Enjoyable game tonight. Sam Barnes is doing well, in answer to the above post. Tall, athletic and decent pace, he is a modern ball playing centre half. Luke Brennan is one of the younger lads and made another good cameo late on. He is a winger in the old fashioned sense. Likes to get to the byline and cross from there. Reminds me of Chris Waddle and one to watch I think. Lyons was nice and tidy and both fullbacks worked hard; Sam Hart too. Interesting to see Ritchie play the full game. I spotted Dunny watching and could definitely see a move to Blackpool on the cards for Smallwood. Presumably he played for the shop window. Nice to see Derek Fazackerley too. He is,at Oxford I believe so possibly checking a Brighton player.

Garner used to get down the by line, either side as he was two footed, and put good balls in too. Sellars and Ian Miller were decent crossers as well.

I covered that by writing that they are already extremely wealthy. This wealth, combined with an ingrained lack of ambition and fear of performing at a higher level entirely negates the lure of a promotion bonus. It isn't 1983 at Rovers anymore. They are being paid more than they could possibly spend compared to the likes of, for example Baz Rathbone and Terry Gennoe. Both of whom would have given their right one to have a crack at the top flight by the way. The hunger simply isn't there.

I've had something of an epiphany of my own over the festive period (and there are no wise men in my version). I strongly suspected we would somehow contrive to end up with a ridiculously low points tally in the last three games, after all we were beginning to flirt dangerously with the promised land of play off glory. I am now firmly of the opinion that Mowbray (and by extension most of his players) don't actually seek promotion. Although this is anathema to us supporters, it makes perfect sense from their point of view. The manager is well paid. He has a good contract and doesn't seem unduly pressured to gain promotion. It seems that he waved away an offer of additional funding some months ago as he prefers a slow build. I am unaware of a similar precedent in football. He isn't premiership management material and knows it. Promotion would end his reign quicker than marginal progression. His personal aim this season in my opinion is a better points tally / final league position than last year. Job done. As regards the players, who amongst them would cut it in the top division? Therefore who amongst them genuinely desires promotion? Bennett? Downing? Graham? Johnson? Evans? Williams? Other than our younger contingent of Lenihan, Nyambe, Travis, Armstrong and perhaps one or two more, who else could be said to be ambitious to play at a higher level? These are already wealthy young men. There are often only slight differences in pure ability in the top two flights; much of the marginal gains come down to ambition, pride and desire. We have all worked with talented but laid back, unambitious people I'm sure. Why would footballers be any different. I know for a fact that Ben Marshall drove everyone at Ewood mad with the way he squandered his ability when he was here. They simply couldnt get through to him after having very high hopes for him. Really drove the staff nuts. It has to come from Mowbray and the players and too many of the current employees are on easy street and don't want to upset the status quo. Now that I have reconciled myself to this belief, everything slots into place and the scales have fallen from my eyes. It is clear to me why we played as though we were happy to lose today and it is also clear that we will not gain promotion under the current regime come hell or high water.

Buckley was an absolute star in the under 23s. He has lovely technique and could probably play anywhere. He needs a good number of games in the first team to really put a marker down. He isn't particularly quick but has similar pace to the likes of Dack , Brotherston or Sellars whereby he can accelerate and body swerve well. He reminds me more of Simon Barker in style than anyone else for those that remember Barker. He is certainly on the frail side but so was Sellars. From footage I have seen, Bryan Douglas also seemed frail but was obviously a genuine superstar in a brutally physical era. (Not that I expect him to have the career that Duggie had obviously ). Buckley can be the real deal if Mowbray is prepared to persevere and allow mistakes by him.

I think that was Martin Chivers if memory serves. Clive Allen was also there and Chris Hughton too.

I wore my Garner one yesterday funnily enough. I played (and beat) my Burnley supporting ex-boss at Squash whilst wearing it. He is the same age as me (late forties) so remembers all too well the pain inflicted on his lot by Garns. He made several disparaging remarks ?

He reminds me quite strongly of Jason Wilcox in terms of his physique, movement with the ball and crossing ability, albeit on the right hand side

I see that young Raheem trotted out the familiar "I'm sorry I used violence, that's not who I am" line which is always used when a person loses their temper and assaults another. Unfortunately, actions speak louder than words and I'm afraid that that is exactly what he is. Behind his very carefully cultivated and heavily managed public persona, Sterling has proved himself capable of unprovoked violence against a colleague. In many, many other walks of life this would be considered a matter for the police. The victim is apparently left with a cut around the eye and if that was my son I wouldn't be happy at all.

Lewis Thompson did quite well. He looks to get forward and get the early cross in. He is aggressive and a good talker. Mols looked good first half and JRC very comfortable playing centrally later on. He put his header away well. Brereton played directly in front of where I stood in the first half. He is cocky with his dialogue; not that I mind that. The whole team feels a bit transitional at the moment and I miss watching the likes of Buckley.

In a nutshell, a person wouldn't ordinarily be sacked from their day job for a drink driving offence (unless they drove for a living). In that respect I understand why the two players caught drink driving have kept their job. Keogh is a separate entity. He lost his job because he rendered himself useless to his employer through his own folly whereas the other two didn't . I believe his employer must consider it within their power to renegotiate his contract due to the circumstances. The fact that Keogh rejected this new offer is his prerogative and enables the club to cancel it altogether.

Cheer up, you might get Judge in Chambers and get to the game ?

Out of that lot, I'd take a punt on Mickey Mouse. He wears a Steve Kean watch you know....

I 'Google translated' this (after looking up the definition of 'turgid ' ). ? BRFCS = lifelong learning.

Really enjoyable game in blustery conditions. Samuel looked quick and sharp, the keeper Hilton continues to impress and Spurs,were completely outplayed by an aggressive, hungry Rovrs side. Davenport was tidy but fairly quiet.

I thought Stanley played well, particularly in the first half. Graham ran his socks off. Samuel is too ponderous in possession in the opposition box and his leisurely approach let's him down at times. Lyons looked good and the keeper Hilton was excellent. Really enjoyable game.

Sky TV allowing Jamie Carragher to continue broadcasting after his disgusting behaviour left a particularly bad taste in the mouth. Had I been a more principled individual I would have cancelled my subscription.

Yes. St Paul's and St Bede's .

Good lad ?

I can't help with your question but I love the photograph. Would I be right in thinking it was taken around the early 1950s? I don't recognise the building behind either but if anyone else does it would probably narrow it down. Possibly the parish priest on the back left.

Yes I watched him last night. He wasn't very good to be honest. No the point I was making was that Chapman shouldn't have played last night, he should be an option on match days. I wouldn't start him but for a last ditch fifteen minute cameo, he is a better option than even Rothwell in my opinion. I think Gallagher or even (gulp) Brereton need a run of games up front with Danny coming on after 70 minutes rather than going off then. Armstrong wide right and Rothwell to battle Downing on the other side is my preferred option. I am generally accepting of Mowbray being here and find that there is a lot to like about him but we could have won that game today with a little more imagination and courage from him.

It was clear during the first half that our style was playing into the hands of their defence. Mowbray left it far, far too late in making a change. There was no way that Graham and Gallagher were ever going to match their physicality so why try? Armstrong and Rothwell with their pace and trickery would have been a much better option to start the game, with Chapman on the bench to come on in the last 20 minutes and apply the coup de gras. Wasted opportunity against a mediocre opponent.

Yes but I have a theory about that... I think he only gives it away so that he can win it back. Tony thinks so too ☺️

Looking forward to this tonight. Should be a lovely sunny evening; Harry Chapman rampaging down the wing and no problem getting my half time Bovril from the little kiosk there.

So you literally won't spend a penny at Ewood Park ?