This is my current assessment of our situation: The Current Squad (players in natural positions only) Goalkeepers - Raya, Leutwiler and Fisher Fullbacks - Nyambe, Bell and Williams Centre Backs - Lenihan, Mulgrew, Rodwell and Downing Centre Mids - Evans, Travis, Reed, Smallwood and Davenport Wingers - Bennett, Conway and Chapman Number 10’s - Dack, Rothwell and Gladwin Strikers - Graham, Armstrong, Brereton, Nuttall and Samuel Possible contract permutations at the end of the season Out of contract - Leutwiler, Downing, Rodwell, Conway, Gladwin and Reed (loan) Out of those I’d only consider keeping Rodwell if the deal wasn’t crazy and try and get Reed on a permanent deal (if he’ll come?). Surplus to requirements (in my opinion) - Williams and Samuel Both of these are not up to the required standard for where we want to go. Potential Squad players but could loan out to league one - Smallwood and Nuttall Mowbray is the potential snag here as he’ll probably not want to overhaul as much as we want However, if these things occured we’d be left with the following: Goalkeepers - Raya and Fisher Fullbacks - Nyambe and Bell Centre backs - Lenihan, Mulgrew and Rodwell Centre Mids - Evans, Travis, Reed and Davenport wingers - Bennett and Chapman Number 10’s - Dack and Rothwell Strikers - Graham, Armstrong and Brereton Signings That above list leaves us 1 GK, 2 FB’s, 1CB, 1 CM, 2 Wingers and 1 Striker short as a minimum. You could potentially even argue that we could need an extra CB. It also doesn’t take into account the fact that we may not sign Reed and Rodwell and that the ageing process is more than underway with Mulgrew and Graham. That has us looking at potentially needing 8 - 9 decent additions if the culling is as severe as I feel necessary to get us challenging higher up the league. It would then be down to Mowbray and his spectacular recruitment department to find the players, but also Venkys to provide the finances. This summer is shaping up to be one of the most vital in the clubs recent history. It could define the direction of the club for the next few years. It is imperative we get it fairly spot on. Do I think we can do it? Mowbray’s prior recruitment leaves me with my doubts and has me looking anxiously to the next campaign. I hope I’m proved wrong.

When I read his comments that you outline after Brentford I was also very worried. However, he completely countered that by 180 degrees in a recent interview with Radio Lancashire where he mentioned failing to get promoted with Armstrong, Murphy and Maddison etc at Coventry. He was talking about how poor their defence was and how it cost them promotion, implying he does know that improvements are needed for us to have any upward looking aspirations. Whether he can sort it out or not will probably determine the direction of this club for the next few years...

Depends which players are recruited. If the recruitment is good then we could threaten the top 6. If its similar to the summer just gone then we'll probably stay floundering in mid table.

Mowbray suggesting that he may chop and change the side a bit during the run in. Hints that Brereton and Rothwell will get much more game time.

It is indeed. They won one match 10 - 0. Yes that’s right, TEN - NIL!

Hilarious. The new Netflix documentary would have to be re-filmed next season.

He has also made some outstanding saves that have won us points in certain games.

Yes, in league 2.

If you look at the top of the league one table we really got out of that league at the right time. Sunderland, Luton, Barnsley, Portsmouth and Charlton all decent sized clubs at that level and all performing fairly strongly. Makes automatic promotion for Ipswich next season very difficult as a minimum of 2 of those will still be in the league.

Will they be cheated out of promotion again by the authorities?

An interesting stat for everyone. We have lost all bar 1 midweek league game on the Sky red button. There have been some dismal performances thrown in there too, with special mentions to the Sheff Utd home game and Wigan away. Not hopeful really. I'll post my preferred team after Mowbray gives an injury update.

We lost because Mowbray showed the squad pictures of Balaji's t!ts on Thursday from his Swiss excursion and they haven't slept since. No wonder they looked leggy.

One off colour display and Dack is labelled "tubby and slow" and "needs to grow up". If thats not giving a player undue stick I don't know what is.

Typical Rovers fans. Blame our best player for not coming up with their usual moment of brilliance and giving the ones usually below par a free ride.

I'm not against the shade of blue per se, as we have a tradition to have worn it in the past as an occasional colour. However, what absolutely ruins it is the vomit - inducing 10Bet sponsor that can only be described as a giant black toilet seat stuck on to the famous blue and white halves. We're stuck with 10Bet for another 2 seasons also.

Those highlights don't reflect too badly on us in terms of the overall pattern of the game. We should definitely have had a goal from one of those chances. However, that doesn't excuse the sh!t defending of that corner.

Sorry to burst everybody's bubble but the Umbro kit deal was signed for the 16/17 season to last for 5 seasons. 2 more seasons of Umbro it is then..... https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/14488467.Blackburn_Rovers_announce_five-year_kit_deal_with_Umbro/

A fair and very accurate appraisal of the current state of play.

Great examples. You’ve convinced me!

Looks smart and could work. As @S8 & Blue says Red stripes could look decent.

Whatever you do Rovers, do not lose this. We may have messageboard meltdown. Think I’m going to this match, and my away record this season isn’t the best. 3 losses out of 3 and 11 goals conceded. Pray for me! ?

The offer would have legs if the season wasn’t just ended yesterday. Difficult to sell a 6 match dead rubber ticket (albeit with 3 local derbies thrown in).

One of the things that irks me is that fans talk about playoffs like they are the land of milk and honey. Was anybody alive during the 80’s? Was it 4 or 5 times we missed out (I lost count!).

The Adidas stripes wouldn’t work with our kit really would they?

I agree. My point was that with the current scouting setup at the club the likelihood of finding hidden gems abroad was pretty much nil (because we don’t even look for them!). This means that with the current setup the most likely way we would improve unfortunately is spending heavily on proven Championship talent.