Rovers were ugly on Saturday according to Glen Johnson, so what about Liverpool? They are a team that once seduced the whole of Europe with beautiful, elegant football but are now like some hagged ex-beauty queen trying to recapture their former youth. Liverpool were poor but Rovers, bouyed by the great night last Wednesday against Chelsea, played some decent football at times.

Let's be honest, it wasn't the greatest game you will ever witness but it could prove a turning point in Rovers season. It was the first time for many games that we didn't allow our bellies to be tickled by one of the so-called 'big 4'. It also saw Benni have one of his more influential games for a long time. Could differences be resolved and he is still wearing blue and white halves into February.

The only disappointing element about Saturday was that we did not push on to win the game. Reverting to 4-5-1 for the last 15 minutes played into the hands of Liverpool and for the first time in the entire game, they pushed us back and looked threatening.

Wednesday however was one of those great Ewood nights that we have too long forgotten, cup upsets that we vaguely recall but have drifted to the corner of our mind. It restored my faith that my club could achieve the surprise result. The belief had been flagging somewhat due to negative tactics being employed against the bigger clubs. To see the onslaught on the Chelsea goal beggared belief. Wave after wave of strikers bearing down on the best defence in the country which was rocking!

This now sets up a cup trilogy against Villa which will define our season. The vast majority of Rovers fans would swap the F.A. Cup for a trip to Wembley in the very early Spring, but how will the tems play it? We could see full strength teams being paraded for the two Semis but B teams taking to the field in the more prestigious competition. Let's not forget that Rovers last game of the season is away to Villa so a different side in claret and blue come to the forefront of everyone's minds.