Agree with you there Roverrich, some people are just never happy. MGP has just signed a new deal and I fully expect Bellamy to be here next season. As for Lucas, he's said he would look at his situation after the world cup and could yet re-sign and all we are hearing about Reid are rumours at the moment. It doesn't matter who we lose, its who we bring in that matters, and in typical Rovers style you will here nothing in terms of rumours until the deal is announced, and its usually a big surprise that has not been through the rumour mill for several weeks (Bellamy, Cole etc). We finished 6th last season, we have one of the best chairmen and young managers in the country, we played some great football last term and we have money to spend so KEEP THE FAITH ! Losing Reid or Lucas is not the end of the world - far from it.

With the resources available to them and the amount of money that they have spent I don't think they've done anything to get over excited about. Two PL titles is a good acheivement don't get me wrong, but they've not done a lot else really, and considering they have a bottomless pit of cash (and have been spending it) I think that dominance in europe has got to be what they're judged on as well. Also, its my view that a contribution to their winning the PL is the fact there aren't any other exceptional sides in the PL at present. Maybe if United and Arsenal were what they were a few years back then Chelsea would no find it so comfortable.

For me the only difference in the MGP of a few months back and the current is that the goals have dried up. His influence on the game in general, at least for a sustained period was always questionable I thought.

Agree with you, the money and exposure would be excellent. This is a difficult one though, I have no worries about us being in the UEFA cup at all - think we could do OK and give a better and more global image of the club. If I'm honest I think that the CL is a controversial one (doesn't look like it matters now though ) . This would have provided us with great exposure and also a massive financial boost. The thing for me in this would be that we would have to use the cash and lure of being in the Champs League THIS summer to strengthen the squad with quality players looking for CL football. My worry would be if we didn't do this (and I think there's a chance we wouldn't) the effect on the club (other than the finances) would be detremental. We could be out of our depth with our current squad at this level, especially considering the extra matches we'd be playing. We could end up being dumped out at the first hurdle. Think the basic thing is we shouldn't try to run before we can walk. I just hope we make that 6th place and bring in a couple of quality players in the summer to build on this seasons massive acheivment.

Couldn't make the game last night, just watched the Ford Football Special on Sky. From the highlights i'd say: Both sides were poor firts half - particularly us. MGP was awful again, we are basically carrying him and to put it bluntly based on his contribution we are playing with 10 men for 90 % of the game when he's on the pitch. We seem to lack presence upfront, I for one thought giving Bentley a go up front is worth while, but maybe in games like this the physical presence of Kuqi (all be it with a lack of ability) would be more beneficial. Our passing was very poor as well. Don't think the change round at the back helped things at all either. Second half we were better and dominated large spells. The introduction of Peter for MGP made a huge difference. We created some half decent chances, the header which hit the post and also Bellers strike come to mind. Problem is our defending is dreadful at times (something we were so good at not too long back), I think this was only made worse by the changes MH made to the back four. Both Brum goals were down to woeful defending. A while back we would have won this game 1-0, but now we cant seem to keep a clean sheet. Major positive for me was Sergio Peter, but sadly it also highlighted just how poor MGP has been recently. Think perhaps the players need on of MH's kicks up the arse, similar to the one he's only needed to do twice since he's been manager.

Couldn't have put it better myself Hughesy. What is it with people, we have our first decent season for a while and suddenly we are all getting too used to winning ! Almost every side goes through an indifferent patch during the season, and this is ours - its just a shame that its come at this critical time. Looking at the list of results in a previous post there aren't too many bad ones in there really, if this is a bad run then things ain't that bad ! In all honesty though, I must admit one thing that concerns me is the recent performances. Lets face it we haven't played well in recent games and I haven't really seen us look up for it since Spurs away. I think we have the makings of a very good side but the summer transfers will be critical for me - it could make or break us. Sixth place is still in our own hands and the players need to realise that we have not yet done enough to claim sixth spot. Come on Rovers, lets have one last push.

I have raised this before, it happens a lot. Look back over the season and you'll be amazed by how many goals we concede where he has directly or in-directly made an error which leads to the opposition scoring.

Fully agree with you there USA, we have not performed on too many occasions recently when we have needed to. We got what we deserved yesterday - nothing. Still it is really annoying though when a game is decided by a horrendous decision and nothing else. Pureley in black and white terms though should we miss out on the CL by two points that decision technically could have cost us 4th place. However, realistically the chances of us winning yesterday (based upon the performance) were pretty much none existent anyway. In all honesty I think we could have played until next easter and not scored !

There are many varying views of the performance. For me, there is no way the goal should have been allowed - one of the worst descions I've seen. As said on TV if we miss out on the CL by two points that decision has cost us millions. From our point of view I think first half we were poor, started OK but faded out very quickly. Second half a little bit better, certainly plenty of possesion but we did little with it. A lot of huff and puff but seriously lacking creativity and quality in the final third. Its a real worry for me that without Tugay in the side we lack any sort of creativity in midfield. Reid and Savage work hard and give 110% but for me you cant play both in the centre of midfield, its one or the other and based upon recent performances I'd go for Reid with Tugay (When he's fit. I know MH is unlikeley to leave Savage out but thats my view). We also seem to lack any drive down the flanks, MGP has had little to offer in recent months and I'm afraid we can't counter this argument with his goalscoring contribution 'cos this has also gone, for me he doesn't currently warrant his place in the side. On the other side Bentley doesn't look like a winger to me, he looks lost out there and I would be really tempted to give him a decent run up front with Bellamy. Also would like to see Emerton back in the side - at least he can run with the bloody ball and gives us a more physical presence. To sum things up, and thoughts for the summer transfers: (1). We desperatley need a new left back. Gray does a job there and no more. We really lack options in this position as well. (2). A central midfielder with creativity would be very useful addition and must be towards the top of the list. Problem is there aren't any around that would fall within our budget. Come on MH work a miracle ! (3). The last three games have highlighted that we MUST bring in a quality striker to partner Bellamy next season. We look very light weight up front and Dickov and Kuqi are simply out of their depth at the level we are trying to compete at. I can't stress enough the importance of this, think long term this will be a factor in how long we hold onto Bellers - he needs a quality strike partner. Hopefully we can finish the season on high and look forward to a UEFA place next season. Whilst I would love to see us in the Champions League personally I think it is too soon for us and would do us more harm than good long term (obviously not financially).

After seeing our performance in the last two games, I'd be tempted to try the following line up Friedel Neil Zurab Nelsen Gray Reid Tugay Savage Emerton Bellamy Bentley Think on performances MGP should be on the bench. Great deliveries from set pieces but not a lot else I'm afraid. Give Emerton a go on the left, he's looked OK when he's played there.

Looked a completely different side from the one at spurs last week. For me, I think part of this came from the re-introduction of Pedersen on on the left. Don't get me wrong, I know Pedersen is a good player and chips in with a great quota of goals. I just thought that today he lacked presence on the left hand side, especially when you compare the presence Emerton provided last week. I've not been over impressed with Brett in all honesty since his time with us, but feel he must be dissappointed to lose his place after last week. It was there for all to see again to when he came on against Villa, thought he played well. Sit down and think about the difference in the side between last week and this week - it was Pedersen, and that is something that has to be considered. As valuable as he is we played much better with more balance when he wasn't in the side

Typical Ferguson sour grapes - the man cannot lose gracefully. I really think he should get his facts right before making a complete arse of himself on TV: Fouls and Tactics: Fouls were pretty equal so how are we dirty and they aren't ? Hmm, it was your team finished with 10, not ours. Sending Off: Rio said he didn't touch Savage and Ferguson seems to beleive him, so how does Savage have a gashed leg. Mmm, Ferdinand also said he forgot his drugs test and Ferguson swallowed that one as well - hardly a reliable source Sir Alex ! Penalty incident: On his say, the rules are to be changed to state that players are free to handle the ball in the area if it appears it might going to one of their own team and not the opposition - idiot ! He can whinge and whine all he wants, they got what they deserved tonight - BEAT! Also, Saha should have been given offside when he scored, no-one seemed to mention that though. I only wish we could have held it at 4-1, just to rub salt into his wounds. Get lost Ferguson nobody listens to you anymore anyway.

Fantastic result, had to settle for Match of The Days coverage (too far for me to travel midweek and I've got problems with my Sky!). It looked like a great game, from what they showed it seemed Bentley (amongst others) was outstanding, Kuqi was AWFUL and Todd was at fault for two of the goals. MGP's free kick which resulted in Bentley's goal was a genius strike. Certain penalty, although exactly what he was doing with his hands god only knows. Hopefully we can go on from this now and push for a euro place. Slightly bemused by the gate tonight - I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the gate at under 26K !! Unless someone at the game can say otherwise I am 100% certain there were not 5000 empty seats - it looked full on TV. I would need some convincing that there were only 26K at Ewood tonight - so watch out rovers the taxman will be knocking on your door ! For those of you that saw MOTD - THERE'S ONLY ONE DAVID BELLAMY !!

Watched the game on Match of The Day tonight (too far for me to travel on a weeknight). Looked like a great game but nearly fell off my chair when I saw the gate at under 26K !! Unless someone at the game can say otherwise I am 100% certain there were not 5000 empty seats - it looked full on TV. I would need some convincing that there were only 26K at Ewood tonight - watch out rovers the taxman will be knocking on your door !

Watched on Sky last Nnght, looked like all areas except the Darwen End Upper and Pompeys half of the Darwen End lower were almost full. Living down on the south coast I have been able to give a few pompey fans some stick today. Interestingly, spoke to one guy who travelled up last night, and he was astonished to see the gate at only 19.5K. His words "Looked close on a sell out for the home areas from where I was sat, not a chance there were only 19K in that stadium last night" - obvisouly he couldn't see the darwen end upper. But still must have a been way over 19.5K. Maybe a tax dodge - trying to save some cash to cover the cost of the fine for Wednesdays postponment !

I'd have to agree there Aggy. The first touch of some of our players is woeful - it is beyond beleif that they are professional footballers. A circus clown in full get up could control a football better than some of our lot !

I think it's too early to start judging MH's ability to do the job, although I am begining to worry a little about our tactical naievety. We must remember that we've started the season without our new signing in Craig Bellamy (who I thought played very well yesterday to say he's been out injured). The defence has been disrupted due to suspension and injury which means that there is no solid base to the team and has made it difficult to assemble a regular first choice eleven. I personally think that this is the root of the problem, the team changes from week to week are not allowing a settled side to start operating on the same wavelength. Some of the changes have been enforced by injury and suspension but my major concern is the continuous tinkering and changing of the strike force. Hughes needs to decide his two first choice forward's and decide them now, stick with them and give them a few games to see how things go. Its no good giving one combination 60 minutes for one game then changing to another, then changing it again, and again. He must give two players a run of at least four game toghether. And I stress the TWO, one up front, especially at home is not acceptable and to me a main contributor to our inability to put the ball in the net. Personally I would go with Jansen and Bellamy up front with Bentley playing as an attacking midfielder.

Exactly. How can we complain, especially if Arsenal sell out their allocation? further to travel for them and higher cost. Are you having a laugh? I'm guessing you are as it's a good 70 miles further for Rovers fans to travel than it is for Arsenal fans... The journey from Blackburn to Cardiff is not a fun one as many have pointed out - it's a heck of a site more straightforward from London, even if the M4 will resemble a car park on the Saturday morning! Maybe we can forgive your poor geography as you are on the other side of the world. I live in London and have for the last four years. Before that I live in Blackburn and I can assure you that the journey from north London to Cardiff is nowhere near as difficult in terms of distance or hassle as it is from Blackburn. One straight motorway (M4) from one to the other for christs sake !! I've done it many times and in the car on a decent run 2 hours or so will do it. Plus there are loads of trains between the two, and also Arsenal fans are used to paying high prices for tickets. Lets face it, the only people to blame for poor ticket sales are the FA, who in my opinion have made a huge balls up of the whole semi final weekend.

If we're now down to only single seats I can't see there being more than 700 - 800 left. Leaving it until the last day of sale to get four tickets together is very risky for a game like this. My Sis has just been to the TO to get three for her, hubby and mate, she ended up with three tickets separate as they couldn't do three together anywhere and only a two and one separate in the Walker Steel. She said there was a reasonable amount of people waiting.

Bellamy Signs for Celtic. Not sure this is true as its not confirmed elsewhere Link http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.uk/cont...1_1&newsid=6541

Can't beleive this, I was watching Saints Pompey on Saturday, and thought to myself "bet we get the dingles in the next round". I should have put a bet on ! They'll probably think they can do us after knocking out Liverpool. Thing is they can't knock us out unless they score against us, somehting they've had difficulty doing in recent encounters if I remember rightly Get Burnley town centre sealed off beforehand, they'll go berserk if we win and try to hit us right where it hurts by wrecking their own town

Can't see the signing of Bellamy depending on us selling to fund the deal (especially with less than 48 hours to the close of the transfer window), nor a first team regular being used to balance things up. I would expect that the money for the transfer has been made available from the trustees once they were informed we had a realistic chance of landing him. I may be wrong on this, but I thought that should an out of the ordinary situation present itself (such as the Andy Cole scenario) that the club could approach the trustees to see whether one off funding would be available.

If you are prepared to see our beloved Rovers relegated before you are prepared to see Bellamy put on the blue and white shirt then it is quite clear you are not fan !!! Bellamy has his problems yes, do I like him as a man, NO!, is he a complete to**er, YES! Is he a good footballer, as much as I hate to admit it, YES!

Fingers Crossed Link Here http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited