Agreed. They could have sold him last year or the year before if so wished. They kept him on and hoped he would sign another deal for cheap/low wage

They’re direct quotes from him.

Over 5000 more international runs than any other England player.

What I'm saying is, we aren't really benefiting from this system. Yes we took Eze and Tyjon for peanuts and now they're probably both leaving for peanuts not long later. The ones benefiting are the ones at the top table, who already have all the money, and hoover up superb prospects for sod all, especially relative to their wealth. Then they loan them out, to the likes of us, not cheaply either, and once they've proven themselves at Championship or above they end up selling for millions. The system doesn't work. IMO, it would at least discourage them a bit if wage contributions and loan fees weren't allowed for players of 21 or under. But ideally, the compensation system should be thoroughly overhauled. Including to the benefit of your Rochdales and Accy Stanleys.

He's referred to us as Rovers in the local article ever thought it might be The Times copy that alters things ? He isn't for sale he's free at the end of June.

As always the truth will be somewhere in the middle but the cast iron evidence shows this keeps on happening here these days. It goes totally against the model they keep saying they are running, it is counterproductive in the long run and costs more in replacements and lost transfer income than it would in a decent first offer to get a better chance of a good outcome.

He is, but not a very good/reliable one. As long as anyone who reads his red-top gossip guff understands that it is exactly that. By default, he'll get one right every so often, but even in those cases, he's usually covered all bases and caveated.

The software changed & the records were set up in a format/version that was no longer supported. Essentially it needs a complete re-write. It’s on our list of things to do but it’s a big piece of work.

Joe Root, Englands greatest ever batsman, just superb today, 166 not out. Magnificent.

Dolan in the Times article on Friday refers to us several times as "Blackburn", not Rovers. He doesn't understand this club Sell

They’ll want the new Chief Exec in before the next meeting so he can be another one to say “Happened before my time, fresh start, I’ll look into it, blah blah blah”

He might make the Scottish Premier League

Hi all, I know it's been a while Can someone please explain what's happened to the player archive of sketches by Harry Berry the above link isn't working help Thanks

Just a reminder - what are the Venkys getting out of owning Blackburn Rovers?!

As still a young player, "I dont think I can ever play at the top level and I have settled for a career of mediocrity" would neither make a good soundbite, strengthen his negotiating position nor make him very attractive to anyone. If he goes to another Championship player he will definitely get a competitive Championship wage there so it suggests that if that is what he has asked for, its a reasonable request.

He's on record as saying he wants to play in the Premier League, so it's pretty clear he vastly overrates his own ability. I'd suggest it was a fair offer for a 21 year old player, but he wanted parity with more established, better players and so talks broke down.

It's about development - getting first team minutes into the likes of Montgomery (I doubt he's good enough, but I haven't seen him play his natural position yet), Duru, Batty et al will bring them on. As we're seeing though, the vultures of football (alas not just English football as Juventus are after one of our players and I know another went to Spain a few years ago) have identified that we're a carcass to be picked clean and they're doing so. Any talented players will be gone before you can even remember their names - Phillips, Finneran et al. You're left with the next round of Buckley / JRC / Travis type talents if you're lucky.

I raised this point in the Academy thread - I don't know how the likes of Sunderland, Boro, Bristol City et al hang on to their Academy graduates and they aren't poached from the crib like ours seem to be. Sunderland have just sold Watson (the guy who scored the winner in the Playoff final) for £12m to Brighton and everyone seems to think Rigg is the best thing since sliced bread.

I'll break it down to make it easier for you to digest. Things that crop up for me personally that mean I couldn't attend every single game regardless, even if I wanted to: Weddings Stag dos Christenings Birthdays Anniversaries Holidays Work commitments General social commitments Child care Kids parties that they get invited to multiple times a month usually Kids sporting commitments That's off the top of my head, there'll be more... You're in an extremely unique predicament if none of the above influence your ability to attend games.

Beat me to it hehe just not the same watching it at home now is it

Again, I know he said that! I have never once said that he didnt or even that we havent offered him a new contract. Im sure we have. And no, nobody knows the exact wage that was offered, so stop being pedantic. But it was clearly not sufficient enough for him to agree to sign it. Merely offering a player a new deal doesnt make the club automatically blameless. It clearly wasnt a good enough offer.

No one has ever said that we shouldnt. People have suggested that we shouldnt be over reliant on it, setting arbitary targets for minutes played or be bringing/relying on players who arent ready, or too many at once. For some reason still, you cant grasp the difference. My point was that these stupid targets become even harder to meet without seriously jeopardising results if our better youngsters are at high risk of being picked off.

Owners and their stooge are probably desperate for a new CEO - as cheap as possible - because it is another shield front of house for them. Anything to move the spotlight even if it costs 300k per year.

You both asked and answered the same question?

Stop digging.