Bennett has been proven as not up to this level for 2 seasons now. The prospect of him playing a part in the majority of our games next year (as that's what will undoubtedly happen) is almost laughable.

We are p1ssing about too much with Downing. Conversation should have been 'there's our offer, give us your decision in no more than a week'. He either wants to play for us or he doesn't. Feck him off and move on.

Because he is a good goalkeeper, free and we are yet to sign a goalkeeper. Much prefer him than say Muric on loan or any of the other goalkeepers we been linked with

Ooops. Sorry, yeah, I forgot about the in vogue reaction to transfer LINKS. They are all shit, technically deficient, incompetent, not good enough, historically poor player for poor teams, not right for our style, doesn't fit Tony's mantra, not big enough, not strong enough, not good enough, terrible with the ball, no skill, can't cross, can't catch, can't play, can't walk, can't talk, awful, if he's linked with us he's shit, Tony will play him right wing, we need a pacey winger, need a ball playing defender, need a tough defender, need an inverted winger, too old, too young, hair too brown, not tall enough, his expected goals/tackles/touches/burps per game isn't eye catching blah blah blah blah blah. If saying "there's a good few names there" is now too easily excited for this topics regulars then get me the fuck out of here. T'ra.

This season is a golden opportunity for a side or two from mid table to get promoted. No big money being spent, no giant club with huge squad, relegated sides all in transition and under new management. Shame because after a couple of steady mid table finishes we should be set now for an assault. We know where the weak points are and these could be addressed relatively cheaply and easily with a couple of steady eddie defenders and a keeper, along with a manager ready to draw it all together. Instead bumbling along wasting the opportunity we have playing games with recruitment and hamstrung from India.

Non of the names seem better than what we have but all this will suit old Tone, go with what we have and a few nice cheap lads for back up. Personally i'm seething we've ended up facing probably what might be the toughest time to sign anybody, even if you have a budget, with having no senior keepers. As others have said they've known that would be the case for a full 12 months regardless of lockdown etc and we've only had short term back up even longer. I'd sack the guy tomorrow IF i could get in a viable alternative, he's absolutely winging it, coasting it to be more frank. Shite management no matter how some might try and sugar coat it. Brentford or Sheff Utd we'll never be with this regime even if they stay for 10 years getting 5 million every window.

Imagine if Bellingham had started here under Mowbray. He would have been playing for Barrow until he was 22.

So, 75% of the teams in this division have made at least one signing. Yet, despite being bereft of numbers or quality in the goalkeeping or defensive departments, we are still no nearer getting further bodies in. No matter how you look at it, it's an absolute shit show.

Some rumblings Iv heard although the main one being we are very tight with money and nothing is remotely close lindsay deal looking complicated- starting to look at alternatives. Elliot Moore and bailey wright mentioned- neither close. goalkeepers- looking at the freebs foreign market but issues getting them over to look at- fancy mitryushkin but nowhere near front of the queue other freebs - timo letschert. We raided the Hamburg cast offs last season, probably nothing mowbray wants an experienced striker to replace graham as he knows current mob are inexperienced- wants to talk to chris Martin to see if wages could be Negotiated. Too high currently. rudy gestede has also been put in front of mowbray but seems unlikely believe Cunningham will end up back here. a few loans will also be coming from the usual sources- big clubs youngsters might just be one keeper coming with fisher promoted to back up

I barely even class him as a footballer, never mind a right back!

Marshall managed 10 clean sheets in his last 13 games for Wigan Walton manage 1 in his last 13 for us.

Time to withdraw the offer for Downing. At his age he needs all the pre season that he can get. We let Rodwell take the piss last year over his contract offer let's not repeat the same mistake this year and lets move on to younger hungrier players who want to play for us.

It's pathetic it really is there is no planning at all they just grabbed the 3 mill for Raya because they'd all fallen out. Chucked that at Gallagher then re-signed the Canadian for a year. All that because it's the easiest thing to do nothing more nothing less. They know the 2 they signed they'll know the agents so it is just easy street. Then the same agent offers Walton, his refs for a season at Wigan check out ok so yeah grab him for a year. Low risk, no hassle, no planning easy street just plod on. Sick of it now they need an absolute rocket up them down there.

Would love to go back and watch this game which in effect was my first watching the Rovers, aged 9. I think I also went to a few games in 1962 and 1963 but remember little about them other than being lifted over the turnstile which was a common thing in those days and then Dads usually gave the turnstile attendant a small tip. My Dad took this cutting from the Sunday Mirror on 27th September 1964 and I’ve kept it ever since. The match was obviously the day before. (I also have the scores and tables from that paper which I may post after if interested). Trying to work out the team from that day with reference to the press report – Tyrone, Jim Mk2 and AllRoverAsia may be able to help. Something like:- Jones, Newton, Joyce, Clayton, England, McGrath, Ferguson, McEvoy, Byrom, Douglas, Harrison. I think Pickering may have been sold that season to Everton. Hope Oldgregg may get some idea of how good Douglas and Clayton were from this cutting. After this game, the Rovers became a massive part of me and my family’s life’s. Enjoyed every decade through the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s when we struggled. Then Uncle Jacks 90’s and 2000’s glorious period, when we were a proper run club. How sad to see where we are today. First away game, Elland Road think it was over Christmas period 64 or 65, drew 1-1. Think Douglas scored the goal that day. Never felt as intimidated in my life. Such a hostile atmosphere for a 9/10 year old. My Dad had a season ticket from after the war until he was in his 80’s. Passed away 4 years ago. His favourite Rovers player was Douglas. Best he had ever seen was Shearer. Best other player he had ever seen was Finney.

I can’t go to the games, I can’t drink cheap Heineken in the Working Men’s before hand either, so I’m really indifferent towards it so far.... Even if we had a few signings, a new kit, season tickets on sale- I would still be the same. COVID has sapped my enthusiasm for a lot of things that we have to have ‘diet’ versions of.

I hope not, seeing as Timo Letschert is a centre half. Probably still better than Walton though.

How are people feeling ahead of the current season? Has anyone managed to maintain even a slither of excitement? Just personally totally disillusioned with the whole situation. Of course primarily regarding the pandemic which is out of anyones hands. Maybe part of the season will be watchable in stadiums. Maybe not. Ans if it is, all very sparse. All very diluted. No singing allowed, no atmosphere. No sitting with mates. No last minute winners followed by going mad. No drinks in a packed pub or the concourse. Sitting for hours with a mask on. No away days. No away fans at Ewood. There is a feeling of stagnation with the manager to chuck in for me too. The owners seem to have now totally forgotten about us, even more so than before. Not even a suggestion that we will strengthen. The incredibly high possibility of having a kid on loan in net again. Our assets will inevitably leave in the next 12 months. No communication from the club. No further idea on how we can watch the games. Just for example saw the cup draw. Usually id be hoping for specific games, maybe Harrogate away or similar. As it is, I didnt give a shit. Probably will be the same on fixture release day on Friday. Id usually eagerly anticipate the opening day fixture, weve had some horrible starts in recent years but it doesnt dampen excitement. Losing at Southend, going 3 down at home to Norwich in 25 minutes, last years frustration at home to Charlton. And then theres looking out for specific away days, Preston and the day out there. Im just interested to know if I am the exception and if people are out there desperately counting down the days until the new season.

Roughly translated into "I dont have a clue and my last 3 names (Hart, McLaughin and Iversen) were way off so I dont want to embarass myself again by naming anyone. "

I'm struggling to think how.

He does know what he's doing. He's won the premier League and champions League in the past 2 years. So I'd say he knows how to prepare a team to win.

Stuarts daughter Lauren, has asked for the following to be shared. ?????? ???????? - Our dad’s funeral. ???? ?????? Please share far and wide!! ❤️ We would just like to say a huge thank you for everyone’s messages, cards and endless flowers. It’s meant so much at this awful time. Unfortunately with the way things are at the moment we can’t give my dad the send off we would have liked but my god we are going to give it our best shot! The service is being held at Pleasington Cemetery & Crematorium. (???? ??????) Leaving Alty’s funeral home at 1:30pm, followed by a drive through Blackburn Rovers grounds at 2pm and 2:15 at the crematorium for the service. Sadly we can only have 22 inside the chapel for the service, however the cars will be driving past Blackburn Rovers at 2pm so we would kindly ask those that want to line the streets to pay your respects for any people that knew my dad or just supported him with the football, we would love that and so would my dad. Other option for people is to socially distance around the crematorium grounds, as there are speakers outside the chapel so you can follow and listen along to the service. As long as we abide by the social distancing rules we are following regulations. We will also be live streaming the funeral service for those that want to watch or can’t attend. My dad always liked to dress smart for any occasion, even if he was going to the rovers he used to get his suit and tie on. So the dress code for those who want to is suited & booted. Or you can wear your Blackburn Rovers shirts to support dad’s football career with them. Anyone who would like to follow the cars through the town is welcome to. Can I also ask anyone that has any pictures of my dad to share them on the day across all social media! Also if you could send me them personally. If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to message. ?????? ?????/?????? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????’? ???? ?????? ?????. ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???????? ???? ??? ‘?????’? ???? ??? ?????? ????????’

Possibly worse than that, a normal season and we would have had £3m of season ticket income, £0.5m replica shirt income and £2.5m sponsor income and £1m corporate box income. None of that will have arrived for the start of the season as we would normally expect. Not having some sort of season ticket package available is criminal in our position. For cashflow forecasting it must be a nightmare at the moment. The worst case scenario is that Venkys will have to fund everything for the season, or around £30m as there will be £0 turnover coming into the business, before we get to transfers etc.

Yep. Ticks just about every box a club our position has to tick. Knows this level inside out, back to front, upside down. Been at the top and bottom end of it. Could come in at relatively short notice and get on with the job of being number 1 with only a few weeks to go. Presumably we can pay him what Wigan are so if finances are an issue in signing someone from Wigan then what's the point in Venkys? But we all know deep down it won't happen. For one reason or another the only way the GK situation will be resolved is either through promotion from within or by loaning someone on the cheap. I will be astonished if we pay a fee for a goalkeeper this summer and will be amazed if we issue a permanent contract on one. The rest is just bullsh1t just like rumours of Joe Hart and Karl Darlow last season. I don't know what they are playing at but most of us are wise to their antics by now. It will be someone with only a handful of games under their belt on a favourable deal heavily subsidised by the parent club.

Has he? Not for me he hasn't.

The problem isn't having Bennett as a back up RB option. It's that Mowbray can't resist playing him there every now and then even when Nyambe is fit. As a back up you'd only expect him to play the odd couple of games to cover for Nyambe's injuries or suspensions. Bennett has shown on occasion that he can fill in reasonably well when it's the odd game, but he should never be considered as a starting option when Nyambe is fit.

Is that you Tony? Sign a centre half and stick him in nets ?

Reassuringly vague.

Your posts should end with the EastEnders drum intro.?

How do you know we dont have 12k a week? We just lost Tosin, Smallwood, Samuel, Hart, Walton and possibly Downing, pretty sure we can stump up some average Championship wages out of that lot. Marshall on a fee is a no-brainer. He could go on for two or three years yet and is one of the most experienced keepers in the league. We may have been in for him and the lad chose Derby but I bet we werent. There IS better out there but we wont get better than Marshall, id wager on it.

It’s pretty gut wrenching if we weren’t even in for Marshall and he goes elsewhere. Exactly what we need. I’m not confident we will find a more suitable keeper for this level....

Not often we agree Chaddy ?

Bennett as first choice right back ?

I think we might be getting confused with the new kit. I over heard it was all yellow

Our whole scattergun approach to recruitment gets me down. We're no nearer to having a consistently coherent way of playing now than we were 3 years ago. We don't ever seem to know our best team for more than a couple of games. I find it really difficult to believe that an experienced professional management team could have got things so badly wrong for so long.

We are owned by an international conglomerate with interests in food production, pharmaceuticals, health products and numerous other areas. Is it really impossible for them to use their international contacts to find a respectable sponsor for our famous shirts rather than an unheard of gambling company or local vaping firm?

If Chris Martin is the best we can hope for, then we are in "Trouble".

I'd have the Rudy that left us back in a flash but the current Rudy isn't that person. He's had well documented injury problems and for me it's significant that Warnock realised he was a busted flush with days of taking over at 'Boro.

I don’t know I’ve been up north and all the women I saw were legless

I'm expecting something like this. Chapman to get a game in goal with no first team keepers available, then all our strikers on the right wing, due to the fact our only right winger is now in goal. Holtby in the false 9 role, due to the fact all our strikers are playing wide right. Bennett at right back.

You mean an outright gamble hoping one these lads hacks it at the expense of throwing the season down the pan if it doesn't ? Hopefully at least one will in the long run but that's the long run and we do a lot of hoping at this club and not much cast iron 'doing'. Great management idea.... How about getting in a proper keeper as insurance ? Or is that far too normal for our lot ?

Would that be Billy the Fish from Viz? Great keeper - suit the Rovers perfectly as he doesn't actually exist.

Or fabricated.

What’s that got to do with expecting a Flowers or Freidel?

Great post. Your dad was a very lucky man to have seen so many great players pull on our famous jersey. Keep the faith mate.

well Charlton wanted 2 million pounds for Bauer. Given he played in their promotion season and scored a goal in the final you could say its was worth it. On Philips, if the fee is less a million pounds then I would be paying it. Unless we want someone better than him

Who cares where we do pre-season, as long as it involves hard work. As for Chaddy all of a sudden being the voice of reason when it comes to the vaccine. There's a 180!

The vaping culture is an odd one for those that do it just to blow smoke rings and the like. But, for me personally, vaping was the only method that allowed me to successfully quit smoking. I now do neither. Yes, it took about a year for me to completely kick the nicotine addiction but having tried to stop smoking countless times in the past, vaping was the only thing to allow me to kick it permanently (thus far),. I started on a high nicotine strength vape juice which provided me with just enough to not need cigarettes. Then over time I would lessen the strength of the vape juice when buying it. Eventually I got down to 0% nicotine but continued the vaping for about a month later. This was just to help get myself out of all the other habits that smoking brings - hand to mouth, the habit of smoking after eating etc etc. I was then able to put the vape down for good and it now collects dust somewhere around the house. Still, i am against this sponsorship simply because vaping can also lead to smoking. Young kids can get hooked on these juices that have nicotine and that can obviously lead to them taking up regular smoking at some point. All because it looks cool to blow out some smoke rings.

Thanks for sharing, I mentioned Chris Martin as a possibility a couple of weeks ago, I thought Mowbray might want a Graham alternative. Overall, pretty depressing reading, as most of us suspected it sounds like we're completely brassic which will be particularly bad news on the keeper front if we have to make do and mend once again.

Re: getting a gk as soon as you realize you need one: We saw what happens last year when you get a loaner gk at the 11th hour, almost as an afterthought. Not pretty. It’s just not proper planning, or looking to the future. It’s just a patchwork job, that must be continually fixed or replaced.