Please note, I am making a big assumption in equating annual ammortisation (an accounting "number") to actual budgetted transfer fees. Also, I must stress the word annual- we have already spent £3.5m in January and £1.5m+ in August. John Williams in his Radio Lancashire interview talked in terms of seeing transfers in an annual cycle and club preferring to get it right in the summer rather than being forced into the January market.

Rovers first, the rest nearly nowhere. However, I always like to see the small Lancashire clubs do well (except that lot we are playing on Sunday) and equally I enjoy following English club sides in Europe (even the Mancs). From time-to-time a team plays truly outstanding football or has an outstanding player and I will go out of my way to watch them- the WBA side in the late '70s with Junky Johnstone was invariably great entertainment. Stoke were worth watching for Hudson and Sheff U for Curry and that little Argentine. In recent seasons, I'll admit to making a point of watching Arsenal if the Rovers are not being covered. Once over, I had a sneaking regard for Oxford following their 3-1 shock victory in the FA Cup over us but that disappeared when the Oxford fans unfurled a swastika flag on the Darwen End railings. Outside of England, I have always looked for Stranraers's results and had a soft spot for Dufermline Athplastic. Fiorentina and Inter (through friends) in Italy, Hanover (another mate) in Germany, Grasshoppers (Rovers' colours) in Switzerland. Of course there are clubs I detest. Wigan come into that category, Newcastle were a pet dislike long before Souness went there, used to be Hearts in Scotland but the one I now fervently wish nothing but ill-will on now is Rangers.

McLeish has said he doesn't want Amo. Reports coming out of Newcastle indicate that Boumsong has a Dunn-like career threatening injury. He's managed two games, both hamstrings are gone and he has a back problem. Perhaps Amo will end up at St James's after all.

Come on Paul, don't be so churlish- it's their first chance to be in the limelight sin ce April 1st 2001. Incidentally, can't one of those tickets from the shoebox be saved for Gav/Debs?

...and we'll give you the man advantage of picking eleven players. Dingles losing 1-0 at HT at Crewe in a pretty even match- what was that theory about games in hand?

Does the loser get to buy a ticket with the dingles?

Expect it will be very tight with Rovers just shading it and Burnley playing some surprisingly good stuff as well as scrapping like mad. However, if Rovers score early and keep their discipline at the back it could turn into a romp. 1-0 Rovers and at least one sending off.

For one Ashton is a Striker and Savage is a midfielder Philipl Well, you learn something new every day.

Not that I condone it, but Abbey is an Olympic wrestler.

Had a nightmare week-end so still have not seen the game but a great result and I really like this match report in today's Guardian. How did the Ewood Park surface stand up to being played on in the downpour? Was it a microclimate?

Two recent £3m signings out there yesterday. Should we have gone for Aston rather than Savage?

1) Somebody unblock queerdadio to make this a "proper" MGP thread. 2) MGP to score direct from a corner next Sunday? Oh ecstacy!

Just as well Scotland is in the EU as being below 75th, playing for Scotland wouldn't get the Scots a work permit these days. Are there any Scottish players regularly playing in the Prem besides Dickov, Matteo and the occasional Gallagher cameo? Are there any Scottish players in La Liga or Serie A? I think there are one or two in the Maltese Premier Division though. Lets be realistic. The Home Nations are totally anachronistic now. There are so few "Home" players playing anything above League 2 standard football (that includes a chunk of the SPL- would Livingstone beat Yeovil?), we should create a British side and let the "Scottish" Sam Allardyce specials aka "The Old Firm" into the Championship play-offs and turn the rest of "Scottish" footbnall into a feeder for the Unibond until they can find a few more locals who can kick straight.

I'm glad a Norwegian posted that comment about MGP after my more tactful comment. MGP was worryingly poor in a very ordinary-looking Norway side. Having seen the Swedes score at will in an 8-0 win here in Malta, I was very concerned that MGP didn't use the chance to run past the Maltese clodhoppers and practise his crossing. I am now fearing that neither of Rovers' wingers are capable of crossing a good ball into the danger area.

Yes, sam winning the East Lancashire derby games is a very satisfying feeling. Are you old enough to know about these sorts of things first hand?

MGP played just over an hour yesterday- he was busy but didn't achieve much. Match report with picture of MGP in action.

This should be on the Rovers' Song thread.- anyway, thanks for clearing up the words to the tune I've been humming since the draw was made.

I think we are being a bit unfair on the borderers. At least they are showing decent respect and queueing in their hundreds when there is a chance to see a top football team visiting Turf Moor.

Thanks emerton for posting this thread. International football is so utterly inconsequential that I'd missed the fact that MGP will be playing in Malta tomorrow evening- I'll pop along and give him a shout. Remind me, "cuidado's behind you" is Norwegian for "up Norway"? Nice to see Jansen on the score sheet tonight for a change. Anyone know why he is playing for the German u-21s?

Norwich's away record thus far this season is: W 0 D 6 L 7 F 6 A 24 So on the basis we gave Boro their first win of 2005, we will no doubt provide Norwich with their first away win in 2004/5 Premiership football. Worth noting that although Norwich score easilly at Carrow Road, they are the most goal shy travellers in the Prem- they would need to score 3 at Ewood to dump that honour onto the Rovers. Realistically for Rovers, this is a must not loose rather than a must win although a win is hugely needed. Norwich draw a lot away but tend to get thrashed when they lose. Don't think another 7-1 is likely however (where's Roy Wegerle when you need someone to fall flat on their backside with the ball at their feet, two yards from an open goal- and still score? twice?) My fear is that if Norwich score first, we will be in deep trouble. I think they are good enough to grab the first goal so... Rovers 0 Norwich 3 (Waggy "told you so" as Ashton scores a hatrick)

Blackburn Rovers bigger than both the Old Firm put together...according to the Scot who wrote this provocative little piece.

Savage and Brum fans banter. The good thing about this article is that it clears up the state of affairs on 30 April: - Brum have been stopped by the Prem from banning Savage from playing for Rovers - Brum did not get any contribution from Rovers towards their police bill - Brum will foot the cost of policing themselves. Serves Sullivan right for whipping up ill-feeling with utterly irresponsible remarks.

The Leeds directors to face the consequences?

An interesting pro-Chelsea view from The Observer

Hi Orcan, great to hear from you- great picture. How are Gencler doing this season? I see you are mid-table but are you consolidating or going backwards?