Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[RevidgeBlue]

50 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

As a side note, a lot of it is speculation. I dont personally believe that all current players are on less than £10k, Cantwell for one wont be, even if I can clearly see the intention to keep cutting the wage bill. 

The wage cap such as it is is rumoured to be for new players coming in.

We all know Cantwell's way above that and Travis, Brittain, Hyam would have been above it as well.

Oddly enough Id imagine Pears is one of the only ones remaining apart from Cantwell and Tronstad  above it. Maybe also Pickering and Carter? Not sure what Wharton would be on.

Edited December 9, 2025 by RevidgeBlue

[Rogerb]

I have been told Pickering is by a friend of the family.

[Paul Mellelieu]

off?

[TheKitGuy]

6 minutes ago, Paul Mellelieu said:

off?

On the higher wage structure

[G Somerset Rover]

Would certainly make sense as to why he can’t get ahead of Dion De F’in Neve in the pecking order. 

[Tomphil2]

There's no way a defender of Pickerings experience is being continually over looked for anything other than financial reasons.

[Bronzed A Donis]

1 hour ago, Rogerb said:

I have been told Pickering is by a friend of the family.

We may move in the same circles. When i get a chance I was hoping to ask why not playing at moment.

[Rogerb]

1 hour ago, Paul Mellelieu said:

off?

I have also been told being moved towards the exit due to wage level

[wilsdenrover]

4 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Can you dig out the average for years 6 -10 and the last 5 years if you've nothing better to do?

🙂

 That should prove quite informative Id have thought.

As if I’d have anything better to do😁😁

Years 6-10 average £12.46 million

Years 11-15 average £9.05 million

As an aside:

Years 6-10 is nearly entirely (95%) an increase in debt to the Venkys.

Years 11-15 has a reduction in debt to the Venkys (-£6 million) but a large increase (+£51.24 million) in equity.

 

 

[aletheia]

Who is still above the 10k?

Pickering, Pears, Cantwell, Carter?

Edited December 9, 2025 by aletheia

[NeilInBristol]

3 hours ago, aletheia said:

That's what I was getting at last night -what looks like breaking of ranks and a rant from Val is perhaps just an orchestrated brief from the puppet master.

Yes exactly 

they have been “running “ the club for 15 years

the only person who spoke out of terms in that tenure (JDT) was gone immediately 

this is all orchestrated

[blondie]

20 hours ago, blondie said:

Venky's Dictionary

Transition: Cost Cutting

Transparency: Hide behind the Manager/ Fans Forum minutes debacle.

Alignment: Agree or lose your job.

Venky's Dictionary Part 2

Management Strategy/ Mushroom Management

[KentExile]

1 hour ago, aletheia said:

Who is still above the 10k?

Pickering, Pears, Cantwell, Carter?

Tronstad will be on or above that too, was signed on a free (which generally means higher wages etc) from a top tier Dutch team (think he also played in Europe for them), well before the taps were turned off

Edited December 9, 2025 by KentExile

[StHelensRover]

Another masterclass from VI.

I wonder what the fewest number of home wins we have had in a season is, we must be well on track to beat it  We at least must be on the way to a pre-xmas record. 

Edited December 9, 2025 by StHelensRover

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Not for me this mon.

[LDRover]

He's shite but it's only confirmation of what the majority thought when he was appointed.

[RevidgeBlue]

14 minutes ago, StHelensRover said:

Another masterclass from VI.

I wonder what the fewest number of home wins we have had in a season is, we must be well on track to beat it  We at least must be on the way to a pre-xmas record. 

He's certainly doing his best to break the record for the lowest number of home points we've  got in a 46 game season.

Think Exiled said it was 19?

[chaddyrovers]

Not sure what Ismael can do when we missed very good chances or in terms of team selection at the minute.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 minute ago, chaddyrovers said:

Not sure what Ismael can do when we missed very good chances or in terms of team selection at the minute.

The number of players we have out injured is killing us at the moment.

[jim mk2]

It's been pointed out several times that Ismael's lasted an average of 7 months at all the clubs he's managed, so he's already overdue for potting. But the great minds at Ewood saw fit to give him a 3-year contract so we better get used to it. Onwards and downwards. 

[John]

7 hours ago, KentExile said:

Tronstad will be on or above that too, was signed on a free (which generally means higher wages etc) from a top tier Dutch team (think he also played in Europe for them), well before the taps were turned off

Hence why his contract is not being renewed…

[chaddyrovers]

2 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

The number of players we have out injured is killing us at the moment.

Fully agree. 

[roversfan99]

1 minute ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

The number of players we have out injured is killing us at the moment.

But some of those injures were predictable and we should have taken steps to mitigate against them. Wharton and Carter injured, always going to happen. Forshaw playing 3 games in a week, always going to happen. Hedges has had issues with injuries in the past. Baradji signed injured.

And the main reason we appear so thin is that so many summer signings (and a couple Gestede brought in last year) are nowhere near the level required.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

But some of those injures were predictable and we should have taken steps to mitigate against them. Wharton and Carter injured, always going to happen. Forshaw playing 3 games in a week, always going to happen. Hedges has had issues with injuries in the past. Baradji signed injured.

And the main reason we appear so thin is that so many summer signings (and a couple Gestede brought in last year) are nowhere near the level required.

Forshaw wouldn’t be playing 3 games a week if Tronstad’ hadn’t have got injured.

[roversfan99]

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Forshaw wouldn’t be playing 3 games a week if Tronstad’ hadn’t have got injured.

Nor would he be had the supposedly £2m midfield signing been anything other than atrocious.