So Rovers could afford him for 3 mill on gates of 20,000, but other clubs who get more definitely couldn't? Whether that's right or not, he's still a little ratboy twonk.

I struggle to think of a more annoying, arrogant, graceless, conceited and immature t*t (+) in football than Craig Bellamy. And that's going some when you consider the competition he has in his own club, let alone the rest of the league. I remember when Wolves beat Newcastle in the cup and he waltzed off the field, fingering his premiership badge, mouthing "Premiership" at teh camera. Prince of Chavs (to Rooney's King). Would I want him here? No, no, and again, no. + The * masks the letter "o", so the word represents "tot" as in "kid".

Don't take it too liderally, sweetie. My point is they're both one-dimensional players. Or to be more accurate, players who are limited in their range of ability but who excel at what they're good at. Capiche?

Ripley was as limited player as Beckham, could put a decent cross in, had pace, that was it. Even Bob Mortimer (Boro fan) reckons he was crap. Whereas, from what I can tell, Douglas could actually play a bit with the ball at his feet. Would he have pushed the ball too far ahead to chase and then pulled a hamstring trying to catch up? How many World Cups did Ripley play in?

Tee hee hee: http://www.football365.com/news/premiershi...ry_130720.shtml he might pick up the League Cup or FA Cup, certainly not the league as far as I can see.

He's fallen out with Bellamy already, he's had words with Dyer after KD was caught urinating in the street in Newcastle (has that bloke got dung for brains or what?) and I can't remember who else, oh Robert for being dropped. The NUFC soap opera rolls on ... better than EastEnders. There'll be an eruption soon no doubt. Also can't wait to see who he wastes his money on in January!

No-one can be worse than Peacock, no-one!

What I do at work defies belief. Flip about all day, mostly.

Now who could that be Mr C? ... ...

"it was a betrayal of his upbringing"?! Oh please spare us, what a drama queen! A footballers' first allegiance is to themselves, and they will want to be as successful as possible, just because he left Everton doesn't mean he's not a fan anymore. I doubt his transfer caused anything but happiness in his family. AESF, you seem to have this perception of football as harking back to days of old when knights were bold and dragons were nervous. Your dramatic and emotive prose would be better suited to a boddice-busting shag-fest of a book, rather than a discussion about a lad who plays football for a living.

How do you know she was dreadful? And in any case, why are we meant to respect footballers? Personally, I don't show them any more respect than I'd show to anyone else.

Let's justvote in teh whole champ winning team, shall we. Ripley was a better player than Douglas, naturally.

Thought it was Roy Tunks meself! Roy Trunks sounds like an Aussie lifeguard!

Who is Roy Trunks?

Duck and cover! Accountants at war! "Ouch, he's just stabbed him with a compass! And then clouted him with the FT! Bitch!" "That's nothing, look where he's stuck that slide rule!"

Didn't quite work that way at Leeds, did it?

"foot wrong" or "foot long"? Whatever, if you make a bird dream of a Pot Noodle whilst you're on the job you must be doing something right.

mad mad mad mad! :-)

Was that for a midweek game?

T4E, 40 quid is still a lot of money. I do sympathise though, getting up to Blackburn from down South is expensive. For those that live in Blackburn, travelling such a long way is something they have to put up with far less frequently. It's a free market, so if people think 40 quid is too much to pay for 90 minutes entertainment (and I think it is) then they don't have to pay it and shouldn't be criticised for choosing not to go.

Why is it that when people start a sentence: "I don't mean to be ..." what they actually mean is: "I'm going to be ... "?! Shearer's ability is a product of a lot of hard work on the training ground. What I meant was that Rooney has natural ability with the ball at his feet. Which is different from being "a natural goalscorer".

Leave it to Hughesie (not Hughesy!) He'll sort it, no-one messes with da Hughes. We're gonna have a Sparky Marky Ewood Parky Party!

Rooney's an out-and-out natural, whereas Shearer is more of a coached player. He's only 18, but he's a real joy to watch. Long may that remain so!

"We've won a fantastic unconditional surrender!"

Today's lesson in self-sufficiency for Hughesy: - Go to www.tfl.gov.uk - Click on maps, click on underground map - Look at the connections between Euston and Fulham Broadway. Clue: Victoria, District, District.