A fan's-eye view from Ewood Park, with Phil Lloyd

HE'S got 54 international caps. My playing experience amounts to three games for Rovers 'B'.

He has managed major football clubs here and abroad. My soccer management never progressed beyond Subbuteo level.

He has been a well-paid soccer pundit on Sky TV. I'm not sure even the guy in the row in front pays much attention to my astute tactical observations during games at Ewood.

But I still think Graeme Souness is getting it wrong.

We've been hearing all season that we've got the best squad of players in Division One.

Yet because our expectation level was so high, or because we haven't quite adjusted to the style of football at this level, or because we didn't manage to put our chances away, (name your favourite feeble excuse, folks), we've under-achieved. Badly. Mr Souness's arrival promised to throw cold water on all these excuses, all this self-pity. And the new boss talked such a good game in those early days. He was the tough no-nonsense character ideal for the job.

And now? Whilst most long-suffering Rovers fans would forgive him missing our latest blank sheet at Grimsby on the pretext of a spying mission, he tells us he hasn't seen many players at this level better than those he's got!

Graeme, that's not what we want to hear. That's pandering to those who've let us down so miserably so often this season. The fans want to see your iron fist in action. We want players with heart and desire, not prima donnas posing for their pay packet.

Take Monday's game for instance. Who got the loudest cheer from the home crowd? David Dunn. That same bundle of energy and commitment that a previous manager refused to select, despite promptings from the terraces and this column. And the second loudest cheer? Ben Burgess. 'Give youth a chance' said the crowd and this column as one, a few weeks ago.

I'm not saying you should simply play to the gallery. But with the full weight of my Subbuteo and 'B' team experience behind me, I reckon the supporters' voice is sometimes worth listening to.

Finally, for those who think I've been hard on our 'proven goalscorer' Mr Ward recently, I was not among those Riversiders who joined the Charlton fans chanting 'Off! Off! Off!' when Ashley tackled Brown from behind. But it did provide the best laugh of a tedious afternoon. Were you listening, Graeme?