IN REPLY to J and C Smith and G White (Sports Letters, February 16), I agree that Tim Flowers was part of Rovers' championship-winning team, but he had also a large part in the team that twice flirted with relegation.

I also agree that it is necessary to have two first-class goalkeepers in the squad. Rovers have got two - but Flowers is not one of them.

And as for "loyalty to players," what rubbish. If a player is not good enough, he should be dropped and regain his form in the reserves.

I agree, too, that David James makes mistakes when coming for crosses under pressure - something that Flowers doesn't do. But I also note that James is still the first team choice. And, no, I was not one of the people giving Kevin Davies plenty of stick, but I did notice that our £7.25-million centre forward did not take one of the penalties in the shoot-out a few weeks ago. Why?

And as for my previous letters, I just pointed out that our best keeper was on the bench. There is an old saying that the proof of the pudding is in the eating!

EDDIE BRANDON, Roe Lee Cottages, Royal Oak Avenue, Pleckgate, Blackburn.

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