Mike E

Condolences SC. I’m glad you feel the forum is a space you can share that 🙂

Recently had a vasectomy. Still felt some discomfort around two weeks later, Doctor checked me out and everything is fine. But I need underwear with better ball support, as the tenderness is when the bag decides to be a little loose rather than tightened up. Anyone had experience of this and what type is best? I currently just wear boxers, whatever was cheapest in TK Maxx, I’m not fussy. But wondered if anyone had suggestions. Make as many ball jokes as you like!

Let’s see if it pays off for ‘em, Cotton.

All I remember is what I’ve described in that post. Can’t remember if it was something on here or if I was told in person by someone, but I was at least made aware. I believe it ties in to the potential breaches of contract with Macron that have been alleged elsewhere.

Around the same time it was disclosed that SW was sorting something out with Adidas re: club shop refurb, shirt sponsor, collab with Gary Aspen etc, I think? Then the women’s team issue was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I didn’t like Waggott for many reasons but at the very least he was trying to increase income, whereas Pasha et al seem to just seek cutback after cutback.

Quite right, my error 🙂 no harm done

I should have said experience (what I actually meant) rather than qualifications. I based my comment on the qualifications you posted from the club’s advert, then you highlighted the only qualification in that same advert that I think he is missing (experience) and say I’m making things up. You’re right that there are plenty of things to criticise Rovers for, and one of them is hiring people without experience in relevant roles. I think including Rhodes in that is just as fair as including Gestede and Pasha. I want to persistently make it clear that I’m not criticising Rhodes himself, as I have nothing against HIM. If he were involved in the coaching/scouting set-up, just as with Samba a few years ago, I’d be thrilled with one of my favourite Rovers being involved. Being appointed to this role in these circumstances and without experience just doesn’t feel right to me. I equally don’t understand how anyone can come to the conclusion he is an ‘excellent’ appointment based on literally no experience in any post-playing role.

Like I’ve said, I don’t specifically have a problem with Rhodes in the role, he COULD be fine. But I feel like a club of our stature, utilising a relatively new role (previously an in-house responsibility of other staff) we would get someone who at least had experience of coaching or scouting, let alone the actual role itself. Even purely thinking of ex-players, Dunn, Neill, even ex-academy Keith Brown all have more qualification than Rhodes.

And found an ex-player with no particular experience prior to the role. Some ‘search’ that was.

Well at least you understood the post then. Thank you, hadn’t really known that. Don’t really understand how it relates to Rhodes being appointed.

I’ll put it this way. If it were common knowledge we were advertising for one, who on here would have thought ‘I bet Jordan Rhodes would be perfect for that’?

Could’ve been given to David Lowe? Or Stuart Jones’ replacement.

Which leads me nicely to my next point: Why Rhodes, specifically? Why not literally any ex-Rover? There is nothing Rhodes has done of merit to be ‘an excellent appointment’, even compared to a bog-standard EFL coach such as (for example) a promotion for David Lowe.

He might be great at the role, and I’m concerned over absolutely nothing. BUT Carlton Cole had 4 years as a coach under his belt before being appointed to loan manager. Edit - my mistake, 6 years as a coach. Jonny Evans has been given the role just this summer with no coaching experience, like Rhodes has, and at a club almost as dysfunctional as ours. The one thing Evans does at least have is leadership experience, a captain for Leicester City, West Brom, and Northern Ireland. From a non-emotional perspective, Rhodes has as much qualification for the role as I do. I would argue I have at least been in multiple roles where I am responsible for others and their development.

So many ways is three in total. It is a poor appointment in terms of: Experience coaching. Experience scouting. Experience in football administration. Experience as a leader. Experience in literally any role outside of playing football.

Also right in front of the cameras

I wonder if a boycott by attending but remaining outside around Jack’s statue might be worth doing? Would look good for the cameras. Derby’s recent history with ownership, they MIGHT be willing to help, as Blackpool were a decade ago.

My concern about Rhodes being Loan Manager is as much about the fact we appear to have created this role this summer (jobs for the boys) as about his ability. Prior to this summer, the role was seemingly done by the coaches/academy manager? Or did we have one I didn’t know about?

I have nothing against Rhodes, he makes my post-Venky X1 every day of the week, one of my favourites. But which of those things qualifies him for a role managing the development of academy/reserve players (requires coaching experience) and their loan moves (requires experience dealing with other clubs, agents, and scouting)?

I understand the former player thing, but I don’t understand why Rhodes. I don’t feel like he has ever come across as an authority of any sort. I saw him perhaps as a coach or scout first. I’d have thought a Loan Manager would at least have experience of scouting or coaching (maybe he does tbf).

And Owen, who worked with Kean at Hibs…

… WHY?

Bit of an odd one to wank to, no?

That’s just how he looks prior to the spice!

I sent a Q asking why I should feel positive when the club has been unable to renew an first team contract since Adam Wharton in 2023 and a combined over 1000 Rovers appearances, and the spine from multiple 7th placed finishes, has been removed (choice word) from the club?