Bizarre news coming out of Spain suggest that Lopetegui is being sacked following his announcement as the new Real Madrid coach. That’s going to be Spain’s chances over if that’s the case. Don’t really get it with this guy though. Has he done anything in his career to justify getting such top jobs as Spain and Real Madrid?

Hard to look past Brazil to win the World Cup. Everything seems to be aligned for them to win it and they have tremendous depth throughout. I feel like at least one of France, Spain and Germany will falter this tournament, so wouldn’t be surprised to see either England, Uruguay or Colombia make the semis in their place. Not expecting a lot from Argentina or Portugal. Belgium easily have one of the best teams on paper and could go all the way but they will meet Brazil in the quarters I think. I’d put my money on the team winning that match going on to win the whole thing. For the rest, there are some that could definitely make the quarterfinals at the expense of the bigger teams but I doubt they could go any further.

Happy about both Graham and Conway signing new contracts with the club. Two players who clearly love the club and give it their all for the shirt. Conway came up big for the club when needed. There were several times last season when he came on the pitch and sparked life into the side. Why would he not be worth another year? He will either be a great contributor to our season once more or push others in the squad to be at their best.

I was looking through the announced squads and see there’s quite a few ex Rovers going to the World Cup. Steven N’Zonzi, Martin Olsson, Phil Jones, Mame Biram Diouf and Jamie Maclaren. Any others I’ve missed? The Zonz, Jones and Olsson have been some of my favourite players that we’ve had in the past 10 years or so. Really hope they get some game time and have a good World Cup.

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I don’t know if that’s right... he scored 8 goals and 3 assists in 19 games (all competitions) last season, which is pretty decent. I suspect quite a few of those were sub appearances as well. He’s probably not a first choice player, but strikes me as a match winner that would be useful to have in the squad.

Seeing all these League One players linked... honestly I can’t remember any of them having much impact in games against us. I’m sure they played well in games I haven’t seen, but none of the names excite me much. The only player that sticks out in my mind from all of our games is Nazon. The striker at Oldham (on loan from Wolves). He scored 2 sensational goals which he created out of nothing. Looking at his stats he has something like a 1 in 2 goalscoring record for both club and country. Surely worth a look, as I doubt Wolves will use him next season.

Tim Cahill is part of the Australia squad at 38. I’m sure he will at least get a sub appearance. Actually fancying Australia to have a decent tournament after that 4-0 friendly win against Czech Republic. Bert van Marwijk was a great appointment. Actually I was looking through the list of managers that will be at the World Cup and could recognise very few names.

Against us he looked a real player, but not sure how much else he's done all season?

I think we shouldn't underestimate the influence our experienced players like Mulgrew, Graham and Conway have on the squad and its mentality. I'd keep all of them. Surely worth another season at least.

Where is this poor attitude assertion about Samuel coming from? He was excellent for us earlier in the season and simply hasn't been given much game time for most of this year due to Graham's form. He's worked hard when he's come on and gotten into good goalscoring positions, but has been missing too many lately. I can't believe people are already writing him off and wanting to get shut.

Is tonights game being live streamed on ifollow by any chance? Or at least providing radio commentary?

Just got my subscription and excited/nervous to watch my first Rovers live game since we were relegated from the Premier League!

Surprised no one's mentioned Sin City, which was one of my favorite movies of recent times. Was V for Vendetta a comic book adaptation?

Of course he's telling porkies. Every word that's come out of his mouth since he's become manager has been absolute garbage. As Sam pointed out back then, the fact that McDonald was sacked along with him, and Kean given the job is in itself dubious. It's just gotten worse since then.

This is what I thought the second I read the title

Brilliant movie, lots of shocks and funny moments. It's as much a mockery of suphero movies, as it is a portrait of a deranged, mentally-ill person. It was funny, but it's kinda disturbing when you think about the fact that there were so many allusions to a character that you would normally see as the 'antagonist' and psycho-murderer in a crime/thriller movie or a show like Law & Order. It's not for everyone though, but if you're actually comparing it to a teen comedy like Kick Ass then you've probably missed the point. This movie goes to extremes, it went from people laughing out loud to sounding very uneasy and squeamish in the cinema. It's one of many movies I've seen this year at the Melbourne International Film Festival. Lots of really bizarre plots that you won't find normally - have loved every movie I've seen so far.

Getting rid of Benni was a masterstroke, no matter who did it, because our great form in the latter half of the season coincided with him leaving.

When I still played football for a club in my younger days, I scored a similar goal where I dribbled past 4 defenders, then the keeper, but the ball went too far away from me, I got to it just before it was about to cross the line for a goal kick and smashed it across goal with my left foot into the top right corner. Best feeling I've ever felt, save for sex. I also used to score goals direct from corner kicks. Remembering it usually depresses me, as I can't play anymore

Lol as if Sam has driven Benni out of the club, he's said numerous times how highly he rates him and how disappointed he's been with his attitude. If anything Sam's given him plenty of chances recently, but has accepted McCarthy's demands to leave and has allowed him to do so.

I think Sam's selection for Bolton will be very interesting, and very difficult. He's going to upset someone in the squad at least with his selection. Going off the Portsmouth game, Di Santo, Dunn, Roberts and McCarthy, all should start.. but only 2 of them can. On one hand it's good that he has this selection headache because it seems we have good depth in the squad, but I can't help but think it will isolate some players and cause friction...

If Andrews doesn't play it won't be because suddenly we have other fit players, but because he had 2 shocking games in a row and has now been rightfully dropped. Before that Andrews' form was on and off, so it would've been unfair to drop him. Andrews was dropped previously against Wolves as well after having shockers against West Ham and Everton. It's hard for Sam to play McCarthy and Roberts because Dunn and Di Santo have done well over a sequence of games, so it would be slightly unfair to drop either of them. I do think that we should be sticking with McCarthy and Roberts up front in a 4-4-2. For no other reason than the fact that we played like that for 3 games last season where we won 3-0 and 3-1 I think and drew with Man City 2-2 and have again won 3-1 against Portsmouth. I'm interested to see if Sam will stick with the two wide men next game (Gamst and Diouf) or try something new.

Sam is trying to play players in their best/natural positions, if he has to do that then he can't fit McCarthy and Dunn both into the team. I think everyone here would prefer McCarthy got back to his best and stayed with us, but if we get results without him then I won't complain.

They really did have some brilliant attacking play. You have to wonder what they'll be like when they get used to playing together...

Has anyone seen the highlight of the Real Madrid game? Their first 2 goals were almost identical to ours against Villa. A long ball by a defender to Ronaldo to poke it past the keeper and a penalty. I thought it was an interesting observation