Forget Journalistic Gossip.

[Alan75]

Forget Journalistic Gossip.

When this afternoon’s crucial game against Birmingham should be the main topic of discussion the sports journalists are already filling their column spaces with speculation regarding the comings and goings from Ewood Park this summer.

Last Summer the rumour gossip revolved around Benni McCarthy; this summer if the red tops are to be believed, all the gossip will revolve around England midfielder David Bentley who reportedly has been given a Deal or No Deal ultimatum by Rovers manager Mark Hughes and Chairman John Williams.

Players no doubt will come and go, but speculation of this type prior to crucial games, unsettles players and supporters alike. The sports columns today should revolve around relegation, championship and European qualification.

At the top of the premiership Manchester United and Chelsea will be battling it out for the ultimate prize, whilst Fulham, Reading and Birmingham will be battling to avoid the drop.

Meanwhile Everton, Aston Villa and Rovers will be desperate for points in order to qualify for the UEFA Cup; in Rovers case through the Intertoto.

Rovers main challengers for the Intertoto place is Villa who take on West Ham at Upton Park, whilst Rovers meet relegation candidates, Birmingham at St Andrews.

Supporters have all summer to discuss the transfer rumours and gossip as football journalists attempt to fill their columns ahead of Wimbledon and the Olympics.

A defeat or draw for Villa and a win for the Rovers this afternoon could see Mark Hughes lads, finish 6th in the Premiership and provide European Qualification through the Intertoto. All this transfer gossip should be forgotten; today is the day to get behind the team, every one of them, as they take the field for the final game of the season.