5 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Why did he have no reason to doubt processes that have hardly led to a successful 10 years?

Ignoring everything else - when did we miss the transfer deadline previously?

41 minutes ago, toogs said:

I agree with you. But John Williams was employed by them at the start of their lamentable efforts at owning a club and since being forced out, 12 years later they haven’t replaced him with anyone of equal competence and show no signs of doing so. 
 

I’m really at the point where I have no fear about them pissing off, descending the leagues, and starting again. Because none of this is enjoyable anymore. 

You have to remember the constraints that our DoF is working under - John Williams never had such constraints. I am not saying that he wouldn't do a better job - but that the situation isn't the same as when John Williams successfully ran the club.

2 hours ago, arbitro said:

Classic diversion and distraction tactic from Broughton here.

https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/transfer-news/sheffield-united-transfer-haunts-blackburn-26165804

We don't hear from him for months, something he accepts responsibility for goes belly up and he talks about a player he wanted to sign in the Summer.

They insult our intelligence.

I actually thought this was a dig at EFL.

53 minutes ago, den said:

Rovers had all of January to sort out loans. There has to be a deadline that applies to all clubs and the league will be obliged to apply that strictly to every club otherwise the lawyers will be at them. I don’t think Rovers failings here have anything to do with the rules.

 

For me this potentially stops with the CEO. There should have been proper planning prior to even the start of the window - going through each potential scenario with dummy runs to ensure requirements fully understood, estimate timings etc. It ain't rocket science. Also, even if not directly involved, swanning off to Birmingham on transfer deadline day is unbelievable. Even allowing for the farce of what happened  - what if one of our earlier targets became available at the last minute, and he is stuck on the M6 ?

I will add one caveat to this (based on what is currently happening in wider industry). The owners could be directly at fault (besides choice of staff) if they have cost cut administration staff to a level that makes it difficult to do their jobs to the appropriate level for times like this. Though even this would also involve the CEO

1 minute ago, den said:

I think you know that Paul’s trying to say that crowds dropped under Allardyce because of the non entertaining football. Without actually saying it.

They didn’t.

When did John Williams cheaper Season Tickets come in - this will have influenced attendance as well.

3 minutes ago, Inferi said:

Sounds so unprofessional. Ridiculous.

Could be that EFL delayed the checks on contract situation  - and that is the defence ? TBH who knows - just wait and see - but doesn't look good.

10 minutes ago, Gavlar Somerset Rover! said:

I mean, I don't usually trust Nicko but he'll be bang on here. Forest weren't going to stitch up one of their own players by making him play with the u'23s for six months, plus they've done about 100 deals in the past two windows. Our tin pot administration has struck once again.

Doesn't matter how many deals you do - look at Chelsea and PSG

3 minutes ago, Trinidad Rover said:

I'm an optimist but this is crap.

 

 

Yes, the more this goes on, the more worried I become. It would be so easy to put out a message - could even by a teaser - eg 2 signed, but who, find out at 10.

Lack of anything makes me worried they are just trying to line up their excuses for the media

1 minute ago, Tom said:

Glad I gave up and went to bed, odd lack of communication at all last night from the club not even the usual post match stuff 

Still imagine a couple of incomings got done but would just prefer a one liner telling us!

What is even stranger is that they announced Markanday going out on loan. We just have to hope that the signings are that good that they wanted to make a big announcement rather than it being hidden amongst the chaos of transfer deadline night (not holding breath though).

12 minutes ago, Gav said:

If Blackburn Rovers had put Diaz up from sale in the summer he would have been sold, its as simple as that DMTP. We wouldn't have got £20m, but even half that amount would be most welcome about now!

 

If rumours are true - nobody offered £10m. 

Did we not get £15m for Armstrong in the final year of his contract ? Not unreasonable to expect similar for BBD.

Though the same argument holds - he only moves if he/agent wants to.

7 minutes ago, Gav said:

Just imagine having the Brereton money burning a hole in JDT's pocket right now, like every well run club in the land would have done? We could bring in 3 well established players and push on for promotion.

Its inexcusable to have not let him leave for money, then slash the wage bills across the club.

Venkys out.

BBD's agent holds all the cards - even if we agreed a deal with another club - we can't force BBD to move. (unless we can come up with a deal with his pre-contract club)

48 minutes ago, simongarnerisgod said:

ar`nt we good samaritans,helping out another clubs player to get back to form

If he gets back to form and we end up top 6 - even better promotion - couldn't give a monkeys.

9 minutes ago, RoversClitheroe said:

Lewis Travis to Millwall - probably bullshit

Even though probably only a rumour - it shows how far down the pecking order he has gone that there is even a rumour that he would go to Millwall. No offence to them, but it isn't long ago that he was rumoured to be interesting lower premiership clubs. After a good start to the season, his form has fallen off a cliff.

1 hour ago, neophox said:

Smokescreens everywhere....

?

On 22/01/2023 at 18:47, chaddyrovers said:

Brilliant game between Arsenal and Manchester United showing why the PL is the best league in the world. 

Liverpool v Chelsea was hardly a good advert for the best league in the world 🙂

41 minutes ago, den said:

 

We had just as much chance all those years ago when everything Transfer wise was left to a manager who knew English lower league inside out and a chairman who knew the club inside out.

I think the biggest change is how the Premiership hoover up talent at youth level and from the lower leagues. Anyone decent not picked up by Premiership sides is invariably picked up by relegated teams with parachute payments.

You could probably add the Bosman impact - previously it wasn't as much of a worry if a players contract was up - as the club held his registration. None of these pre contract agreements back then.

I always remember the season we sold Jim Arnold - and bought Terry Gennoe, Ian Miller and Norman Bell (if my memory is correct). I am sure, even then we had two transfer lists depending on whether Everton stumped up the cash for Arnold (excellent keeper btw).

Though frustrated - I am prepared to wait for the end of the window before I judge. I am sure we are treading the usual gambit of trying to get the best we can with our limited transfer and wage budget. I also wouldn't be surprised if they are waiting to see what happens with Diaz - as it has the potential to drastically change the landscape.

Our DOF seems to be getting some stick - but it can't be easy given all the variables in play.

2 hours ago, 47er said:

Yes let's look at other clubs. Here's 3!

Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton! 3 clubs which get it right!

And its not just Brereton is it? 3 left for free at the end of last season and we really stuffed up with Raya before that.

Take the blinkers off.

With Lenihan and Nyambi they offered new contracts well in advance of them leaving. With Rothwell it was a strategic decision not to sell - based on our league position. It was a gamble that didn't pay off - but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Also, if we had sold Rothwell to a rival - how many would have accused the owners of lacking ambition ?

Raya is an interesting one - we got £3m for a Championship keeper - plus (if rumours are correct) a sizeable sell on fee. Now it is rumoured he will leave Brentford for £20 - 25m - but we have to remember that is for a Premiership experienced goalkeeper. I struggle to think of a Championship keeper with no top flight experience going for that amount of money. Also - how many months did he have on his contract when we sold him, could we have ended up with another Diaz ? Also - did we need the money to balance the FFP books ?

But I think you miss my main point - nobody really knows what offers have been made to BBD's agent - and yet many blame the club. Unless of course you have some great insider knowledge.

In truth I am not defending the club - just pointing out that things aren't always as black and white as some seem to think - i.e. BBD goes on a free transfer is totally the fault of the club or the owners.

For all those moaning about BBD potentially going for nothing need to look at other clubs. In the post Bosman era we have seen numerous examples of players running down their contracts. 

The blame by many seems to be placed on the club - I have no idea what efforts the club have made to keep BBD - and I doubt nor does anyone on this MB. Can anyone categorically say that the club haven't made repeated offers to get him to sign a new contract - and that it isn't a deliberate ploy by his agent to run down his contract. The pre-contract links to foreign clubs started over 12 months ago - coincidence ?

56 minutes ago, dingles staying down 4ever said:

People questioning the officials over the sending off should remember that it is just stupid and unprofessional to give a ref a decision to make.

If Adam W is sulking about a managerial decision then again it is unprofessional.

I could go on about unprofessional things at this club an they should be dealt with by the management but as the biggest crime of being unprofessional is not changing tactics when it is clear they arent working there is little chance.

A quick question - were the tactics last night, mixing short passes with long balls, typical of what had gone before ? Last night was different - and at times effective. The only time we went a bit suicidal at the back was when down to 10 men - prior to that we was playing it through the lines well.

8 hours ago, toogs said:

It was to ensure we saw out the game with a 2-1 defeat 🤪

I am sorry - pointless having creative players on the pitch if you are being overrun. We needed fresh legs to close them down quicker.

6 hours ago, Sparks Rover said:

It's just like Buckos penalty giveaway a few days ago, questionable decision but he gives the ref a decision to make.  Strange really.

I am glad you mentioned the penalty - watched it on Sky and not one person mentioned he actually touched the ball.

2 minutes ago, BankEnd Rover said:

Could be a season chnager that. We played well & even with conceding every felt we would of gone and won.

Pressure is building and Sunday is a MUST win.

Anyone blaming the manager for this loss should re-think. If we had 11 players on the pitch we’d of beat them.

I agree, I thought we played well in the 1st half - could have been at least 2 up. Manager got his tactics spot on.

Seen a replay of sending off "incident" - if that isn't over turned there is something desperately wrong. It was thrown by a smiling Buckley with no force - it was stupid, but when you think one of there players should have been sent off for two yellows in the 1st half, it is an unbelievable decision by the referee.

A good workout for our youth team - hopefully JDT will have learned some valuable lessons.

1. When Edun looks a 100 times better than Mola - you know it is time to send Mola back to his club.

2. Hirst - didn't get great service - but no time for a player that consistently pulls out of 50-50 challenges.

3. Philips - could become a good player - but not ready yet, especially poor positional awareness and pulled around by a good Forest forward line

4. Travis - not a right back, even JRC looked better against Norwich

5. Scott Wharton - needs to realise he isn't Beckenbauer - in a poor run of form

6. Adam Wharton - see Scott

7. Pears - best match in a Rovers shirt

8. Markanday - reminds me a little of Dolan. On the first half showing, not certain why he has been frozen out.

Some players will have (hopefully) learned some valuable lessons. Pears, Edun and Markanday will have done their loan chances no harm at all.

There was some very good passages of play - unfortunately intermingled with some awful defending, poor choice and execution of pass.

If tonight ends up with Hirst and Mola going back to their clubs and replaced (with hopefully better) - then it could end up being a good night 🙂