Would that be something by the Dave Clark Five? Oh sorry, you said good

Bad news I'm afraid Radagast : 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2.

Maybe I've just got used to MGP being anonymous, but even forgetting the goal(s) thought he was much improved. Just a couple of examples.... 1 - at the start of the second half, Hamann took him out with a pretty awful tackle (he got booked which I thought was pretty lenient) and I thought that was the last we'd see of MGP in the usual way he disappears after a kicking. But no. 2 - a bit later there was a genuine 50/50 ball on about half way, nothing much at stake. In he slid (can't remember who the City player was) and MGP emerged with the ball. Keep him on the raw meat diet Sparky , it's starting to work.

Bob, is that number 23 on your list of 'Why Rovers lost to insert team of your choice' or the number of pens? I need to know.

You didn't have much credibility RTM but your last semblance has just left the building. Well said Daren.

Spot on MI Rover, exactly what I was thinking. Suspect we won't see the Admiral this side of Christmas and with every chance of one (or more) of our centre backs missing a few games cos of bans/injuries, seems a sensible precaution.

TR, have a look in the Sheff Utd entry at this ground guide. SAS, that site reckons park at Meadowhall - right next to the M1 - and train or tram or bus it to Bramall Lane. Free to park and should be quick to get away from after the game. Suppose it depends on your route though - if you're travelling down the M1 to get to Sheffield it might be your best option.

Flops, Todd snr has been boss just down the road from me at Bradford City for a couple of years now.

Good report Scotty, not a lot to disagree with. Just a couple of comments. Myself and Capt K are going to have to reconsider opinions about Bert at the current rate of progress. In my defence (that was intended) he hasn't had to cope with anyone really running at him yet but from where I'm sitting he looks as though he's starting to believe in his own ability again and I think/hope that'll make a big difference - he seems to be a player who thrives or withers on self-confidence. Roberts hasn't done anything yet that is anything different to what Kuqi could have (and that's being generous) - have a go at the midfield for not being creative, but if we don't look like scoring then surely a big centre forward has got to be part of the problem.

In rugby (not sure if it's both league and union) there is something called putting a player 'on report' where the powers that be look at video evidence after the game and decide if action, like a ban, should be taken. Don't know if there's any dependence on the ref producing a card at the time but he does tell the player he's putting an incident on report. Something for football to learn from?

I'll keep it brief. Much better than Saturday, but didn't deserve more than a draw which is a bit of a concern. Bert did a decent job at RB (and I'm not a Bert fan) but as I think Hasta said, he wasn't up against much. Savage ran around a lot as usual. Thought Gray got forward more than usual (but for a desperate clawing Howard, Gally would have had a tap in from a Gray cross) and whilst MGP did bugger all attacking-wise, he did a lot of running and covering for Gray. On the face of it a draw at home to Everton isn't great but I'm fairly pleased cos it was such an improvement over Saturday.

Fair point Mr American. Perhaps more than just the game, but the one that Saturday reminded me of was Liverpool 4 Rovers 0 at the end of the Souness era. Just had a hunt and noticed that, after losing at Liverpool (and the one after), we won 5 on the bounce. I'm determined to find a silver lining.

Glad Capt K saw the same game as me. Couple of comments cos most things have been said : bit of a concern that Roberts and McCarthy didn't get a look in, the only time we won one of the long punts forward and looked like doing anything in the final third was when Kuqi came on. And maybe I'm getting acclimatised, but I thought Gray was one of our better players, perhaps that's a comment on the rest of the performances.

Well found James! And what a fine quote - think I was a year early with it , same is true today I reckon. Maybe I'm just a stick-in-the-mud.

Aye, a quaint little place just off Goldsmith Avenue in Portsmouth . Come and sit in the pouring rain, surely better than supping a pint in a nice warm and dry pub.

My vote's on the damp option. Concourse???? That'll be the little concrete building where they sell the occasional pie . Fratton Pk isn't the most sophisticated ground in the Prem.

Capt, agree entirely about the defence and a mid-table finish. Suppose the only saving grace for the back four is that, from what I've read there's always been one or two 'squad players' in there (Matteo, McEveley, Mokoena...... hmmm, there's a pattern developing - keep anyone who's name starts with M out of defence.....). I think it's expecting a lot for the regulars to re-assemble and hey presto everything's fine and also that the 'squad players' aren't going to be needed at times.

I haven't seen anything for a while, but there's a poster called Steptoe who is over in NZ I think so there might just be a contribution.

Playing devil's advocate (and putting the flameproof suit on), judging by a few of the responses on this thread is the drummer doing a good job money wise? Seems to be quite a few who have moved ST from the Blackburn End (adult loyalty ST £435) to JW Upper (adult loyalty £565 for the inner blocks or £465 for the outer).

Isn't Tony Parkes (I remember him playing!) coach at Blackpool these days?

Overtired ?

Smithy, it's an often overlooked fact........ they were the proud winners of the Texaco Cup in 74 and 75. I'm sure toonfan will be only too glad that's acknowledged

Don't know if I'm alone in this, but I'd rather him take 40k per week of Brum's money than ours when he's contributing about as much as Pandiani.

Undoubtedly, it's a one horse race for the most boring and tedious displays of the tournament. I think it's called the Rumplestiltskin award.

Don't forget your helmet though Sparky.