Maradona, perhaps?

Sorry can't help on the signatures Clitheroe, but @MaxPhythian collects and maybe able to help. @MaxPhythian - I'm still looking for a signed shirt from the Kendall era, I know you have one 🤣

I am skeptical of the rumour, especially as Mercer has jumped on it and claimed his famously wide of the mark "sources" think its true. Bur wanting O'Neil wouldnt be good PR. He is a shit manager. Equally, I dont get how you can pin what happened to Eustace on Waggott.

I wouldn't try to defend Waggott at any price. Neither liked nor trusted the guy. Think the Eustace 'issue' actually goes back to last summer which seemingly led to Eustace putting himself on the market (how many jobs did he supposedly apply for - at least 3 spring to mind) some months before his almost inevitable departure. I heard the O'Neil link from who I would regard as a strong source. Was never keen on Waggott from day one but his card was properly marked with his cack-handed efforts to sell Brockhall (or part of) some 4/5 years ago for housing.

Initial thoughts are he looks more suited to be a Tronstad replacement.

I'd say we have 3 truly world class players in kane Bellingham rice

Forgot it was a cup game but it’s still a win and an away win same with the draw away to Leeds and Sunderland at home I didn’t say the return was decent but what I’m saying is is that there’s isn’t a direct correlation to trav not playing and bad results

Remember the two club rule. Players only come to Ewood if there isn’t an alternative. If the mighty Oxford are in for him forget it.

There's a fair bit of PR fluff sprung up about Waggott since his departure. So he was prepared to push the boat out for O Neil, but wouldn't lift a finger to keep his (supposedly) own man Eustace? Sounds extremely unlikely tbh.

De Keersmaecker seems like far too sensible a signing for us

Good.

Ardiles in the ‘78 team was world class as were Kempes and Passarella.

Think a few of us heard that one. With that and the women's team debacle (Waggott had seemingly secured third party investment / sponsorship but knocked back by Raos), it would seem the sands had been shifting from under Waggott for some time.

Have you got a job as Steve's new PR man or something? 🙂 No way Waggott was sanctioning a deal for O Neil imo. All indications at the time were that talks with him never got off the ground and were over as soon as they started.

The win against Boro was in the Cup. Just had a quick look and between the Sunderland game and a good win against Preston end of Jan we had 1 win, 2 draws and 5 defeats from eight games. (Five points) I wouldn't call that "decent" but if you don't think it was down to Trav's absence it's irrelevant for the purpose of the current discussion I guess.

He is their man, alright. Anyone else heard a rumour that Waggott had agreed a deal for Gary O'Neil, but got "overruled " by Pasha?......similar to the Warnock /Coyle flip...

According to an extract from the early minutes - published in a programme dated 9th November 1909 - a meeting held on the 9th November 1875 states the following: 4. That the colours be : White jersey, blue and white skull cap, trousers optional. Proposed by H. Greenwood. Seconded by R. Higson. a meeting held on the 15th November 1875 states the following: 1. That a Maltese cross be on the left breast in blue. Proposed by W. Baguley. Seconded by A. Constantine. At the second meeting it is noted that a total of 15 caps were to be ordered. Of course, this is all so long ago and, sadly, the original minutes are no longer around to confirm any of this.

Draw against Sunderland - promoted draw against Leeds - promoted Defeat to hull - awful defeat to Burnley - awful / promoted Defeat to Oxford - poor defeat to Coventry - poor / playoff team wins v boro and Pompey wasn’t an easy fixture list and would have been better if he was playing but I don’t buy that because he was out of the team that’s the main reason for the dip in form as you can see we still picked up decent results

It was the rough patch over Christmas until mid to end of January when he was missing that initially de-railed the season. The next implosion was the 5 defeats when the players didn't initially take to VI.

Was world class but he's clearly not the same player

Agree, Travis will be hard to replace. He bleeds Rovers And would tackle his grandmother to get the ball. His influence on the squad and club as a whole can not be replaced

Great name! Rovers will be charging a premium to get his name on a shirt. Need every penny we can get!

"Hi there, would your clients be interested in exploring the possibility of a new deal?" "No? Thought not, thanks, See ya!"

This is my view as well - surely no-one with half a brain cell can actually think that "the project" of selling off anyone with a bit of Championship quality, not reinvesting the proceeds and replacing them with cheap untestested players or Academy graduates is doomed to anything else but failure. You can dress it up as bringing in young players with a bit of pace to match some mythical brand of football we haven't actually seen any signs of yet all you like. I'm in 2 minds whether VI actually believes any of this nonsense or already knows the gig is up and is merely trying to string his time out and earn £600 k or so here over the next 12 months. One thing's for sure, if he can get it to work, or even keep our noses above water, he'll be a bit of a miracle worker.

The last 15 years, Rooted in Bullshit.