Various news sources are reporting that former Rovers striker James Beattie has agreed to join Everton rather than Aston Villa and is now set to complete a £6.5m transfer to Goodison Park, where he will under go a medical tomorrow. This as previously reported Rovers should benifit financially as a result of a clause included during Beattie's transfer from Rovers to Southampton in 1998. Meanwhile Mark Hughes has confirmed that Danny Gabbidon will not be joining Rovers. SSN are reporting Mark Hughes as stating. ''Danny is a very good defender and I have a great respect for his ability,'' ''I am sure he will move to The Premiership but it will certainly not be with us.''

you havent become tea total yet then abbey,

To late for Rovers now but. Ref's Told to Watch Clock

A goal towards the end of todays game, by Nolberto Solano for Villa brought to an end Rovers unbeaten run, as both teams struggled to control the game in difficult weather conditions at Villa Park. Mark Hughes is reported by the BBC to have said. "There was a lot of misplaced passes from both sides and it wasn't a pretty spectacle in all honesty." "We are disappointed to concede late in the day and, given the size of the goalscorer with a free header in the six-yard box, it was disappointing," "Brett Emerton has put his hand up and said he was marking Solano and he just didn't pick him up from the corner. "I felt neither side showed enough quality on the day to get the three points. Unfortunately we've lost the point we thought we had gained." Villa: Sorensen, De la Cruz, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Solano, McCann, Hendrie, Barry, Angel, Luke Moore (Davis 90). Subs Not Used: Delaney, Postma, Berson, Stefan Moore. Booked: McCann. Goals: Solano 88. Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Johansson, Todd, Matteo, Reid (Thompson 60), Flitcroft, Ferguson, Emerton, Dickov, Stead (Gallagher 59). Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Pedersen, McEveley. Booked: Dickov. Att: 34,265. Ref: H Webb

You may note that a number of posts are being deleted. This is not about censorship, it's about sticking to site posting guidelines. The topic is about the Villa game and not about Newcastle. See site guidelines. 11. Keep posts relevant to the thread Please keep all posts relevant to the original thread, this will be enforced far less in the non-football thread, but is still desirable. 12. Have a Point Please ensure you have a point to make, posting drivel will not be tolerated. cheers Alan

And the Germans? Well if your so concerned. Germany has announced they are to provide 27 million dollar Making the announcement in Berlin, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said it was a "catastrophe of global proportions" and "can only be solved with close cooperation of the international community coordinated by the United Nations", Germany has sent a military hospital plane to Phuket in Thailand along with two planes carrying technical experts, medical teams and consular officials. It's not about who gave what, or how much, it's about pulling together for a common cause.

Birmingham could be reluctant to sell Savage at the moment seeing Dunn's out injured for a month.

Jemal Johnson included in squad.

At the dawn of a new year, I hope in footballing terms 2005 turns out to be more memorable and enjoyable for Rovers supporters than 2004. Rovers started 2004, in 14th position in the league with 21 points after beating Newcastle with a solitary goal from Paul Gallagher, a game that was to see Ferguson damage his knee and rule him out for the remainder of the season. Things were not to get any better as Rovers were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle by Birmingham 4-0 at St Andrews and a league win didn’t arrive until February, when new signing Jon Stead from Huddersfield got the winner away at Middlesbrough. With only one win during March 2 – 0 away at Villa, Rovers goal difference was the only factor that kept them out of the bottom three after a diabolical performance and defeat at Ewood to relegation candidates Leeds United. With the drop looking inevitable Rovers turned the season around in April, starting with a 4 – 3 win away to Fulham, followed by consecutive wins against Leicester, Everton and Manchester United; and although they only managed one point from their remaining two fixture, they finished 15th with 44 points as Leeds, Leicester and Wolves were relegated. During the summer there was no major acquisitions in the transfer market by Rovers, with Dickov, Matteo, De Pedro and Pederson coming in, whilst Cole joined Fulham. Rovers started the 2004-05 season in poor form and were in the bottom three at the start of September, when Graeme Souness jumped ship to join Newcastle. To their credit the Rovers board were quick to react and Wales Manager Mark Hughes was appointed as the new Rovers manager, who oversaw Rovers first win of the season against Portsmouth, with a goal from the recalled fans favourite Matt Jansen. Hughes appointment wasn’t however to be an instant success, as he juggled his managerial duties between Rovers and Wales for the first month. Exit from the League cup by Bournemouth and consecutive 4 – 0 defeats by Boro and Chelsea saw grey clouds gather over Ewood; before Hughes and his newly appointed back room staff started to turn things around at Ewood. A period that saw the departure, after over 30 years at the club, of Tony Parkes. As we go into the first game of 2005 with 19 points and 15th in the league Rovers are virtually in the same position as they started 2004. However as we prepare for the first game of 2005, away to Villa, Rovers appear to be in better shape than last year, have only lost one of their last ten games. Lets hope we can look back at 2005 with fonder memories. Happy New Year. Link to Fans Memories of 2004

YES Rovers are guilty, I can confirm that the Rovers have used their telephone in an attempt to sign Savage. For Pete sake, how can Sullivan come out with such a comment, when his own Chief Executive has openly complained a week or so ago that she ripped up a faxed offer from Rovers as it was derisory.

Tris Lancaster to Stafford 103 miles. 1hr 45 min can you tell Ive time on my hands

Out of interest I did a RAC Routefinder with the following results. Wrexham to Birmingham 72 miles, travelling time 1hr 40 min (I suspect they havent included the normal traffic jambs from junction 12 ) Wrexham to Blackburn 79 miles travel time 1hr 33 min

Try this Tim. http://www,cardiffcityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/p...,,10335,00.html Or this. Away Travel Guide

Very true, the games seem to fly these days and seem to finish sooner than expected. Not so long ago, I felt as if I was only going out of habbit, however, even though we have been only drawing, the "BUZZ" is returning and I cant wait for the next game these days

Link to Ground & Location Details

Match Report by Scotty A fantastic battling performance yesterday that epitomised the new work ethic and fitness that Hughes and his staff have installed into the squad. The spine of the team were just terrific. The two centre-halves won everything and took Bolton's constant bombardment in their stride. The midfield defended well, picked up most of the knock-downs and won most of the 50-50's - Flitcroft in particular put himself about and constantly won possession back from their midfield. And Dickov was just tremendous. He worked his balls off, took his goal very well, and defended superbly from the front. Man of the match, just ahead of Flitcroft and Todd. We could and should have won by more, Stead was unlucky with a header that hit the underside of the bar and how Reid missed when clean through at the death I'll never know. We were the better team in the first half, controlled midfield and looked threatening whenever we went forward, and then defended superbly in the second when Bolton put us under pressure. Bolton didn't have a clear-cut chance the whole game and looked devoid of ideas as the game wore on. If you think things are bad watching the Rovers, imagine being a Bolton season-ticket holder and having to watch that aerial bombardment every match. The team still lacks quality, we desperately need a new striker, but the need for a defensive midfielder is now perhaps not as great as it was if Flitcroft can keep up his current form. Despite the lack of real quality though, Hughes has got the team playing to their maximum most games and we are starting to out-work and battle other teams. If we can keep this up we should achieve safety without too many problems. However, if we drop our work-rate in games then our lack of quality will become apparent and we'll get beat more often than not.

Watched the game for the first time this morning. (MOTD). Eating a bit, only a small amount of humble pie. Dickov took his goal well. What has Stead got to do, the header off the underside of the cross bar. If only that had gone in then maybe his season would start

A single goal in the 6th minute by Paul Dickov, gave Rovers a well earned 3 points against local rivals Bolton Wanderers this afternoon at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, N'Gotty, Jaidi, Gardner, Okocha, Speed (Hierro 72), Giannakopoulos (Ferdinand 76), Pedersen (Vaz Te 52), Davies, Diouf. Subs Not Used: Poole, Barness. Booked: Vaz Te, Jaidi. Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Johansson, Matteo, Reid, Flitcroft, Ferguson, Emerton, Dickov, Bothroyd (Stead 25). Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Gallagher, Thompson, McEveley. Booked: Ferguson, Flitcroft. Goals: Dickov 6. Att: 27,038 Ref: R Styles Match Report

link to official site team news

ROVERS WORLD. Sign up for a quid offer until 5th Jan

Whilst Bolton have recently hit a slump, a result for Rovers shouldn't be taken for granted as Big Sam is bound to attempt to pump up his foreign legion for this local Lancashire derby and Kevin Davies always seems to be up for it when playing against Rovers. However contrary to my previous comments I'm going for a 4 - 2 win to Rovers. Rovers goals from Stead, Gallagher, Ferguson and Pederson who comes on as sub for the last 15 minutes. Bolton's goals from two players who Big Sam's signed in the summer from the Pheonix Club, Paddy & Max.

Rovers are reported to be ready to open contract talks with Andy Todd. Not so long ago Andy Todd's appeared to be on his way out of Ewood Park after a public falling out with former Rovers manager Graeme Souness, however the 30 year old defender has impressed current manager Mark Hughes sufficiently to be offered a new contract. Todd's current contract expires at the end of the season but reports would indicate that talks regarding an extension will commence in January. Mark Hughes is being quoted by various media sourses to have said. "I have been delighted with Andy, he has come in after a long time out of the side and he has been first class," "His contract is up at the end of the season and we will speak to him in January about a new one. We want to keep him. "He has given us something we were missing at the back, he's determined and strong and I was pleased with his performance against Newcastle."

I'm not slating him, he plays the game to his abilities, but is to predictable and I feel he stiffles any partner that he plays along side. I've watched him now half a season and to me the only thing he has going for him is his work rate. Constantly backing into defenders and appealing for fouls is not the answer. The problem at the moment, as a previous manager said, we have to wee with the willie we've got. And that is wee willie Dickov. If we are to get some more goals we need to experiment, by trying another two players up front.

Right I'll get ready to duck when the bricks start to fly. Yes Dickov, has scored some goals, but what does he do.? He runs around for 90 minutes. What else does he do.? Can he run with the ball and beat a defender.? No Is able to out pace a defender.? No Is he good in the air.? No. So what does he do.? He continualy backs into defenders, throwing his arms around the back of defenders stopping them from backing away or to get in front of him. 90% of the time this happens he ends on his backside, demanding a free kick. As do 99% of the fans. Referees have become wise to him, thats why free kicks arent awarded. His running around all over the place must be very frustrating for any striker who has to team up with him. How can you link up if you havent a clue where the hell he's run to. There is no apparent pattern to his play, any midfielder wanting to feed him, has to scour the field to find him. He has been partnered with Jansen, Bothroyd, Gally and Stead, but have any of those partnerships looked comfortable. ? Not in my opinion. Whilst I cant complain about his work rate, my personal opinion is that if Rovers are to get some goals and are to develop a striking partnership then Dickov must be dropped to the bench and a different partnership tried up front. eg Stead and Gally

You hit the nail on the head, thats the difference between the current and past manager. Same players but different attitude and performances.