THE past week must have been one of the hardest in Lucas Neill's football career.

First, he is deservedly sent off for a rash tackle, which contributed towards another home defeat. The following day he's hit with the news that he had actually broken Jamie Carragher's leg. This must have hit him hard, but was nothing compared to the concerted week-long verbal assault conducted through the media by Gerard Houllier branding him a coward and disgrace, among other things.

Throughout the entire furore, Lucas has kept a dignified silence, and never rose to the bait from his detractors, preferring instead to let his football do the talking.

So how ironic was it that he got the opener at Portsmouth? Not only that, he played a part in the second and by all accounts had a great all round performance.

I may have criticised Lucas myself last week but the one thing I will never question is his effort and strength of character.

Well done Lucas, and let's hope it doesn't always take a traumatic week to keep that level of performance for the rest of the campaign.

All in all, a great result and after the false dawn of the Wolves game, maybe this is the result that really kick-starts the season. Looking at the forthcoming fixtures there's certainly the opportunity to put a good run together.

So, while we were earning our first away win of the season, something possibly just as significant to Rovers' fans was unfolding 70 miles north in the capital. Glenn Hoddle, who still can't get over losing the Worthington Cup, was presiding over what turned out to be his last game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur.

The fact that they lost 3-1 at home and have had a disastrous start to the season has accelerated his inevitable departure and left a situation vacant at the slum that is White Hart Lane.

So, who is in the frame to succeed the hapless Glenda? None other than our own Graeme Souness of course.

Although Souey yesterday ruled himself out, it's been well documented that he's highly regarded by the Tottenham board due to his achievements here.

Speculation is part and parcel of football and as a successful but smaller club we're always going to be subject to it, but to lose Souey would be a major blow.

In his autobiography, Souness states that the biggest mistake of his managerial career was leaving Rangers for Liverpool because he was leaving a club where he was fully supported by all board members.

We must hope that his close working relationship with John Williams helps us to keep him at Ewood.

My own personal opinion is that there's more chance of Luke Chadwick modelling for Grattan's than Souness leaving, but then again, I thought there was no chance of Duff leaving his beloved Rovers, and the next thing you know, he's kissing the Chelsea badge on TV.