The Beckham for Blackburn story has two advantages to us IF we can get him. In my opinion he is the best player as a direct replacement for Tugay, great passer but not the best tackler but would love the deep lying playmaker role. This would also prolong his career greatly, remember we bought Tugay at about the same age and he has lasted 5 years. Secondly, in relation to the gate debate, would a Blackburn with Beckham in it sell out Ewood? This is a difficult one, a suspect not however I think an increase in average of about 5,000 to our previous levels is possible. With a marked increase in merchandising and a massive increase in World status it could be a self financing signing. For me on a pure footballing perspective and leaving the maths to JW I think this could be a masterstroke. Let's hope it's true.

A transfer to Barcelona would normally be a total agent led story. However, I'd prefer Lucas to Gio Van Bronkhorst at left back, so if he had the choice he might just get in the Barca team.

I think you're right Cheshireblue, hopefully he'll recover quickly recover from his current calf injury (three weeks out).I wonder how much they will want in January seeing as they wanted £3m last month?

They have split up but it's easier for him to have access to his baby without the travelling time and at the drop of a hat.. Also he can keep an eye on his local business interests.

Looks like the burst pipe has cost Rovers and Gav dear. As before the postponed match Rovers were expecting a crowd of 24k, how much has the 6000 returned tickets cost Rovers and Gav.

I think the main reason for not putting a TV gantry on the Riverside is that the sun shines directly into this stand. As a regular Riversider majority of the matches I have a sore arm deflecting the sun out of my eyes.

On the radio this morning, Hope Powell (England coach), said 11,000 tickets had been sold for tonights match. Which isn't bad considering the silly 6pm kick off and it being midweek.

Here's the webpage

Just fired off my complaint to the FA for what it's worth. ''May I convey my disgust at the recent charging of Andy Todd for violent conduct. In over thirty years of watching football I have never considered complaining about the FA's procedures but now I feel I have to. The incident concerned shows the Arsenal player Robin Van Persie starting to celebrate his second goal in the FA Cup semi final on Saturday 16th April. He then veers suddenly to his left, head down at which point he makes contact with Andy Todd. Todd has not moved his direction of his run (unlike Van Persie) and in fact is almost knocked over by the force of Van Persie's collision. As every person who has ever been involved in a collision, Andy Todd moves his arm up, (not elbow) which has previously been by his side in a motion of running, to counter balance the impact of Van Persie's actions. The subsequent result is Van Persie sustains a cut lip, after a theatrical movement to ground. Andy Todd is obviously concerned and offers his apologies to many Arsenal players (even though Van Persie instigated contact). My concern is that what would the FA be doing now if the player wasn't Andy Todd but say Paul Dickov or David Thompson who are significantly smaller in height than Andy Todd. Van Persie's actions of veering suddenly to his left, head down, would most probably have resulted in a clash of heads rather than head to arm. Would you be charging Van Persie or a Blackburn player with violent conduct? I feel after the over the top reaction from the Sunday press in regard to this incident you have been swayed in charging Andy Todd rather than looking at the incident objectively. If you have noticed the press and public opinion on Monday and Tuesday has waned significantly to most people conceding the incident was accidental or inconclusive. I hope your disciplinary panel throw this charge out forthwith and let Andy Todd get on with his football.''

A fairly unbiased Arsenal report on the match The first one I've seen since Saturday. My thoughts on the day. Pre match : excellent Match itself: First half played well Second half disjointed Rovers fans at match : THE BEST Arsenal fans at the match: Sing when you're winning. The Press : Haven't got a clue Cardiff as a semi venue : Too far, Too expensive, too early. Great city,great stadium. Let's hope it's not another 45 years to our next one.

With all this arguing about how many fans were about to take (of which I'm of the opinion that only under extreme circumstances should you not be going) At least our esteemed neighbours can't crow at us about support as this nuggett has appeared on the FA website. ''For five seasons from 1969-70 to 1973-74 the losing FA Cup Semi-Finalists played each other in a “Match for Third Place”. In the last of these Burnley beat Leicester City 1-0 before a crowd of just 4,000 at Filbert Street''.

Lee on the official board said we had just passed 15,000 yesterday. So if we had sold 12,000 by last thursday it's about 1,000 a day. Doubt we'll get to 20,000 but hopefully 17,500. Oh and by the way Thenodrog I got 3 £25 tickets so you now know one person who has got them!!

Let's get this topic into the game as the referees have been announced for the semis. 1 Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers, Saturday 16 April (12:15pm) (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff) S W Dunn R Bone D S Babski Fourth Official M Clattenburg 2 Newcastle United v Manchester United, Sunday 17 April (2:00pm) (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff) G Poll M Tingey G B Turner Fourth Official B Knight Does anyone remember if Mr Dunn has got it in for us ? Was he not the ref for the Arsenal league game or am I mistaken?Sorry he was ref for the Norwich game. Same result please!!

Robert Earnshaw