Rovers 1-1 Manchester United

An outstanding performance and result, especially after last week’s disappointment at Anfield.

In the first half I felt we got the ball down and played some good football, and also managed to contain United’s numerous attacking threats well.

Roque’s goal may have had a air of fortuity about it in the way the ball broke but it was still a superb finish to notch up his 20th of the season - another Hughes bargain.

It would be fair to say that the United onslaught we endured in the second half was always on the cards, but I thought we defended superbly for the most part, there were some great last-ditch tackles flying in. Brad Friedel was simply world-class, something even Carlos Queiroz conceded.

Highlights from Match of the Day 2

The goal when it came was not only disappointing because of the timing but because it really was poor marking. Scholes was left open to win the initial header, and then Tevez applied the finish.

But this is a result that should be praised, especially the manner of the performance. The Intertoto is unlikely now, but not impossible.

Rovers must keep Roberts

Rovers’ chairman John Williams has come out and rejected talk that Jason Roberts will not be at the club next season.

Williams told The Lancashire Evening Telegraph: ”Jason’s been on a good run of late and, as far as I’m concerned, he will be with us at the start of next season.

“Certainly at the moment, he’s not for sale and we won’t be entertaining any approaches for him.  We are not in the process of wanting to lose our best players and Jason comes into that category.”

I am in firm agreement with Williams.  Roberts gives the side another dimension and can hold the ball up well and also causes problems with his strength.

He also works hard for the team and defends form the front.  If you look at Rovers’ other attacking options to partner Santa Cruz at the moment in McCarthy and Derbyshire, you’d have to say Roberts is certainly worth keeping hold of.

Although he hasn’t scored a great deal of goals, I believe is always looks threatening especially when he plays on the shoulder of the last defender.  To get rid of him without a replacement would be nonsense.

Liverpool 3-1 Rovers

A result that all but ends our UEFA Cup hopes, and leaves the Intertoto as our best bet.

The performance was quite poor throughout, particularly our inability to retain possession, and going forward we looked void of ideas.

After the early Gerrard penalty appeal, and the calls for Samba to be sent off after a collision with Torres, to be on level terms at half-time was pretty unbelievable.

But what was worse was the fact we didn’t improve after the break, and once Gerrard had opened the scoring the rest was a formality. At the moment we’re carrying too many passengers in the likes of Pedersen and the usually inventive Reid, and we’re paying because of it.

Next up United, where a big improvement will be needed if we are planning to get anything from the game.

Highlights from BBC’s Match of the Day 2

McCarthy agrees new contract

Benni McCarthy has agreed to a new three-year deal according to Sky Sports.

The 30 year-old South African will pen the deal shortly, once a new work permit application is a

pproved. The deal will take McCarthy through till July 2011.

As I mentioned in an earlier post I’m not sure whether offering McCarthy a new-deal makes sense. Although he has hit double figures this season, he

has failed to give enough to the team as a whole, and often looks disinterested.

Regardless of the reasons for this, the simple fact is he, at times, has lacked commitment. But I can understand Hughes reasoning. We are hardly a squad brimming with depth and therefore securing McCarthy’s future makes sure we won’t have to purchase a striker in the summer.

Let’s hope this new-deal can re-energise McCarthy and get him back to the form that made £2.5 million look a bargain.