The King's speech was superb. Geoffrey Rush stole the show for me as Lionel Logue, he missed out on the golden globe to Christian Bale which is scandalous.

Like you Paul, the first thing I did when I got back what look up what happened to Edward (turns out he was a bit bonkers, but living in the Bahamas in near exile isn't too bad!), and of course to what extent the storyline of the film was true. I normally can't bear Helena Bonham Carter but found her quite endearing in this movie.

A must see.

it doesn't even matter what the films about, plus check out this picture of stallone, this is what shape he's got himself in for the role http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39866

I think the chances of us two liking the same films are remote at best. Surely the subject matter of the film is the most important thing not how many washed up appalling actors you can cram into it?

I too have been to the cinema lots - must be the orange Wednesdays!

Milk is superb (think this has finished now), one of the best films I have seen.

Frost/Nixon - ditto above. Michael Sheen is a fantastic actor.

I enjoyed Slumdog Millionaire but it has been massively overhyped. Very entertaining though

Valkyrie was good but not great.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - unneccessary prequel but mildly entertaining. Where are the decent horrors at the moment?

Vicky Cristina Barcelona - a typical Woody Allen flick and very funny in places. Enjoyed it much more than I thought I would plus there is lesbian action between Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson ( a guy actually clapped in the cinema!)

BUT - I didn't like the Wrestler. And I think it is scandalous that Mickey Rourke got a BAFTA for best actor for it over Sean Penn in Milk. If you are a washed up actor and ex-boxer, it doesnt take acting skill to play a washed up wrestler. It wasn't a bad film, but I can't understand how people are raving about it. Thoroughly depressing and I never did like wrestling!

I was hearing your argument until you lapsed into stereotypical England football fan chauvinism. These Czech and Serbian youngsters may not be household names (who's this Petr Cech who was in goal for the Czechs last time) but if you watch them play, I assure you that they will display as good - if not greater technical ability than England.

Youth international tournaments ARE important. Englands U19s haven't qualified for that age group's tournament this summer. We consider ourselves a strong football nation but our success at these levels is crap - in want of a better word. WHY should we expect England seniors to win anything when they couldn't do so as U21s or U19s, U18s etc. etc.?

How can I be lapsing into stereotypical England Football Fan chauvinism rover6 when I already stated that I the tournament doesn't bother me at all. My point wasn't to the detriment of the Czech and Serbian youngsters but was pointing out that if DB is playing against people Like Ashley Cole, Riise, Heinze every week he isn't going to learn anything new about himself playing against a 22yr old left back from OFK Beograd.

I think some of you lot are being very naive as well as myopic.

I personally agree with the criticism Bentley and Blackburn are getting. The decision belittles the England u21 team, including manager. As I've said before, England aren't going to start competing respectfully at the top level until we're doing so at the lower international levels.

This tournament was Bentley's opportunity show that he can really lead the attack of a team consistently, under the increased pressure of the international stage. He's turned it down for bigger plans but even the best laid plans...

Rover6, we will wait to se on Milner but he's had several years to show his worth and has failed so far.

The decision may belittle the U21 team, but does it really matter? Even if they go on to win the tournament (with SP in charge there is virtually no chance anyway) will we be celebrating in the streets? No. The senior side's success has nothing to do with the U21 side's success at all. The only use for the U21 team in my opinion is giving players experience of european football and Bentley is getting that already at rovers.

Now that Bentley is on the verge of the national squad, playing UEFA Cup football and top premiership sides every week, what exactly is he going to gain from group games against Czech Republic and Serbian teenagers?

The only reason this is hitting the headlines is that it happened when there is little or no other football news. If this was a World Cup summer so you think anyone would give a toss? No. Agree with Tris, it is VERY alarming that the impetus for all this criticism is from within the England camp. That is much more detrimental to the chances of the senior side winning anything than Bentley missing a kids tournament.

I think he's entitled to a rest like the rest of us. Many people's opinions on footballers lifestyles are fuelled by the media and the whopping pay packets they get.

I could quite easily see a 23 year old lad being drained after the season he has had (pretty much the first whole season he has played), plus the extended England duties recently.

I couldn't really care less about the England U-21's. Yes they are an important introduction to International football for youngsters but Bentley plays against world class players every week so he's not learning much new.......especially from Stuart Pearce!

It's great news bearing in mind we have an early start this season and it sounds lik he's committed to the cause.

That's not really the point, they presumably know each other from the international set-up and speak the same language (French) whereas apart from possibly Henchoz and Berner who both sound like German-speaking Swiss, there aren't any other francophiles in the squad.

Its a tricky one. I must admit I haven't seen much of him play apart from the away UEFA games, a few in London, and the extended highlights on SKY.

I can't remember him standing out as the best player in a game but his scoring record is pretty decent. We've had many strikers in the past (and debatably currently Roberts) who work their socks off without troubling the scoring charts. Fans often prefer hard workers as they appear to care more for the club than the lazier goal poachers.

If there aren't any dressing room issues (maybe better now his fellow Congolese player Samba has joined), the transfer fee isn't over £2m and his wages are consistent with the rest of the squad I'd rather we kept him and offloaded Jeffers.

He does have a VERY annoying habit of missing sitters (I could have ripped his head off at Watford) but scoring from exceptionally odd angles though!

Who's Jade Goody??

Ah if only I could say that phrase and mean it!

Said what?!

Yeah that's not nearly what he said!

It rhymed with "duck 'em"

It may have just been me-but on Eurosport's coverage they showed the players doing a warm down and it appeared as if Benny was joking to Neil about the incident. It looked as if Benny was cupping his ears-kind of showing Neil this is what you should have done. Did anybody else see that?

I zapped the match on sky plus and rewound this incident just after it happened. Yeah, Benni did cup his ear as they were running towards the Blackburn End whilst warming down and Lucas appeared to say "clumsy, hit shift + 8 again!! 'em". I'm no lip reader but that's what he appeared to be saying (rewound it a couple of times to the annoyance of my flat mates!).

However, I agree with the sensible posters on here. Sometimes we forget that because we support rovers that Lucas Neill is an employee of the club. He isn't from the northwest, isnt a fan, and probably grew up in Sydney supporting Liverpool.

Imagine your job. You have a set contract for your employers that lasts for 5 years. They plucked you from a smaller firm and gave you more money. You work hard and get recognised by other larger companies and internationally for your performance. Your contract is running out, but you want to better yourself by working at one of these larger internationally renowned companies so you decide not to accept an improved contract offer. Your boss publicly states that he is offering you new contracts and that you are turning them down. You keep quiet. He makes a last ditch attempt by offering you a new role. You accept but admit you still wish to leave. Some of the customers grow frustrated that you have decided to leave and begin to voice their disconsent. You keep quiet. Despite this, your boss publicly backs you although quietly you think to yourself "I'm leaving in a few months - I don't need this".

Now there isn't much wrong with that is there. Just because it's football doesnt make it any different - to footballers anyway.

neither me, my mates, my lad or any of us would ever have seen Tugay's quality nor the likes of Shearer, Sherwood, Speedie, Archibald, Hendry, Friedal, Duff et al without JW and thats why I hold such contempt for the drop offs and stayaways who take this for granted nowadays. Enjoy it all whilst you can cos it will not last forever.

'Sherwood' and 'Quality' in the same sentence......jeez.

Fantastic few days over in Krakow. Beautiful city & girls, cheap beer, great result - what more could you ask?

As for the match itself, I remember grumbling about an inept preformance in the first half (Sorry Jan - I thought we were poor in the first but markedly improved in the second half). I honestly believed we wouldnt get the winner discussing that we should shut up shop to keep the draw as tugay played that pass to Roberts. It was all getting too open for my liking and I was getting nervous.

As Bentley closed in, all of us were standing, willing it to find that gap between defender, keeper and post and it bloomin well did. The next minute was bedlam, I bounced around a lot, jumped into the row above, grabbed Tris and promptly pulled us both into the seats below. Must be quite strong that Tyskie lager!

I have very little recollection of the evening at all, probably due to developing a taste for the lethal Zubrowka Vodka and having nowt to eat! Safe to say that me and my mate got back ok, didnt see any trouble at all, although there were rumours that the Cracovia boys were out to cause a rumpus with the Wisla fans.

Anyone else think the security checks from Krakow were overly excessive? I mean, how many times do you have to check my passport and screen my bag?

Hope to make it to Feyenoord and see you all there.

So when he scores wil it be

' Oh Oh the Shefki Kuqi

    Oh Oh the Shefki Kuqi

      Oh Oh the Shefki Kuqi

          Arms out, leg back , goal goal goal!! '

330416[/snapback]

Great....one legged strikers.....I knew there was a reason why he was free. May also explain his poor first touch!

Rovers 2-1 Toffees

Emerton Carsley (p)

Gallagher Gravesen s/o

Anyone remember Rovers 2-1 Everton pre-season a few years back? Jansen scored an absolute cracker and Gravesen was unbelievably dirty until he got his marching orders.

A repeat of the red card and the result please!

Portsmouth game we came up - 28.000 home fans

Fulham game when we finished 10th - 29,000 home fans

Those two games in question:

Pompey - That was £5 a ticket if i remember rightly (I brought 2 North End Fans!)

Fulham - Last game of the season and celebration for the Worthy Cup.

I fully believe it's the price that keeps people away. If you have a season ticket you go to every game. If you dont, you go to a couple of early games, watch awful football and think "hang on - there's 101 better things I could have done with that cash" and next week you do one of those 101 things, and maybe catch one of the live games on Sky that day to satisfy your football craving.

Its as simple as that.

Last year my mate couldnt go to the Newcastle (h) game, I asked my dad (who used to go to about 8/9 games a season until about 3 years ago) if he wanted to come.

He said no!! And it was free!! Simply had better things to do. Eventually he did come - was a good match - managed to drag him to another couple of games after that.

I'm in Cambridge now, and actually quite enjoy not being angry and disappointed on saturday evenings!

What's interesting about this topic, is, that the choice of players reflects on the age of the poster.

I think theres a slight hint of "look how long I've been a rovers fan for" mixed in there as well.

I can remember half of the players mentioned so my top three are:

Ooooh Colin Hendry

Simon Garner

Mark Atkins

We cant have shearer because he will almost certainly top Newcastle's poll, and if the Beeb are running a "where are they now" feature, we all know exactly where he is!!

So sorry Tom.

Do forgive me, please.

Everyone Tom was down under too, enjoyed the Coopers in the Lord Nelson just as much as all the others

There was Drunx as well, Frank Robinson, Chris Roe (and his ex Mrs ), Lee and Nic of course, Jan, and some American chap whose name escapes me, the two brothers from Lithgow, the bouncer that threw Vic out of the Orient.............

Waheey, I get a mention!

The Lord Nelson was superb, although next time I'm down under I think I'll not get in a round with DB or Vic as I was that drunk I got lost in the Rocks and then was found aimlessly wandering around Kings Cross and the "delights" to be found there at night.

And yes, Dave's accent is a bit of a mess, 90% Oz with the odd Lancastrian twang thrown in for good measure.

Fair dinkum!

This has draw written all over it - nothing to play for

1-1

Cole missed penalty

Stead header 40min

Damien Johnson for the bluenoses 85 min.

I'm not renewing mine.

Apart from the first day of the season it has been abysmal watching Rovers at home. I pray for a point when I get to Ewood, I gave up on actually getting three points long ago. I'm also thinking of moving away and commuting from Cambs just aint an option.

I know several rovers supporters that dont go anymore, its not because they are rubbish fans, my mum totters around in various rovers jumpers, has rovers everything, but when I ask her to come down to Ewood she doesnt.

the reason is simple....

Our football is dull, ineffective, several first teamers just either arent up to the grade, or dont try, and it seems our manager has lot the plot with crazy tactical decisions.

If we get relegated this season, it will be the beginning of the end and why? Because we sold our best player, spent the money on tripe, and the team didnt care about our club.

how about one from Basement Jaxx...

WHERES JON STEAD AT!!

short, easy, and to the point!!

Link to It's a new vote folks! Lets scr*w those convicts again! vote england win by 30 points

England to win by 30 points 56%!!!!

Great Link   to the aussies!!!!

61% in favour of a 30 pt England victory!

were there many ostriches roaming the playing fields of Rugby in 1823?!

imaginative explanation though!

 Well the same thing applies with the rugby, Everyone used to play it until someone had the idea to make the ball round and kick it instead of carry it.  

I think you'll find that it was a game of footy and some southern toff picked the ball up in a blatant disregard of the handball rule and ran the full length of the field with it.

It was at Rugby school, thus inventing rugby.