Mark: Rovers have won four out of their last five league games and have also done pretty well in the cup competitions of late so how do you see the Lancashire derby against Bolton panning out?

Ste: You have a decent record against us at Ewood over the last five or six seasons, so Rovers are due a win. I doubt it will be a classic though, as both teams are well organised and difficult to break down. Expect it to be similar to the game at the Reebok with chances at a premium.

Mark: German youngster Sergio Peter performed well against QPR last weekend and is earmarked as a big star of the future. Should Mark Hughes give more kids a chance given the fact that Blackburn have one of the best youth set ups in the country?

Ste: In terms of bringing the kids through, we had a purple patch when we brought Duff, Dunn, Taylor and Johnson into the side. It's been disappointing that despite our youth team set-up being successful, that we haven't managed to get a first team regular since. Mark Hughes has changed the structure around recently in order to give the kids a bit more of a chance in the reserves, but the Premier League is that competitive nowadays you cant afford to give kids the run they need to settle into the side.

Mark: Last season El-Hadji Diouf sparked controversy late on as Bolton gained the points at Ewood Park. He is missing at the weekend due to international call ups so who do you anticipate to be the Wanderers danger man?

Ste: Probably the two Kevins, Davies was awful at Rovers, but does a good job for Bolton holding the ball up, and generally being awkward. Our midfield need to win the battle with Nolan as he is playing very well, and could be an outside bet for a World Cup call up.

Mark: Both clubs where recently slammed after postponing Christmas matches due to the adverse weather conditions and undersoil heating. What was your view on things and do you feel the clubs should be punished by the FA for calling the games off?

Ste: I didnt find it a big deal as I just got another pint and watched the Merseyside derby, but its the fans that have had to travel I feel sorry for. The Premier League should be punished for a ridiculous fixture list and schedule that sees Charlton at Newcastle, Newcastle at Spurs, and Pompey at Rovers over Christmas.

Mark: Blackburn are currently in the semi finals of the Carling Cup having overcome Middlesbrough in the last round. Are you confident of repeating the success of 2001-02 this season or will Manchester United be just a step too far?

Ste: We owe them after they beat us in the semi final in 2002-03. Its going to be a tough task, but Rovers have already beat them once at Old Trafford this season. Given that both Manure and Arsenal arent exactly that their best at the moment, don't be surprised if its a Rovers vs Wigan final.

Thankyou to Ste for talking to Walking Down The Manny Road earlier on in the week. The site he writes for is BRFCS (www.brfcs.co.uk) and has been running since 1996. It is a very popular site amongst Rovers supporters and well worth a look if you support Mark Hughes side

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