Carter never got going and had a poor season overall. Hyam had a very solid season but it's also because we were sat deeper than prior so him and Baatth weren't exposed. A repeat of finishing seventh seems like utopia to me at this stage, but we'll see.

I may be wrong but I get the sense that people feel the combination of Hyam/Carter is sound. I seem to remember several home games when a simple ball over the top wasn't dealt with and goals ensued. But then my memory is very likely faulty and perhaps there were other factors involved.

From the last accounts: Turnover (Doesn't include player sales.) Matchday inc season tickets/away fans/walk on 4.9 Media 9.4 Commercial 6.4 other 0.2 total 21.4 million Wages and salaries 25.4 "other " operating expenses 13.2 total 38.6 Loss before player trading 17.2 player trading 21.2 So we made a profit that season of 3.3 million which would have gone towards 24/25 operating expenses. We probably made a small loss last season which would be why i think 4 million or whatever was requested and sent over after the last court case in June 2025.

It's ok jim. Didnt take it the wrong way and enjoyed the Mandy Rice Davies reference for the teenagers! I genuinely think that out of all the players, with the possible exception of Scott Wharton, Travis is the only one who cares about the Club and has Blackburn Rovers running through him which is why he will be such a loss if sold. This lot don't care about that sort of thing, or success on the pitch though, all they're bothered about is the bottom line in the short term, so I expect him to be sold unfortunately.

The amount the owners send over depends on the revenue from sales, at least that's my understanding. Sell Travel for £4m and reduce next year's tranche payment from India by that amount.

Drop a link when you do fella thanks for all your work so far

Mowbray and Venus had too much power because Tony bypassed him in the summer of 2017 and went straight to the power in India. Not daft Tony - he knew where the power and money is in this hierarchy and the way to get what you need is to get to Pune and around a table with them. Venky Stooge Pasha doesn't want this - he got shut of Bowyer who had that personal connection to India, then the appointments he has overseen have all been kept at arms length from India and unable to repeat the trick of getting a direct link to the owners. I remember in JDT's first full summer after a positive first season there was a plan or desire for him and Broughton to get to India. That never happened, I wonder why. So yeah, Mowbray was in many ways the perfect man for these owners and by extension the Venky stooge. Oh how I bet he wishes Mowbray was still here to send to the Fans Forum meetings! Some jovial stuff about favourite biscuits and how he used to love watching Boro as a boy would go down a treat. But by getting rid of Mowbray and severing a link to India there the Venky stooge consolidated his own position as unrivalled dictator.

If the rumours of it being a woman are true, I wonder if it will be a certain Mrs A Desai? She could be interviewing herself, right now.

jim Have I read correctly? Rovers to finish 20th and to be relegated? A Bill Deedes moment? 🙂

Twas a joke Rev! I hope we don't lose either Travis or Tronstad. Hedges does need to be replaced though

I think we can all agree that Gueye is a pretty poor finisher, at least with his legs. Unplayable on his day but very inconsistent. Ohashi is more consistent but his peak level isn't as high. I think as a pair they're good enough and gives us different options, but we need one more striker I think.

On the eve of the new season I think it's important to remember that we like every other team have 46 games, we'll win plenty and lose plenty but hopefully we'll give it a real go this year. The Championship is relentless and easily one of the best leagues in the world for entertainment, just so unpredictable. All the new players have potential, just got to give them a little time, the manager has his own ideas and with a window under his belt, a chance to show what he can do. I expect lots more twists and turns in this window, expect a couple to move on as well as a few more arrivals but I'm excited for the season. I think 10th would be a respectable finish but like I said, such an unpredictable league so anything really could happen. Lets back them all the way and make our 150th year one to remember!! Oh - Pasha and Venky's Out! COYB! West Brom 1-2 Rovers (Ohashi & Kargbo)

If we had got that Kapaudi lad from Leiga I would actually say our business has been pretty spot on. I think we’re a top end (in relativity) CB and RW from a decent season. Truthfully Carter is our only CB I really rate and he’s always injured…

Without a doubt, although I do have my suspicions that there is a nice cut for some agents, still lurking around, who get more than the norm, shall we say.

it really doesn't . If there was any real push to play this system, then extra centre backs would have been needed (Rovers were initially done here until Carters injury) as well as some competition (preferably someone better than) for De Neve as a left wing back as neither Ribeiro or Pickering are suited to that role My response assumes that you mean a 3 at the back, rather than what Rovers have been doing in pre season, and pushing the right back high and wide when Rovers have the ball, whilst the left back, more often than not stays back & slides across

Like you Tony, I have followed the club for over 50 years and have never felt like this at the start of the season. With living abroad, i have subscribed to Rovers TV to watch all the games, available on there and will get to the odd game, when I get back. I used to be fanatical, but have had this knocked out of me now and I am half questioning myself abut why I am still following it. It is that feeling of helplessness, more than anything, that hurts, as I have tried to do my but, as have you and plenty of others, but it does feel like a losing battle just now. Hopefully that will wear off and we can enjoy the season.

Agreed, I think it looks nailed on we will play a version of 3-4-3, what that looks like in terms of which CM drops in to help in build up or where the full backs play is anyones guess at this stage. What's for sure is we don't have any natural touchline hugging wingers barring Kargbo and even then he needs to be able to cut in narrowing the pitch.

Plus strikers cost well above and beyond our financial limitations that said a loan in that department should be looked at

Agree. I'm generally a believer in the 'if they're good enough they're old enough' theory but I think centre-halves are an exception. It is the position that is most about reading the game compared with technical ability. That's why players like Batth, Ayala and McFadzean can look so effective at the end of their careers - as long as they have some pace around them. Even if a very young centre-half looks good at a lower level, a step up in divisions can be really tough. Anyone remember the reaction to Gary Pallister when he first when to Man U from Middlesbrough? Or Tony Adams when he first played for Arsenal (although always being at Arsenal was only 17 when first came into the team)?

Mainly plays on the left and is currently injured, return date "unknown"

Why would we want another left winger

I'm intrigued to see if Yuki and gueye can kick on a bit more after a proper pre season and more time to adapt. Id personally rather see us go all out for a proper winger with pace than an expensive CF. Its hard to Judge the forwards when they had Dolan and Hedges supplying them. Yuki got 11 last season in his first season with a long injury lay off as well. A lot of unkowns in the side to start the season. Will it be a pleasant surprise or an absolute shocker?

Suspect we'll see a lot of Cantwell wide left, Henriksson wide right during this season. More so if we don't get a RW sorted!

That's not a his natural side. I haven't seen a single clip of him playing on that side. He's a left winger. We've had 20 years of wingers of being inverted and people still talk like it's a fad! I suspect we'll fill this space with a young PL loan. Hopefully it's more Elliott than Cozier-Duberry.

Completely agree Rev. We are really weak up top. Specialist right winger, striker (better than Woodrow!) and someone who can play across the line. If Trav does get sold, that's where the money needs to go. Not on a replacement midfielder. Tronstadt/Axel/Tavares/Forshaw/Montgomery is enough cover for 2 positions, given the issues further up the pitch.