Looking through the topics guys, I found this one. Yesterday reminded me how much we miss Tugs when he's out. I know he's signed a new deal, which is great, but it got me thinking what players were about who are similar to him for when we finally do have to replace him? I can think of Carrick and Rosicky who do similar jobs, but who we could probably not get. Any others?

I thought Pedersen had quite a good game? Better than he's been recently anyway.

Great performance and result, which takes us nearer to Europe. Memo to Hughesey: Rap Tugs up in cotton wool prior to every game. He was immense.

You know I was joking right? I'm pretty pants to be honest, only play the odd game with a mate. I can get the odd 20-30 but anything over that is a pipe dream!

comon Gazsimm it really isn't a hard sport at all once you try it...honest

Ronnie doesn't have to be bothered in order to play well though! Fair point on the sportmanship point though-seems to be happening more and more in sport.

I wouldn't be too hasty in letting him go. Provided we can get in a quality centre half to replace him then I think it would be okay. Off the top of my head I can only think of Lescott and Curtis Davies who could be available and do a steady job.

I too am confident of a Barca win against the Arse, but providing that they can get a few of their key injured players back for the game. Messi, Deco, Xavi et al. have been missing of late so it's important they get them back, although they did make Chelski look pathetic with one and a half of those players! Edit: Just seen that Deco is back for tonight, and Messi and Xavi not too far behind.

If Pongy is deemed to much of a trouble maker, then give Gally a go up with Bellers I reckon. Couldn't do much worse than Kuqi or Dickov? Failing that for those advocating that MGP is given a rest in the team, then he could have a go on the left.

As people have said 5 million plus would be a bare minimum for any midfielder who can bag you over 10 goals a season. As for Andy Reid, he's a fat man who cant even get into spurs team when they have no other natural left sided midfielders. He was good at Div 1 level, and not too bad for Ireland, but I'd expect somebody a little better than him if we were even contemplating selling MGP.

Weve been utter tripe since the spurs game, thats fact. You can probably count the number of chances weve had on one hand during these games (goals from bellamy excepted). We need creativity, and lots of it. How can anyone say that weve been playing pretty well of late. I take it your talking about us having the lions share of possesion against the scousers. Thats because they were one up, and were saying 'comon, were gonna sit back, what have you got?'...we had nothing. Were creating nowt, and getting nowt. Weve ran out of steam, and I can honestly only see potential points at home to City.

Comon boys, judging by the radio commentary, we havent remotely created anything again. Thank God Sutton still likes us judging by the sound of his sitter.

I hope he has got an injury for example, because at the moment his loan has been a complete waste of everybody's time. Good to see that Hughes has realised the threat of Pennant and got Lucas on him. Comon Rovers!!!

I thought that Reid was excellent, but I couldn't believe that the Admiral didn't get motm. The ground he made to get a touch on Cisse's effort was remarkable. He really is Colin Hendry's younger brother.

Well done to everyone that attended, that is some gate considering what we have been averaging. One dissapointment is that those who did turn up saw a boring affair that will probably not turn their few games a season visits into any more. Considering L'pool are European Champions they know how to bore fans.

I wouldn't be so annoyed had we not been able to hit a barn door, but one must shoot to hit the barn door.

A dire game. We got done over by the ref, but could have played all night and still not scored. It will be interesting to see the match stats because we did not fashion one decent chance. The Savage effort was our best and even the boldest of Rovers fans wouldn't have put a quid on him scoring there. A bad bad day...Tugay needs to come back in because were just not creating any chances at the minute.

Guys weve had a bit of bad luck. Thing to remember though is that it does more or less even it self out over the course of the season. We were woeful that first half, we didn't have 1 shot on or off target...as the home team that is pathetic. It doesn't look as if its a lack of effort, just class to be able to break them down.

2-1 Villa!

It's looking increasingly likely that we'll finish 6th at least. Everton and Wigan are losing whilst Notlob obviously lost, so unless we have a shocker for the rest of the season Europe is within reach.

Craig Bellamy...what can you say? Like someone else said the first thing that sprung to my mind after watching them goals is Thierry Henry. This guy is the closest thing to him make no doubt about it. Why is 20 million that ridiculous Cocker? Yes we brought him for around £5 mill, but his performances have showed that hes a player clearly above that transfer category. He is perhaps more effective for us than the £17 million Duff man was. As for the game, weve got to be happy with a point after the numerous gilt edged chances that Pompey missed-how did our defence give them so much time to pick and place their shots? We need to improve considerably if were to even get 6th this season and thats an understatement.

Couldnt be bothered to start a new thread so I'll put it here, its with regards to the standard of Italian football. Juventus are walking away with the Italian league this season, yet in four legs (two against L'pool last season and two against Arse) they have mustered one goal. To me, and to all the pundits on there Juve are the most boring one dimensional team to have ever been labelled a 'great side'. Tonight they missed Del Piero, Vieira and a couple others...but what about last year against L'pool? Blimey I know the Italians are famed for their defensive capabilities but they're awful to watch going forward. Take Milan as well, they were extremely fortunate to beat Lyon and haven't looked that comfortable in the competition so far this season, plus they are trailing Juve in Serie A by some margin. Added to this the underachivement of Inter again this term and you can see that the Spanish and English leagues are clearly better in terms of quality and entertainment. The dominance of the Italian game in Europe is well and truly over...I'd take watching Bolton against Everton everytime!

West Hams defeat should mean that if we beat Wigan on Monday then 7th is realistically the lowest that we can finish this season.

It would appear that the fa cup draw may potentially do us over if we finish 7th.

I've watched Spurs alot this season. My housemates at uNi are all spurs fans so whenever they're on TV I get the pleasure of watching them (and it's been week in week out recently). I honestly think that they're a very average side who started the seaosn resaonably well, but scrape through every single match. Bar one or two of their players (Keane/Mido/Lennon/King and maybe Dawson) they are a very average team, and I for one would hate it if they came fourth this season.