After last week's 4-3 defeat at Accrington Stanley, Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler suggested that his playing staff should make a contribution to the supporters travel costs following a dismal performance in Lancashire. If being defeated by the odd goal in seven generates such a response, then the Rovers supporters who braved the elements at the Emirates should be entitled to an all expenses paid luxury break to the Caribbean!

It was not just the scoreline that Rovers should be ashamed of but the manner in which the side capitulated and allowed an out of form Arsenal to dictate proceedings with such ease without playing particularly well. Too many Rovers players made fundamental errors time and again which were exploited by Arsenal's creative players and finished off by their goalscoring generals. Rovers lacked leadership on and off the pitch and without the imposing presence of their former skipper, Arsenal were allowed to dominate as they pleased. Not since Old Trafford, 14 months ago has a Rovers side capitulated in this way and we all know what action the Venkys took after that one. Something tells me that history will not repeat itself!

I guess it has been just another ordinary week in the life of Rovers supporters everywhere. For starters we all had our tissues at the ready for a tear jerking, 'Oscar winning' performance on Sky Sports News from Jerome Anderson. Then there was the 24 hour protest which was followed by a magnificent main course served up against Fulham.

A Happy New Year to Rovers fans everywhere. Unfortunately 2012 has begun in a similar fashion to that which epitomised the vast majority of 2011. Monday's defeat against Stoke was a crushing blow considering that the club had achieved the unthinkable over the Christmas period in getting results at both Anfield and Old Trafford.

Those who witnessed the bizarre yet brilliant afternoon at Old Trafford will remember it for a long time. The small band of Rovers fans were magnificent in their support for the team and appreciative of the efforts of the players in yellow jerseys. Those who had played like ghosts for the previous five months looked like decent footballers.

Next season's Championship campaign kicks off a couple of weeks later than usual on August 18th due to the Olympics taking place. If we still have a football club to support by that time, I am looking forward to going to a few new grounds, particularly standing on the terraces at Peterborough whilst old favourites like Barnsley away in mid January is always a pleasure! Whatever happens regarding the future of the manager, the damage has already been done and sticking a plaster over a gaping wound will do little to solve the underlying problem at the club.

Steve Kean 'celebrates' his first anniversary in charge of Rovers this week but if our manager and his employers wish to mark the occasion with a tipple, can I suggest flat 'Roller Cola' rather than vintage Champagne. The latest chapter in this annus horribilis was played out in front of almost 40,000 expectant and rejuvenated Mackems in the North East.

The reason for the optimism was the arrival of a new and respected manager intent on putting smiles back onto the faces of the loyal supporters. Maybe our owners watching (or not) from a far might now understand what a change can do to the fortunes of a club seemingly destined for relegation. O'Neill's mere presence was enough to turn the jeers into cheers and provide the Stadium of Light with a little sunshine.

I am writing this piece on Tuesday evening listening to a once proud football club again capitulating in front of our eyes and (ears). Rovers are currently 2-0 down to Cardiff City after 76 minutes. "This is now exhibition stuff from the Championship side," says commentator Nigel Adderley. There have been many bleak moments in the past 12 months but this is now so predictable.

The latest chapter in this farcical, slapstick season that all Rovers fans are enduring should have been accompanied by the theme tune to the Benny Hill Show! Nothing surprises me anymore from a club which has undergone a character assassination; from being a stable and well respected organisation both on and off the pitch to that of a dysfunctional shambles in the space of 12 short months.

The decision to attempt to drown out the fans' concerns in the aftermath of the Spurs defeat by playing some 'white noise' Rihanna track over the Ewood PA system is indicative of the contempt shown by the powers that be for the Rovers' supporters. I don't believe the blame can be placed at the door of Radio Rovers Gerald Jackson but whoever believed it to be in the best interests of club, scored a massive own goal.

Rover’s supporters were magnificent throughout the afternoon and got behind a side which was low on confidence but 'spurred' them on to produce their best display of the season. Many of the protesters were the very same people who gave such tremendous, positive vocal backing throughout the 90 minutes. It was only on the final whistle that these fans reserved the right to let their feelings be heard about the bigger picture at the club.

Were there any positives to take from our trip to Shepherds Bush on Saturday? Apart from the novelty aspect of a trip to the 'subbuteo stadium' for the first time in a number of seasons, not many. I remember the last couple of occasions we played at Loftus Road when Fulham were the tenants due to Craven Cottage being 'redeveloped' (if that actually did occur), on both visits we scored four goals respectively. Those were the days!

The hard truth is, the game on Saturday was there for the taking. These were two pitifully poor sides who appeared quite content to settle to share the spoils from the moment Chris Samba's header hit the back of the net with only a quarter of the game gone. At one stage it seemed as if both sets of players could not distinguish which side was wearing what coloured shirt. Passes were going astray and set pieces were finding touch more regularly than in the egg chasing World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere.

The character of Baldrick from Blackadder is popularly associated with the comedic catch phrase "I have a cunning plan." The "cunning plans" in question are dreamed up by Baldrick as a solution to a particular problem or crisis and are usually ridiculed scathingly by Blackadder on account of their implausibility, but Blackadder frequently resorts to using these plans when the situation becomes desperate. Sound familiar?

Venky's have said they are putting together an action plan which they hope to see Rovers out of its current crisis. Venkatesh Rao said he had "..spoken with Steve Kean and we are working on our weak points." After Saturday's tragicomedy, we all know just where our weak point lies! I'm afraid that the doomsday clock has hit midnight for Steve Kean.