the club did approve the original minutes and then some members of FF wanted to revisit them and now supposedly they are now waiting for the club to approve them

Four weeks after the approach I asked what had happened to be told it needed to be submitted within a couple of days but required support from an established fans group. I reminded the Trust that the bid would require WATR’s meaningful involvement as “fans should inform the design of the project” and be involved “in the design and development of projects prior to application….”. The Trust were desperate for WATR’s support and I wrote a supportive paragraph and arranged for fan groups such as Proud Rovers and others to also support the bid. This was on the basis of: 1. WATR would have a copy of the bid document before submission; 2. The new Fan Engagement officer would be tasked to include working outside of BwD in areas such as Chorley and South Ribble; 3. WATR would be on the appointment panel for the Fan Engagement officer. - We never saw the bid document albeit it was promised on various occasions. - An appointment was made without our knowledge; the individual only stayed 2 weeks as it was not the role the appointee believed it to be. - A new appointment was made and the job title changed without us being consulted or advised; - I cannot see any evidence of any fan engagement work outside of BwD, nor can I see much with BwD. - WATR were duped into supporting the Club. We did so for good reasons but were dropped as soon as the Community Trust got their money. This is how the Club operates. We tried engagement, it was only one way and on the basis the Club benefits. Engagement will not work with the present owners and management (sic) team. All these posts must be remembered in the future - it’s always fans showing the best intentions, but the people operating this football club are only ever playing ball if they are getting the ultimate benefits. If they’re not getting anything out of it, they’re not doing it.

Hackney looked deeply average to me whenever I’ve seen him playing for the young England team.

I am diehard supporter who will support his club through the good and bad times, and not walk away behind the scenes? what are we talking about? Of course I would but the owners don't talk publicly. They should do now. Whoever the CEO is, Pasha and Gestede should communicate much better with the supporters and be more media friendly Its a massive concern and something that shouldn't be happening, Brittain, Hyam, Tronstad and Brittain should have been We know why JDT left and we know why Eustace. Staff will moved for a range of reasons. Rosen and Remy would always leave when JDT does or similar with Gardiner and Downing with Eustace Yes I would like more fans inside the stadium of course Of course we want to read the minutes.

I took what Ismael said as before he himself came to the club. Not a deflection from Gestede. Contract extensions have gone out of the window under him.

Gestede appeared to think it was perfectly fine to wait until we knew what division we are in We couldn't have agreed a wage increase with them if we got promoted?Ultimately it is on the owners but honestly this guy is a real bullshitter or has no understanding of how the club has been run into the fn ground.Plus I'm uncomfortable with the way our recruitment is going ,practically solely based on buying cheap punts from abroad and now being linked with player's with questionable fitness records.Plus Baradji and the swede have predominantly played centre midfield and Taveres and Foreshaw other midfielders it doesn't take a genius to work out that at least Travis and Buckley if they can find a buyer will be moved on . We are losing battle hardened experience for players that even if they do turn out to be decent it will take time for them to bed in and with the amount of them gel

Going to Porto, according to X. One things for sure, Boro will strengthen regardless if they see an opportunity. Our lot won’t. Yet social media fans will keep telling me we’ve net strengthened this season. I simply cannot see it.

That's one way of looking at it, but Ismael doesn't strike me as someone who suffers fools.

MO of just about every manager, 'head of', CEO over the last 15 years is to blame the shitshow on the previous bloke and make promises/assurances/wishes that it won't happen again. It isn't a mistake, it has been deliberate policy and I dare say was the biggest single reason why Eustace threw in the towel and left to join a real club, because they weren't letting him do the job he needed to do. It isn't an accident, it isn't a mistake, it isn't misfortune or bad luck. It is deliberate, conscious and purposeful with one aim which is to reduce the cash the owners need to put into the club. They've got away with it until now, but it will catch up with them eventually. I actually think our surprisingly good season last year will only have emboldened the regime more to think that they can easily manage by getting rid of more 'big' earners and going cheaper again. Trouble is I don't think they are as clever or good as they think they are and it will end with the club paying the ultimate price.

Only reason I said it was because Hackney didn’t want to go Ipswich.

We have to play the guy who we bought to replace Brittain. The guy who came on yesterday at half time. If not why did we sign him ? Montgomery at right back is a ticking time bomb. You wouldn’t see a tackle like that yesterday on your local rec. I had the sound off on my TV and I thought he was grabbing the lad because the ref had blown up for something. WBA’s coaching staff will have watched yesterdays game and will be targeting him from the off.

It wasn't me who said it, it was Ismael.

I don't know mate was Steve Kean not aligned with the board? I get where your coming from as its disheartening losing good managers due to fallouts with the way the club is being run but the manager and board here being aligned means the manager can have us losing most weeks and relegation candidates and keep their job no matter the results Obviously I'm hoping that Ismael will bring in the results but I don't want another person towing the party Line if the players brought in don't show enough quality after a bit of time

Gestede was here last season when Brittain didnt get offered a new deal. And hasnt managed to get any contracts over the line.

No, but he said it was down to past mistakes, ie not Gestede.

Publish and be damned.

It does feel different,it's the most important factor.

Who said boro have withdrawn? They haven’t it’s due to be announced tomorrow

What makes you say that they have withdrawn?

If Boro have withdrawn from Brittain we might stall the Miller deal?

Yeah having thought about this I tend to agree. I was wondering if India’s bowlers would benefit from the rest but it’s just as likely they won’t be able to ‘recreate’ the high they were on.

I was basing it on you saying 3 including Miller. Then naming yet another squad with 5 new signings. As ever, you move the goalposts and start going off on tangents.

such a low number? We will have 27 players. I have explained and what your original post didn't take into account is Brittain's replacement and whether Leonard will be that 3rd striker or we loan him out and bring in a replacement most likely tomorrow

De Neve? Has he ever taken set pieces before? I only saw the first half hour yesterday but he put in one free kick that just went miles over everyone. Weve not had a decent set piece taker for a while. I would prefer Kargbo and Pickering to start down the left. Also, obviously not Montgomery on the right. Going into the season with Hedges starting was grimly predictable.

This is the team that I predict Ismael will pick, not my preferred 11. Who are you putting at RB? The options are a guy who has never kicked a ball in the Championship, looks as raw as they come and couldn't get a game at the relegated Belgian side Rovers have signed him from....or Montgomery, who at least has some minutes in the Championship. On Kargbo, I don't think Ismael trusts him to start games and do the defensive side of the game, so I predict Ismael favours De Neve to start ahead of him. As I say, they're just predictions and not my preferences.