He's a good player and he's done well for us, but I also would take money for him at this point. He is old and we have Zurab who can step up to fill that role, as well as Henchoz as extra cover. It would be nice to sell him and bring in a younger player.

I wish Thompson the best of luck. Fantastically gifted player when he is fit, a shame that injuries have prevented him from ever fulfilling his potential. I still remember that turn he pulled off on the edge of the box during the game at Celtic Park, it was wonderful.

That will be to do with the finances Rovers start with. Don't worry about it, as long as you have a bit of success you'll be fine. We're 3 million in debt (I think) at the start of the game, one good season can get rid of that, but it isn't anything serious enough to really have to worry about. You shouldn't have to sell anyone, but if you can sell someone for a nice profit it will solve your problem in one go.

He's already admitted that his mind was elsewhere for a while.

Lay off it, you sound like some Arsenal or Chelsea fan bringing up the bully boys tag. We can't pick and choose when to use it and only like it when it's against a former player. Neill didn't "f**** off", he actually told us well ahead of time that he had no intention of renewing his contract (which is as much within his rights as it is for you or I) and then he continued to play his heart out every time he stepped onto the pitch. Had he not continued to put in the effort then I would have had a problem with it, but he behaved really like a model professional. Of course I want every player to want to stay here for their entire careers if they are wanted, but realistically players are going to look for more money and bigger clubs, just like you or I would if we were playing for a team who we didn't support. It's not unusual for players to become unhappy or want to leave the club they are at, essentially that is what happened to Neill and we had every opportunity to sell him the summer before. What is unusual is for a player to play with the same commitment even after their desire to leave has been made public, some of the fans have turned on them and it is clear that they are leaving in the near-future. His decision to go to West Ham was an odd one, he sometimes fell foul of a red mist and he wasn't the perfect defender, but he was a very good player and one who did a good job for the team.

Has anyone bought FIFA Manager 08? I used to buy total club manager and liked it. I couldn't have it instead of FM, but it is interesting to switch between the two.

You mean a player who always played for the club even when fans had turned on him and he had been prevented from moving to a bigger team? It was a shame to see him end up at West Ham and really the issue is over, but I think the premier league would be a better place if more played like Neill did. You always knew he was going to fight for the cause.

How the the strokes and the every song sounds the same monkeys can be said to have changed music I really don't know.

Well, considering that left back isn't Neill's best or natural position he did a pretty good job for the team there. It's unfair to be critical of him for not being the best when played out of position. He was a very good player.

Hughes can do no wrong, he deserves credit for things he didn't even do...

I'm not saying he wouldn't be off if a bigger club came in, but I think there is certainly a passion there that goes beyond the simple employer-employee relationship. I think it is a general feeling amongst our squad at the moment and you don't see it all that often.

I think anyone who saw the passion with which he celebrated MGP's goal the other night can tell that he doesn't see us just as an employer.

I thought it was ok. It was an interesting idea, generally well written and it made you think, but I'm still not a big fan of the style and that is what prevented it from being a good book for me. I can see how some would really like it though.

Never happens.

Maybe I just don't have a problem telling people when I disagree with them on an internet messageboard? Or is that not what they are for?

He's a very good player, I think people forget that he is only 22. You'd be jealous of any other international side if they had him and you'd worship him if he played for Blackburn. He's got a temper, but he actually seems like a decent person when you see him interviewed and things. The problem is that the culture in modern day football almost encourages the bad traits that you see in him and others.

No, but if you look at him overall it is still good. He hasn't been great this season, but he hasn't had many games. If in 5-10 games the poor form is still there then it is a problem. Every player, no matter how good, will have bad patches. So far he's had 5-10 badish games, some better in there and some quite poor, but it's unfair to then simply dismiss what he achieved last season.

As the second top goalscorer last year surely that makes him the second most consistent striker in the league?

Oh no sorry, you're right. I'm sure the man is very insecure and reads this board every day hoping that we say nice things about him.

I very much doubt that he could be seriously concerned by a topic on an internet messageboard. Anyway, if he were I think he would at least take the time to read it and he would see that despite some recent criticism no one is actually calling for him to go. He's probably the third or fourth most popular manager (at his club that is) in the premier league. I'm sure he's aware of that.

Difference is though alan that they were only in a group game. I know even the great sides go out early in competitions sometimes, but to go out at this stage against that quality of a side is really horrible.

I just don't see it. That would have been a huge increase and a stupid move for a player of his age. On top of that you have to consider that everytime a contract is discussed the figure 40k is usually said to make the player one, if not the, highest paid player at the club. I just think it is a mistake somewhere.

We discussed this when news about the new contact first broke and I just can't believe it. I don't know whether there has been some confusion over how much he earns over the course of his contract, NZ dollars, US dollars or whatever, but we surely can't be paying him that much.

He had a spell like this last season too. I think when he feels we aren't playing well he drops back to try and become more involved in the play, which actually just means that he can't be where he should be and it hurts us. As soon as our game starts flowing like it did towards the end of last season he pushes further up the pitch.

Roberts deserves it. He had a good run at the end of last season and has done well when he has come on this year. He really deserves his chance.