This ref from Dingle country ?

Can you imagine this 're Maddison 1. Now that window has shut Premiership clubs know which players they will loan out. Peterborough bring in loan player in Maddison position. 2. Rovers agree loan to buy (with contractually pre-agreed fee) - and pick up all his salary. 3. January - Rovers complete purchase. Don't think there is a good or bad time to buy - but the worst thing to do would be to buy the wrong player. Now the window has shut clubs will be in a better position to decide which players they will keep or loan out. TBH I would imagine the horse trading will continue unabated until end of August - with loan to buy being the way around the new window.

One of the potential issues with Rovers keeping their targets largely under wraps - is that teams wanting to make other teams aware of a players availability can leak Rovers supposed interest. Very quickly the rumour spreads to the extent no one knows where it came from. Hopefully wrong - but £4m on Freedman seems a little rich - especially when we have more pressing needs elsewhere. Transfer deadline day - let the madness begin. But everyone remember - no melt down if we don't sign anyone today - there is still the loan window ?

Later in the season it would be - but sounded like a very hot day - and still working up to full fitness.

TBH we didn't really take our chances last season - and it wasn't like we let in a well worked goal for them to draw level. At the end, sounded like we were dead on our feet - which affected decision making. Disappointing to be so near to 3 points - but would have taken a draw at the start - so still a good result.

Would it not be daft to publically say they were top of our list if we are trying to get both for reasonable fees. I am sure both players and their agents know whether Mowbray is interested irrespective of what he says in the paper. Both players are risks - one is injury prone while the other has never quite made it in the Championship. I like both - but totally agree if he is refusing to pay daft money for either.

When are Season Tickets being issued ?

TBH it is only pre-season - losing today doesn't mean we will necessarily get relegated, just in the same way winning against Everton meant we will get promoted. Did anyone play well today ?

Semi final of World Cup !

However if we play three at the back we don't necessarily need wingers - but similar to England three number 10 type players to play behind a lone forward.

What I found most pleasing (granted from only the highlights) was the apparent togetherness of the team. Dack looks genuinely happy at Rovers - and that will needed if his performances get too much unwanted attention from teams with more money than Rovers.

Is this the same Nixon's that said we had £50m of players lined up when Venkys first took over ?

How much did you think his budget was ?

I am sorry - but what about Armstrong's record in the Championship makes you think he is worth £3m ? Don't get me wrong I would like us to sign him - but IMO it would be too great a risk at that price.

A Sheffield Weds supporting friend was really excited when they bought Rhodes - but has since come to admit that when he isn't scoring it is like playing with 10 men. He also disrupts the team pattern as he doesn''t have any great pace or ability to hold the ball up. Rhodes is one of the best finishers I have seen at Rovers for a while - but IMO the other aspects of his games are distinctly lower league - and as much as many would argue his goals kept us up, I would argue that equally his lack of pace and hold up play meant teams could compress us in our half which impacted our performances. Then again football is all about opinions - and many players seem to divide opinion these days.

The Harper signing is an interesting one. Personally would prefer to see our own talent given a chance - but will wait to see Harper play before decide on the merits of his loan. He may offer something that Tomlinson and Hardcastle don't, or he may just be a lot better player - only time will tell.

At this moment in time when a large number of fans refuse to go to watch the club they support because of the owners - I think we would be churlish to expect some form of loyalty to the club in it's current state. Having said all that - I do think that Mowbray is right - he would be better staying at his home town club and developing his game prior to (hopefully) better things. He is currently a long way from the finished article - and staying at his local club would IMO help his development (especially now we have a proper experienced manager). I won't be devastated if he leaves - he showed some early promise when he came into the team under Mowbray - but faded badly, and poor decision making and defending on his part showed how much he has to learn.

Interesting you pick on Lowe - but didn't go. If you had gone you would have seen that Hoban and Brown had absolute mares. Though I wouldn't say Lowe had a good game - he was far from the worst player on the pitch - and was one of the few busting a gut for the cause. The only bright spot was Mahoney - and he is out of contract soon - which just made it a thoroughly depressing day. I admire your optimism about us staying up - and of course hope you are right - but yesterday we had all the hallmarks of a team destined for the drop. Injuries to key players prior to and during the match, combined with individual mistakes (that no manager can plan for) and finally we lack that bit of the rub of the green. With a little luck we would have scored the one goal that would have made it interesting - but time and time again they blocked got in last minutes challenges etc. Also - though absolutely no excuse - the referee was poor and oblivious to their time wasting which was at times criminal.

I was going to "like" this - though it is spot on - can't in anyway "like" it

And still a fantastic player when at Rovers

I was the original glory hunter - first attending at Ewood the year we got promoted from the old Third Division. He then took us to within goal difference of the First Division. Always came across as a class act - and was absolutely gutted when he left for Everton. His record in his first stint at Everton was unbelievable - and I genuinely believe he is up there with the modern managerial greats. A very sad loss - and far too young.

Good effort lads - they had to play against a large home crowd - while those watching on tv had to suffer a home commentary

Brilliant goal - come on you blues

Didn't realise that Southampton had their own tv channel

I think all those asking why Givet hasn't been in the side need to remember his performance against Blackpool. Also Hanley and Dann have had a fairly good season. Possibly play him at left back - but then it restricts the teams attacking ability - and many have questioned the wisdom of playing jim at left back. Having said all that - full credit to Givet to putting contract issues etc to one side and putting in a performance. Also - do we need to congratulate GB in his man management skills ?