2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, TheKitGuy said:

This season will be the one where the academy streak ends. The sense of pride knowing our academy regularly churning out quality championship standard players, I'd say right now not a single player in the academy is of championship standard. A crying shame. 

As in none of the 17/18 year olds in the Academy could step into a Championship game right now?

No, those players are stolen from the crib.

I'm sure we've got half a dozen on our books right now that will play significant minutes for us over the years.

[Danny O.Brien]

[London blue]

1 hour ago, bb1rover said:

I think there are issues behind the scenes, however the fact they're all going to Eustace isn't a massive indication that they love him and are leaving to be with him, so far he's taken the old men and is due to take Travis who has wanted to leave for a long time but has had no takers.

The fact that Dolan, Travis, Tronstad and Hyam were/are all refusing to sign contracts yet had/have no one queuing up to get a bargain, begs the question are they all already being paid over the odds hence why no one wants to give what they want and neither do Blackburn any more?

Quite how you can summise we're paying players more than the going rate given what we know about Venkys is honestly, astounding.

[RevidgeBlue]

2 hours ago, alexanders said:

I agree DutchRovers, but under VI he has been the best of the two. 

You've not seen the games this season then?

Just on Gueye and Travis, if VI doesn't rate Travis and thinks Woodrow is a better option than Gueye that says a lot more about the manager than it says about those two players.

Edited August 13 by RevidgeBlue

[MarkBRFC]

I reckon by this time tomorrow Elliot will have an "exclusive" about being interested in a player we have absolutely no hope in getting to try and simmer down the fanbase a bit.

[aletheia]

5 hours ago, Dolly blue said:

I don’t blame Travis, Dolan, Brittain or Eustace. 

Nobody with any sense or understanding of what is going on here does.

 

Edited August 13 by aletheia

[M_B]

7 minutes ago, ChickenBolty said:

What exactly are Rudy’s credentials to be in charge of spending for a Championship side that finished 7th last season? There’s a reason Middlesbrough and Derby are willing to pay millions for our players - they recognise proven quality.

Overseas investment can work when you add one or two signings to a strong, established squad. That’s a calculated risk. But trying to replace almost all of our Championship-proven experience with bargain European options? That’s gambling the entire season. If this is the club’s new ethos, we’re in real trouble.

And then there’s the Travis deal - which, in my opinion, is far worse. Technically, he might not be at the same level as a Tronstad or others in the squad. But what he offers in leadership, dressing-room presence, fan connection, on-pitch gamesmanship, and influence over referees is priceless at this level.

We’ve all heard him say in post-match interviews: “I love this club.” If that’s true, why not fight for his teammates and the badge for one more year and then leave on a free? Selling him now feels like a betrayal of the spirit he’s shown and erases much of his previous good work.

One thing’s certain - this is going to be a long, difficult season. All we can do as fans is stay motivated and keep backing the lads on the pitch. But there’s only so much we can take. The sooner these owners, and their yes-men in the boardroom, are gone, the better.

I would imagine letting Travis go for free at the end of the season would receive the most negative response on here, over the 2 other options. 

[BRFC.]

6 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

I reckon by this time tomorrow Elliot will have an "exclusive" about being interested in a player we have absolutely no hope in getting to try and simmer down the fanbase a bit.

Wouldn’t be surprised, fans will start getting excited.. too easily pleased

[RevidgeBlue]

7 minutes ago, Danny O.Brien said:

Take the plastic snake stuff elsewhere please.

Things are bad enough as it is.

[RevidgeBlue]

4 minutes ago, M_B said:

I would imagine letting Travis go for free at the end of the season would receive the most negative response on here, over the 2 other options. 

Id rather that than sell him for £1.5m.

Is that how little you value our Championship status at?

[Emerald Isle Rover]

1 minute ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Id rather that than sell him for £1.5m.

Is that how little you value our Championship status at?

I agree anything less than 3mill we should just keep him

if he sulks etc does an isak then that’s on him 

[Frederick]

11 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

I reckon by this time tomorrow Elliot will have an "exclusive" about being interested in a player we have absolutely no hope in getting to try and simmer down the fanbase a bit.

Works every time our Twitter fanbase is completely embarrassing 

[Frederick]

Now Travis wants away he’s all of a sudden the worst player to play for Rovers and he’s worse than Tavares now apparently. And JDT is apparently right about him now. These people are so boring. 

[Tomphil2]

1 hour ago, TheKitGuy said:

This season will be the one where the academy streak ends. The sense of pride knowing our academy regularly churning out quality championship standard players, I'd say right now not a single player in the academy is of championship standard. A crying shame. 

Was always going to happen at some point that saturation point was reached.

You can't have at this level an academy just churning out players for multiple positions year after year no matter how it's rated or how much it costs. 

I posted a few years ago there was a danger these idiots would suddenly think or be sold the notion the academy can solve half the problems every season but it seems they are in that mode hook line and sinker.

They didn't like the advice against it from experienced people and coaches so one by one they've cut them away and now have a novice  puppet running it and his yes man pal in the dugout.

I think the recruitment staff are doing their best and have brought in a few who have obvious development potential but trying to blend them with untested kids and getting rid of all the experience and GOALS all at once is mindnumbingly crazy, pure amateur stuff.

[Tomphil2]

1 minute ago, sammie said:

Now Travis wants away he’s all of a sudden the worst player to play for Rovers and he’s worse than Tavares now apparently. And JDT is apparently right about him now. These people are so boring. 

Never takes long with our fickle lot to rewrite the narratives.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

1 minute ago, sammie said:

Now Travis wants away he’s all of a sudden the worst player to play for Rovers and he’s worse than Tavares now apparently. And JDT is apparently right about him now. These people are so boring. 

Don’t think Iv seen anybody say he’s the worst player to play for rovers tbh 

there is an under appreciation of him no doubt  

[Theaxe15]

There is a bit of revisionism going on, as is expected and somewhat understandable.

Travis is limited for sure, but has been a solid enough captain, though arguably putting in some of his worst performances in our biggest games. What I would say is that for a team gearing up for a relegation battle he’s an important player. Unfortunately that is what we will be this season and therefore his qualities are going to be missed greatly.

Were we a well run club pushing towards the top end then I don’t think many would be too fussed as with clubs like that he would be replaced by better. Here, however, he won’t be replaced, the money will disappear and the gap will be plugged by inexperience. 
 

The malaise around the club is awful, truly awful, and only going to get worse. Does anyone even enjoy going to watch them anymore??

[Tomphil2]

29 minutes ago, ChickenBolty said:

What exactly are Rudy’s credentials to be in charge of spending for a Championship side that finished 7th last season? There’s a reason Middlesbrough and Derby are willing to pay millions for our players - they recognise proven quality.

Overseas investment can work when you add one or two signings to a strong, established squad. That’s a calculated risk. But trying to replace almost all of our Championship-proven experience with bargain European options? That’s gambling the entire season. If this is the club’s new ethos, we’re in real trouble.

And then there’s the Travis deal - which, in my opinion, is far worse. Technically, he might not be at the same level as a Tronstad or others in the squad. But what he offers in leadership, dressing-room presence, fan connection, on-pitch gamesmanship, and influence over referees is priceless at this level.

We’ve all heard him say in post-match interviews: “I love this club.” If that’s true, why not fight for his teammates and the badge for one more year and then leave on a free? Selling him now feels like a betrayal of the spirit he’s shown and erases much of his previous good work.

One thing’s certain - this is going to be a long, difficult season. All we can do as fans is stay motivated and keep backing the lads on the pitch. But there’s only so much we can take. The sooner these owners, and their yes-men in the boardroom, are gone, the better.

Come on he isn't a Rovers fan or Blackburn lad there aren't many Barry Bannons around in reality'

He sees the writing on the wall and there is nothing he can do about it after seeing everyone half decent sold or be allowed to leave. 

He's a late 20's Championship footballer on a modest - by Championship standards - basic wage so he wants security for his future it's perfectly normal.  Add in he wants to link up with a gaffer who will use his strengths, a club with an upward ambition and he'll get a contract of 3 or 4 years worth several million in total.

This isn't on him it's an the club just like two thirds of the rest we've now lost.

[RevidgeBlue]

23 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

I reckon by this time tomorrow Elliot will have an "exclusive" about being interested in a player we have absolutely no hope in getting to try and simmer down the fanbase a bit.

Yep.

He's already done one nonsensical puff piece to placate the fan base where he suggests progress has been made on the RW position but then quotes VI as saying "It's difficult to say anything is close" which actually suggests the exact opposite!

Never mind Rover the dog, I wish Eustace would come in for Jackson as well.

[aletheia]

Rover is believed to be interested in linking up with his old manager, John Eustace.

But did it mention Rover felt his working conditions had got worse, that the club had asked him to work for nothing and that Pasha/Gestede refused to pay his bus fare home? 

 

[RevidgeBlue]

6 minutes ago, Theaxe15 said:

There is a bit of revisionism going on, as is expected and somewhat understandable.

Travis is limited for sure, but has been a solid enough captain, though arguably putting in some of his worst performances in our biggest games. What I would say is that for a team gearing up for a relegation battle he’s an important player. Unfortunately that is what we will be this season and therefore his qualities are going to be missed greatly.

Were we a well run club pushing towards the top end then I don’t think many would be too fussed as with clubs like that he would be replaced by better. Here, however, he won’t be replaced, the money will disappear and the gap will be plugged by inexperience. 
 

The malaise around the club is awful, truly awful, and only going to get worse. Does anyone even enjoy going to watch them anymore??

I'd say our best performers last season in no particular order were Travis, Brittain, Dolan and Batth.

Guess what! 3 of them are no longer here and one appears to be on his way out.

There's a reason for that other Clubs aren't daft and have noticed the way they played last year and are willing to pay for them and our management simply don't care as they are only interested in cutting costs.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, Angry_Pirate said:

So the club likes to semi themselves with this "proud academy" stuff...

With Travis leaving - and somebody please correct me if I am missing a time period - (Edit - I think there was a period in the mid 00's), this may be the first time in the entire Premier League era that a Blackburn Rovers best XI (ignoring injuries) does not feature an academy player?

Maybe you could squint and say Carter/Wharton as a CB, but I think we will see McLaughlin as the CB2.

Looking through the entire timeline from 1992: Jason Wilcox, Damien Duff, David Dunn, Phil Jones, Martin Olsson, Junior Hoilett, Jason Lowe*, Marcus Olsson, Grant Hanley, David Raya, Darragh Lenihan, Ryan Nyambe, Adam Wharton, Lewis Travis.

All those players seem to cover the majority of the past 23+ years - maybe there is a gap when Dunn/Duff left in 2003 in the Souness/Hughes eras. Which would make sense with the 720+ match streak putting us around that time.

Still though, for where we are nowadays (as shell of a club), with an apparently excellent Academy, to say none would be in our best XI, is scandalous.

Tiny Taylor ?

[rigger]

42 minutes ago, G Somerset Rover said:

Agreed. It must be a pretty miserable place to ply your trade at the moment. All your mates have left, any decent players and managers have fled the building at the first opportunity, others are blatantly leaving, there are no new contracts for performing players. etc. etc.

Two things stand out to me. Firstly, a severe lack of Championship experience throughout the squad. These new boys are going to be like fish out of water in a dog fight IMO. And secondly, Travis aside, two key players of our first 11 are 100% going next summer (if not before. three if you count Hedges - ha). Put yourselves in their shoes - they both probably have one good move left in them to set themselves up for the immediate years after football. Will they be giving 100%, going into the 50/50s with the same conviction as before? I highly doubt it. We're relying on kids, players with no experience in this league and mainstays who won't be giving 100%.

Trying not to be reactionary following two poor performances (and results), but I will be stunned if we're not in and around the bottom 5 come Christmas.

Prepare to be stunned.

[alexanders]

40 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

You've not seen the games this season then?

Just on Gueye and Travis, if VI doesn't rate Travis and thinks Woodrow is a better option than Gueye that says a lot more about the manager than it says about those two players.

Think both were bad against WBA, but latter end of season Tronstad was best 

[alexanders]

31 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Id rather that than sell him for £1.5m.

Is that how little you value our Championship status at?

I agree with this. Would not sell for £1.5m. Rather let him go for free.