VB Weekend Winners and Losers

What a strange feeling this morning, it seems a while since I was able to sit on the tram on the way to work and enjoy my Monday mornings! I'll take it don't get me wrong but it just feels wierd...

But, as always in this column it is my job to pick three who excelled in the 2-0 victory against Fulham yesterday and three who may have struggled somewhat.

So here we go, buckle up... bumpy ride here we come!

WINNERS

BENNI MCCARTHY - You may find it difficult to sell him now Sam. This was the best Benni McCarthy performance since 2006 as far as I am concerned.

Anything good that Rovers did involved the link that was the South African.

Despite what some people seem to think, Benni was not playing a straight 4-4-2, he was just off the front man, but he was playing closer to the target man than say, Dunn would. It worked.

Benni's movement and work rate were of a lot higher quality than he has been producing and Fulham knew they had their hands full.

Granted he didn't score, but it didn't matter as his play alone contributed to the two goals we did score.

His link up play off the always improving and likeable Nikola Kalinic was a dream to watch at times as well (In no small part due to the effective hold up play and flicks of Niko I might add)

Please Benni, I implore you, keep this up and YOU CANT BE DROPPED.

MARTIN OLSSON - Flipping heck. Who saw this coming?

Don't look now but has the answer to the frustrating Morten Gamst Pedersen been staring us in the face?

He used to be a joke and a poor left back - but not anymore.

He put in a cracking show on the left wing... he took on his man, he crossed on sight and fit in like a glove with his improving attacking play.

Even when he switched to left back with the introduction of Hoilett he stuck to task solidly and can be very pleased with his display.

Have we seen the back of Martin Olsson, Blackburn Rovers walking joke?

JUNIOR HOILETT - For the love of sweet christ get this lad signed up on a long term deal ASAP.

He was only on for 30 minutes but through his runs and pace alone he put Fulham on the back foot with some superb left wing play.

The introduction of Junior was timely as well from Big Sam - he put the Cottagers on their guard which restricted their ability to get forward.

Junior exploited the gaps when they were there and his link up play with forwards (in particular Benni) was at times, a joy.

Sam complained last week that their weren't enough players giving him a headache for selection ahead of the first leg of the Carling Cup semi.

He won't have that problem for the second leg.

LOSERS

GAEL GIVET - I like him. But he is not the same guy that was here last season on loan.

He always gives 120% and never moans about playing in his second choice position but he has lost his composure.

Similar to Ryan Nelsen he often just lumps it forward when he has time on the ball and can frustrate with some of his positioning out there on the left.

I get the feeling he is more of a confidence type player, not to stereotype but a lot of French players are... he needs it back.

It's a shame as we all know he can do better than this.

BRETT EMERTON - I know one person at least who won't be happy with this but at times Brett seemed a bit deer in the headlights to me.

He often lost the ball through poor control and struggled with his decision making at times... whether to attack his man or play the ball in particular.

His indecisiveness in whether to tackle or not often left a missed opportunity.

I am sure it is just a blip as he is just back from injury but Brett can go at least two levels above what he showed yesterday.

Come on Brett!

KEITH ANDREWS - When your touches are being booed it is a sign to up your game.

Fair enough, I don't condone the booing and/or see the point of it and the fans that do it are doing more harm than good but they are doing it because they are not happy with that persons displays.

Time to take him out the firing line maybe Big Guy?