I recall sometime ago wondering out loud on here if Thommo was not finished. Very concerned this lad may never return.

We told 'em so did'nt we TND. No really, it's too bad. Don't want to slate him yet but if memory serves we have always suffered after the international breaks. Next week is scary too, Chelsea will be like a house on fire. Can Hughes bring us back up, that was always my worry.

Just returned from Mexico. Was not expecting muc from this game but 4-0 is a bit of a shocker.

I think we can put behind us discussions about what Mark Hughes has or has not achieved at Wales, I stick by my original opinion that his accomplishments were overblown based on one or two good results, hence my lack of support for him becoming our boss. What we need to be getting on with is what can he do for Blackburn Rovers now. My early impressions are if he can continue to get this team to show the effort and determination he has done early on we have some good things to come. Emerton is a new man altogether, Jansen has a chance at a comeback, he's brought in Djorkfrenchman allowing Bazza a bit more opportunity to play. Strongly against his appointment, I must say I have been quite encouraged by the improvements, subtle but nevertheless very important. Players body languages seem also different it's all encouraging. It looks like he may have handled MGP's situation correctly if reports of his performance for Norway are anything to go on. Thommo's (hopefully) coming back, Reid will soon be fit (I think all he needs is some games, actually performed decently at RB I thought) So let's see what Hughes can do when he has players to work with every day instead of just International breaks, I for one am a little bit upbeat.

Only seen Boro a few times this season and I think they have looked pretty steady at the back and quite good going forward. Add to that our walking wounded and exhausted from international duties and I don't see us getting much from this one. Sorry.

Certainly pg. And isn't some system of restricting salaries to a percentage of a clubs income being mooted over here? If so that will surely prove to be another nail in the BRFC / Prem coffin. next Been here before haven't we? A salary cap that represent a percentage of the clubs income only favours the big teams again. A salary cap that is the same for all teams at the same level is what is needed to help create a level playing field.

I can't believe it, surely the FA know Andy Cole did not do anything, I just don't see how a man with his hands glued to his hips can throw any punches.

Good, now hopefully we can get a goalie coach who can work with Brad on closing down angles, taking advantage of his huge frame. Coming off the line a bit better too can't hurt.

Bloody hell philipl, nothing like optimism is there?

Hey, don't get me wrong, I was not knocking fergie. thought he was coming on great at the time of the injury. I just have a sneaky feeling we will not see the best of him at ewood now Souness has gone. jim 30 should do it.

On the subject of Ferguson, anybody here think he will be off to join Souness in January. I do. My crystal ball says Fergie to the Geordies with Bellamy and cash coming this way. You heard it here first.

What a beaut that was, was that the one about the half way line and most of the Riverside thought for sure the fella had a broken neck. What ever happened to that player, did he ever land on Earth or is he still in orbit? Mike England, Hendry good as he was maybe just about fit to tote Englands kit bag.

What's going on with thommo exactly. What was his latest injury and why so long out.

1 - I hope your joking - either that or you must really be missing football 2- But we still got beat Good post none the less USA and similar to what I was saying about there being light on the Horizon - but just how far is it? One thing is certain, is it looks nearer than it did 3/4 weeks ago and it will be 12 noon sooner rather than later No I am not, I actually enjoyed it, maybe it was cos I felt we could get something from it. It was not pretty by any means but I was into the game. there have been many games I have watched when we go behind that I sort of lost interest in because I have never had the feeling we would come back. Don't know what it was but I did enjoy it. As far as still getting beat, picky buggar aren't you.

I too thought Ferguson was absent for 98% of the match. Started wondering if he has his mind on St James' Park already. I am glad to see there are others who got some feelgood factor out of the game, I was beginning to think I was just going nuts. Now the rant, for all you moaners. I did not want Mark Hughes as boss, many of you did. Did any of you whining crybaby why can't we play like Arsenal experts REALLY expect Hughes to turn this around after two games. He still has a lot to learn about our team, players, strengths weaknesses, give him time. If you all can not take some positive out of the change in effort, passion and commitment then there is something wrong. It was far superior to some of the limp wristed bend over and take it in the arse play we saw during Souness' reign. If Hughes has had this much impact in just over a week I saw we are on to something here, and here's an added bonus I actually enjoyed it as a football match, it had good entertainment value. Bring on the Villa we're gonna kill 'em. Whoo hoo renewed hope over here, can you dig it, can you join me come on folks it's the start of something big, the defence hey it was good, we only let one in, not three. Amo was verygood last night I liked when he brought the ball out, for those of you who said he just lumped it you are nuts.

Seems to me the best way to improve our defence immediately is to keep the ball in the opponents half and have players that the other team HAVE to worry about, this fella can help with both those aspects. Pretty exciting I think. Someone to pass the ball for Stead and Dickov just how it is supoosed to be instead of hoofing it up in the air. If he is match fit I expect him to make an immediate impact.

Thank god for you philipl. I thought Matty looked sharp on occasion also. the fella can still win headers. It may just come back to him. I agree him and Stead could, and I emphasise could, work out well if Stead gets some coaching on winning the ball in the air and beefs up a bit. It was encouraging to see him get a few calls for fouls last night usually the refs just let the other team knock him around. Bring on the Villa.

Did I watch a different game than some? I thought we were better than a lot I have seen of Rovers lately. First half we were poor, second half after they scored I thought we did rather well. I felt encouraged in defeat which is something I have not felt for a long time. Neill needs to be sat though he scares me, Gray I thought ran his heart out for us. All the team worked hard and gave their all. We have been on a downslide for sometime the finesse play will come back with some confidence. I do hope however Hughes is not going to persist with the long ball, we have no one to win it. If we continue to be commited to effort as tonight we will turn the corner. The final ball must get better, it will, some improvement in ideas from set pieces and I think we can do alright.

I see there are 180 degrees seperation from Saturdays summation of players. How so in such a short time. I am totally ###### off by this result. Blessing in disguise, MGP scored and hit his penalty, Gally scored. Mark Hughes will have a bit clearer idea of what he has to work with. Mondays game is on TV not sure whether I dare watch or not. Oh just one more thing, Souness is gone, I was a supporter of his, Hughes is here I did not want him here but for pity's sake could we focus our conversations on what Sparky has to do rather than continue the arguments about Souness. Repeat after me, Souness is gone, Souness is gone, Souness is gone, Souness done a runner.

Jeez how bloody embarassing, I expect we'll be inundated with mouthy clarrots now. I had a funny feeling we would lose tonight.

What's goin on with the pens anyone keep us up to date cant get into chat.

Glad we have been taking this one seriously. Sounds like we have killed 'em in terms of possesion and chances, it will be interesting to hear Mark Hughes' version of Lady Luck has gone walkabout.

Where's Gray and where's Flitty.

Well it sounds to me like Bellamy's Newcastle days are about over.

Eddie, I could have a go back but I won't. Let's keep to the footy. Remember this though, I am English.