4 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

Hope Darren is right, but yeah I’d be very surprised if only 2/300 out of 2800 had returned their tickets, like you garns, pretty much everybody I know that had one has been refunded…

Only just over 400 had been refunded from the initial tickets sold for Boxing Day, as of last Wednesday, leaving 2,400 'still out there'.

Whether or not that has changed since, I don't know.

Rovers will have a minimum of 2,500 supporters at Hull on Wednesday night, based upon the number of tickets that haven't been returned for a refund from the Boxing Day postponement.

I can only imagine that the figure will grow following today's results.

3,000 away on a Wednesday night, 100 miles away, would be a fabulous achievement.

I can't wait, let's rip the cheating buggers a new one!

COYB!!!

17 minutes ago, Paul Mani said:

Assuming Dack comes back to anywhere near his best we have a top player in this league. Imo he was top 3 in the division before his first injury. He’s also absolutely perfect for that false 9 position that Bucko fills and once in his stride, will assist the wide forwards and score more goals drifting into the box.

Buckley is now getting the plaudits that those who had a keen eye for a player, have known for years but he’s an 8 by trade. A CM who will now develop into the full package fighting Rothwell for a spot next to Travis. 

It’s a really nice squad shaping up now. With the addition of Deyo and from what @J*B said Markanday i am going to enjoy watching this team and see how this unfolds.

Expect a CM (maybe O’riley) and. CB in the next week or so…then a cheeky Maja bid on deadline day!? 

I reckon Barnsley may feature in a signing for us.

2 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Rhodes isn't the same player he was here. 

 

Possibly yes, possibly no.............but given a sniff, I bet he could still finish! (that's all he ever did anyway!)

1 hour ago, yankfan said:

If Rothwell is even still here 

It'll take 10 plus to prize Rothwell away in January!

Just a thought, what about Jordan Rhodes playing off Bradley Dack with Khadra/Dolan/Markanday, Rothwell and Buckley in the attacking mix too?

Wouldn't be too bad if we'd banked £35 million plus for Big Ben too!

9 minutes ago, JacknOry said:

It might not have been serious nor realistic - but you would absolutely take 150 million for BBD, something you said you wouldn't. The club would, the owners would - its their money not yours. If it was yours, you'd take it. It covers what we'd get in the PL and we could still yet get promoted (so double whammy). 

I'd take £35 to £40 million for BBD tomorrow, all day long, just like I think £16 million for Arma was a good deal for the club.

Mid January, if the majority of any proceeds were invested elsewhere in the appropriate place, I don't think it would change our promotion challenge at all, in fact it could enhance it!

It's about The Rovers, not Ben Brereton....I'd cash in now if the fee was right because I've watched him for 36 months and not just 6!

2 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Or a Berkovic.

We've got a young Berkovic...John Buckley and Adam Wharton following hot on the heals of his brother!

2 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I dont think either would commit to joining now nor could we afford either unfortunately.

I think you are wrong on both points!.....

5 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Well, yes, but only if they're worth their place in the side on merit if needed as well! We already have one "experienced" player in the squad I think is a waste of a wage in Johnson and that's been the root of our problem over the last ten years, overpaying a load of over-rated and over the hill journeymen and dollopers!

You're right but you can only ever choose a starting eleven!

The days of Danny Murphy and Dixon Etuhu et al. are thankfully long since gone! I think Bradley Johnson has his worth, presence, within our young  squad of players!

Oh for a Tugay or Gordan Cowans!

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

I cant see us having any chance of getting either of those loanees here permanently next season. Van Hecke cost 2.5m and is on his second successful loan spell since and Khadra will also surely cost a fee beyond our means at Championship level.

I'd be signing both Van Hecke and Khadra up permanent NOW, or at worst in February, on pre-contract deals due to kick in on 1st July 2022.

Here's hoping!

46 minutes ago, yankfan said:

I thought it was just awaiting a medical...so all but done. 

Zeefuik just waiting on post Brexit Work Permit clearance, Dilan Markanday from Spurs done deal!

Fantastic signings both for me and a definite statement of intent.

Forget O'Reilly, absolute no chance!

2 hours ago, longsiders1882 said:

Yep - ok as long as we stay up but go down and we are in trouble - at least we are beyond year 1 parachutes.

I think Burnley are in the financial mire whether you stay up or go down this season.

The proof of the American Mormon owners' future intentions is surely now in January? 

48 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

The latter thing isn't happening as if we did invest £10m in the squad this month and didn't go up, there is always the safety net of selling BBD in summer.

Plus, any money spent wisely isn't just money down the tube, it should stand us in good stead for years to come and maybe even realise a profit in due course.

I'd have thought the only issue would be whether the right sort of players were available in January when notoriously any sensible Club is loathe to let anyone half decent  go.

Also think 'outside the box' and look at the wealth of talent that we have at U23s and U18s!

Do you sign players that will stand in their way and hinder their future development?

If anything, I'd be looking to sign a couple of experienced players in their early 30s for reasonable money to aid our young lads' development.

1 hour ago, longsiders1882 said:

Leveraged buyout, very similar to United where once purchased the debt is loaded onto the club. It stinks and shouldn’t be allowed but it is, in most business spheres.

Agreed, difference being United have the turnover to financially support that business model, whereas t' Clarets......?

Absolutely stinks and I fear for Burnley's future.

If it was £40 million, it could be true! (and who could argue?......12 months ago Ben couldn't hit a barn door from 5 yards or trap a bag of cement!)

20 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Hands up who thinks that at some point in the last couple of months Waggott/Mowbray have had discussions or meetings with the owners (not their dogsbody) and have agreed a plan and budget for January that we are now working through with a budget approved by the owners in view of our excellent form and position?

Hands up who thinks that the owners financial team authorised an annual budget which has been handed down by the dogsbody to Waggott within which Mowbray has had to wheel and deal - this is the reason most signings have been loans and no new contracts have been signed and that Mowbray has lost his direct link to the top owners who won't know nor care that we are in contention for promotion?

I'm in camp 2. Wheel and deal it will be as Waggo juggles the pounds and pennies in the budget authorised by the money men last summer to last until this summer. I'd be surprised if any cash was spent and if it is it will have to fit very strict criteria. 

Be in whatever camp you want, that's your prerogative ultimately and I get your scepticism.

I'm in the camp that everyone associated with the club realises and recognises that this season is our best shot to get promoted, as fans, let's back it!

21 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

Why, Madame, is that you then?!?

Why, does Josh sit down when he goes to the loo?

Just to re-iterate, it's Madame Desai's husband that calls all of the shots!!!

40 minutes ago, J*B said:

With respect, I think you are misunderstanding the Venkys family dynamics and the cultural protocol. Have you confused Jitendra Desai with Anuradha Desai? Anuradha is the person we have come to refer to as “Madame”, which is how she is referred to by staff.

Anuradha Desai (Chair) is the oldest child of Venkys founder, Bandra Rao. By that fact alone, she controls the Venkys empire including BRFCS. Both the husbands of Anuradha and Jitendra are not blood related to Bandra and therefore do not have anything like the same say. Venkatesh (Vice Chair) and Balaji (MD) are the two sons, Balaji the one believed to be the one who pushed for the purchase of Rovers although this has never been publicly confirmed. 

Yeh, I made a boob in terms of Madame's husband, well done on pointing it out, thanks.

Do you get the general drift?!!!

Alternatively mate, think what you want!

38 minutes ago, Miller11 said:

By powers that be, do you mean the owners, Waggott, the manager, or all of the above?

Absolutely agree with your sentiments though. We just need to enjoy the ride and hope it continues.

All of the above for now, despite anything previous.

13 minutes ago, longsiders1882 said:

As ever there are more stories about player wages than there are players however I’d heard our highest paid was 80k - certainly don’t believe it’s 100k

longsiders 1882, first and foremost great to see you still on here and in the spirit that you always have been. (you'll always be a 2hat though!)

Dyche needs to sign Solanke and half the defence from Bournemouth, followed by Mitrovich from Fulham and then in mid February, Dyche needs to move to pastures new. 😉

I'd like to wish you well, f**k that!... the pendulum is about to swing! COYB!!!

22 minutes ago, bazza said:

Jack would have done.

I disagree, he didn't and wouldn't have done either. Certainly not unequivocally.

If it may have escaped everyone's attention, that the ultimate financial decision maker with regards to BRFC (and Venkys empire in general) is not Madame Jitendra Desai but her husband ( who copped the snowball!). He is closely followed by Gandhi Babu.

7 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

We make such big losses because of Venkys.

Does every other Championship Club make huge losses because of Venkys too or are we totally unique?

With respect everyone needs to bin this argument and mindset and move on (IMO).