We learnt a few things from watching Saturday's curtain raiser against 'The Toffees'. The 4-4-2 system maybe consigned to the history books once and for all and in Nico Kalinic, we have a target man who will create chances out of nothing. I don't think it is fair that the Rovers goal was heralded as the result of an error by Tim Howard, it should have been credited to Kalinic as a result of his industry. We also understood that Chris Jones is equally at home man marking in midfield as he is a tower of strength at the back. We also learnt that pre season friendlies are just that and results leading up to the big kick off should be disregarded.

Diouf (Junior) looks capable of providing a spark that was sometimes missing in the last campaign. Big Sam and Sir Alex are firm friends and I am sure that the United chief will not have sent us a duff Diouf. It could turn out to be a very mutually beneficial transaction.

That fickle mistress which is the transfer window is soon to turn its back on the League and close its doors until January and one piece of buisness which will have interested Rovers fans is Matty Derbyshire's loan move to Birmingham. Immensely popular in the Greek capital after his exploits in the Cup Final, Matt has since struggled to find fitness and form. Indded it was muted that he may find himself back home at Ewood. That was before the takeover talk that has intrigued all fans of the club.

It appears that the club is in a state of flux and an influential buyer prepared to invest a huge sum of money is on the brink of taking control. This would be the third Rovers revolution following John Lewis's and the late great Jack Walker's investment in the club. Many of us remember where we where when we heard the news of Walker taking control in January 1991. The excitement which followed reached fever pitch with the constant stories of who the club was going to sign appearing on a daily basis. We had never seen the like before. At least this time( if it does materalise) most of us will be prepared for the rollercoaster ride ahead.