Just wanted to say that I added an interview with a Palace fan to the preview, sorry that it's all the same colour but had trouble changing font colour, if a mod or anything would like to do that then by all means go ahead.

The current system is nice. Always a good read to see the different ways of writing and looking at the upcoming games and it has produced some real classics.

Alright fine...haha

What about me eh? Where's my thanks? I'd like to see how we play against Palace before I really can be sure of what I expect from this game, but still think we should be looking for a win. Rovers 1-0 City

All of my friends were impressed by our performance and were surprised at how solid and well organized we were, I'm very proud.

I believe he was being sarcastic.

Also just should add that over here in France the papers have taken to us and given us some nice reviews. They like an underdog, and have liked our recent form as well as the battling spirit we have. They feel it typifies the British style of football, and although not always pretty makes for interesting and physical encounters well worth watching. They thought the scoreline was undeserved, and that despite the fact that Arsenal had more of the chances and kept the ball well they probably actually never really did enough to say that they deserved to win.

That really is unlucky. I missed the start due to traffic as well (though I was just going home to watch it on TV) so never even saw Dickov's disallowed goal or even seen it mentioned, which I find quite amazing. Until it was said a while back, despite having watched the match from about the 25th minute, seen the half-time and full-time analysis as well as reading a lot of papers and match reports I haven't even seen the smallest mention.

I don't agree with that. There were a few times when we put a few nice passes together, and I remember very well Thompson beating his man on the line (Cole I think) with his first touch then putting in the cross. Alright these were exceptions, but most teams who play against Arsenal either do what we did or are swamped. It's not our fault we aren't Manchester United. It's high time the media start to realise that the little boys don't have to play the big boys's game just to make everyone happy so that we can be the smiling losers.

Mainly because he's not a striker. Today was a reality check for the fans. Hughes has got the best of average players that may require weeding out if we are to move on next season. Everyone seems to go on about how much we need a striker. I agree - but a striker won't revolutionize the team on his own. Imo we lack real passing acumen in midfield. Paul Dickov and MGP weren't impressive strikers today - but a major factor in that is that the support, the passing and the creativity from midfield was sadly lacking. I agree, we can't match the midfield of Arsenal, but then how many can? What Hughes has turned us into is a team that beats our level of teams and below, as well as making us difficult opposition for the bigger teams. What does this mean? Basically that we will stick pick up a lot of points, as the results since December have shown. We may not tear through teams every game, or even seem to have that much more than them, but the solidity and strength that is there allows us to grind results out when we have to, and even get forward when we can. Today we didn't have that special something going forward that we would have needed. I'm going to ignore the late Van Persie double as basically it was because of us trying to have a real go and failing, but that happens. We were solid, and probably can say that we had two chances in the match, Reid's header towards the end (granted it was 2-0 then) and Emerton's shot when we were only down by one from the edge of the area when he'd made himself some space after a good attacking move. We played Arsenal, and lost. No shame in it. Back to the league, and who knows, maybe this time next year we will be talking about happier visits to Cardiff.

Well now we all have to turn are attentions back to the league. Our dreams of FA Cup glory are over, but at least Todd’s elbow ensured that our run ended with a bang rather than a whimper and also made sure that Van Persie won’t be scoring again tonight. The meeting with Crystal Palace offers us the chance to virtually secure Premiership survival, while a defeat, or even a draw, could mean that we have a nervous few days waiting for our next win, and also make it even more difficult to overcome the disappointment of Cardiff. In the earlier encounter back in December we saw a result that has become synonymous with the Hughes regime, a nil-nil draw. It was our first scoreline of this sort since the home match again Bolton back on April 21st two seasons before, and now it has become something of a trademark. In many ways that game can be viewed as the turning point of our season. Since then we have lost only five league games and we have climbed further away from the drop zone to sit in a rather comfortable and yet still dangerous 14th, nine points above the bottom three. On paper this appears the sort of game you would want, a home game against a struggling side, short on points, goals and confidence and who appear to be heading back to the lower divisions, but Crystal Palace have fight. Dowie has instilled a grit and determination that matches any other side in the Premiership, and despite their lack of quality this, along with Johnson’s goals, have meant that they will come into this game knowing that a win could take them out of the relegation spots. Every point is valuable, and we are certainly in for a game. Our recent form certainly makes us favourites, with only Arsenal (boo) and Chelsea picking up more points than us over the past six games, though surely Palace will be buoyed by their comeback against Norwich and see this as an excellent opportunity to pick up points and give themselves a hope of staying up. One thing is for sure, tackles will be hard, and where quality may be lacking it will be made up for in the sheer determination that both sides will play with. Interview with a Palace Fan How have you viewed your return to the top flight? Really it's been a good season. I felt coming up that we didn't stand much of a chance, there were no real big signings, and though Palace fans all felt that we had a few talented players I don't think we ever gave ourselves a real chance of survival, so from that perspective the season has been a success and really just hoping that now that we find ourselves in with a shot of staying up with only a few games left that, fingers crossed, we can do it. Player of the season so far (not that there is probably much need to ask)? Well has to be Johnson really, though of late he hasn't been nearly as effective. I don't know if opposition supporters have noticed but he really hasn't scored that many recently, and as you are pointing out to me as I'm answering this it is true that he seems to have poor balance and that big mean Premiership defenders take advantage of this and often push him over to stop him from scoring, luckily the ref always seems to notice, so yes, that is how he scores a lot of goals. Routledge has also had an excellent season, but because of the big fiasco with him leaving and the nonsense that went on during the January transfer window I would never give him the credit he probably does deserve. What have you thought about Rovers this season? Well have to be honest I expected you to finish 8-10 at the beginning of the season, though it was pretty obvious that you didn't have a goalscorer, but still thought you would make do without because of what looked like a good midfield, so I was surprised to see you down with us at the start. I'm not saying I wasn't pleased, don't dislike your lot at all but we knew we would struggle so we were happy to have as many teams in the mix as possible. Since Hughes has taken over though it appears to be a different story, you've gone from bottom and are now in really good form, so you aren't really a team we want to play against. Having said that you are still in trouble if you lose a couple in a row, and without a true goalscorer I think we will always feel that we are in with a chance against you, difficult thing is because of that defense you have not sure we will be able to score, but with the attack you have not sure you will either. Probable line-up? I would hope that we will use the same team that fought back so well against Norwich on Saturday, though with maybe Torghelle starting instead of Butterfield, and perhaps Riihilahti coming in but no so sure about that. Prediction? Well I'm not going to be great on this because amazingly enough I can see this going one of three ways, you'd been told Palace fans had the greatest insight hadn't you? Something tells me 0-0, your poor attack and also your strong defense preventing either team from finding the net, and if I was a betting man this is what I'd go for. If Johnson can find his feet in the game, or more than likely find out how to be knocked off of them, I could see us getting a couple goals and taking this 2-0. Also though, and this is what I really feel, you will bounce back after the defeat at Cardiff and we will see a good display by some of your threats like Pedersen and Emerton and we could end up on the wrong side of a 3 or 4 goal thrashing as I've seen has happened to a few teams up at Ewood recently. One final question, are we Bully Boys or Knockout Kings? Well, I don't really see what all the fuss was about. I could find dozens of games like that from the Premiership this season and there weren't any terrible tackles, I don't think the Van Persie incident was done on purpose and to be honest he had it coming anyway. I would have liked to have seen you through and given the small boys someone to shout for, but I really think you got on the wrong end of all this by rubbing most up the wrong way. The big boys didn't like you being there, and despite the scoreline, actually giving them a game, and the mid-table teams were jealous of the fact that one of their own was there and it wasn't them, so that just left us down at the bottom putting on the blue and white for a day, shame you couldn't make it really. I would certainly have given you knockout kings had you won, and would have been a good two fingers to all of those who get on the back of the underdog, your recent form shows you must be able to play football, so I'm hoping everyone in our camp keeps their mouths shut so we don't end up doing what soft Nigel did and having a big slice of Humble pie after playing you Northern Numpties. Thanks to Mike who took the time to answer the questions, though it was hard to get him to shut up!

Nice little read that, though I believe that for legal reasons you should simply add a link if it is on the internet or if not give credit to whoever has written it.

Mine is beginning to, especially with all the work I have to do. Just can't wait until Saturday 1:45 (my time). I need it, this week hasn't been great. Though I might not be so happy if we get stuffed, won't really make anything better, but here's hoping for a win to put a smile on my face for weeks.

Don't agree with you on Thompson. Just think a lot hoped that he would step back into the team and put in the sort of performances he did when he first came, when he was truly awesome. For obvious reasons that was never really going to happen and hasn't, but unlike others I'm giving him some time to get back into things. We really aren't great fans when it comes to dealing with injured players. Either terribly optimistic to the point of being totally unrealistic or simply won't give the player the time of day and decide that he may as well leave.

chances are with Ben Harper youll like some of it and wont enjoy the rest as much - he covers quite a few different styles, one minute he sounds like Bob Marley, Hendix the next. I much prefer the reggae style stuff like 'Oppression', 'Jah Love' and 'With My Own Two Hands'. If you can get hold of it i thoroughly recommend the live stuff hes done with Neil Finn and Eddie Vedder (of Crowded House and Pearl Jam fame). Though I can say that if you get the chance to he is a must see in concert. Great performer and great atmosphere, well worth it.

Yeah, looks like I'll now have to write a real epic in my upcoming preview. Thanks a lot

If Tugay is playing just behind the striker who is he going to play those balls in the final third to? Himself?

Won't stay there for long, we are on the way up as well, and our recent form is better. Bet a drink that next season we finish above them?

Same goes for me. So we don't stand a chance.

Penalties

I still think Grabbi was a good footballer, just never worked for him. Turned out to be a total waste of money, but I'm sure he wasn't the worst footballer.

Actually, I think there would be a fair few who wouldn't mind trimming 5k off the size of their ground.

Have to think Arsenal will win this, but it will be a great day, just nice to even be there. Great preview as well, possibly the best ever, must have taken some time, well done. Arsenal 3 - 1 Rovers Still holding out hope for Rovers 1 - 0 Arsenal

Great result. Good to see such a big win in a big match. Really everything has been said, but well done lads, and to all of the supporters who made some good noise. Really made my weekend.

No one else on here has come up with a cheap player, guaranteed to come and to be a success. Why take a gamble when the guy you have has years left and is doing very well?