hmmmmmmmm.....interesting (cletus little brain starts to tick) I couldn`t....could i? Possibly in seasons gone by, but probably not this season with the new credit card type season ticket. All the turnstyle steward has to do is to look at what colour light flashes up on the turnstyle to ascertain what grade of card has been fed in. All you would be fraudsters have been warned!

Ditto. Nothing like getting in at 2a.m after a night on the lash and starting an essay to be handed in for 9a.m. Or I thought so anyway. Many will probably disagree!

Smiffy, as you probably know, that guide dog picture was one of a few examples of works by internet wags published in the Sun today. I liked one picture of Romeo on Posh's knee underneath the caption "Romeo, dad can only score behind our backs...."

Extremely good call. Can't see it happening as long as Sven is in charge though.

You may mock my "academic response" to your point. I made my point of view known and I make no apologies for my tone. If your an academic basher that's your bag. I however stand by my completely valid view point and it seems to be mirrored by many on this site. I have no issue with you and your views but I don't expect to be dismissed merely on the fact that many of my points are based in academia rather than a Blackburn lad point of view. I am from Blackburn, I love my team and my country yet you dismiss my argument because I balance my argument with what I've learnt outside b'burn town centre. And to completely counteract your point, PATRIOTISM has everything to do with it. Please see my earlier post. And I think that I've earnt enough respect not to be patronised like that. I look forward to a reasonable,valid debate in the future. With respect JonnyH PS: I apologise my dismissive sentence of "pointless thread", although I stand by my balanced support theory and my previous posts. It was wrong however to dismiss an argument. (Happy Don? ) What made you think I was mocking your post? When I said I was "fascinated" by your post I was trying to be complimentary. I said it was an "academic" one as a matter of fact rather than intending it to be in a derogatory way. I thought it was an excellent explanation which answered my original question extremely well. P.S. I have been to University and ventured outside B/Burn town centre in the dim and distant past myself you know. I repeat, it must just me be who's at fault here as jim seems to think. I got togged up in a couple of new England tops to watch the games and wanted them to win as much as the next person. What I couldn't do would be to do the same to watch an England team in a SPORT I DON'T LIKE. That's why I was wondering originally if all these previous football indifferents must really have some latent interest in the sport which could be tapped to rovers benefit - as DB suggests

Anyone thinking I am suggesting people should be more reserved for England, or that if you support England more you're not as good a Roveers fan etc is entirely missing the point. What everyone does is entirely up to them. I was merely observing the level to which people seem to have got frothed up compared to club football. I am fascinated by Johnny H's academic explanation. Must just be me then. Nothing would possess me to purchase an England rugby shirt, and sit in the pub watching the rugby world cup because I DON'T LIKE RUGBY. All power to those that do though. Simple as that. Patriotism doesn't even come into it.

That's me told. A+

Greetings orcan, I agree with you, things are looking up for england. So they should with a forward line of Owen and Rooney. How did this season go for Genscher? Hope you're looking after that Rovers shirt!

Good move. Hopefully we see a few less of those lacklustre performances in "low key" games we 've suffered at Ewood over the last 2 seasons.

Well as you rightly say you wouldn't be overly bothered aout rovers as you've only been to one game in the last five years.

So the fact that attendances at Ewood are on the decline whilst interest in football in general is rising is pointless?

Bryan, calm down dear, read your signature. When I said "disturbing phenomenon" tongue was very much in cheek. (Although I personally would take Rovers winning the FA Cup this season over England winning Euro 2004 anytime.) What I still don't understand is why these people can suddenly turn from apparently not being interested in football to foaming at the mouth fanatics. To me either you're interested in football or you're not. While there's always some element of people jumping on the "cool to be an England fan" bandwagon once every 2 years, I've never noticed it to this such an extent as with this tournament.

Not knocking enthusiasm for the England football team but why are people who show no apparent interest in domestic football and more particularly in brfc so lathered up about england? And how can that interest be tapped? I'm sure they're not all closet ManUre fans?

Don't know if anyone else agrees but one thing I've noticed during the recent run of England Euro games is the level and intensity of support for England compared to Rovers. At the Pub where I've watched it, it's been packed to the rafters. Lots of people ( loads of young ladies in particular) who you thought had no interest whatsoever in footie wearing England shirts. People going mental at every minor decision. I'm completely different, stood there thinking "Calm down it's only England" Conversely on the occasions I watch an away Rovers game on Sky, I'm the only one doing my nut and the place is invariably half empty. How can we tap into this unprecedented surge of "footyitis" for Rovers benefit?

Spilt milk and all that but if we're analysing the incident correctly with the benefit of several slow mo replays a Portugese defender actually pushes Terry in front of the keeper thereby blocking off the keepers route to the ball. Not a foul under any sensible interpretation.

Up to this tournament I'd have been in total agreement with you, but I've actually been quite impressed with the way Sven has got us performing this tournament. It was only gritty resolve that kept us in it on an off day tonight, and even then we'd have won but for a dodgy ref. I think if you said his substitutions cost us dearly (Rooney v France) (Scholes and Gerraerd tonight) that might have more merit.

C'mon Abs poor old Sven only earns £4m p.a. You don't expect him to encourage them as well for that do you? That would cost at least £8m p.a. Seriously though don't think anyone can question the character of the side after the disallowed goal debacle and coming back from a goal down in extra time.

Portugal were the better side but in Souness parlance we were "mugged" by a very poor decision from a referee who gave us absolutely nothing over the game. And the once influential Beckham capped off a woeful tournament by missing his second vital penalty. I look forward to a lengthy AESF rant later on.

If only. Phil I know you have always insisted this was the case, but don't know where you dreamt up this notion.

Don't want to put the mockers on anything by saying we're going to win it but we've been more impressive than at any tournament I can recall since 1970. Were it not for a mad three minutes in injury time v France we'd have had 9 points. Too tight to call with any great confidence tonight, but no reason why we can't sneak it and go on to win the tournament. Need more from former goldenboys Beckham and Owen though.

P.S. If there is any truth in the Duff + Parker + £20m for Gerrard rumours, good though Gerrard is, it represents the best deal ever for Liverpool and would turn them into a real force. Sadly.

Can't agree there Paul. We sell Dunn and Duff for £22.5m. The money comes in over the life of the contracts, say 4 years, at £5.5m per year. We purchase Gresko, Amoruso, Reid, Emerton, and Ferguson for £14m on similar terms costing £3.5m per year. In the meantime we finish 9 places down the Premiership table losing £4.5m. Net loss over the year = £2.5m In addition to that we will be paying considerably more out in wages for the five new players than for Dunn ansd Duff. Possibly an extra £40kp.w.? Loss over the year now = £4.5m

I've not seen him play so I'll reserve judgement. However for a free he could be a very good signing and a two year deal isn't excessive given his age. Weren't we quoted £1.5 or £2m for him in the January window? Without getting into the "have we any money" debate if there were no major departures and if we could hypothetically offload Flitcroft and bring in Butt we might have the makings of a top 6 side once again. Also agree with the new poster who said we need a centre half and decent right back. Mills and Matteo on reduced wages would do nicely. Where are Newcastle waving £3m at us for Neill when you need them?

So should they have come clean after this "huge surge" IMO IF there's no money, the club should stay stchum and just get on with it. Other than the timing of the announcement in s/t renewal week there is of course the question of why comments like this are coming out from the manager a week or two after the chief executive said there was £4m in the summer kitty. a)How many people buy the Telegraph? b)Can the Telegraph be believed or have they printed the quotes out of context in order to increase their sales? Just a couple of thoughts Rev a) In global terms not huge numbers, but I would think the vast majority of our ST holders buy it. b ) Quite possible. Extremely unhelpful nonetheless. As I say there's an article effectively saying "Dont bother buying a season ticket - it won't be worth it" fuelled by quotes from the manager directly above an ad we will have paid for imploring people to buy season tickets!

So should they have come clean after this "huge surge" IMO IF there's no money, the club should stay stchum and just get on with it. Other than the timing of the announcement in s/t renewal week there is of course the question of why comments like this are coming out from the manager a week or two after the chief executive said there was £4m in the summer kitty.