I had a week or so break away from the UK and this board. However while I was in the US I made sure I had to see the Spurs match live in a bar. Thought I would treat some of my friends who wanted to see a soccer game. The thought that dawned on me during and after the match was what the hell has gone on at our club in recent times. It seems like we are trying to teach the squad them to play football again. Basic traits of being any midfielder is to track your opposite man however this has been a problem with our team for a while. That is just one example of basic things we do consistently wrong but I have come to the sad conclusion the club had deep rooted problems which will take a long time to eradicate.

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/lancashi...rt/ROVERS0.html Hughes happy with depth of the squad but needs more quality. I too put defensive midfield as a priority as our defence has been so bad not just because of the back four.

Mark Bowen was saying before the Fulham game that he drifts all over the place and although his quality finishing was obvious the clever runs he makes could make him a midfielder.

From PA Sport today Gallagher Stays at Rovers - Hughes http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/..._Blackburn.html

Douglas did well for us there last season.

Interesting quotes near the end of this article from players and Hughes. http://www.thesun.co.uk/popupWindow/0,,3-2004551502,00.html

Dont know why I am bothering but this thread is getting ridiculous- I really do wonder if some people are taking the pi*s.

Cant remember Tugay putting in the tackles like he did today. Thought the work rate of the team was excellent and we did not let Fulham play. Before the match did not think Nissa at left back was a wise choice, glad I was wrong. Being ultra crticial, Fulham had some very good chances. Overall......Very impressed today its a nice feeling even though my liver will not agree later on!

whats wrong with playing players out of position may I ask....

Apparently we are going to resurrect our interest in Maradona Jnr- imagine him and De Pedro in midfield!!

It could only be us!! Last season we were crying out for a left footed midfielder. We even had people suggesting Alan Mahon to be recalled from loan, then we got him back for 2 games and played him then he was never to be seen again. Then this summer we think we have a star in Javier De Pedro, we got told that he could hit a six pence or whatever from anywhere on the pitch. The fact is was available for transfer from December 2003 until the summer didnt seem odd to Mr Wage Bill Souness. Then to really wet our lips we sign the young prodigy MGP- clubs from all over Europe wanted this lad but we managed to snap him up. However we still have no one who is left footed playing left midfield. Oh I am wrong... MGP one league app against Man U and the super Matteo played a game for us this season on the left of midfield. The saga continues....

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/displayNews.asp?id=5667&n=1 At the bottom of this preview there is a comparison between Andrew Cole and Paul Dickov this season so far this season- quite interesting!

Its silly to think throw them all together and let other teams worry about us. I used to think that in the days when we had a world beater in Duff but we dont have that sort of quality anymore. We need a proper midfield enforcer someone who will help the defence to a degree, Flitcroft used to do an ok job getting stuck in but his days are past I fear. Ferguson and Thompson may work and I suppose we will find out until Janaury because we have no real other option. Again like our strikers, there are too many ifs, buts and maybes. It makes you wonder what the hell were our club upto before Hughes came. I understand he is trying to change the style of play slightly compared to Souness. However conceding goals is currently our cancer and if we do not find a cure we are going down.

Think Thompson would be excellent in centre midfield. However he is naturally an attacking player so we need to decide who would be the defensive player in front of the back four- someone who is discplined to intercepting play and winning the ball. Most Prem teams have these types of players in their team when you think about it. Players who come to mind- Makelele, Holland, Keane, Faye (when fit for Pompey) plus most of the other clubs. Hughes seems to want Fergie more attacking so does Thompson have this role in him.......?

I am just guessing here rover6- but the reason we have given Reid a chance is the more sensible option. The coaching staff know more about him and what he can offer, he might be impressing in training to the level where they have to give him a chance. You talk as if there is a conspiracy against him. Or I am starting to think you may fancy him- you can answer this if you wish to... if not I respect your privacy.

It even came up on Sky News with their breaking news story. This is the most serious piece of sh*t to go down in our country for a while. Steve Bruce comments this afternoon confim to me he is a complete ######*r.

Two Men arrested- breaking news on SSN.

I would applaud Andrew Cole his contribution to the club. On the whole he did well in his time here. To suggest we would not be bottom of the league with him is a stupid comment. Also last season was not the most memorable. He fell out with the manager and the relationship they had broke down completely but so did a lot of other players.

Reid made the first goal and gave Gray a hard time. Julian Gray is quick but Reid got past him a few times. Remember he has been out for a while and has not actually played that much Premiership football- he will get better and better with each match and will chip in with goals as he has a ferocious shot.

The issue of racism is a very serious issue. However I have been shocked by watching various tv channels today. It has been made out as if a large group were being racist. This does stem from Steve Bruce going a bit over the top with the comments he made after the game and all the stuff that took place in Madrid last week. I just find it ridiculous that this was the main story on Sky News for most of the day and obviously on SSN. Live at Ewood Park every hour waiting for any information to come out. I realise these news channels have a duty but I really think the story has been blown up far too much. Racist abuse has no place in society but it was just some ned who looked completely out of it and maybe one or two others who have joined in.

Why should he come out and say anything. Is MGP such a special case? Its fairly obvious he does not get in our first choice eleven at the moment. Hughes thinks other players can do a better job in midfield.

Kennys Magic Hat- The Sky pictures clearly show the tw*t in the (Roma?) scarf doing monkey impressions at Yorke. They highlight it now when they show it.

http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/New...~592389,00.html

Surely it is fact Lancashire Police have confirmed a supporter was ejected from the ground following an incident of a "racist nature".

Thought the defence as a unit of 4 did ok yesterday. Jay was caught out for a goal and needs to start learning soon or even replaced. Hughes comments in the LET sums up the problems we are having defending. "It's a combination of things. It's not just down to the defenders. "It's the communication between the defenders and midfield players, and making sure that everyone keeps their shape. "At times in the first half we were too loose and the gaps between the units were too wide."