I’m one of the lucky ones who was there! 😂

I think you misinterpreted my point. As a redemption story, from where he was to where he is now I'd say the 'feel good factor' is a top 5 story. As a footballer and striker I'd rank him below: (in chronological order) Shearer, Newell, Sutton, Gallacher, Jansen, Cole, Bellamy, Dickov, McCarthy, Santa Cruz, Roberts, Yakubu, Rhodes, Gestede, Graham, Armstrong.

Ben Brereton Diaz's redemptive story arc and the Chile callup is what he'll be mostly remembered for in years to come. As a footballer, he's a top 10 Championship striker at this moment in his career, can he step up to the La Liga/Europa League level next season? I suppose only time will tell. As a storyline, he's a top 5 Rovers player in my time as a supporter (last 30 years) As a footballer and 'striker' he's probably not in the top 20.

The Mowbray v Tomasson debate really comes down to how you want to frame your argument. Mowbray took a team to the playoffs, Tomasson didn't - True statement Mowbray achieved the same number of points with Sunderland in 22/23 as he did with Rovers in 21/22, one team made the playoffs, one team had no chance of making the playoffs going into the final set of fixtures - True statement Tomasson matched Mowbray's best season (points wise), needing only one campaign to match Mowbray's best of four full Championship seasons. - True statement

Keeping JDT the first priority for this summer. He's talked of a project with Rovers and unless a Southampton/Leeds/Leicester City type come in for him, I hope he stays put, at least for another season.

Two wins and we’re guaranteed playoffs. Late Sunderland equaliser didn’t change anything to be fair. Coventry winning and Millwall winning last night spoilt any chance of 4 points being enough. Particularly with our goal difference. 2 wins..Easy as that 👀😂

I know Burnley are already promoted and such, but if last night is how they're going to play in the Premier League, they'll be back very quickly. Still heavily reliant on playing into and off Barnes, felt Taylor and Maatsen rode their luck at times and Vitinho/Zaroury were very quiet. Thinking back to some of the teams we've seen over the last decade of Championship years at Ewood. Sheffield United under Wilder, Derby County, Huddersfield (the year they went up) and of course Fulham last season who were electric and dominating even at 11 v 11. It'll be interesting to see how they go. Oh to have the luxury of £20m+ worth of talent who didn't even appear! Tella, Twine, Foster, Obafemi etc.

Feeling pretty flat today, yet a look at the table shows its all still in our own hands! At least we're at the stage of the season where we have another match in 2 days time and by 10:15pm on Tuesday night we'll know where our season is going. Feels like we need a character or moment of inspiration to get our season back on track, a wonder strike or a returning Dack to rally the troops for the next four matches.

Wonderful effort @Herbie6590 @4000Holesand all involved, a professional output and well worth your time!

Limited my waffling to about 5 minutes. Scarred by recent failures my over riding thoughts, though it does sound like Coventry will be bringing a few fans this evening!

An interesting but I'm sure a purely coincidental stat. Since the turn of the 21st Century Rovers have played on 'Grand National Day' 15 times. No fixtures between 2000-2004, also not having a fixture in 2007, 2009 and 2010 and of course, the COVID pandemic prevented live sport in 2020. Played 15 Won 2 Drawn 9 Lost 4 Points 15 For 15 Against 17 Both victories some time ago, both at Ewood. Southampton 3-0 in 2005 and Ipswich 2-0 in 2014. 2023 - Hull City (h) 0-0 2022 - Blackpool (h) 1-1 2021 - Cardiff City (a) 2-2 2019 - Stoke City (h) 0-1 2018 - Bristol Rovers (a) 1-1 2017 - Barnsley (h) 0-2 2016 - Wolves (a) 0-0 2015 - Reading (a) 0-0 Lets hope Sky move our fixture off Grand National Day next year!

A tantalising question for sure and I too bounce back and forth depending on how the mood takes me. 72 points probably whats needed, meaning 3 wins and a draw from the final 6. Home Hull (must win, good recent record vs The Tigers) Coventry (haven't beaten them at home since 1997, last two Championship matches at Ewood ending in draws) Burnley (Lancashire derby and vs. Champions) Luton (Only win against them in last 7 came without fans in the Covid season) Away Preston North End (nice win at Deepdale last season, but scoreline reversed back in December) Millwall (Also playoff chasing, decent recent record at The Den) 10 points from those, looks tough on paper!

Really enjoyed recording this! Hopefully you'll enjoy also and well worth 30 mins of your time.

Great fun recording with you all once again! Think its a good listen, would be great to hear your feedback on the podcast and who you think has been our best player in recent weeks and who needs a nudge in the right direction! Enjoy

Something a little different, but still with a Rovers feel. A 10x10 Series from the BBC, first shown in 2000 (if I remember correctly) all about the thrill of 4:45pm on a Saturday afternoon. The short programme features a number of fans from various clubs, including my very own Grandad, Leo Whiteside. Also included are some familiar faces from Blackburn Market. @Herbie6590the sort of thing I'd imagine would be right up your street! Also maybe a topic for a future @4000Holes ?

Nicko saying Lewis O'Brien? Goodness me, what a signing he would be. I'd take just him if offered, one of the best players in the Championship for the past few seasons, middle of the park depth. Come on Rovers.....make it happen!!

What a division eh?! Longest Serving Championship Managers 1. Mark Robins (2017) Coventry City 2. Gary Rowett (2019) Millwall 3. Nigel Pearson (1 Feb 2021) Bristol City 4. Russell Martin (1 Aug 2021) Swansea City 5. Paul Heckingbottom (25 Nov 2021) Sheffield United 6. Ryan Lowe (7 Dec 2021) Preston North End 7. Paul Ince (16 May 2022) Reading 8. Jon Dahl Tomasson (14 Jun 2022 [am]) Rovers 9. Vincent Kompany (14 Jun 2022 [pm]) Burnley 10. John Eustace (3 Jul 2022) Birmingham

Isn't it just an age thing? I must admit my passion for Rovers isn't what it once was, but life usually gets in the way of football/Rovers and also with more maturity the more you realise what value it has in your life. If Rovers were top of the Premier League right now, would my life be massively different? Maybe, but probably not. Plus I think the more you realise that you have no control over it, the more you can distance from it. That said, what else would we talk about? How often would I see my friends, dad, uncle, cousins as I do on a matchday and how I can pinpoint life events around Rovers matches proves they have their place in my heart. Following Rovers is about those days, those memories, some when you expect it (Doncaster away, Old Trafford Semi, Cardiff etc) and some when you least expect (Sheffield United at home last season, Stoke City in the FA Cup etc) and its the thought of these that keep us coming back. Bristol City away next week could be another one of those times, you just never know. Now in my mid 30s I think I've seen Rovers beat (and lose) against almost everyone, at least once, so in all honesty any result is a variation on a theme!

Forgot to predict the 3 v 4 and final! Thanks for organising @Herbie6590, well done @Mike E

Argentina 1-1 Croatia France 2-0 Morocco

Croatia 1-4 Brazil Netherlands 1-1 Argentina Morocco 0-2 Portugal England 2-1 France

Japan 1 - 1 Croatia Brazil 3 - 0 South Korea Morocco 0 - 2 Spain Portugal 3 - 1 Switzerland

Netherlands 1-0 USA Argentina 3-0 Australia France 4-0 Poland England 3-1 Senegal

England 3-1 Wales

England 3-1 USA