He must be in the directors box

West Brom took the lead in the 33 minute, when Clement's free-kick was deflected by the Rovers’ wall past a stranded Brad Friedel. Half time Rovers 0 West Brom 1. After dominating the second half, Rovers got a deserved equaliser when Craig Short powered a Jon Stead’s left wing cross with diving header past Hoult into the back of the Albion net. Full time Rovers 1 West Brom 1. Rovers: Friedel, Emerton (Gallagher 84), Amoruso, Short, Gresko (Dickov 45), De Pedro (Tugay 45), Ferguson, Matteo, Gray, Yorke, Stead. Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Johansson. Yellow card: Matteo. Goals: Short 70. West Brom: Hoult, Haas, Gaardsoe, Purse, Robinson, Greening, Scimeca, Johnson (Gera 87), Clement (Moore 75), Kanu, Horsfield (Dobie 76). Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, O'Connor. Goals: Clement 33. Att: 23,475. Ref: C Foy

And Saturdays ref is.............Chris Foy who refereed 18 Premiership matches last season, issuing 21 yellow cards and no reds.

Well here goes might as well make a fool of myself. Never write off United, but it will be a close run contest with Arsenal. With both Liverpool and Chelsea having new managers, neither with Premier or even English League experience it could be the season for the Geordies to get some sort of respectability. Even with the big transfer expenditure by Boro and Birmingham I think their in the same pack as Rovers and could finish anywhere between 6th and 15th. The suprise team could be West Brom if they've learnt their lesson from last time. For the drop, any of the bottom 6 shown, board room wrangles are catching up with Everton and I fear for Coleman at Fulham, most of his buy's appear to be pick pocketting other managers ground work. 1. Man United 2. Arsenal 3. Newcastle United 4. Liverpool 5. Chelsea 6. Aston Villa 7. Middlesbrough 8. Birmingham City 9. Charlton Athletic 10. ROVERS 11.Tottenham Hotspur 12. Manchester City 13. Bolton Wanderers 14. West Bromwich Albion 15. Fulham 16. Southampton 17. Norwich City 18. Everton 19. Portsmouth 20. Crystal Palce

Pike, oops I mean Pringle...........dont tell them your name.

Rovers started the season with a 0-0 draw against Everton at Christie Park Morcambe this evening, in front of a crowd of 378 spectators. David Thompson returning from a season long injury played the majority of the first half before being substituted after he had been the shinning light for Rovers. As there was no evidence of any injury, it can be assumed that Thompson was substituted with a view to his inclusion at some point in Saturdays opening Premiership game against West Brom at Ewood Park. Matt Jansen played for the whole 90 minutes but faded towards the last 15 minutes when he missed a couple of oportunities to snatch a result for the Rovers. Jansen was also denied a valid shout for a penalty by the referee. Jay McEveley playing in the centre of the defence along side Alex Bruce was booked for dissent.

Leaving the scene of an accident ?

Didnt realise that Koumas was suspended for the first four games of the season. WE MIGHT get a result.

Maybe if GS had read this message board last season, he'd have seen that a number of posts suggested playing Gray and Gresko down the left. Gesko acting as a left sided midfielder though.

Gary Megson has performed miracles to get the Baggies promoted, for the second time, with a team that lacks a proven striker. On both occasions the Baggies have now gained promotion with hardworking industrious teams. However unlike their previous flirtation with the premier league, Megson has this time ventured into the transfer market during the summer to strengthen his defence and the acquisition of Arsenal forward Kanu should be a big benefit for a goal shy outfit. Whether this will be sufficient to to ensure premiership survival this time remains to be seen, as there appears to be no other proven striker at the club. What the Baggies do have is a gem in play maker in Jason Koumas, which Rovers’ midfield will need harness otherwise his sublime passing ability could cause an upset on the opening day of the season for the Rovers. With Megson’s cautious tactical approach I suspect the Baggies game will utilise their defensive strengths relying on Koumas feeding Kanu for break away goal attempts. Therefore if Rovers don’t get an early goal, resulting in the Baggies having to come out and attack, this could be a dire game for the spectator with a goal less draw being the most obvious prediction.

Rovers finalised their pre-season preparations tonight with a 4-0 away win against Bray Wanderers. Goal Scorers, Ferguson, Stead, Johansson and Amoruso. Information courtesy of Rovers Official Web Site. Link to Match Report Official Site

As SG states this is a make or break season for Jansen, from all accounts hes been playing well for the reserves in pre season friendlies, even scoring. He also scored on the trip to Germany, but to be honest none of the opposition have been premier league status. Of the current squad, he is the only one who can do something out of the ordinary, eg goal against Liverpool, and I would like to see him get a run alongside Stead. But Gally is also an exciting prospect and currently top scorer in the pre season friendlies. Unless someone hasnt given out the full squad to the official web site, the signs dont look good for Jansen getting first team selection, It seem strange that Jansen has'nt been included for the Bray trip. if he is part of Souness's plans.

Were is Jansen ? Not in the squad for Bray and didnt play in the reserves v Altringham

Rovers winning run of pre-season friendlies came to an end this evening when they were beaten 1 - 0, by Sporting Lisbon. For the fans reaction. Click here

Rovers are flying the flag far and wide, trying to influence kids, this summer I know that they've been coaching the kids in Ingleton.

I can just picture it now. Mrs R. ..Arent those lads wearing a shirt like yours Ricky... Oh ye, very similar Mrs R....Why are they waving. Ricky...Best not to be rude, lets go and have a word with them, maybe they can tell us the best pubs .........ooops places to visit.

Colin, dont you realise, similar to the club, we dont have the funds. We have even had to take that lad Flemming off the transfer list.

A very thought provoking post by jim there, which include questions that Ive been asking myself. Just over a week to go before the start of the season and suddenly a defender is the top priority by Souness. Could it be the loss of Reid due to injury, that we now dont have cover at right back. Although the attempted signing of Moore a centre half doesnt explain that senario. The biggest puzzle is the Yorke saga, which opens a bag of questions. Was there a replacement striker lined up, and the deal fell through. Has the board put their foot down and told Souness to sort his personal attitude. Which has already cost us by loosing Cole. Has Dickov not come up to expectations. Is it a case of putting Yorke in the shop window. My optimistic thoughts for the season, are currently on a downward slope and I am starting to understand why there has been a decline in season ticket sales. There is no BUZZ around the club, where is the FEEL GOOD factor.

Rovers Reserves drew 0-0 away at Chester tonight.

Rovers chief executive John Williams is quoted to have told BBC Radio Lancashire that the club is interest in Glasgow Rangers defender Craig Moore. "We've had discussions with Glasgow Rangers and we hope to have discussions with the player later himself this week," Should Rovers proceed with the transfer, reported to be in the region of £500,000, Moore will miss the start of the season as he is in Australia's Olympic Squad.

darn and blast it. just been round me mams to get Grumpy, and 22 embroidered on to my shirt, and now I find out Matteo is 22. My mam aint going to be to pleased with the lad, Grooby.

19 Paul GALLAGHER 20 David THOMPSON 21 Jonathon DOUGLAS 22Two little midgets. 23 Vratislav GRESKO 24 Andy TODD

Mimms is a coach at Wolves

Rovers continued their pre-season preparations tonight with a 2-0 win away against Stockport County. After a goaless first half Rovers took the lead through Lucas Neill before Paul Gallagher made sure of the win, when he tapped in Jon Steads cross.

Trooper, he was offered the job, he accepted the job and Jack Walker kept the job open for him. Even sent him videos of the games so that he was up to speed on the teams performance then 3 months or so down the line after hed got a better contract elsewhere he gave Jack the big elbow.