AS A Derby County fan living in Blackburn I'm sick of hearing bleating Rovers fans, typified by your columnist Phil Lloyd (LET, January 30).

OK, Derby's tactics were cautious of not negative even, but this was understandable due to our depleted team.

Rovers fans should be flattered a Premiership side, albeit an under-strength one, showed them so much respect, instead of blaming them and everyone else (namely, the ref) for their own inept performance.

I agree, we didn't fancy our chances of winning, but, after all, football is a game of tactics. However unsightly Derbys were, it gave Roberts every chance to test their attacking capabilities to the full without much risk of reprisals.

As it transpired they failed miserably which makes you question their ability to sustain Premiership status should they eventually be promoted.

Two shots of note, that actually troubled Mart Poom, and a woeful Jansen header -- oh, and the penalty that never was -- hardly constitute the battering of the Rams I've heard of over and over again.

Phil Lloyd and his fellow Roverites should concentrate their energies on actually signing and getting behind their team.

Roll on tomorrow's replay when I shall enjoy ramming a large slice of humble pie down the throats of all those whingeing, excuse-making Rovers fans.

S NIGHTINGALE, Whalley New Road, Blackburn.