Brad - 6 - at fault for the goal, but decent the rest of the match. A couple of good saves and had a couple of the misses well covered Lucas - 5 - taken to school by Ronaldo. By far his worst match of the season (and I'm a fan). Zurab - 6 - shaky in the first half, became more solid as the match went along Nelsen - 7 - solid Gray - 8 - steady, good attacking and heads up play for the goal Bentley - 6 - caused a few problems, but mostly anonymous Savage - 7 - as usual, not great distribution, but good defensive help Tugay - 7 - good passing, the long passes have been good in opening up play, as seen in the first goal MGP - 8 - 2 great goals, caused some problems Dickov - 7 - caused problems, but lacked finishing touch Bellamy - 8 - showed hope of things to come if he's used in the right formation Subs: Mokoena - 7 - pretty solid Emerton - 6 - not much to do Reid - 7 - some good runs

9-9 on target, though.

Feel a tad optimistic we might see a draw in this one, as RFW tends to underestimate lesser clubs the weekend before a European match and play a weaker lineup.

Says a fan of Norwegian football....

We took one ages ago, just have to get her to post it...

John Nicholson's Take

Funny how the Souness haters aren't worried about us right now coughscottycough, but last season, while in the relegation zone it was doom and gloom for them...

I third that motion. I can think of about 5 times in the past 10 or so league fixtures that we've crumbled after letting the first one in (and that doesn't even count the 2 4-0 drubbings last season, pre-Admiral.

From today's F365 Premiership Winners/Losers regarding Liverpool. Also a couple of interesting bits on the site (I think the letters section) regarding how Man United and Liverpool seem to be building for European success and leaving the Prem to Chelsea.

Chat seems to be working, but only I am in. It didn't work at first, so if you did not succeed....

Wrong thread. Though I would find 19,001 impressive for a mid-week league cup match.

You got one from my youth squad then. Didn't get a single solid or excellent in 2 seasons, despite max investment since day 1.

I got triple passable...

Never mind the fact that we got pi55ed on after switching over to 4-5-1...

Decade/Century yeah yeah yeah

I'd swap Bentley and Reid. Reid looked much more dangerous on the wing, and Bentley showed the ability to move a bit around the pitch to create chances.

The world so hates our imperialist ways that Kuwait has donated $500 million dollars to the relief efforts as their way of saying thanks.

I think if we go to 4-4-2, Matteo should definitely stay in, at least on the road.

Sunday 18 September sees Alan Shearer arriving with Newcastle for his last match at Ewood Park as a player (barring any cup competitions, of course). Newcastle is off to their usual slow start - 2 points from 5 matches sees them sitting in the relegation zone, but hopes have risen with the arrival of Michael Owen to spearhead the attack alongside Shearer. Unfortunately for them (yet fortunately for us), their midfield will be without Albert Luque, Scott Parker and Emre. Rovers, with 5 points from 5 matches sit mid-table in 12th, but fans were given hope by the debut of David Bentley, who brought us the midfield attack and creativity we've been looking for since the departure of David Dunn's hamstring. New Geordie board regular Paddyk was kind enough to answer some questions in advance of the match (THANKS!!): Not the greatest of starts this season, huh? Why has that been the case in the past few years? we are just slow starters!! Just as it was looking like you were getting a pretty good squad together, along come the injuries and suspensions (perfect timing for us). When (if?) healthy, where do you see your strengths and weaknesses? weaknesses are at the back, we need a lb/rb and one decent cb, boomsong and taylor look ok and with bramble for backup it just seems light, babayaro!! not good enough and steve carr, not as good as when at spurs Is this really the last season for Shearer? yes What has he meant to the club? loads, to be honest many fans think he should have called it a day last year, he has looked off the pace this year, but hopfully with the new signings things will come right for him, Do people who feel sorry for him realize he actually has won a premiership champions medal? yes haha, its a shame a man of the stature of shearer only has 1 medal, Who do you see as Rovers biggest threats? if fit, then bellas he will want to prove one hell of a lot on sunday, also the midfield is strong and watching mgp at the end of last season, he seems to be a canny ;little pllayer Everything (including managers) staying the same, where do you see both clubs finishing the season in the table? rovers 10th nufc 5th Do you see Owen staying on for the long-term, becoming the next Shearer for Newcastle? no he will not be the new shearer, he will be the new Owen, i think he will stay, a lot has been said about clauses in the contract, i believe these do not exsist, micheal will stay on and become a hero in his own right Everyone else wants to know, though I'm trying to avoid the topic: Souness out? hhmmm not just souness but the rest of his muppets, how many hamstring injurys can one club have, honestly though, the tide is turning on him, people have backed him, the media have a pop at fans booing and calling for his head, yes, its happened but most anger is directed at Shepherd, but i think unless we win on sunday we will be looking for a gaffer by monday Finally, your prediction? oh thats a tough one, brfc 1 nufc2 Oh yeah, this match also sees the return to Ewood of our former manager, Graeme Souness. Love him (promotion, Worthy Cup and 6th place finish) or hate him (he snubbed your kid when he was mascot; he managed that other Scottish club, even though you had an animal attraction to him) he was an important part of Rovers in the first half of the century. He's brought us such players as Lucas Neil, MGP, Brad Friedel, Tugay, Andy Todd, Brett Emerton and Steven Reid. Unfortunately he also brought us such players as Grabbi, Amo (though you might argue he's good when healthy, he hasn't been healthy enough to justify his purchase), Dwight Yorke and Brett Emerton. The aftermath and those praying for his sacking reminds me of when someone gets dumped: Yeah, I'm better off without her anyhow, I hope ends up on a regemin of penicillin!! My prediction: 2-2 - Reid and Bellamy for us, Owen for them, and Shearer to grab a late equalizer. (Though I'd love to see the texts from Bellamy to Shearer if we win!!)

I thought Brad looked a bit shaky, but did recover towards the end. Our best player? Campo. Oh wait, he plays for Bolton doesn't he? Never would have known with his second half display.

I agree 100%. Odd, I just looked out the window and no pigs were flying.

And Manchester United has been lording over the sporting world for years, so I hope that the city of Manchester gets hit by a giant tornado and wipes everyone out you sniviling ######.

For those who said Matt didn't have the service to prove anything, he didn't make anything from poor service, either. Kuqi did get better service, but also made something of (and at least attempted to go after) the poor passes into his area, unlike Matt. I think Kuqi will do MUCH better playing with Bellamy.

Offensively I'd give him a 6, defensively an 8.5. He did a great job tracking back and helping out. I'm looking forward to a CM partnership of he and Bentley.

Jansen was awful. Would like to see us start with a midfield of: Reid Bentley Savage Pederson with Bellamy and Kuqi as forwards.