We took it in Howard Kendall's time at Ewood. We were similarly under-resourced then and we loved it.

Someone will have noticed....

Exactly! If he doesn't score himself he can flick it on to someone who will. He's already done that in fact. We aren't scoring enough goals so let's use every avenue. PS---Hedges had a good cross on him when he played wide for Aberdeen. Just saying!

If we win this one, will be a great boost for us. We've been fairly lucky so far with the early draw. But this is a real test. As to defence, we kept a clean sheet so Eustace will most likely leave things alone.

I'm certainly not arguing that Dolan is a gem we should fight like crazy to keep. But I do think he is a genuine Championship standard player and that's the division we are in, and likely to remain in unless we get relegated down the line.

Being seen to be doing something I suppose?

I'd rather lose Hedges than Dolan. Hedges is anonymous much of the time. At least Dolan gets involved on a regular basis.

I suspect many are ex-season ticket-holders. So they'd be hard to convert? Only price would do it presumably. The season ticket would have to be priced at the rate they currently pay taking into account evening kick-offs, special offers, live TV games etc.

Its an investment to at least insure your players don't leave for nothing, rather than an expenditure. In any case Venkys are richer than Jack was.

Exactly right. Way back in Jack's day (sigh) Rovers players whose value had increased through their performances were regularly rewarded with new contracts on higher wages. Shearer was an obvious example---paid £950,000 in his first year but way above that when he left. That's how we kept them. This dozy lot stick to the exact terms of the signing on contract and try to play catch-up in the last year. Too thick to run a football club.

England made a balls-up of it at 138--7 but Pakistan big cheats for rigging the game. England batting on a 9th Day pitch! PS---make that 138 for 8!!

Can't agree with that.

Liam Payne of One Direction dead---fell off a roof in Buenos Aries.

He's going to go for nothing isn't he? He's going to maximise his options. At least he cost us nothing. He hasn't developed since he's been here so this seems to be his level. I'd imagine several Championship clubs would take him on a free.

Shahidi out---brilliant caught and bowled from Leach. Only one wicket to go. Its all over!!!!! What a win!

What's most astonishing is the rate at which we scored---only one maiden over in the entire innings! Pakistan could end up losing after a seemingly unbeatable 500+ first innings. This Test will go down in history whatever happens from now.

See above----nothing of significance will happen in January or any other month while Venkys rule.

Well it looks as if I did remember it right and nobody did speak up? Bit of a worry.

238 for 1. Shan 136 from 152 balls. Abdullah on 94. Not looking good.

I've deleted that email some time ago so can anyone confirm I read this part of it right? I'm referring to the recent transfer window and the (paraphrased) comment that, since the summer transfer window was such an unqualified success supporters shouldn't expect much activity in January! Do I remember that right? If so, its a scandal. We had £29M come in for 2 players alone and spent fuck all. Did no-one speak up about it? If I've got it wrong, I apologise in advance!

Really? At least we'd make some more money from that sale. Venkys will probably go mad and let us spend £500,000!

Watched first half of Palace v Liverpool really to check on Wharton. Wished I hadn't bothered. Palace never turned up and, at this rate, Adam will be back playing Championship football next season. 6 full England caps in their side and they were woeful. Switched off, too awful for words.

Real banana skin game this one. Plymouth currently playing quite well. A defeat for us would be distinctly unsettling.

His big problem is he can't shoot! Mind-boggling that, I lost count over the weekend of the number of goals that came from deflections in a crowded penalty area (including one of our own). If you don't shoot there's no possible deflection! But this area of his game can be worked on, the rest seems to be there. So I have high hopes of him.

I watched Hedges a few times (TV of course) when he played for Aberdeen, He was a regular starter and always, as I recall, played on the wing. His strength was putting in whippy crosses for the strikers. He's not been played that way here, partly because we haven't had anyone to get on the end of crosses anyway and also because Mowbray never missed an opportunity to play anyone in the wrong place. I never thought Hedges had enough about him and said so at the time. Just one of those aimless players we sign for small fees and who disappoint.