Gavs comments are tongue in cheek,. The supporters and footballing world can see one thing, Sadly our owners are too often sold something else, which is usually a downgrade

Sad but true

This, this again and oh yes this 100%

This has gone on since the academy was built and has evolved with each manager, in particular when Sam Allardyce came in. I've done a number of tour days at both the senior training ground and academy as a club and player sponsor over the last 25 years. They are superb and everyone from the scholar minders to paediatricians certainly open your eyes to the inner dynamics to what goes on behind the scenes at a professional football club from grassroots upwards. I was lucky to play on the new state of the heart pitch at Brockhall the first week it was opened, it was fantastic. This was put in place by jack walker, was maintained and supported by the walkers trust and continues to thrive under the Vs However lets not kid ourselves, the staff levels in these areas has been massively reduced, and if this is what SW has used to convince you that they are doing all this fantastic work behind the scenes then it really is a shame. Believe it or not we pay people to do jobs which includes the academy, I wouldnt expect tumble weeds to be running across brockholes. You say you've seen really good improvement within the club, I beg to differ. 12 years ago this area of the club really was incredible, our network was global, our staff was second to none, our sports scientists where amongst the best in world football. I'd say there is at least a 30% reduction in staff alone within these operations. I've sat with employees of over 20 years service at that facility who have broken down in tears, regarding the cut backs, the lack of direction or sense of job security since the V's took over. They have described how these young kids are like family, how they lived and trained together, how they continued with academical qualifications whilst being scholars, and young players at the club. I have seen with my own eyes how it was then, to how it is now. If you are impressed with it now, you'd have been lost for words pre-venkys. I bet they've pulled the model of the 4th stand out too? Told you they've had surveyors in, and how plans are in place to build that 4th stand as time progresses? The very model which has been at ewood since the ground was built, the very model I've been told every year by someone different is currently in the realms of becoming reality? Loyalty at Rovers has been rewarded with P45s, NDA's , thankfully that has not yet extended to the electricution of genitals, which is another method the V's have used to reward loyal staff as reported by the Indian times. I've always said, it takes a special kind of personality to negotiate with those at Ewood. Far too many get lost in the headlights or are left pretty much in the woods, wondering where they can find some firewood. On tours, or during certain discussions you will always be shown/told the good. Sadly people who are far more shrewd will uncover the bad and ugly, and have the likes of Waggott taking that many lefts, he is begging for a right. With responsibility comes accountability. The facts remain, we've gone from a stable top 10 premiership club, with an administration and academy others both looked up to and aspired to be, to now having idiots running the asylum, a ground falling to bits, and other clubs that have not only caught upto us on the academy front, but are now actually surpassing us in their offering. It takes decades to get an academy blossoming. Players are coming into the system 12 to 14 years before they see under 23 football. In some cases at rovers its had a little fast track through players who have been deemed not good enough by the time they are 16,17,18 at other clubs, and have had a second opportunity by being picked up by us. Lewis Travis is a great example of that after his release from Liverpool and got his first pro contract at Rovers at 19 I think it was, so technically has not come through our system/ranks. In the last 30 years, can you name 10 players who have come through the ranks age 10 upwards who have gone on to play for top clubs, win trophys, become regurlar internationals or be regurlar starters at prem clubs? How many of these pre-date venkys? How many since venkys? Of our current crop in our first team, which ones will be playing international football, european football and at a top club in the coming future? Just looking at the championship the likes of Derby, Forrest and Birmingham have players coming off the conveyor belt who really are exceptional. Birmingham in particular are really strong in this area, yet they continue to struggle on the pitch. Its worth noting the players currently in our first team squad who have come through the ranks at Ewood where all at the club prior to Venkys takeover. Its also worth noting that the transfer fee and add ons from the Phil Jones sale has more than covered the operational cost of the academy since the takeover. Our youth teams and under 23s are doing very well, but we need to take into account many clubs have 50 to 100 players under the age of 20 out on loan across europe, whilst the national team is enjoying a golden age of young stars with first team experience who have already made the grade at their respective clubs. It will be interesting to see over the next 10 years how many stars are unearthed at Rovers who are impacting our first team at 17 18 years old like at other clubs, or if we continue to loan in other teams young players due to ours not being good enough. Its all smokescreens and mirrors imo

Taking candidate names out of the equation, a lot is going to come down to the autonomy afforded to the new manager. If its a manager who has no say in signings and is purely there to coach, then that manager needs to be both comfortable with that arrangement and not just here to collect the pay cheque. If the manager does get involved in signings and selects from a list drawn up by the new DOF, Then the DOF is possibly a far more important appointment, because if he is selecting players through agent manipulation we could end up going back to the Danny Murphy days. If we appoint a manager first, does he get input into who the director of football should be? After all he needs to work with him. If the DOF Comes first does that rule certain managers in and out of the equation? This link is Steve Kean's contract, if we draw up one like this, they be queuing all the way around the ground to sign it. When Michael Appleton was appointed for example, Carolyn McAteer just rolled up at Ewood as his representative on a consultancy deal unbeknown to any one at Ewood and whilst Berg was still Manager. Two weeks later Appleton was appointed again with zero input from those at Ewood. I have not heard anything different over the last 10 days and if I was having a bet I'd probably go with Farke. That being said, he would not be the first to walk away from negotiations over the last 12 years. Whoever the new manager is, at some point will have to sit down with Waggott and Suhail and go through the finer details of the day to day aspects of the job. If past experiences are anything to go by under the current regime, then lots of interviews have taken place, and lots of managers have chosen to end negotiations, especially during the Shagnew days. Just another point if my memory is correct? Someone did a prank call to Balaji Rao when TM Was appointed, what I gleamed from that call, is the owners had never spoken to TM During the interview process, did not know his voice meaning they literally must have just signed it off, based on what third parties had said to them. Steve Kean contract.pdf

Its just the constant inuendos, gets my goat. Eventually I let off steam (something I couldnt do when I was associated with supporter groups), he gives as good as it gets. I'm sure he is lovely

Apologies to anyone who is reading my rants, but i'm sorry it needed to be said. Our club is in a precarious position where one day, someone can wake up and say "Tap is off" I've been to funerals over the last 10 years of lifelong supporters who really "Bleeded blue and white" Who come rain or shine have made a stand to fight for the club we once knew, so generations beyond ours can relate and enjoy what we have enjoyed, witnessed and at times took for granted. It does not matter what appears to be nice touches out of ewood. Our club is under foreign ownership who would not pee on you if you was on fire. Many people, wealthy, educated and with the clubs best intentions have tried and failed to impact what is occurring at ewood. We have a puppet board, and disinterested owners. A small % of the rovers world reads BRFCS, Twitter and could not care less what Bluebird1234 has to say, which is equally said about the owners of the club. The owners have been called out by the all the footballing authorities, MPS, Parliament and even made the queen wait for a response regarding meeting with her at Ewood. The owners think fans can pick who gets a heart, or a liver or any other life saving treatment, i know this as they asked me direct to find people who required this!!!!!. They trust no-one who they employ and if they said it was sunny they would bring their umbrella's. This message board is for all fans, and the common connection is everyone who post on here cares deeply for our club. However we are now at 12 years of Venkys, and they have never had it as rosie as they do right now!!!!! Those who think their is a path to work together really are away with the fairies, as those with millions behind them have found there is no path that points to togetherness.

Absolutely, hence I've deliberately not updated anything which Im aware of. Anything you post, is just shot down via politics and WUM's. Not worth your time!!

Absolutely, but it dont fit with his hopes I'm wrong. I dont need to shout from the rooftops, But fact is, no-one in our supporter base has or is closer to the facts!!

In fairness to Mercer, there is 9-10 leaks out of the club, most on a whim as they can have an audience with the pope, but it dont change the hierarchy and process. There has only ever been one decision maker bar when Bergs contract cost the Raos £2 million when directors went rogue. That wont happen again, and dispels the myth they are victims. They have their circle which does not include ewood. Sometimes things will align but i do doubt they will align this time.

The bottom line, is the board will get who Venkys say,. We've been here so many times before, they have to give off the vibe they have an existence and if anything they waste most peoples time. Remember those at ewood cant sign off the cost of a cheap 3rd hand car. I do wonder why the media give them airtime, its comical to say the least

You have to remember what we are dealing with here. Rovers offered Philip Moulton (Steve Keans bodyguard) a youth team coaching job, when no more bodyguarding was needed...... enough said

Michael Zorc is available as a Director of football, i'm sure there will be plenty of suitors but Zorc n Farke be one incredible team.

True, although not sure why he'd leave west ham? I guess we will see if that develops or its one of Waggotts so called 60 😉

I saw this reconnected the club with the fans comment this week, and then thought of the 10-15 fans who i was watching rovers with over 15 years ago, who dont come anymore and highly unlikely will come again. Absent owners, poor administration yet claiming to have brought the club back to the supporters. Anyway going off subject, apologies

My renewal remains unrenewed, im seriously considering not renewing this time

It wasnt in a managers capacity, but as i said its not come out of pune sources

Not had any update Re Farke, although director of football certainly ticks the box in terms of model Had heard from another source (uk based) Stuart Pearce's name was be banded about a bit.

We have a manager under contract who is leaving. People tap up managers, players, directors all the time. Names are thrown in the mix all the time. I heard about Farke on the 19th March, and briefly pointed to it on that date on BRFCS. People were convinced TM was staying. Then the market for the new manager came out on who is top of the list when it came out? Yep that be Farke the very same manager who I was told had been identified by India as the chosen one. The search for a manager starts now statement aint exactly going to say it started months ago is it now? I have not seen a single local journalist have a scoop since Andy Cryer left, and the only one that does seem to get close is Nixon, who does have a wealth of connections. If you are relying on dumb n dumber at Ewood, you would be waiting a long time, they dont even know if they still have jobs. Over the years I've seen some pretty good reporting on BRFCS but most dont bother now as they just get grief if it doesnt happen in the timescale some expect. I wouldnt expect a formal announcement of the new manager for at least 4 weeks. What i do expect is more departures first.

I stand by what i stated, i actually put it on here in march, and dont read the papers too much. Once they have a credible source from the decision makers, i may read the papers!!!! Farke is number 1 target, and i have heard nothing to suggest otherwise. Nixon has had some grief, but is actually on the money with his first report. Re other candidates, do you think Waggott will be here July??? Anyway, won't be commenting any further, as its really not worth the effort

Just dont think we should be his latest bus stop, and if anything what has he achieved in all that time?

Had more clubs than Nick Faldo, 19 managerial appointments in 24 seasons, does not sound like the solution to me. Farke, Wagner and Nuno Santo, that's your three Regarding other candidates, Ainsworth, without the rovers connections i'm not too sure he'd be high on that many list its emotions over head. Done a decent job at Wycombe, but rovers is a huge step up and I don't think this would be the right appointment. Houghton, proven but is he an upgrade on TM, im not too sure. All the above though would not matter, if we continue to operate in the manner we do.

I dont know who Waggott is pushing, put i'm sure like those before him, he will have his own suggestions, after all he is the CEO

Where have I said that? Whilst on the subject of back pedalling, are we to now assume that its you now back pedalling or are you still of the view great things are coming, and we should be grateful? Before you answer, remember you walked straight into that!!!!

Please don't mix up my opinions as a rovers supporter, to things I may post which i've heard. First and foremost, i'm a supporter no different to you or anyone else. I may post some things i've heard, but that is not an endorsement that I agree with everything i've heard