Exactly. I hope all those who clamoured for Eriksson to be axed and replaced by an English manager are feeling pleased with themselves. Including the twits at the FA. I've said it before but England's international record for a supposed major football nation is appalling. When did Germany or Italy, countries of similar population size and with similarly strong leagues, last fail to qualify for the World Cup or the European Championship ? Both countries have also won the World Cup three times and reached the final on other occasions. England have reached one final in their history. Apart from the Ramsey era, and brief spells under Ron Greenwood, Bobby Robson and Terry Venables (in Euro 96), England have always been badly managed. The problem for the next England manager is the few young England-qualified players that are coming through aren't as good as the present lot.

Not that he has alot to beat, but that's Enoch's best post ever

Hughes deserves the plaudits but I hope he doesn't start believing his own publicity. He has made some howlers with selection and use of substitutes on occasions and he got it badly wrong in terms of tactics in the Uefa Cup this season. Only 7/10 so far ; he has to win summat before he can be compared with the great Graeme Souness.

He certainly did... night match if I remember, I was there along with a faithful few others. John Bailey had a cracking game.

I encountered that attitude in Swansea during their success under Toshack in the 1980s.

Dougan asked for a transfer on the morning of the 1960 FA Cup Final, another setback in a match which turned out to be a pivotal event in the club's history. The so-called tickets scandal involving Rovers players had been the talk of the town in the build-up to the game, leading to many supporters vowing never to go to Ewood Park again. Dougan's transfer request unsettled Rovers, who had been favourites to beat Wolves but played poorly. The press called it the Dustbin Final. To cap a bad day, Dave Whelan, the Rovers defender, broke his leg; unfortunate for him but his premature retirement from the game might have inspired him to become the wealthy businessman he is today. RIP Derek Dougan, good centre forward who shat on Rovers.

Thinking people would disagree. I don't know why you make such statements. You obviously have some intelligence, but your continuing tirades against Asians/muslims/Islam/Blair/immigration et nauseum make your appear silly, and uneducated.

Just imagine if ASEF had posted a link on a white man raping an Asian girl (or boy). And (white) pigs might fly ........... or is that a racist thought ? Read about it in the Daily Mail tomorrow.

Nonsense. Duff won (2 ?) championship medal with Chelsea ; Dunn did not want to leave Rovers in the first place ; ditto Cole ; Yorke won a stack of medals with United and by his own admission has lost interest in football while he was at Ewood ; Neill has only been gone a few months so it's too early to judge and Sutton won so many medals with Celtic and was such a success at Parkhead that he is probably remembered better for his time in Scotland than his career at Ewood.

Worthy sentiments but unrealistic in the money-mad world of football. It's obvious McCarthy has been tapped up by Chelsea with the promise of a vast salary.

Not sure what you mean but McCarthy's comments are bang out of order in my opinion.

Extraordinary remarks from McCarthy that must infuriate Hughes and are surely deserving of a fine.

In the league of tripe posted on here, the above belongs in the West Bromwich and District Sunday Methodist League (thank you Barry). Any true football fan loves the non-league stuff.

Must have been the booze : Warnock had a terrible game.

Why not ? You usually do .

Forget about Neill, this was a disappointing result for Rovers. Victory for West Ham and we would now be above Tottenham .

Right, but 15 - 20 years too late I'm afraid. Football has sold its soul to television and there is no going back.

Chortle. Must admit that I cannot see what Henchoz offers that Todd doesn't. Both are slow but Todd is tougher and reads the game far better. He's also a "leader" on the pitch. One can only presume there are personality issues here with the manager.

Oh dear, Guinness man rears his ugly blackhead. Cue defence of Rovers players in 1960 Cup Final ticket scandal.

Eh ? It's every man for himself, always has been. It's the human condition tha' knows. Ask Lucas Neill. Nivea's very good for a nasty case of pruritus. That and the ignore button.

Hundreds probably. These Yanks don't do things by half. Now where's that itch ?

Aw Matty lad, you've gone and upset the English machine minder. Latest news is that Neill could be back within 2 weeks, missing only 3 matches.

Apologies if this is elsewhere but Liverpool dispute Neill's version of events : PARRY: NEILL SPOKE TO BENITEZ By Mike McGrath, PA Sport Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has denied claims Lucas Neill did not speak to the “people that count” before choosing West Ham over a move to Anfield. Neill was long-term target for boss Rafael Benitez but the Australia defender, despite being a boyhood Liverpool fan, opted to move to Upton Park to help Alan Curbishley’s battle against relegation. The 28-year-old insisted the move from Blackburn was not motivated by money and he was impressed with West Ham’s approach, while he did not speak to important figures within Anfield. However, Parry told the Daily Post: “I don’t know who was on the other end of the telephone talking to Rafa when I was sat next to him, but I’m quite sure it was Lucas Neill.” Parry believes fans will be “bemused” by Neill’s decision. He added in LFC Magazine: “The decision by Lucas Neill not to accept our terms after we agreed a fee with Blackburn will bemuse many fans. “Players make their decisions and while you are sometimes surprised, you have to move on to the next one.” Parry also hinted at Neill lacking the passion for Liverpool, given his indecision over a possible move. “Neill had the choice between Liverpool and West Ham, we were offering him the opportunity of Champions League football,” said Parry. “What we want are players with an instinctive desire to play for Liverpool. We want people with a real passion to come here and help us win trophies. From our side, we never want to be in a position where someone is only coming here for the money. A player has to be driven by something more than that. “Because of the stature, history and ambition of Liverpool, there should be no need for us to sell the merits of this club."

This quote from Neill today is worth repeating: "This is not a backward step - it’s a huge forward step, and that’s not meant with any disrespect to Blackburn. I had five and a half fantastic years there, but the lure of coming here was too strong." Now rearrange the following sentence: all goes remaining respect the window out of

The point being that a left-footed player provides better balance : Neill could pass with his left foot but he hadn't a clue how to play left back.