ONE by one, the runners in the Grand Nationwide Handicap Chase have begun to string out. The early leader is still setting a furious pace, almost as if someone has offered a British passport to the owner of the first past the post. Now it's starting to look like a two-horse race for second place.

When the Rovers players left for Dubai, they must have thought the filly backed by the Sunday Sport would have overtaken them before their return. Grimsby's draw and Sheffield Wednesday's win suggest that the heavy going at St Andrews has finally taken its toll on Birmingham and it seems a racing certainty that a Northern trainer will now take the honours come May.

Great news, indeed, at the weekend. I celebrated The Owls' winning goal as wildly as if Rovers had scored it. But, before we think too much about the run-in with Bolton to the finishing line, April Fool's Day rears its ugly head.

The most important game of the season for Rovers? You bet!

Many of the factors that tend to conspire against a home team will be there: the early kick-off, the presence of the Sky cameras, the preparations disrupted by key people being absent. With a bit of luck, Mr Souness will avoid the curse of the Manager of the Month Award once again, but otherwise the omens are not great.

Let's get this straight: Sunday's match is so important for the simple reason that it is the next one. Not because of the opposition and all the hype, nor because of what happened 10 miles away back in December, but because it is the next one. It would be just as important if it were against Tranmere, or QPR.

We mustn't allow any little local differences to get in the way of us keeping the pressure on 'Sam's Samurais', or whatever the elderly nag in front is called. Only a few more fences now and the finishing straight will be in sight. And it's still possible that Fulham could 'do a Devon Loch'.

Our jockey was right to give 'Rovers Return' a breather at this stage of the race. None of us wants our 'chaser to lose momentum, especially at this next obstacle. All things being equal, Graeme, we should be able to clear it with something to spare, but be careful. Remember, it's the most important match of our season.

Until the next one.