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How he was seen here (during the summer) is one thing, how (and how often) he was seen on the pitch by scouts from League 1 & 2 teams is another. Its not a secret that Rovers cut costs where possible, so the title of "squad player" doesn't mean much, what will matter to scouts /ata analysts etc is performance on the pitch, of which there was not a lot to go on at Championship level

It's a very fair point, although I'd say he was seen in the summer window as a squad player and with potential to push on. Squad player in a Championship side so soon after his non league loan still suggests to prospective clubs that we may have some absolutely overqualified players for League Two and National League available. I know National League is also non league, but these days those are pretty much pro teams and the level is decent for academy players so in many cases I'd be happy for young players to go there. It's these tier 7 loans we are so keen on that I really think of as borderline worthless in most cases But you're absolutely right that it could cement that these players could be ready for higher levels than they're getting. Especially with Montgomery seemingly kicking on more now.

Montgomery didn't really play a lot of games or minutes before the summer window opened (featured in 3 games totaling 136 minutes), even then he was sent off in one of those 3 games. Pratt by a necessity & lack of options, will probably play a fair bit by the time the next window opens. If hre performs well before January, then other clubs may start to pay more attention to our U21s Completely agree with the 2nd bold part

There is definitely a case to be made for players 'outgrowing' their age group and it can be a quantum leap from under 21 to senior but after under 21's there is nowhere to go. Jake Batty is a prime example although I have been told he is looking for another club as there is no future for him here which explains his recent absence. Powell is probably getting into those realms as he turned 20 in October.

He will get more robust over time and with men's football too. Starting to have hopes for him. If he gets more robust, with that tenacity he could end up being a Szmodics type maybe?

I dunno, Montgomery moving rapidly from non league to our first team didn't seem to have any effect. I think we just aren't good at finding loans and have a bit of a bias against our youth players due to not being a Prem side. I feel confident if we went up then the same players would be finding loans in League One and Two more frequently, and if we stayed up a couple years, the Championship. I get that we may be cautious, though I'm of the opinion we should generally be testing them at the highest level we can find them semi regular football (another issue, not getting game time for them where we do send them...we need to take a leaf out of Prem sides books and slip in some sort of penalty for not playing them, even though it's a system I dislike). Flip side is Olson may be struggling at that level but he may also just not be good enough. Some teams won't play a youth player over their established players they're paying more money for, or their own youth. If there is a penalty then they will only do that if the player truly isn't good enough, then we learn something about them.

His versatility could be useful too. He can play anywhere down the left but recently has moved infield with ease. Some would say he is too lightweight but his tenacity and timing of his challenges is really good.

Liking the look of Powell as well as the stats. Looks fast, tenacious. Could be one to press on to the first team squad later this season (hopefully not in that way we like where they just sit the bench a lot and don't get the regular minutes at youth level anymore, slows their development IMO)

The Bonny Inn!! Was Jim the landlord when you frequented? A larger than life character - enjoyed a couple of 'lock-ins' with Jim and a couple of well known Rovers' players who lived just down the road.

At the moment, the product is in my opinion, not value for money. Hence some people who may go, opt to not attend.

That's an overall problem not a 'this season' recent problem, look at the turnouts earlier and look at them recently barring the Derby game. Lots aren't turning out because they can't be arsed because the home form is shit. Home turnouts are probably the lowest since league 1 in real terms but hopefully we've turned a bit of a corner. The team needs and deserves imo all the help and support it can get otherwise what's the bloody point of having a club. Or having one at this level at least.

Cantwell, Pickering, Pears are above the Pasha line for wages so they will try to sell them if anyone wants them. O'Riordan and Pratt into the squad means we do not need to spend money - plus bank any fees plus Adam Wharton's £2mn and they have fulfilled their role. Simples.

As the section draws to a conclusion, time for another classic match highlights.

But it's not just the ticket, matchday parking went up, food & drinks have gone up. I think over 1,500 season ticket holders are just wealthy, moved away & want to support the team & probably come to two maybe three games a season

Not sure ! We have poor squad depth Say he got injured in the game and maybe he wanted to come off but was told to play on and it’s worse than they had hoped Or maybe he was playing through pain and didn’t say anything till after the match Either way we may not have him in the qpr game

Oh, and to drag myself back to football... That artist's impression of the new Birmingham City ground is a bit much, but at least it shows a bit of character and uniqueness. Sooner that than some plastic box torn from a catalogue page.

Thoroughly enjoyed the chat this last few pages... I am from that part of town but was born far too late to ever do the Revidge Run in any proper guise but can remember most of those pubs being open when I was growing up. Social history fascinates me, certainly that which I can relate to. A lost world now but that's life, for better or for worse. Thankfully, as an adult I moved somewhere that still has pubs aplenty 😎

Do you actually read posts before you reply ?? I'm talking about the sheer volume of people who've already paid now not turning up. I'm talking about those who are match by match buyers, normally 2-3k every home match even when shite, not turning up. If we were in 7/8th place they would. Not many have defended Rovers support more than me but at times it's dire and any excuse not to go. We know some can't afford it, we know the season tickets need to be priced for the area to have any impact on improving sales BUT we have a hardcore of 12/13k most of whom turn up regularly but now aren't. It's a double sided issue of course it is but those just not bothering because the form has been crap are going to do more damage because Venkys non football people only ever look at the balance sheet. Not WHY it's like it is they don't care their job is to balance the books and league 1 support will lead to league 1 if they get their way.

Duru will make an acceptable back-up at right wing-back.

Some fine pubs in there - downed a few in all of them. Did the 'Revidge run' 3 or 4 times and on one occasion we foolishly called taxis fron The Woodlands and ended up at Trader Jack's in Blackpool and blagged a couple of rooms at The Imperial. Sadly, pubs are dead now unless there's a good food offering.

Plus in your opinion tronstads average at best 😏

I happened to be driving into Blackburn when the Thwaites workers changed the sign after the closure was announced; LET; Thwaites sign changed I used to love the Revidge run. I once made it from the Woodlands to the Bonny Inn in time for one before closing. I also spent a good few nights in Jazzy's too. It was a great place. Tequila shots for £1 some nights. They were awful, but cheap. Sorry for the distraction. Back to the Championship. If PNE are in a playoff spot the overall quality of the division is sorely lacking.

Really hope Tronstad is fit because without him it is a massive downgrade. I quite like TGH but he's a Travis type box to box player, not someone who can control the game like Sonny... Thinking about it if Tronstad is out I would be tempted to play TGH and Forshaw together as they would suit each other. Montgomery and TGH both won't have that discipline and technical to sit in front of the defence imo and distribute the ball.

People having to be cautious I think.As Glen commented on, legal threats have been issued. Sad state of affairs.

In 442 I'd probably say the best setup would have been to have picked Carrick and Gerrard together in the centre as they would have complemented each other well (Gerrards engine and tackling ability getting him in), Beckham on the right and Joe Cole on the left (the least squarish of the pegs as he could carry the ball out wide and played there somewhat for Chelsea). And then put Lampard and Scholes on the bench. Which is completely mental, but you have to pick the right balance for the team. Anyway, bottom line is we had too many similar players, and as a result we were substantially worse as a team than those individuals on paper would suggest.