I think it just proves even further that the FA are in fact spineLESS. I think he was only brought up on charges due to the media. I think they dropped the charges because they knew Todd had done no wrong. To me it rings of the FA trying to please everyone. They think the media go away happy because at least they got charged and they think Rovers, their fans and Todd go away happy because he was not guilty. Meanwhile all around them the game as we know and love it contiues to crumble.

On the Pedersen thing I have to agree, can't beat his man, gives the ball away a lot and is easily dispossed. Three things I think he CAN improve on. However we can not leave him out because he is the only one at the moment who can bring one bit of individual brilliance to win us a game. the lad can finish, he's lost his way a bit on the set poeces but I think his form will return. To me he has been as important to us this year as Jon Stead was last.

You should have seen some of the other stuff. Forearm smashes (both arms) to the back of the head, tackles flying in all over, from behind the lot. Not one teensy weensy bit less physical than us. But, you won't hear diddly squat. In fact I thought I heard about what a great game Everton played, funny init. Neville red carded for booting the ball at a fan, let's see how much we hear about that. I'd like to know which members of our board were embarrassed, if it's not a fabrication, I'd ask them to please resign. Also listened to SSN, the interview with Dowie after the match it was interesting how the interviewer led with the question something like, "well you'll be feeling hard done by to come away with nothing" Dowie dutifully agreed. Sounds to me from what I have heard and read only poor finishing and a couple of good save stopped us from handing out a good spanking. It will all blow over, but I am afraid they are going to hang Andy, the hapless FA that is.

Just looked at the league table, it is a thing of beauty. Not only are we 99.9% safe but we now have edged above Newcastle and as if that isn't fun enoughwe are also above that other club that is more Massive than l'il old Blackburn, Birmingham City. Thank you Sparky and your players. Is that right Newcastle have conceded 51 goals? Bobby Robson must be have a good old laugh.

Funny that, a clarrot talking about entertaining footy. Heh Heh, when was the last time a Burnleh team could be considered entertaining. Why don't you stick with watching the gap close. Was you one of the 10,000 watching the "entertainment" at the morgue last night clitheroe

Well done Hasta, I had forgotten about the Van Persie incident earlier. Now THAT was an deliberate elbow. It's not the FA that has charged Todd it's the bloody media. If they had not made such a meal of it it would have been forgotten. Van Perise's was malicious and intended to hurt, he stopped and changed his whole stance just to throw that elbow. Stand up tall Toddy stick to your innocence and fight this thing, we are behind you.

I too thought Souness was a good manager for us and defended him to the end, however with his buggaring off (and I do think he had something to do with manufacturing that move) I had to re-review my blinkered opinions. I won't go and dog the man now but I will and do wish very very strongly that we finish above Newcastle, it would make my season.

Just watched some of the game again. Has anyone metioned Viera's taking out of Reid from behind that led to our early free kick on target. Initially commentator said Viera won the ball, then changed oh he just caught him. After reviewing it myself I would have to say it was very cynical and could have led to injury. Is that sort of tackle not a red cardable offence. I also noticed Dickov's bloody mouth. Dickov get's little in his favour because of his style of play, it's wrong I know but refs seldom seem to give him much, let's hope this does not become the norm. I thought there was a point in the game where the ref changed, he seemed to help swing the momentum by strting to give lightweight calls for the Arse. Even little things like having us re place the ball because it was 2 yards out of position for a free kick where as arsenal often gained a good 10 yards with out a problem. Almost like the ref got some sort of signal that Blackburn were on top and this can not be allowed to happen. Just playing devils advocate from a media perspective. But if you happen to watch the game again, notice at about the 20 min mark how the ref changes his approach to the game. Good to see big Sam defending himself against the "big boys" yesterday, I have never been a big fan of his but have a lot more respect for him now after hearing his comments yesterday. He was spot on too. I too am now hoping Bolton get 4th spot just for us small market teams. Let's start a movement, let's put the FOOT back in FOOTBALL.

That's only cos we stopped their bandwaggon dead in it's tracks.

My own two cents. I feel all we were guilty of was some poorly timed tackles. It's a man's game, it's the English game and not intended for little nancy boys from abroad. I grew tired of listening to the bias but I am proud of Rovers. We go for the ball we go with our feet what I get tired of is seeing the Arse's etc get away with the pulling, holding and constant elbowing. No one whined when Keane sliced Reid down a OT from behind, no one will bitch and moan when the Arse and Man U are fighting and clogging each other. Then it is simply described as healthy competitiveness. For me I'd say more of the same. Show 'em we won't be manipulated.

Settle down Tris, it's just a discussion about the bloke who single handedly put us in the crap then walked away. To me it makes a nice change from the excuses for not going to Cardiff type posts.

Interesting reviews on the game. Poor to watch, Liverpool set out their defensive stall but yet they have been described as "heroic defending" Why is it that Liverpool are heroic but we are bullies, physical, etc etc.

Are you actually going yourself? The reason I ask is that generally it seems the people who make the most noise about our level of support don't go themselves. People who find the club "embarrassing" because of our followings really get on my nipples. It's all about supporting your team, your club. What does it really matter to you if x thousand people you've never met choose to go or not? It's a matter of choice, it's not compulsory, and you can't force anyone to go. More to the point where were all these people "embarrassed" now by 20,000 gates when we were getting 7,000 gates in the 80's in division 2 or even 4,000 in division 3 in the 70's? Probably not even born then but if they were no doubt they wouldn't have supported us because it would be far too "embarrassing" being associated with such an unfashionable club or being seen in such a small crowd. A "proper" fan (God I hate that phrase) would support us no matter what and wouldn't be particularly concerned if there were 3,000 or 30,000 like minded souls alongside him or her. (Although obviously the latter is nicer) And if I read once more that someone going to this one off game is more of a "proper" fan than a season ticket holder who forks out his money season after season I think I'll scream. RANT OVER: P.S. After all the hot air expended on this thread it's a 4am start, it's live on TV, it's mostly £45 per head with no reductions for kids, we currently average only 19,000 at home with 14,000 season ticket holders. Yet we're now looking like taking a respectableish 16,500. Much ado about nothing? If you must have a moan direct it at the FA not your fellow supporters. NOW CAN WE FINALLY GET DOWN TO TALKING ABOUT THE ONLY THING THAT REALLY MATTERS? TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO WIN THIS BLOODY GAME OF FOOTBALL!!! Yeah yeah and yeah again. Way to go Rev. My Alarms going to be set for 3 am, course I don't have to travel or pay. As for getting up early what about in the old days when you had to travel on the coach overnight to get to places like Brighton and Southampton.

Do we have word on how many tickets Arsenal have sold?

Other than that how did you like the game, was the result to your liking? Should we have scored more? Or do you just prefer to stick with the negatives? Were the pies cold, too hot. We all know the attendance is slipping I am not even sure if a good season will bring back the missing few thousand or so but hey, it was a good result, semis next week, possibility of a bright future with the right players added. It seems most teams around Lancs are seeing declining numbers in support, even the almighty Burnley, worlds most loyal fans, can only just scrape over 10K now, even with the gap closing . Nob end, with a real shout of Prem football, Wigan even better shout are not exactly packing them in are they. Just try to enjoy the result, if you can that is.

I think you mean to say that you cannot be arsed to wake up early and pay a little extra But no doubt you'll be one of those people trying to get the 18k Cup final tickets and take it from those who can be botherd to go for the semie So if you are boycotting the game you won't be watching it on telly either then. Am I right.

What can I say? You are in Texas.

Just plonked my $20 down to watch em on PPV over here, a tough decision given Mr and Mrs USABlues current financial climate.

Excellent points Rev, my feeling exactly. I think If I was undecided that article would have put me off, it came across all wrong. I can clearly understand any fan who chooses not to go to this one, the FA have cocked it up on a grandiose scale. They clearly, very clearly, have not got a clue about the Football fan in general, are we not after all their employers. They have added to the downhill spiral of the spirit of the greatest domestic competition in the World. It has been the way it had for 100 years why did they have to go mess with it, semis at two neutral grounds and the Final on the big stage. It is the ONLY way it should be, the only way. I can imagine the out cry here if the AFC and NFC championship games were held at the same venue as the Superbowl. It detracts from the final.

As I said earlier, because the LET is not the club's PR mouthpiece. If there are negative articles, it is because they reflect the general feeling of the Blackburn public. Rubbish. It's because the newspaper industry in this country has grown fat on negative reporting and has no idea how to report anything positive. Seems as though it creeps into all areas of the media's life. Paul, I think if one sits and thinks for a mo' one will realise just about ALL news is negative. Murder, rape, natural disasters, oil prices, feeding tubes, wars, robbery and so on. Unfortunately negative things seem to be deemed newsworthy.

You could add me to that "list" I remember reading that thread too.

'Officers also discovered what they think is a cannabis factory" What they THINK is a Cannibis factory, jeez, what could there be to give 'em a clue.

No way is Todd dirty, competitive, strong and determined yes but dirty no. I can't really even remember the last time I saw Todd execute a rash or unsporting challenge.

Though over recent weeks we have put a little bit of daylight between ourselves and the bottom three I am still very concerned. With our total lack of punch, imagination and flair up front I have no idea how we are going to score goals. A few losses coupled with a few good results from the clubs below us and we are right back in the mire. I don't think I will feel at ease unless we can dispatch both the Saints and Palace.

Did you see the goal he scored against Norwich at home?? or Burnley home??? Point taken but as a wide player he only seems to me to beat a man when the defender is tight on him. There were several opportunities yesterday when MGP was running at a defender and he chose not to take him on. I haven't he does not beat his man, he is also still lightweight with the ball at is feet, easily stripped of possesion. That said, he's come on well but perhaps not so much the last two games.