As unlikely as Exeter getting a draw against the Scum at OT, well said Jan. And a whole post not mentioning Newcastle, Souness, or those Glasgow teams that I forget the names of. I knew it would happen one day, just didn't think I'd be alive to see it . Does it really matter (to the fans) that TP will trouser at most 50k coughed up by us paying punters - for that, I've assumed various things like a gate of around 8k and a mixture of adults and kids, the club meets expenses such as stewards, all the players turn up for free........... I know 50k is not to be sneezed at but in the grand scheme of all things football, it's not earth shattering. For helping keep Rovers in the Prem for quite a few years, is he worth that? And neither is it into bank manager territory to pay 10 quid to go along.

Quick, someone tell him to bring his inflatable Osama. He'll blend in a treat. Especially if The Drog's going

How childish and narrowminded can anyone get. Alan Shearer was probably the finest player you are ever likely to see in a Rovers shirt. He should be given a wonderful reception. The guy wanted to play for his home team which I find to be quite right. Alright it is hard to take because we only want him to be a total Rovers man, but that is because of the pleasure of enormous proportions that he gave us all and we cant bear him to show love for another club. We should be eternally grateful for the service he gave to us, even turning his back on Manchester United which in its self is a commendable decision these days. Supporters have to understand that football today is entirely different from days gone by and we have to expect players will move clubs more and more for whatever reasons but that does'nt mean they dont have a great affection for clubs they have played for. So come on give him a reception worth the enjoyment he gave us all in the time he was here and thank him for giving up his time to help Tony Parkes have a night to remember. He does'nt have to come you know. May I leap to the defence of Gav by saying WHOOOOOOOOOOSH . PS If I'm wrong, you owe me a pint Gav.

Hark, is that the sound of champagne corks a-popping I hear now the Mags overtake Rovers . How the mighty fall.

True, Stu, unless good old Stan does an Andy Todd with him

Meanwhile, in pedant's corner....... Oz, weren't we top of the table after that, so we couldn't look much further up? There goes your Nostradamus reputation..........

Not only cross it, he even met a cross (and nearly scored) - I think it came after a corner was cleared and returned, so he was forward for that but still - AND earlier he was off side (Matteo offbloodyside bet he brags about that for the rest of the season at training) getting down the wing. As plenty of folk have said, another fine team performance (that's most of em since Hughes took over) and this theme of entertaining home games continues - Southampton, Palace.

Libel anyone? Exactly what I'd been thinking Matt. But then I'm not a lawyer. Not trying to drum up business are you . Thing is these redtops are probably pretty well versed in matters of libel/slander and what they can get away with printing.

The highlights didn't lie, CR. He's been improving steadily over the last couple of months (IMHO) and as well as almost scoring tonight, got into a few attacking positions.

Peter Walton. From the BBC - Rob Styles was originally due to referee this game, but he was switched to the Middlesbrough v Fulham Tuesday night match, and Walton rerouted from the Riverside to Ewood Park.

Absolutely right Mr Magic Hat. Quite a few people have commented to me (round here, several Leeds and the inevitable MU fans) on the game and not one has mentioned anything about us being other than hard-but-fair and how it was a close game for 85 mins, and contrasted this to the other semi where Newc just rolled over.

Alan, can't say I heard the bit on Talksport, but there was an article in the LET that is pretty much the same.... Colin Todd: My son is not a thug COLIN Todd today leapt to the defence of his son, Andy, accusing the southern-based media of conducting a `witch-hunt' designed to destroy the Blackburn Rovers defender.

Glenn, don't remember seeing any hoardings but I think the press area is the block in the Lower tier, on about half way, in the West Stand. I remember looking over there and it looked to be a block with tables/desks instead of seats! And when there was that fuss about Mourinho I seem to remember there were folk saying how could the journos tell exactly what was going on when they were on the other side of the pitch from the dugouts. Over to jim to confirm. So they'd have had a good view of Savage's tackle on Fabregas, hardly the best view of the Todd/van Persie incident. Still, as with the Mourinho flak, what does seeing what happened matter? There's a story to write.

jim, lend me your anorak will you please.............. Pendolinos are only run by Virgin though and Great Western operate Paddington - Wales don't they? No, you were right, not interesting

This week's installment........... Public face prosecution if they attack 'killer' geese A national bird charity is warning that anyone who carries out revenge attacks against Otley's 'killer' geese could face prosecution. The RSPB is also urging residents to accept the 'natural order of things' following several reports of geese attacking swans on the River Wharfe. In the worst incident several people claimed to have watched in horror as some Grey Lags killed an adult swan during a dispute on the river earlier this month. And last week, during another territorial battle between the species, one Otley man jumped in to the water and hit the geese until they let go of a swan in distress. An RSPB spokesman however has warned that such behaviour is interfering with nature...... "Healthy swans can more than look after themselves against geese. As for the swan which was killed, I can only think that it must have been ill or injured because there is no way geese would be able to kill a healthy swan." Disturbingly, the reporter adds in the final sentence : 'Last week the geese involved in the swan fights mysteriously vanished from the river.' Someone tell me if I'm taking this too seriously

If you go down to the river today you're sure of a big suprise. Plovers and skuas beware. The latest from the continuing saga...... Territorial geese spark anger after swan attack Calls to remove Otley's territorial geese have been made - after they were caught once again menacing swans. Last month, people in Wharfemeadows Park watched in horror as the pair of Grey Lags killed a fully grown swan. And now the two geese have been caught once again chasing a swan after picking it out of the flock.... It's genuine Yaaarkshire journalism.

Could this be the definitive answer? Front page news in the local paper that should be online but no sign (we are talking Dingleshire here by the way) : Calculating geese face eviction after vicious killing on river Agressive geese are facing the boot from Otley after they attacked and killed a swan. Walkers in Wharfemeadows Park last week watched in horror as one of the Grey Lag geese battered to death one of the male swans. Despite frantic attempts by two 11-year-old boys to scare off the geese, the swan was unable to get away and eventually drowned......

Not the quickest, not up for every header (like Mokoena seems to try for), but he's got the handy knack of being in the right place - like tidying up behind Mokoena when he's missed his header. I think I've said before - he reminds me more of Henning rather than a throw-yourself-in-the-way-of everything Hendry. A Mr Reliable in the making.

USA, and of course the rozzers would be only too glad for them to organise it

Come on Bryan, read more carefully. Flopsy did say run

Abbey, you writing for The Grauniad these days?............... 'Turf Moor is the sort of place where Status Quo and Dexy's Midnight Runners still get played over the Tannoy and some of their fans are clearly stuck in an 80s time warp judging by the standing ovation for the idiot who ran on to the pitch in the final few minutes, squaring up to Brad Friedel and Robbie Savage before knocking off a policeman's helmet as he was finally collared.'

Bit of a change of tack - soon to have a listen to Emiliana Torrini. CD out recently, heard a bit on the radio and sounds quite interesting. She's apparently half Icelandic, half Italian. With that sort of background, the music has to be interesting!

Was at the game, seen the highlights, I'll try to be objective. First half we were pretty awful (think the Cardiff replay, for those lucky enough to see that) and never looked like scoring, and 1-0 at half time could have easily been more. Second half was a lot different though, probably a case of us having a bit of battle about our play and Boro taking things a bit easier. To be honest, we didn't create a lot though. Should have had a penalty for a clear push but we know after Weds that they aren't guaranteed goals. Overall, draw wouldn't have been outrageous, but if anyone deserved to win it wasn't Rovers. Positives : Nelsen very solid and seems to read things very well. For those that haven't seen him yet, cast your mind back to Henning - IMHO his style of play isn't a million miles away. No world beater, but hopefully a Mr Reliable. Todd dependable as ever. Savage full of beans again. Pedersen. Maybe he's under management instruction, but he's playing nothing like I expect a winger to play. Comes inside to get the ball a lot, wins lots in the air. Hardly ever takes his defender on though. Negatives : Neill - I don't think he's been as bad as some of made out (I'm no expert though). But today he really wasn't very good, and being sat near a Lucas-bashing contingent gave em plenty of ammo today. Matteo - enough said. What's Nissa done wrong? Thommo, just rewind a couple of years and play like that please. Others : Bert Emerton - back to being v ordinary in the last few games after looking as though he'd overcome the demons. Brad, performing like a mortal. Made a couple of fine saves, I reckon cos he's being asked more questions and if he makes one mistake it costs the game, he gets noticed more. So what's the solution to all this? Well, we look pretty solid playing this formation with Mokoena just in front of the back four. That's the good news. Now need a decent partner for Dickov, whether that's one of the midfielders getting forward more or (what I'd prefer) Stead up front. Or we just have 12 on the field. This game is easy from the stands. Edit - USA, bench was Enckleman, Nissa, Johnson, Reid, and Flitty. Johnson came on with about 30 mins left (for Mokoena) and looked fairly lively but not threatening. And Reid came on for Thommo for about 10 mins.

Meanwhile, in pedant's corner........... Boro and Brum played at the Riverside last season when neither team could score and were hardly conceding. The result : 5-3. Nah, we'll never score 3.

Paul, resort to the Royal Mail method. It works for me (and Colin too I seem to remember).