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I was just about to post similar and is the exact same as where I am at. It seems to me that the coalition don't want constructive criticism, the "the action has been chosen and that's that" comment I find disappointing. I think it was yourself earlier in the thread that said the coalition don't seem to understand the mindset of the majority of the remaining match going fanbase, and I agree. I truly do hope this works and is the start of something, but the numbers for this game I think will be no more noticeable than it was the game against Milwall a few weeks back.

In this day and age the club announced attendance (every club, not just ours) should have to be the actual attendance.

I'm an actual attender that will be doing said boycott, so not sure what corner I'm painted into or how that makes me a 'naysayer', especially being called so from people that have no boycott to make as they already don't go! Some balls. However, this is a forum that is supposed to be about exchanging views and as I'm also a paid up member of WATR that is part of the Coalition, I'm more than entitled to offer some constructive criticism as to why, *in my opinion*, even though I'll do it anyway, this isn't the correct game.

The Gooner will have every school he possibly can on a coach to this one to inflate the attendance numbers.

I believe they do. You can make a freedom of info application but takes 3 weeks. We are looking at previous ones.

Do Lancashire Police release official attendance figures for the games? The Clubs attendances can never be trusted

Sacked with 3 wins in there last 10. Meanwhile here we have won 1 in our last 10 and we limp on.

Baradji looks like what we have been crying out for in midfield, someone who doesn't get a nose bleed when he crosses the halfway line. It's all about how Ismael sets them up though, a more ambitious manager would get more players forward both in a formation and in phases of attacking play. When we break recently we basically have Yuki on this own trying to dribble around 3-4 opposition defenders. Using the youth lads isn't ideal but I would rather have attack minded players on the pitch than a team of defenders. I hadn't heard of any of the academy lads that now make up most our back line but they all seem to be doing ok. Why not try it with the attackers? Especially when 0-2 down at home, instead he just sits there hoping for the best.

It looks like WBA trod a similar path to us. Sold good players (Fellows for £10m, Heggem for £14m) with the aim largely to "reduce the average age of the squad", employed a manager who's been claiming they're better than their results show as the stats point to more shots, more chances created, small margins, only losing games by a goal etc. despite results being poor They are 3 points better off and have 2 more wins than us but at least the club have realised this isn't working and have binned him off. Ismael will take us down and still be here. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn0k9j1dz94o

So a head coach can earn more via bonuses etc from playing youth and certain players signed to develop regardless of where the team finishes in the league ? Well that's not a conflict of interest at all is it !

Probably in hiding after crowing about what a brilliant job Gestede and co did in the summer.

Exactly. Loads wouldn't turn up anyway on the day regardless but now all of a sudden they are all uppity superfans who refuse to miss one. Odd bunch.

Good discussion on Monday Night Club on R5Live last night regarding Sporting Directors and playing 'philosophies'. Suggested works better on the continent as established way of working so everyone understands the concept and how to work with it On 'philosophies' one of the contributors said he asked Max Allegri about how he deals with this when joining a new club. The response was 'my philosophy is to look at the players I have and decide on the system they are best suited to'. Radical!

Issue there is any clubs who have already qualified for Champions League etc (and fancy giving their first choice players more rest so they are fit to go again next season), would probably be even more inclined to pay the kids/reserves than they are now

Where's Unleaded?

Indeed. Lets suppose there's truth to this Alebiosu-Everton rumour and it happens. That immediate profit and success will override any results or performances we've had this season. Gestede will be able to point to that alone and state to the owners/finance people that he's delivered on his project, with Gudjonsen to come next. The fact that results have been appalling, most performances have been appalling, crowds collapsing further, and our Championship status is in danger are irrelevant.

Just thinking out loud... To revive the FA Cup I've always felt that from the 3rd round onwards it should turn into a post-season knockout tournament rather than run throughout the second half of the season. This would involve the football league season to shift slightly to ensure it ends mid April. For example - if it was held in mid-April to mid-May April 15–20: 3rd Round (64 → 32) April 22–27: 4th Round (32 → 16) May 1–4: 5th Round (16 → 8 ) May 8–11: Quarterfinals May 15: Semi-finals May 22: Final This would allow most clubs to play their full strength teams without worry of fixture congestion. The whole focus in English football would be on the tournament itself (like a domestic world cup) and you could even have a different host city for the final itself (or semis if the FA want to be difficult). Obviously some clubs will be impacted by European football, if they make it to the latter stages, but they have to go through that currently anyway. Just an idea that I'm sure has plenty of holes in it but I'm sure much smarter people than me could make it work really well.

We need to get this out of our heads, that getting fees in, is a good thing. No matter what we bring in from sales, it does not affect the transfer budget for signings, it merely means, the owners have to pay less to keep the lights on. It is a sad fact of life, but that is exactly where we are.

Cheers. The ball is firmly in the clubs court. The open letter was chosen as we have no means of meaningful communication with the club or the owners. The fact they still haven't acknowledged it says everything you need to know about the way they treat loyal fans. The Watford boycott is the start. The next phase is dictated by the success of the boycott and the club's response to it. If is imperative it is a success to give us a mandate. Please do spread the message far and wide 🙏. And, my name is Neil Liver, you can find me on twitter. I do not want to be accused of hiding behind a screen and being a keyboard warrior. It is time for us all to stand up and be counted. (Or not counted as we wont be there on the 24th)

The players long contracts were a way around FFP I think.

Please dont be put off by the naysayers on here. I find it really strange how some posters have painted themselves into a corner by insisting a boycott either won't work or is being held at the wrong time yada yada. The important thing for me is that the ball iis finally officially rolling on what is likely to be a very long and arduous campaign. Gates are so low now anyway it will be quite hard to achieve another significant reduction on existing levels but frankly you never know until you try. Even if there isnt a significant reduction I can't see that this particularly matters as long as a boycott isn't the ONLY tool in the Coalition's arsenal The issue will be firmly in the public domain, (hopefully to stay) battle lines will have been drawn, and it's important that it's only the first step in a co-ordinated and varied campaign which never lets up.

It's one game, against Watford in the 2nd tier. it's going to be a dire game either way. it's not like the coalition are asking the fans to boycott the super cup against the 2009 Barcelona squad. Go and spend the money you would on a ticket on a local café etc. Go for a walk up Darwen tower or pendle. You're not going to miss much by not attending one game of a drab season.

Hindsight is wonderful but this is what we are working with now in the Watford Boycott. I agree with other sheff Wednesday would of been a good one and then a selected follow up fixture for continuity. So frustrating seeing a well loved club fall to incompetence.

A poster from America asked a similar question a few years back and got some useful feedback. He managed to put together a good collection of Rovers VHS/DVDs. SanDimas (Rick) may be able to provide you with some pictures. The following links might help. The second one is an article where he writes more about his collection: https://www.brfcs.com/articles/a-love-of-the-tape

Absolute silence from the club. I thought we were told they had planned and been proactive? They can bid for players pre January, so unsure how we haven't signed anyone yet at the managers request. 5 days to make 3 signings that improve the squad. Relegation beckons.