounding clubs. An old argument, I'll concede, yet it is fact.

For those of you foolish enough to believe there is some kind of disloyal mentality in Blackburn, then I'm sorry you need to wake up.

No offence.

What else of substance is in it apart from Births,deaths and marriages's?

If its anything like the Tamworth Herald it must have headlines like 'Man Walks Dog' and 'Woman paints fence and annoys man'

...or (and this one is true!) 'Goldfish gets new name'

I'm with Jim on this one. The train strory that appeared in the LET was very important for those who were planning rail travel.

Having said that in recent years the paper has took a turn for the worse, with it's Daily Mail style sensationalism e.g. a week long article into the dangers of Blackburn town centre on weekend nights

Currently listening to Blood by This Mortal Coil. Kinda sums up my mood at the moment

As the players were coming off the opitch at the end Sky cameras focused on Hughes congratulating his players, and you could clearly hear him say to Mokoena " well played AXE!". Well it made me chuckle

Just got the Bright Eyes album Digital Ash in a digital urn... tremendous!!!!

Who was it i was on about Warehouse nightclub to before?

Twas me. I couldn't make it as the mate I was going with became a dad that weekend... was it a good night?

Gav, I admire your dedication to Rovers you are a true supporter, and there are many more like you ( I like to put myself in that bracket). However it is still possible to kick out at the FA for this outrageous two fingered salute to the fans... again.

It is not an issue of how much you support your team. It is about the footballing authorities who want to squeeze as much as possible out of the long suffering fans, hence the decline in attendances.

The whole thing stinks and I believe the FA have lost even more credibility over this.

And by the way, yes I will be there!

please peeps, just woke up after nights and I read on this thread that some readers/members think that de vries is a good player !

FFS he is the biggest donkey to ever set foot on Ewood's lush green turf.

For someone who is 6ft plus, large build allegedly got a bit of pace about him and you have Leicesters new image of heskey.

The man was and is a useless pile of poo, all he relied on was fouling the defenders.

please dont make me laugh so much in the morning, it hurts

Couldn't agree more... he made Ian Moore look lethal!

Who said History never repeats...

Graham Barber = Neale Barry

Steve Walsh = Darren Kenton

David Speedie = MGP

Mike Newell = Paul Dickov

1-0 to the Rovers = 1-0 to the Rovers!!!!!!!!

Was it not George Courtney?