The BBC quoting Sullivan saying he wants to leave Birmingham. But the moment Savage uses the same argument Sullivan gets all upset.

Taken from a Norwich web site: "Before Mark joined Reading, new Welsh national team coach Mark Hughes had given him responsibility for the Welsh Under 21 team. Mark was promoted to Assistant Manager for the Welsh national team before joining Steve Bruce in a similar role at Crystal Palace in June 2001. Mark followed Bruce to Birmingham City (again as Assistant Manager) in December 2001 where they led the Blues to promotion to the Premiership via a Play-Off final victory over the Canaries. Birmingham's presence in the top flight and the struggles involved with that led to a club vs country row at the end of August 2002 when Bruce suggested that Mark retires from his position with the Welsh Under-21 squad. Eventually Mark stepped down from his role with Wales. Bowen and Birmingham parted company towards the end of June 2004 due to a contractual dispute." The BBC report: "Bruce wants Bowen to concentrate fully on his coaching duties with Birmingham. Hughes had hoped to find some middle ground with Bruce, but that seemed to have been dashed this week when the Blues manager said there could be no compromise. Although disappointed with the situation, Bowen says he understands the position and insists there is no rift between himself and Bruce. "Bowen said: "Steve Bruce is one of my best friends in football and we have always had a good relationship. There is no fall-out with him about the Wales issue, not one cross word has been exchanged between the two of us. The situation with Wales is that naturally I am disappointed because I have been doing the job with them for the past two years. But Birmingham City has to be the priority over everything and I understand that." "I've never quit on anything but it is a fact that Birmingham have said they need me with them full-time in the Premier League at this juncture. But as things stand I have to concentrate 100% on club matters and there is not an issue with Steve Bruce or anyone at the club about that." Two days later, the BBC reported Birmingham boss Steve Bruce saying: "I cannot see any sort of compromise at all that can happen. We will issue a statement later in the week. Basically, I need him here. He is essential to me. I cannot have him away from the club. Next month, for instance, Wales are away for 10 days. It's bad enough him being away for a day let alone a week." With Wales enjoying one of their best run of results for 10 years, Bowen is understandably reluctant to sever his Welsh ties. "I was gutted not being in Finland, but really chuffed by the result and the performance. I just hope something can be worked out. I missed being involved, but I know Eddie Niedzwiecki stepped in and did an excellent job - we all know what coaching routines we do. I can't really comment on what is going to happen now, but I have talked to Steve Bruce and he knows how important Wales is to me. But I understand that there is a lot of work for me here at Birmingham, certainly at the beginning of the season. I just hope something can be worked out so that I can be involved for the next match with Italy." And although Bruce is sympathetic to Bowen's plight of missing out at one of the most exciting times in Welsh football history, the Blues manager is standing firm. "I can understand Mark Bowen's disappointment as he has done a good job with the national side. But his allegiance must be to our club. I cannot see any way of him even joining the Welsh a day before a game." Taken from the Football Association of Wales: "Birmingham manager Steve Bruce, who was against Bowen keeping both roles, said: "I can't see any way we can compromise." "Wales manager Mark Hughes wanted Bowen to at least continue in some way. When Birmingham made it clear they did not like the arrangement, even if it meant him not joining the international squad untill the day before the match. "But Bruce wants Bowen's services 100% of the time to help Birminghams cause in the Premiership. Bruce said: "The club will be issuing a statement on this matter later in the week but I can't see any sort of compromise at all on this matter because, basically, I need Mark here at Birmingham. He is essential to me." Of course, in the end, Mark Hughes triumphed and Mark Bowen came back as the Welsh Assistant Manager before following Sparky to Blackburn. I cannot find any quotes at the time that Bowen left Birmingham but I remember that Bruce said a few less than pleasant things and I have a recollection that Bowen made a tart riposte about the Brum set-up. I guess that for Bruce this is deeply personal- he cannot stand being beaten by Mark Hughes again although it is interesting to read in Bruce's pre-Christmas diatribes, he was blaming agents and Everton for turning Robbie savage's head!

The same Brum that tapped up David Dunn who had the Brum deal all agreed even before Rovers made their improved contract offer.... This all comes down to a peevish vendetta against Mark Bowen who moved on from St Andrews and spoke out about the nature of the Brum regime. All this ranting is not making it any easier for Savage to make his peace with Brum- but keeping savage at St Andrews is now not what Sullivan is about.

I think you will find that Everton were credited with about 6,500 fans so the price promo for the Charlton game put at most 700 extra into the Rovers' areas. Incidentally, having watched both games, the BBE and Riverside looked to have more empty seats for Charlton than Everton. Even taking your numbers at face value, a 90% reduction for children resulted in a 12% increase in attendance. Without knowing the adult/child mix, it is impossible to calculate but it seems highly likely the club did not benefit financially from the promotion. Let's see what the Cardiff gate is compared with the Bournemouth gate. Unless Cardiff attracts considerably less than 5,000, then the club will have made the correct decision financially. As already pointed out, the pricing would be jointly decided with Cardiff and as beneficiaries of 42.5% of the gate money (and in all probability sending 1,000+ fans who would pay pretty well whatever is asked), Cardiff for sure would not support reduced prices given the poor way the Blackburn public has responded to price promotions since we returned to the Prem. The clinching discussion probably went like this: Cardiff- looking at your recent cup attendances, we anticipate around 9,000 Rovers fans and 1,000 Cardiff fans. Rovers- we normally drop our prices to encourage more to come; typically a reduction by more than half. Cardiff- For us to agree to you dropping the prices by more than half can you must guarrantee that we will get the take from a gate of over 20,000. Can you do that? Rovers- No Cardiff- Charge a price for us both to make the most money then. After all, we do not expect to be still in the Cup so this is our last payday from the competition this season.

That SG (together with the abysmal Charlton attendance) is the rub. THE BLACKBURN FANS ARE NOT RESPONDING TO THE CLUB'S PRICE INCENTIVES. So all the whingeing on here is just so much posturing and hot air. The days of price incentives equalling full houses at Ewood have sadly gone. The club is making the right decision in experimenting with "full" (actually discounted) pricing for this game.

I agree, the guy is not a sympathetic character and the way he has behaved since signing his new contract at Brum is not exemplary. If he has spoken untruths about his parents' health, it is difficult to think of a much lower thing to do. I always felt that Savage, Bruce, Sullivan and Brum deserved each other. In his defence, Sullivan has clearly talked about wanting away from Brum to avoid travel difficulties. No difference for Savage who has a home in the North West already and his parents to consider. Whilst everyone was getting the Brum to Wrexham map out, everyone was forgetting that the Brum training ground is on the south east side of Birmingham adding a lot of time to that particular journey. PS yes I'd forgotten about the booking- at least he'll come to Ewood with his suspension served!

Brum make a profit So Steve Bruce has more spending money. Brum are holding out an olive branch to Savage by talking about him returning to the first team for the Charlton game a week from now. For all Brum saying Savage should not have been involved, the matter is now firmly with him at the moment. If he accepts Birmingham's peace advances he won't move, if he doesn't the chances are he will be on his way. Mark Hughes' comments yesterday gently put the onus on the player. By dropping him, Brum have taken the time deadline of being FA Cup-tied away from the equation. A neat summary from The Independent. They suggest that Sullivan's comments make it more difficult for a Savage/Brum reconciliation whilst Savage's parents are being door-stepped by the "popular" press in the Welsh hills to establish wheter they are ill or not. Charming.

hmm... that's six Cardiff first team regulars not available. Better not get complacent, Rovers.

Great post bluenose. Do you think you will sell Savage to Villa now that Villa have dropped their interest in Amdy Fay? How do you feel about Sullivan wanting to sell up to get a club nearer to home? Perhaps Savage read that and thought he'd get away with his Wrexham argument? Is the antipathy towards Blackburn in reality all to do with Bowen now being hated by Birmingham? Bowen said a few home truths didn't he?

Don't hold your breath. Benitez has signalled his intention to play a load of youngsters at Turf Moor tonight. Yes, he has selected his strongest water polo eleven.

Great article by Gordon Strachan on Premiership Managers picking teams for the FA Cup. There is a common view (which I share) that the FA Cup will be treated much more seriously this year. Mourinho will put out strong Chelsea teams to win; even if Arsene fields the kids, they are so exciting they add glamour to the competition and for the Mancs, the FA Cup will soon be their only realistic chance of silverware this year. Boro, Liverpool and Spurs have to take it seriously because at least one of them are not qualifying for Europe through their league position whilst we all know about "massive" Newcastle and empty cabinets. The Third Round Draw is the most romantic in years. I really hope that the Prem clubs take their encounters with the lesser brethren seriously and that there are upsets everywhere except Ninian Park.

Technology is being equated to video evidence which I agree is often unreliable through being inconclusive and differs depending on the location and direction of the camera. However, radio technology will give accurate reports on where the ball is, provided it is calibrated correctly- remember cyclops being switched off at Wimbledon when it was beeping for balls which were clearly inside the base line. Managers fiddling with the width of the pitch could find themselves in difficulty if a radio chip ball beeped according to the previous dimensions! Anyway, this is a fascinating article making an almost heretical case for technology by challenging the received wisdom on the corruptibility/impartiality of English referees.

I have just found a report which said the Rovers managed to get £4m in cash up front. The other £1.5m was based on bonuses for Brum staying in the Prem, Dunn staying with Brum (and perhaps appearances) and Dunn winning another England cap (I think). Interesting to see more paralels and contrasts with the Dunn transfer. Dunn decided he couldn't work with Souness but was still on a long contract with Rovers. He didn't hide those facts and showed it by rejecting the offer of a better and extended contract. Savage has not rejected a Brum contract or criticised Brum or its management but has said things which suggest he much prefers to work with Mark Hughes now he has come into club management. John Williams took the position of Rovers being unwilling sellers. Brum have come out with a load of macho stuff about how no player who has wanted out of Brum has ever benefitted from the move blah, blah. The gulf in quality of people between Rovers management and Brum is enormous.

If Brum want a face-saving £3m headline-grabbing deal, Rovers can easilly accomodate by agreeing to trade the the tail of the Dunn transfer deal which is increasingly unlikely to be paid because of Dunn's injuries. That way a "£3m" deal can rather straightforwardly be agreed- the £2.5m on offer now plus cancellation of £500k of Brum indebtedness from the Dunn transfer.

I beleive I made that gag about three weeks ago!!! Somehow cant see it though! Never mind the song, you will have the terracing of Ninian Park to get the dance going. Happy we are in the position of now being able to decide who is surplus to requirements rather than be scratching around looking for replacements for already departed players. I'll repeat my hunch- neither Amo nor Gray will be at Ewood on 31 Jan. Anyway, the window's been open two days, we've signed two, have another coming on loan, well into a battle to prise a rival's best player away, lots of links to other players. Good to see Sparky taking a relaxed approach to life as the Rovers Manager.

I think you are both looking at it from a completely incorrect perspective. Rovers are a small Premiership club. Over the last few seasons, the Rovers management have identified the players they have wanted and convinced the CEO and the Board of their value. Time and time again, John Williams' and the management have got their man despite intense competition from other Prem clubs for the likes of Dickov, Matteo, Ferguson, Emerton. Which players have we publicly bid for and not got in the end? It is not John Williams' job to select which players the club buys. It is his job to help make certain the acquisition targets arrive. Yes, JW is doing a brilliant job. As for alienating Brum, Dunn was tapped up long before he went to Brum. At least Savage can make his own judgement about which manager he would prefer to work for based on real actual experience. Whereas Dunn was a straight tapping up which went on whilst Steve Bruce was watching his son Alex at the Rovers' Academy.

Don't forget the Richter 8.1 earthquake which happened in the Antarctic Ocean 500 miles south of McQuarrie Island two days before the Sumatran quake. The first one was in such deep water, it didn't create a Tsunami.

Andy Todd cost £750K I think Viera cost more than £5m, Keane definitely more than £3m (and that was nearly ten years ago), not sure about Ljungberg.

Just read there are fitness doubts about Dickov, Reid, Ferguson and Flitcroft as well as none of the longer term casualties being ready to return. Could be an interesting line-up and Cardiff fancying their chances.

I tell you, we are winning every battle to get Savage. John Williams' new offer was well structured and his statement brilliantly balanced yesterday. Brum can carry on shouting their mouths off (thank you for your particularly inarticulate contribution Steve Bruce), be left to sweat, or quietly negotiated with behind the scenes. Interesting its gone a bit quieter today. Brum not as strident and the players are saying it is disruptive.

..and does anybody have an opinion about Andy Todd? DM- Fergie is as at least as good as Carrick (£6m for a much less established player who was a big underperforming risk when signed); when Fergie as at his best he is not as influential but more effective than Murphy at his best who incidentally was in the reserves and going out of contract when signed by Charlton; Gravesen is, on this season's display, one of the four or five best midfielders in the world (which is why Real want to replace Beckham with him); I believe Jenas was £6m but is a much poorer all round midfielder than Fergie; Holland going out of contract when signed for £1m and as much an Irish one shot World Cup wonder as Garry Breen- if you watched Rovers v Charlton then you will know how much better Fergie is; Okocha great showman, runs midfield if the other side give him permission, good for one game in four, signed out of contract; Amdy Faye promising, not as cultured as Fergie; Boateng Boro paid a pretty big fee for him, playing well in a strong set up, doesn't have to boss the park like Rovers need Fergie to; others? who? (he cost less than Vierra, Ljungberg, Keane, and Chelsea's collection) but normally when part of a midfield in an eleven man side, Fergie has at least competed very effectively against the midfield superstars in the Prem- look how quiet Gravesen was against us.

Must confess I am now getting concerned about the Savage transfer. The Brum directors by all accounts are hard uncompromising characters who would have no problem forcing Savage to rot out of the team until he asked for peace with them. Bruce must know that this is personal- Savage much prefers Hughes as a manager to himself. Having been colleagues at Man U this must hurt a lot. It is going to need an enormous amount of skill on the part of the Rovers team- board, JW and MH- to unpick the deadlock on this one.

If you read the rule change thread, you will see that the Coca Cola Cup Final will be experimenting with a microchipped football and sensors all round the goal frames.

Didn't the Mancs benefit from another 93rd minute handball goal in the month they played us. I think on that occasion, Everton suffered. Correction, as Radagast has pointed out below- it was Bolton who suffered Anyway, so far as the Premiership is concerned, it pretty well became a one horse race tonight with Chelsea winning and the Mancs "drawing" and Arsenal also only getting one point. Have to say, the action wasn't even fast when Carroll clawed the ball back from out of his net- it was a yard not a foot over. That linesman bottled the decision pure and simple. As it is the darling of the media folks, Spuds, who have suffered this time, perhaps the deeply suspect refereeing which the Mancs get the benefit of will get some proper exposure this time. The headline in Skysports would have equivocated if Rovers had been on the wrong end of that decision.

Percy, agree with you 100% on that post. I was in the let Todd rot for refusing the bench against Leeds camp but obviously things were horribly wrong at the end of the Souness time. Hughes was right to select from the pros available to him and all credit to both Todd and the new management team for how it is working out.