It isn't the market that is very strange or difficult, Val. I'd argue it is the ownership that makes it appear strange and difficult. I'd argue it is the man overseeing recruitment (who knows nothing about football) that is making it look strange and difficult. Other clubs appear to be doing just fine.

TBH I don't think there is much intelligence from the Pasha/Venkys side beyond trying to answer the simple question "how can the club cover its own costs". The only viable answer to that is : Pay wages way below the average in the Championship Minimise transfer fees paid Maximise transfer fees recouped That explains the whole way we are operating at the moment. What is missing is within those constraints a committed and engaged owner would make much better strategic and tactical choices, whereas Venkys are so disconnected we make bad decisions again and again that lose the club more money and goodwill.

I’ve always thought the squad was a concern. You have become hung up on what was a tongue in cheek comment and are reading far far too much into it. Which you have a history of, considering the tin foil hat stuff you come out with. We were discussing Elliott Jackson who you are harshly attacking.

Another battle of oddball ownership. Tigers 1 Toothless 0

It's like walking onto a Car sales forecourt expressing high interest in a vehicle, discussing with your mrs that you both like it, agree its perfect for you, expressing to the salesman it's perfect everything you need... "Okay Mr and Mrs Rao, should we move into the office and run up some paperwork for you?" "Yes we're happy let's go" * paperwork on the desk and handed a pen. *stare blankly at the salesman, walks out without uttering a word. The next day... whilst leaning over the fence the neighbour chirps up... "Did you get that car you were set on?" "No but we really tried to get it"....

Even they will know though that that was primarily because they retained all the big wage earners, and invested further in the squad, Dack/Armstrong etc. The exact opposite of what's happening now.

Big chance to change the narrative (atleast the one on the pitch) this weekend and start some momentumn. Same XI to start in Hull. Rovers 1-0

I’m not sure the chicken chokers are overly concerned about us being relegated again. They’re probably thinking - “ Last time it was no big deal, they got back again “.

No point us going back and forwards going "Yes it was, no it wasn't" all afternoon. Maybe not at a normal Club but we have previous form for rarely if ever strengthening in the forward positions because those are the ones which cost the most money. With c 2 weeks to go until the end of the window do you now finally acknowledge the state of the squad is a matter for serious concern, or do you still think it's no reason to worry because there are another 2 weeks left and the Club will sort something.

The Action - I’ll Keep Holding On

I wish I could just focus on the football and forget the off field stuff. That's what most 'normal' fans of every other club do. I have not been able to do that for 15 years and truly miss the feeling. If you are able to do so, then fair play, I'm not knocking it. You save yourself a lot of anger and frustration. However, that doesn't mask the reality. It isn't possible to just focus on the football here, IMO, because we are all constantly being let down by an off field circus. A repeating pattern. A pattern which always leads us back to square one. A pattern which keeps on pointing towards one camp. We all feel the effects of it, even if you just want to watch the football. Until this problem is fixed by removal, it is impossible to be a 'normal' fan again, personally speaking. Rightly or wrongly, I view every appointment made here with caution because of what walked into the doors with these owners at the outset. Has that issue gone away entirely? There are indicators even up to this summer that suggest possibly not. I don't want Gestede to fail. If you look back on my posts, you'll see me frequently say Gestede isn't the issue as I believe him to be a convenient shield for the real issue. However, since then, info has been shared which suggests he has fully embraced becoming the stooge of the real issue and is throwing his weight around. Therefore, he has to go along with his superior. If I believed Gestede and Ismael could get us into the top 6 or deliver what we've all wanted, I'd be fine with seeing how it goes. Two problems though, IMO. Firstly, how likely does that look based on current events? It's not looking good. It's looking worse than ever, to be honest. Secondly, any time we get near the top six and have a chance, whether it is incompetence or whatever above the manager, that opportunity is always squandered. I don't expect this to change until we have new owners and a new Board in place. I know you mention alignment often and I wish it was genuinely a thing here. The last time we had real alignment was under John Williams. Sadly, any notion of alignment under this joke regime is nothing but an illusion. There was said to be alignment under JDT/Broughton and with Eustace/Waggott. Look how that went both times. IMO, what I think we have seen recently is 'alignment' to a point, until managers have wanted to go for the play off opportunity before them (like any normal manager would), and then somebody in the camp has turned at that crunch moment. Almost 'snake' like? Maybe. That's just my theory, but the end result is alignment is out the window and chaos ensues. We need to find out what throws this so called alignment off track. I admit the Eustace point, as I was one of few who wanted him out based on his early press comments. I took his comments to be a dig at JDT and thought he was a Waggott yes man. I was wrong on both counts. What happened with Eustace and the way he left, showed us what the real issue is at this club. Which is exactly why I want these people out. When I say people, I don't include the manager in that. Under normal ownership that cared about going up, I think Eustace and Waggott could have taken us up. I say that because those experienced players who did well for us last season were Waggott signings. He apparently forced the issue with Pune to get them in to prevent Eustace from walking. He had it in him to do the right thing, but likely did not have complete control on the ground here and that leads us back to the real issue. The guy who has control looks set to oversee another relegation. Just as he did in 2016/17. I'm no fan of Waggott's, but wonder if he could have done more had the shadow man not been beside him having the final say most times. The bit in bold reads like you think the fans who want x, y and z out are being irrational or unreasonable and will never be happy. I disagree. We have been consistent in wanting those people out because all of them have shown no intent to kick this club on. All of them have been happy to play the development game in this Division and just avoid relegation. Even when presented with golden opportunities to change this (JDT, Eustace). All of them have lowered the standards and expectations at this club. All have been doing the bidding of Pasha and can rightly piss off. None of this is acceptable and nor should anybody EVER defend it under some fake notion of positivity and super fandom. People define success differently, I agree. To some fans a mid table Championship finish is success, as they think this is us 'punching' (I will never subscribe to this). To the hideous regime, 'success' is reducing costs for the owners, increasing player value and avoiding relegation. For me and others who have never lost sight of the truth, success is returning Rovers back to the Premier League. Where these owners found us. Promotion. Nothing less will do. Nothing else is acceptable. Pasha out. Venky's out.

It might, but I bet it won't.

To be fair to Jackson and the LET the story has been reported and edited correctly. The "strange" in the headline is in quotes to show it is attributable and not a comment. Jackson could of course do an opinion piece on Rovers' performance in the transfer window so far - and whether the club has been truthful or not.

The **** might hit the fan if/when we lose this one surely even the owners and management might sit up and take notice that we're rooted pointless to the bottom of the table after 3 games and just been beaten by a team under embargo.

Didn’t have a go at you for that. I joked that it was a silly comment about our squad being incomplete just a week or two into the window. All club squads are. Silly whataboutism. Like I said, plenty to be angry about. The local journo is not one.

Why didn't they tailor their play to his strengths then ? Only guy under instruction to cross was Brittain looks of it. We haven't had a crosser since Craig Conway, - Sorba Thomas and Ryan Giles could but ended up not doing and you have to ask yourself why. Club blueprint from above.

Also we've bought in zero attacking players since you had a good at me for complaining about the lack of numbers and quality in that area. Just saying.

You have a strange understanding of the job of a local journalist. Besides, he is quoting the manager. He is not saying it himself. Plenty of issues with the club, Elliott Jackson isn’t one of them.

No. All he needs to say is "Vi gives an update on Rovers progress in the transfer market" And then let other people make their own mind up as to whether Vi is talking absolute tosh or not. Not "Vi gives his thoughts of Rovers progress in what has been a difficult and challenging market" implying that he agrees with him and everyone should feel sympathy.. Why do you keep defending him? Is he a mate of yours?

Chaddy's probably still correct tbh.

Do you want him to lie about what the manager and club officials have said instead?

100% I do wish Jackson would stop writing spoon fed nonsense offered up to him by the Club. As I said last week - it really isn't helpful. "Strange" market indeed. Hmmmphh.

Am I imagining things but up to and including JDT, wasn't unleaded very supportive of the Head Coach and extremely anti the regime and very critical of the way the recruitment department operated ? (Which I agreed with) But ever since Eustace came in it seems that in unleaded's eyes, everything Eustace wanted to do was wrong and everything Gestede and Owen etc do or want to do is right? Very odd. I actually thought someone had hacked his account at first but he has a pretty unique posting style so it does actually appear it is the same person.

No we’ve got loads somebody was saying… don’t want to stockpile, not enough whistles to go round! Can get the coaches doing physio too, why not.

I know I meant Alebiosou 🤣😆