I’ve got to go with Rovers. Two more signings through the door (not that they will provide immediate help) who should eventually boost the club. Defending looking good, Rovers, 2; Sarge 🇺🇸 , 1.

Hypothetically, (as I doubt the above is the case) I'd say definitlely not. But then you're straying into very different realms there than simply running the Club badly. If a Club is "only" being run badly it's down to the disaffected fanbase to shift them not the Authorities.

Taller guys normally have a high top speed, because of their leg stride, its acceleration and turning where big guys usually struggle

I don’t think either are world beaters tbh. But both were EXTREMELY important to John Eustace’s team. It’s horses for courses.

Its narratives being thrown around by fans on X as a good excuse for selling him.

Is he winning matches? His record isnt the best and its 1 win 3 losses so far this season.

I’d say based on previous experiences, I’d be happy to say Mclouughlin is good enough. Alebiosu is defo an unknown. The real interesting part of that post and why many of us are now Intrigued is because now most of our squad are in the middle ‘not sure yet’ band…which is both exciting and fucking terrifying in equal measure!

Interesting if he has pace because guys that tall usually don't.

Hasn't it been said that he intends returning to Norway at the end of this season ?

Some really good posts on here recently, enjoying the reading. On Hyam, the introvert thing is probably why he plays better with a tough guy next to him. He's defo not a shouter and organiser. I like 'nice' people, good for the dressing room. He's a good CB and I hope he stays. On the Ferrari/Skoda thing (made me howl), I had a conversation with Bill Fox years ago about a player I wanted Rovers to see (they did and he signed but that's another story), my big plus point was that whilst raw he was lightening quick. Bill's comment was and I quote "You can coach a monkey to cross a ball but you can't coach speed, we'll take a look." Ferraris rule I think :-) On VI, I think I'm in a very small minority here but I really like VI. I didn't but I've warmed to him a lot. He's honest - players know where they stand with him and that's important, he's clear about his strategy and is getting the players in that fit with that (no square pegs in round holes), he's winning matches and those that he doesn't he come close to (dodgy refs mostly). Far from perfect but to damn by faint praise he's likely the best we could have got for this mad house and is exceeding my expectations. He also gives the impression that he actually believes that good times are around the corner, which is nice for a change. I know, hope kills you.

Apparently he is 6ft 7, and turned 16 in January https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tony-henderson-280a381b4_archie-15-dob-15-01-2009-6ft7-cb-unattached-activity-7272167973212061699-Ajz6/ DOB 15-01-2009 6ft7 CB Highlight was playing Vs Tooting & Mitcham in London SNR Cup. Best game was at Home to Luton & away to Gillingham u17s. Changed and adapted how HE plays over this time, so very coachable. Strength Height Pace great attributes for any Defense. 100% resilient and determined. His parents are pretty good as well

YES! But that hasnt stopped you obviously!

Would it not be more prudent to understand what Travis might have done, before casting said judgement? Here’s my take - VI doesn’t seem like a bad guy. He also seems quite straight talking. To publicly ‘out’ Trav, he must’ve done something he really doesn’t like. And for him to say he’s let the lads down is HUGE! If he hasn’t done anything wrong, then Ismael is finished with that group, they’ll never trust him again. Which makes me think there’s potentially something in it. That Trav has overstepped the mark…probably come out at some point.

So if that's the criteria on which we're judging players, Tronstad REALLY isn't that good either then? Can't even drum up any worthwhile interest in him.

I like Trav, he’s been a good player for us. But if he was ‘That’ good, he wouldn’t be signing for Derby at the cost of an average weekend on one of Balaji’s yacht parties. I don’t think losing Trav will be end of Blackburn Rovers, put it that way. 🙈🤣

So devil's advocate mode again - let's suppose that there is some serious foundation to the investigation in India let's say that VLL has been used or is being used for other reasons other than funding the club, some of which might not be above board, ethical or even legal. Should the authorities just turn a blind eye to all that because ultimately they are still paying the bills every month?

Equally, would it not be poor to assume that McLoughlin and Alebiosu are good enough just yet?

Poor to write Montgomery, Kargbo and De Neve off imo. Haven’t had nearly enough time to prove themselves. Personally, I wouldn’t write Forshaw, Hedges or Gueye off either in the new regime, but I can see why you would do.

Mowbray was an idiot in his judgement of Raya.

Felix is 6 foot 2 . When I saw the comment as lacking height didn't ring true with my memory of him at bamber bridge.

I know where you are coming from, but in my own ( non premier league) lifetime, I'd say the likes of Field, Metcalfe, Brotherston, Speedie, Szmodics were legends..

He joined an Ipswich team already at the top mid season. They weren't going to change their team regardless of the ability of Travis. They had an established duo performing in his position, they signed him to strengthen the squad. It doesn't prove an inability to do anything. Your second to last paragraph implies that we have actively chosen to keep him. What has actually happened like with many others is that we have failed to offer him a contract sufficient of a player of his standing and ability, it's being made out like we have decided we can do better. We wanted to keep him but with a year left, we can't. So we have had to sell and paint him in a bad light with no real substance as a result.

Yea I thought it looked odd when I wrote it. Bit harsh on him!

I personally wouldn't call anyone signed during the Venky era a club legend. We've achieved fuck all in that time save for a 2nd placed promotion from League 1. Outside of that we've either finished mid table championship, spectacularly thrown away chances to get in the playoffs more than once, or narrowly avoided relegation a couple of times. Granted the criteria for legend will be different for younger supporters who don't remember or weren't around for the pre-Venky era. I guess the likes of Dack or Trav would be closest to fitting the bill.

As @MarkBRFC mentioned, it was part of the plan. Gestede said one of the summer priorities was getting someone to compete with Ohashi and Gueye. Then it dropped off.