ANOTHER great sporting summer draws to a close. Some things never change. The headline writers could have written it in advance.

'England flop in World Cup', 'Henman flops at Wimbledon', 'Clarets flop in Isle of Man' (despite coming up with the novel wheeze of putting their own keeper in the opposition nets).

After all that anti-climax thank goodness the serious action in the form of the Premiership is only four days away. For Rovers fans there is an equally important deadline in 18 days time - the close of the transfer window.

What should have been a close-season of sheer anticipation became a harrowing ordeal courtesy of the tabloid press. The way in which Liverpool and Manchester United leaked their alleged interest in Damien Duff via the press throughout the summer in an attempt to unsettle the player was little short of disgraceful.

As Liverpool's reported attempts to top up their derisory offer with a selection of cast-offs became more and more risible I was half-expecting Emlyn Hughes, Tommy Smith and Phil ("Pinnochio") Thompson to be offered in part-exchange.

Reports of Hansen, Lawrenson and Dalglish were well wide of the mark. Far too good in comparison to the players actually being mentioned.

In pure footballing terms the percentage call is surely for Duffer to commit his immediate future to the Rovers. At one second past midnight on September 1 we will hopefully be able to sit back and relax in the knowledge that he will be a Rovers player for this season at the very least.

After that with the firepower available it should just be a case of lighting the blue touch paper and standing back.

Whilst the retention of Duff would be a crucial boost, we previously of course received a massive shot in the arm with news of Graeme Souness's contract extension for a further three years.

Richly deserved and hopefully Souey and our star players (both young and not quite so young) will propel us to further success throughout that period of time.

As far as the new season is concerned, I've rarely if ever been so excited prior to the big kick off. Early indications are that we may well have pulled off the deal of the summer in securing the services of Dwight Yorke for just £2m.

This is after all a player who cost Manchester United £12m not so very long ago, and someone who Middlesborough were prepared to pay £6m for a few months ago. That would be exciting enough on its own. When it means the reunion of a former 53-goal, treble-winning partnership, the possibilities are infinite.

Over the season, Cole, Yorke, Jansen and Grabbi will feed on ammunition from Duff and Gillespie, David Dunn will be bursting through from midfield. When playing anything like that, you would have to think we could score a regular two, three or four goals a game, more than compensating for any minor defensive inadequacies.

First up Sunderland, currently on the crest of a slump. If we can hit the ground running and play with as much freedom and fluidity as we did for the final few games of last season, we should win comfortably. In fact we will never have a better chance of a dream start with newly promoted Birmingham to follow. Any less than four points from those two games would be a big disappointment.

Finishing position? Given the talent now available, and barring a disaster injury-wise, worse than about seventh would be disappointing.

A UEFA Cup place through league position should be a realistic target, and sneaking into fourth spot to claim a Champions League berth would be a dream come true.

Never say never.