Come next weekend Waggy and you may find that this has already begun

Good point Steb but I think that's what people are trying to do and I know for sure will certainly do so come the day. What is happening though is people ple are slagging others for not purchasing tickets yet they actually will be but are waiting for the last phase - and its this that I cannot comprehend, when so many people have already said they are holding back for one reason or another but will be going. Now, if we where still at the same position say next weekend - then I would be lifting an eyebrow but I doubt it very much. I have said it before, you cannot compare Rovers with any other club ( except Citeh if it relates to shooting itself in the foot at the most inappropiate times) compared to our fanbase in ratio to geography and our position in football at the moment. No matter what Rovers do - they get ridiculed Christ we get enough stick from other fans, so why do our fans continue to give grief about each other? CLB - I don't give a flying porky pig how many are there as long as I am ( and yes I have had my doubts purely on a financial grounding) but I still have gripes about everything that has gone on - don't ever feel embarrassed about being a Rovers fan even if you where going to be the only one going - you will be there. As others have said this is one thing I have been been waiting for since I was a nipper and as ypu said trawling the never regions of in the old days. SG - No you can't compare -and I'll tell you why - I'll find you for certain at least 10k of Rovers core support( season tkts) and probably more who have the same attitude and committment as the the geordies - but therein is where it ends. As with any club we have a core support where this means everything. Now as you and many others know - these so called Geordies used to get one of their best crowds of the season when we used to go up ther (17k) if the Mackems or Boro weren't around and we used to take a fair number as well. Now what people seem to perceive is that Newcastle are this mighty club, but that's all it is - its all media hyped and a majority of their fans are brainwashed into thinking so as well as they believe this is their year. I accept they would have have probably be in the same scenario now even if the fixtures where reversed -but it isn't so we may never know , however regardless of the distance - they still have the weekend for travel ie leisurely journey on the Saturday - which I expect alot will do + a decent enough kick off time and no Saturday shoopers- ie plenty of time to enjoy some pre match atmosphere and make something of it - now compare that to ours?

Not quite GAV - personally I think its well off the mark mostly and badly timed in that it is insinuating that the Kick off time is the main reason/excuse for people not going. Wrong IMO - the main reason I feel is the bollux the FA have and the increasing cost made of the whole situation and the comparison with Newcastle is just not comparable. People are peed off with hassle of everything that has in all aspects spoilt what is traditionally one of the highlights for a fan in any season should they be lucky enough to get to semi final. Things like this don't do any good - what they should have highlighted was basically what's in the last paragraph and played on those who might not go, with these comments. Funny, how they have not compared Arsenal - who in all reality would probably have sold their allocation now if it had been at say Villa Park - yet at the moment by all accounts are at the same situ re ticket sales. There are alot of things rolling into one causing indecision in alot of people (and the part time diehards as you state) but I still say that as it draws nearer we will be nearer selling our allocation and sell over 20k as it hits home. Maybe Rovers fans are not as gullible as some and are not having the wool pulled over their eyes and getting ripped off - because as sure if our game was a sellout the FA would be creaming it and adding fuel to their intention of holding all future semi's at the New Wembley.

I don't GAV ....... seem to remember a similar little quirk from you over the Dingle tickets

100% !!!! ITS DISGUSTING PRICES FOR KIDS....I have paid it but dont make it right!!! money grabbing sheep shagging daff huggers! Its a disgusting price full stop for a football match - as we well agree Abbey

Agree MB, however I don't feel its apathy at the moment but more so shock and pd off with the FA. At the moment I am not too worried about sales as I reckon we will sell over 20k - yes some will probably not go as a result of the time/place etc but the nearer the time draws and it hits home to some people I think we will get nearer selling our allocation. In a way which I hope people can understand - I hope the MS is half full in a way (but not really at our expense more the Arsenal) so as to really smack it home to the useless FA.

I can SS You are on about people moaning - why don't you just wait until we see how many we actually sell. The club told everybody in the first instance not to rush for tickets as there is more than likely enough to go around ; add to this other circumstances and they add up to why people are holding back at the moment (payday, need more tickets etc) I for one have not got a ticket yet even though I am in the cup scheme and a S/T holder and I know others of the same, but seeing as we need more are waiting until we can arrange and make it easier re travel arrangements etc I can understand your frustration, but maybe people are just heeding what the club has said for once - a bit ironic really - one minute we have people complaining its difficult to get a ticket and now people are taking their time people are going on about why aren't they getting a ticket. Or maybe, people think it is a total rip off and are shoving two fingers to the FA and are making a stand regardless and risking us winning and saving for the Final should we get there (which is more worthy). Agree with MB second point, but all in all it has left some people with a big decision. Agree with OD as well re Villa Park, but have you considered how many Arsenal have sold at the moment - think you might find along the same lines? At the end of the day, if the MS is half empty we all know who will be to blame and it won't be the fans. Just thank your stars you have your ticket and you will be there.

£30 - Enough said (unless its a one off or Semi/Final)

Hi folks considering the ###### the FA have made and the inconveniences that have been put in our way for our little trip to Cardiff, thought I would get the ball rolling at least to help us on our trans Bristol journey. To keep in trend with the tune in most peoples head's at the moment 'Is this the way to Cardiff Millenio The Blue 'n White are on their wayo Dreaming dreams where gonna winno The FA Cup it waits for us Sha la la la ..la la la la la Rovers ..Sha la la la la la la Rovers Sha la la la ..la la la la la The FA Cup it waits for us'

Thanks for that Biddy i was wondering about parking at Newport. Think I might park up at the hotel and then get a cab to the station. I tell you, this had better be worth it - costing me over £300 so far and I got my tickets for free! Yep, I second the trains from Newport as we did exactly the same for the Worthy Cup - although it was Sunday and we parked up early. However, there where alot of Spurs fans there as well and I do feel some people are forgetting about the Arsenal fans ( and possibly MU and Newcastle) on this occasion in addition to it being on a Saturday So unless the intentions are to set off - say pre 8am from Bristol/Newport etc I will take a guess that it will be quite busy whichever option is taken. Just one point - been waiting on the decision re the possible 'special' train and listening to Tom Finn on radio Lancs this is still being considered (waiting on Arriva) - however I feel they have now missed the boat as most people have already started or are already sorted re their travel details.

Yes but not to the point that most of these places are mostly fully booked up in terms of accommodation, and would increase the demand even moreso on transport etc required causing more congestion. Remember its not just Flopsy in this position.

Lee has the idea of the Footy 'special' been scrapped then? Flopsy get your mail sent to the FA buffoons!!

they'll be letting you take bloody pets to make it look like we will sell out! Hughesy As per my post above - I'm on the Cup Ticket scheme and according to them its only one per season ticket holder with a maximum of six per person. You can apply and it will be sorted but only after the others have been sorted for season ticket holders

Just for everybody's information. I am on the CupTicket scheme and have just had a call re tickets - we get first option - so it looks like they are on the ball.

Just read Scotty's report of the game - TOP CLASS again Scotty Echo's my views

Glad you said it Rev and not me as I think I would have been a bit more critical - looks like we are back in the same way of thinking. Anyway, an understrength Arsenal side who up until their goal didn't look interested - think they where looking at what we could do, which in all matter was a BIG FAT ZERO. Awful defending for their goal regardless of who's fault it was considering our new defensive approach , even though V-P finished it well- personally the injury to Matteo was our downfall, as it appeared we lost all concentration at the back when he went off. What is the point of putting on another (awful) midfielder who cannot win a header to support the awful Dicko - when we have another arguably the better striker on the bench? We should have won on Saturday and a bad bad management decision cost us the game - this will happen more if we don't buck up our attacking options and will certainly not bring the crowds back. As Philipl says after that I don't hold much hope for the SF when Arsenal will more than likely be firing on all fronts with their main guns back in contention. Once we go 1-0 we haven't got a clue - especially with Dickov up front on his own.

Fan friendly my arse. Decent seats £45 ( £35 if you are lucky) enforced on us in all reality. What's all this £4 malarky as well to have them posted to us registered - why can't they be collected? Just gets worse and more expensive the more you look at it. For anybody's interest - My future brother -in law- has just set up his own Limosine Business and quizzed him about it on Friday. Said would probably cost it about the same price as the train - it has a fridge /dvd / stereo etc so not bad - if interested pls pm me - not sure if I will be using as probably going down on mini bus to keep costs down - can fit x8 at a push. (forgot to add - he's based in Wigan so would have to see re cost re picking up in Blackburn etc)

Don't know if I'm understanding you right here USABlue but this is my theory (so don't take it as patronising) The next round of the UEFA Cup - the 2nd leg is on the Thursday before the semi's - hence the excuse from the FA re seeing the involvement of Newcastle - normally if a club is playing in Europe on the Thursday they don't play League/Cup games until the Sunday. Now as well all know - Newcastle had a comfortable 2 goal away lead. However Football being Football nothing can be taken for granted even though we all knew they where more than likely to progress. Now this is where the big ? comes in - which I am hoping is what you are asking - Why must they wait to see what happens with Newcastle - why couldn't they just have called the games as what they are now anyway. My answer as I keep on saying - is because they wanted to show MU on Prime Time TV on the Saturday, of which IMO if Newcastle had been knocked out we would have been seeing at the initial publicised kick off time.

Oh look, Rob Coar is on it....... Exactly StuW and a certain Mr Gill Now, just remind me which teams are in the Semis again?

But they won't be- as one game is on Saturday and one is on Sunday. So there's no-one travelling from Newcastle or Manchester who isn't staying over on the Saturday night ?? thats ###### mate and you know it ! there'll be loads of them arriving on the Saturday ! Arriving maybe ( missed reading that bit ) - but not leaving And your post just shows exactly what every fan knows - and blows holes in the lies of the bull do dah coming out the FA

FA CUP REPLAYS PLAN IN DOUBT Now this is interesting considering the uproar re the semis FA Challenge Committee members .... mmm surely they could kick up a fuss re these

Expensive isn't it? 1. Therefore what point was there in waiting to decide who played when? - ans = because they wanted to show MU on the Saturday without doubt! 2. Simple - don't show it on TV - never used to. 3. As for most things thats a personal opinion - think you'll find most fans will disagree and players for that matter. 4. Not denying it is superior - the Final is superior to the Semi finals - see above. 5. Here' s hoping CK

But they won't be- as one game is on Saturday and one is on Sunday. All the claptrap coming out is juts absolute garbage. Its been know since last September that the SF would be at Cardiff and now they only tell us they are only just thinking about stuff like security and safety. What utter TOSH!! If its so important to stage them at Cardiff - have them on different weekends.

Just a few things spencey7 How many times do you get to Ewood or other away games? 1. We have to play on Saturday because of Newcastle's involvement in the UEFA Cup - mmmm... thing there is a question against this in that Newcastle where already more than likely through - so why wait/ - Its because they wanted to show MU at prime time TV on Saturday. 2. 12-15 ko - There was absolutely no mention of this KO time before Monday - or at least not that I'm aware of 3. The Semi-Final being at Cardiff makes it a proper day out for the fans! - Can't disagree with that - but only when it is a proper kick off time and not when 4 sets of fans are clambering to be in the same place - now they have to set off at ridiculous times in comparison - possibly go around the houses to get there and probably spend more as a result - not enjoy it asmuch as they probably could do. In addition its at the same venue as the Final - and as such takes the glamour element away. 4. How often have you been to Villa Park or Old Trafford? Many a time BUT NEVER for a Semi Final. 5. We will beat Arsenal. - Here's hoping. Don't think anybody is complaining about the distance in general really - just more so the enjoyment and 'normal cup atmosphere' being taken away from the fans. Personally, there is no reason whatsoever for the SF to be played in the Cardiff from a fans viewpoint (especially ours) regardless of tickets

More like den is a claret